Revolution & democracy today

When looking at the communist revolutions in the Soviet Union & China, & today's revolutions in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, how does society balance the demands of maintaining the democratic process with leaders' attempts to use democracy to further their personal aims?  (for instance, Hitler used democracy to destroy the democratic process in Germany) 

Uprising Discussion, Final Part

Final Thoughts? How does this film change your perception of the Jewish people during the Holocaust?

Would you have been so positive as Miria?

Could have you went through the sewers like they did?

Would have you left the rest behind, or made sure all got on the truck before leaving?

Would you have remained in Poland after the war, or emigrate to Palestine (Israel)?

Uprising Discussion, Part III

What are your thoughts?  Who do you think is going to live? Die? 

Would have you been able to have found love during this time period?

Would have you been able to just ignore what was happening behind those walls?

What it so hard for Tosia to do/what did she have to compromise on Easter?

Would have you sacrificed yourself like the former Jewish police officer did?

Would you have wanted to stay & fight, or try to find a way out of the ghetto?

Would have you been able to keep your cool as Yitzhak did when dealing with the Polish underground?

Would have you been willing to go up and fight for the one child?

What you be thinking/feeling during Mordechai’s speech in the bunker?

Uprising Discussion, Part I

“Can a moral man maintain his moral code in an immoral world?”  Mordechai
For all of the questions that ask “What would you do” explain yourself, do not just put down yes or no.
What are your impressions for the first day?  Here are some questions to help you remember what happened.


Where is Yitzhak and Mordechai trying to send their students?

How would you feel if you were Chairman Adam Czerniakow when dealing with the Germans?

Why is Tosia selling their family's goods?

What are your feelings towards the Commissar’s secretary when she was telling them that their 23 hostages were killed?

Would you negotiate with the Germans as Chairman Czerniakow does, or fight as Mordechai?

Why do the Jews still have schools, ballet lessons, orchestra performances inside the ghetto?

Would you be able to work for the Jewish police? 

Would have you been able to play your violin?

Soviets or Allies?

Who had the greatest impact in defeating Nazi Germany?  The Soviets or the Western Allies (Br. Fr. & US)?  Provide reasons for your choice.

Totalitarianism, Technology & Today

Stalin, Hitler, & Mussolini were able to become totalitarian rulers because the technology of their time allowed for quick, efficient dissemination of information & propaganda.  They controlled what information the public received even to the point of rewriting history and controlling what students were taught.  Given that the technology of today is now considered 'real-time' do you think that a ruler could control information in the way that Stalin, Hitler, & Mussolini did 80-90 years ago, or is the world so connected that one could not have complete control of the information superhighway?

The Purpose of War

What is the purpose of war?  How had WWI changed the attitudes & perceptions of war?  How is war viewed today?  Where do you stand when it comes to war?

Social Darwinism

What are your reactions to the concept of Social Darwinism as summarized by the article in class? Do you agree or disagree? How has your view(s) of American History changed now that you know that its past leaders held this opinion? Do you think Americans still hold on to this idea in some form?

Favorite Ice Cream

What is your favorite ice cream and why!

Revolutions....& today

Considering that we have been talking about both the American & French revolutions and that currently the people of Egypt are protesting for a change in their country, what do you think finally motivates people to ask for/demand a change?  What is it that finally convinces people to act?  How does that desire for change mesh with the desire to maintain peace and peace itself?

Absolutist Keys to Success

After reading about the different absolutist monarchs and how they rule, do you believe that the monarch exists 1) to maintain and strengthen the country, or 2) to take care of the people that they rule and protect their well being? 

Strong or Weak Leader

Do you believe that people want/desire a strong person leading them in terms of national leadership?  Or would they rather have someone that they can get rid of when they want and then set up for themselves a new person to lead them?  Please explain your thoughts.

The Scientific Revolution

Do you believe that science and religions (their ideas, doctrines, teachings, history) can be reconciled?  That is, does one have to make the choice to either believe in science and abandon their faith, or hold on to their faith and therefore question science?  Or, can one find harmony with the two?  Explain.

Luther & his ideas

First, would have you been willing to have the Holy Roman Emperor cut off your head rather than give up your personal beliefs about your own faith? Explain your answer. (Remember, you are a noble, and have a lot of land and money to lose).  Second, if you didn't believe in Luther's ideas, would you still be willing to use those ideas as a leverage against the Holy Roman Emperor and compromise your own faith?

Medieval Man vs. Renaissance Man

Is it more effective to focus on how society could or should be (as proposed and written by the Medieval Scholars & Christian Humanists), or to concentrate on how life really is (as proposed and written by the Humanists of the Renaissance)?  Where would you place today's view of humanity?

To Be Feared or Loved?

If you were to be the ruler of a principality, would you rather have your subjects fear you, or love you?  You may not sit the fence on this, pick a side and explain your position.

Crusades

Do you think that the effects of the Crusades still affect Christian & Muslim attitudes & views towards each other today?  Think about the portrayal of each group today in TV, the Web, movies, newspapers, & other media.  Please explain your answer.

Separation of Church & State

During this week's class, we discussed the emergence of the idea of separation of church & state.  When the Cluny monks developed this idea, they believed that it was the state that should stay out of church affairs.  Today, people view this concept entirely different.  Many people erroneously believe that the concept originated in the US Constitution, rather it is part of a document that Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802.  What are your thoughts on the concept of separation of church & state?  How does it fit into your America?

Chess & Feudalism

How do the pieces, moves, and overall strategy of the game of chess relate to the roles and function of feudalism?  What is the symbolism between the two?  How does the game of chess symbolize politics & the quest for power & authority?  Finally, how does the game of chess challenge you?

Collaborative Learning Process

This week's post deals with your thoughts about the collaborative learning process.  We will continue to use the collaborative learning process throughout the semester.  What did you think about the process?  Did you like the use of expert groups & home groups?  How can we make this process better for use in the future?