Monday, May 31, 2010

Today, you wrote an in-class assignment 1 essay exam (on part three). Tomorrow, you will write the part three multiple choice exam.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Today, our class was shortened due to the Roeo Breakfast. Basically, you were reminded of your in-class essay on Monday for Part 3 and your multiple choice exam on Tuesday. Study!!!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Today, we discussed more from Chapter 12 (postmodernism, extremism). As part of this, we got into a pretty heated discussion on our level of happiness today compared to the past. While we have more and are a consumerist society, our happiness levels have not improved. Further, we discussed what we do with products (such as computers) when we are finished with them. Many argued that we recycle so our impact on the world is minimal. I countered this byshowing video of a polluted river in Asia and tehn we started watching "The Story of Stuff" which explains how we extract, use and dispose of products as well as the impact we have. I am moving your exams to Monday (essay) and Tuesday in order to provide you with more study time. For tomorrow, I need you to have finished reading Chapter 12 and have made chapter notes (which will be recorded).

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Today, I gave out a Source I analysis for Assignment I. Basically, we will do one of these each day that we do them (for 15 minutes) and then, after you have done three, we will do the final interpretation and type it out. This way, you will have completed an Assignment I in steps which fits in better in this unit.
You are to finish reading Chapter 12 tonight (we discussed postmodernism today). You will then be tested on this unit on Monday (essay) and Tuesday (m.c.). On Friday, we are having a rodeo breakfast which would cut inot a major exam, so we will probably finish Assignment I on this day and then you'll have the weekend to study and prepare.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Today, you did a source analysis (#2) which was a visual relating to the Patriot Act. This led into a detailed discussion of the Act and the others that you were to have examined in-depth on Thursday. I also marked your reading notes on the first half of Chapter 12 and also on the notes on the acts relating to security which were completed on Thursday. From here, we examined the song "Kenji" which examines Japanese Internment. We watched a video on the song and I also provided the lyrics.
The dates for your unit exams are Thursday for the eEssay (assignment II type) and Friday for teh multiple choice. This means we need to complete the reading for Chapter 12 and study!!!!!!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

A few of you still need to show your news bureaus. You were going to do so today; however, I am not here. Instead, you will present next Wednesday (but ONLY those who didn't do so this week… we are stopping news bureaus due to time constraints after this).
Today, you will be working on acts that can affect liberalism in a democracy (Illiberal Acts)
You were given two items: a sheet entitled “Comparing Security Legislation” and a booklet entitled “War Measures Act”
You read the acts and answered the questions in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of these as they are are necessary to know in order to do well on the final
You are then to read the first half of chapter 12 (the Viability of Liberalism: P. 406 to 416 and make notes (these will need to be shown on Tuesday for a mark)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Today, you will complete a paired activity where you explore various acts necessary for in-depth understanding. This assignment will be handed out in class and will be due by the end of class. Further, you are to read the first half of Chapter 12 (the Viability of Liberalism: P. 406 to 416 and make notes (they will need to be shown on Tuesday for a mark).

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Today was a News Bureau day. Not everyone was able to show theirs so those who didn't will show them Next Wednesday. I won't be here tomorrow so there isn't much more I can do. Further, we will be halting the news bureaus as we need to get through more content as the end of the year draws near.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Today, we wrote our first Assignment I source interpretation. The image we examined related to the War Measures Act in Canada and Japanese Internment and Aftermath. This led to discussion about the War Measures Act, what it was and when it was invoked (WWI, WWII, and FLQ Crisis in 1970). We will be examining one of these each day. In addition, you also had to show me your part II Chapter 11 reading notes (for completion marks).
Tomorrow is news bureau. I expect one well developed story from each group, hopefully relating to acts of protest in democratic liberal societies.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Today, you were to have read and made notes on Chapter 11. Some did and some did not. After discussion, we decided as a class that you will have daily writings relating to assignment I for your exam as well as marks on reading notes (completion). I have disregarded the reading notes for today; however, you need to make reading notes on the second half of the chapter (Rejecting the Principles of Liberalism; page 393 on).

Friday, May 14, 2010

Today, we examined Cuba and Argentina in relation to their history, political structure, violations against their people and current situation. This was an inquiry based activity that ties to chapter 10. If you were not here, go online and find out the following:
Types of government over the years (and what they are now)
standard of living
Cuba: U.S. reaction to revolution and why as well as why there is a U.S. military base there
Argentina: What atrocity was committed under a military regime in 1976? How were people affected by this (particularly some 500 children)?
The goal is to have you come to an understanding of why a country might prefer to move to a different type of government (whether for greater safety and security or for independence).
Make sure you read chapter 11 for Monday and make notes.

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Today, we discussed how much decision-making power should be in the hands of the population and how much should be directly in the hands of their representatives. It was a pretty heated discussion. Tomorrow, we will discuss Cuba and Argentina as they relate to types of governmnent and the use of terror to maintain control over a population. Make sure you are reading Chapter 11 as you will need to be well informed on it for Monday.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Today was news bureau. Start reading chapter 11 as you will need to have it completed for Monday. Also, review the second half of chapter 10 for discussion tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Today, we finished our discussion on Canada's government and touched upon that of the United States. We addressed the two-party system and the multi-party system as well as the problems they encounter. Tomorrow is news bureau. Each group should have one (or possibly two) well developed, relevant stories to share with us.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Today, we discussed Chapter 10 of your text, which was the various types of democratic governments. While we touched on U.S. republican democracy and Swedan's Proportional government, our focus was on Canada's Parliamentary democracy. We discussed the various branches and roles each one has as well as how the government is formed and parties as well as party loyalty. Tomorrow, we will continue with the U.S. and, hopefully Swedan.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Today, we discussed the role of the U.N in dtermining standards as well as humanitarian reasons for imposing liberalism on other countries (Chapter 9). be sure to read and KNOW chapter 10 (political systems) for Monday.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Today was News Bureau Day. The key stories were the BP oil spill, immigration, women's rights in the Middle East, and... guy trapped on bench (don't ask me, ask Ryan). Tomorrow, we will talk about imposition of Liberalism on other countries (I want to wrap that up).

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Today, we did a civic activity as a class.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Today, we touched on reasons for imposing Liberalism on other countries (again). I tehn handed out an introduction to the documentary Uncovered: The Whole Truth about the Iraq War. We then discussed the "war" and the information that wasn't confirmed that led to it (weapons of mass destruction). The students then began watching it. One term that came out of this that they weren't familiar with was "preemptive war". I had them write it down for further discussion. We will finish watching this tomorrow. They also need to ensure they have read the next chapter (chapter 10) by Thursday at the latest.