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September 30, 2007
Monday - Tuesday, Oct. 1 - 2: Introduction to the Final Project
Project Introduction
We will spend the bulk of this hour going over the requirements for the final project. In case you lose the sheets you get in class, here are copies of the project description and the project checklist.
Research Time
The remainder of the class time will be for you to begin researching your country. I gave you a number of articles that you might find helpful, but you will need to find your own articles as well. The following websites along with the Mounds Park Academy databases should help you.
New York Times Central Page for Africa - This is where the New York Times links all of its articles and special reports on Africa.
Washington Post Central Page for Africa - This is where the Washington Post links all of its articles and special reports on Africa.
U.S. State Department Page on Africa
CIA Factbook On the Countries of the World - Select your country from the dropdown list on this page. You will find a lot of statistics about your country in this factbook.
BBC Site on Africa - This is where the BBC links all of its stories and special reports on Africa.
Library of Congress Portals to the World - Select your country from the list. You will find many additional links specific to your country on this page.
Human Rights Watch Africa Page - This has information about human rights abuses in African countries. Depending on what is going on in your country, this site may or may not be helpful.
Posted by kmurr at 7:50 PM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2007
Wednesday - Thursday, Sept. 19 - 20: The Impacts of Colonization and Decolonization
The Impacts of Colonization
We will finish talking about our colonial ledgers. Be prepared to share your ideas and to write down other students' ideas.
Decolonization Lecture
You will take a few notes about decolonization. You will also look at a really interesting map that is a visual representation of the colonization and decolonization process.
Homework
Continue preparing for next week's exam. A - Day students will take their exam on Thursday, September 27th. B - Day students will take their exam on Wednesday, September 26th.
Posted by kmurr at 2:02 PM | Comments (1)
September 17, 2007
Monday - Tuesday, Sept. 17 - 18: Direct and Indirect Rule
"Practicing" Colonization
Today we will be conquering the fifth graders . . . well, we will be planning our colonization of the fifth graders. We have two major options when it comes to how to rule these students and we need to discuss these options. One option is called direct rule, while the other option in called indirect rule. I will explain the basics of these two options and then we will discuss the following questions:
-Which method gives the most power to the fifth graders? Could this be a problem? -Which method gives us the most power? Why is this? -Which method is the most cost effective for us? -Which method will create the most support amongst the fifth graders? How could we take advantage of this? -Which method is best for the fifth graders? Should we consider this? -Which form of rule would be most approved of by the other grades? Why should we consider this issue?Direct versus Indirect Control
We will make some generalizations about direct and indirect control. You will be working in groups for part of this activity.
The Impacts of Colonization
We will start this discussion today and finish it in the next class. You are going to need to do a little bit of thinking about how European colonization could have had positive and negative impacts on Africa. You are going to get into a group of three to four and brainstorm about the political, economic and social impacts of colonization on Africa. You are going to need to be a little creative as you think about these impacts because we haven't actually studied these impacts yet or read about them. Use the following questions to help your brainstorming.
Political
-Was there more or less conflict as a result of colonization?
-How could African governments have benefited from colonization?
-Were Africans able to control their own governments during colonization? How would this impact Africa?
-What impact did colonization have on equality?
Economic
-What did Europeans build in Africa that could have benefited African economies?
-What part of the African economies grew during colonization?
-Did trade with Europe increase or decrease as a result of colonization?
-Under the colonial system, who produced finished goods? How would this impact African economies?
Social
-Would colonization expose Africans to new ideas? Is this a positive or negative thing?
-What were the impacts of colonization on medicine and education for Africans?
-What were the psychological impacts of colonization? How would colonization make Africans feel?
Homework
Continue studying for your first test. Don't forget to consult the review sheet as you study.
Posted by kmurr at 9:12 PM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2007
Thursday - Friday, Sept. 13 - 14: Colonization Lecture
Colonization Lecture
You will take some notes on the motivations for and mechanics of the European colonization of Africa. Be prepared to answer some questions as we discuss these topics.
Note Review
We know that you are still learning how to take notes. In order to make sure that you are writing down the correct information, we want you to get in to groups of 2 - 3 and compare your notes. This should give you an idea of what other people are recording and whether or not you are getting enough information in your notes.
Test Preparation
You have your first test coming up in a little over a week. We will give you a review sheet in class today and give you a few suggestions for studying.
Homework
Begin studying for your first unit test. It will be on September 24th (B Day) or September 25th (A Day). Be sure to consult the review sheet as you are preparing.
Posted by kmurr at 3:21 PM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2007
Tuesday - Wednesday, Sept. 11 - 12: Colonization and Cartoons
September 11th Six Years Later
To a certain extent, this will be a continuation of our day one conversation. We will talk about how things have changed since September 11, 2001 and where we headed in the coming years.
The Search for Facts in the Funnies
You will complete a fact-finding mission in a small group today. You will use a series of cartoons to determine as many facts as you can about European imperialism in Africa. All of the cartoons were drawn in the late 1800's and early 1900's and all of them deal with imperialism. You will also look at an excerpt from a poem and a drawing of an important conference. As you look at all of these different primary sources, think about the following questions:
What were the motivations for European imperialism? In other words, why did Europe want to take over African territory?
-What were the economic motivations?
-What were the political motivations?
-What were the moral motivations?
What countries were involved with imperialism and to what extent were they involved?
How were Africans involved with imperialism?
How did imperialism take place?
What were the impacts of imperialism on Africa?
I will use a projector to show you these images. As each image comes up, discuss it in your groups and record your thoughts on the sheet that I handed to you in class. The goal of this activity is for you to develop as many conclusions as you can about European imperialism in Africa.
Homework
No homework this evening!
Posted by kmurr at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)
September 9, 2007
Friday - Monday, Sept. 7 - 10: Reparations
Reparations Debate
Now that you have a more complete understanding of the European slave trade in Africa, let's discuss one of the current debates associated with slavery. Specifically, I want to discuss the proposal to give the descendents of slaves money as compensation for the suffering of their ancestors. This financial compensation is called reparations. We will debate whether or not reparations should be given to the descendents of slaves. Think about the follow questions as we debate.
Does slavery continue to impact our society today? If so, how?
Should current generations be held responsible for past generations' mistakes?
How much money should people receive? Can a value be placed on someone's suffering?
Can the United States afford to pay reparations? Should this even be a consideration?
If the United States pays reparations to the descendents of slaves, will it have to pay reparations to other groups?
Homework
You do not have any homework for Tuesday/Wednesday's class.
Posted by kmurr at 1:13 PM | Comments (0)
September 5, 2007
Wednesday - Thursday, Sept. 5 - 6: The Euro-African Slave Trade
Notes on the Euro-African Slave Trade
We will begin with a lecture on the slave trade. You will learn about the motivations for the European slave trade in Africa, the "mechanics" of this trade and the impacts of this trade. You will receive a note guide that will help you organize your ideas and follow the lecture.
Slave Trade Writing Activity
Each of you will receive one of five parts. Each part has a description of a person, a list of questions and a space to write. Use the description and the questions to write a reaction to the Euro-African slave trade from your person's perspective. In order to help you come up with some ideas, you will get into a small group with other people who share your part. You can discuss the descriptions and questions together and then begin to write.
Homework
On Friday/Monday, we will have a debate about reparations, the policy that would give the descendents of slaves money as compensation for the suffering of their ancestors. In order to prepare for this debate, you need to read the article "Does the Nation Owe Blacks for Slavery?" and mark the arguments for and against reparations. This work will help you make your required comments on Friday/Monday.
In addition to this reading, you should complete the slave trade writing activity.
Posted by kmurr at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)