Reflections on Presentations

Now that you have finished doing your presentations and have listened to your peers' presentations I would like you to do some reflecting. How did you feel doing research in English?Are you glad you picked the topic you chose? Have you now become interested in finding out about one of your peer's topics? Please share!!

Some video (link) that some students found:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6YOfTOaCig
Europa Europa (to rent)
The Killing Fields (to rent)
The S 21 Killing Machine (documentary -to rent)

Information on how to know the diamond you want to buy is safe:
Amnestyusa.org

Indformation on how to support UNICEF:
WWW.SUPPORTUNICEF.ORG/FORM

Foreign Student Voice

I am sorry to confuse you all but made a mistake. The submissions for the Student Voice are due this week 11/6. If you have not already done so, please email your submissions to me as soon as possible.

There will be no blog posting this week as I want you to prepare a submission for the Student Voice. Any questions please come to office hours or email me.

Personal Reflections

Now that we are halfway through the book I would like you to reflect back on what you have read, discussed in groups and in class. Please share with your peers what are your favorite or most memorable part of the book is so far. In addition, express what you have learned through A Long Way Gone.

Military Training

In chapter 12, Beah joins the army. He describes his training and the techniques that were used to make him and the others angry (pg 112). Are you surprised by any of the training ? If he had been recruited into the RUF do you think his training would have been much different? If you have personal military experience, would you please share with us how your training was similar or different to Beah's.

Naming Ceremony

In chapter 10 on pages 75-7, Beah talks about his naming ceremony. He describes the preparations, the procedure and its importance. In your culture, do you have such a ceremony? When and where does it take place? Who presides over the ritual? What is its significance to the family and community? Read your classmates responses and see what similarities you have with them.

Are people inherently good or bad?

In the film Blood Diamond, the teacher, Benjamin has a conversation with Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) about people. They discuss if people are inherently good or bad. What do you think? Are people born good and then become bad, or are we born bad and are taught to be good? Perhaps you have a different way of looking at things. Please share your opinion and thoughts.

Lessons form Grandparents

Being in the forest brings back memories of Beah's grandparents. On page51, he remembers one visit when his grand father points out medicinal leaves and trees and on page 53-4 retells a fable that his grandmother had told him. Why do you think he retells these accounts. Can you share any similar account(s) that you have had with your own grandparents or elderly relative?

Liberation Movements

On page 14, Beah states "I had heard from adults that this was a revolutionary war, a liberation of the people from a corrupt government." Unsurprisingly, he questions this, for he can not comprehend how a liberation movement can shoot innocent civilians including children. This was not the first nor will probably be the last liberation movement to kill innocent people. Why do you think this happens? Can you share any examples of liberation movements that have gone bad (from your country or any other country)?

Welcome

Dear students,
This semester we will be using a blog to discuss A Long Way Gone. It is important that before you write you read what others have written. I not only want you to respond to what I have written but also to what your peers have written. Two ESL 082 classes will be using this blog regularly. Please always sign in to use the blog so that we know who is writing.
Enjoy!
Judith

welcome to a new semester

my name is will van dorp. i teach ENG 112. my class is using A Long Way Gone also. i hope the reactions of my students to the book by ishmael beah will enhance the reading experience for all of us.