Welcome to World Issues

Welcome to the World Issues Course.  As explained initially in class, this blog will serve as our journal as we begin to explore our role as informed citizens in a democracy.  From that, we will begin to explore the complex issues affecting us in a very globalized world - both those 'home' as well as foreign policy issues and concerns.  As we explore these various topics, you will be asked for your thoughts and input into our topics by posting here on this blog.  I will generally let you know when a post is necessary (homework) and what topic we are posting on. As previously mentioned, this is your on-line 'journal'.

If you have reached this far, you have a valid gmail address to access this blog.  What I would like you to do here in your very first post is to introduce yourself - basic biographical information (full name, nick name, family, post high school ideas, etc.).  This offers all of us to get to know each other which will help facilitate robust discussion here and in class.  Also - put one thing that you would really like to know more about that is related to our course.  For example, you may want to know more about taxes, or the new Affordable Health Care Act ('Obama care'), or why we give 5 billion dollars annually to Egypt, what the heck is ISIL? .  You get the idea - post away!

Blood Diamond:

So … we are almost through two thirds of the movies.  While we recognize that this is a movie, it also is a statement about many social and cultural issues both in developing countries as well as developed - like the US or Belgium or France. 

 Your task is to do this:  Answer the following question regarding the movie at this point.  Second, post a question you have about the movie related to conflict diamonds, the diamond market, child soldiers, the role of the world media in terms of what is 'reported' through the media outlets, etc.  Make sure that it is a question that has 'merit' and demonstrates a clear line of thinking and analysis on your part about what is happening here in the movie.  

Here is the question:

1. What human rights issues were illustrated in the film? What international laws are in place to stop or prevent those abuses? 

2. Ask a question that you have regarding the above.

Sometimes in April: Agustine and Honore

Sometimes in April is a compelling, complicated film dealing with the relationship between two brothers on opposite sides of the Rwandan genocide in 1994.  At the end of the movie, Agustine and his brother Honore are sitting at a table during the gencide tribunal where Honore is on trial for crimes against humanity.

What do you think Agustine should do? Should he forgive his brother - or should he continue to hold him partially responsible for the death of his wife and three children?  If so, why should he be held responsible?  If not, why not?

Sometimes in April

A Failure to Act - Rwanda

This post is different in that you will respond to questions based upon what you have seen in the movie.  You can simply answer in same number format that is presented here if that is easier for you.

The picture above is a collection of weapons that were collected at the border after the genocide was over.  The genocide in Rwanda left many hundreds of thousands of Tutsi and moderate Hutu's dead.  The reasons why genocide happens is complicated and confusing.  Based upon what we watched so far in class, please respond to the following:

1.  How did the radical Hutu's incite racist, genocidal actions among their followers (Give multiple examples)?  

2.  Why is control of the Radio Station so important to the Hutu movement?
3.  The leader of the Rwandan government army during the genocide reminds a U.S. State Department official that Rwanda has no oil and no natural resources. Why did he say this?

Terrorism: Your Option '5'

Congratulations - you have just completed your first role-play!  In this post, I am going to ask that you consider some points of emphasis regarding US policy on terrorism.  Next, I am also asking that you think about what you heard in deliberations today and then decide perhaps on a different option. One that you feel is more representative of your own thoughts and ideas on how best the US should deal with terrorism.

First - tell me the order in which, from most to least, of the options you agree or identify with - you do this by writing about the one you most closely agree with and why, and then list out the other three options (i.e. 3,1,2).

Second, tell me what your own idea is on terrorism.  Provide that in your post with some details and reasons why you think this option is the 'best'.  Be sure to be persuasive with substantial evidence on your views.  You cannot just say - Bring the Battle to Terrorism - and nothing else.  I want the WHY here - list as many reasons why you are thinking this way.  Your option 5 can be a blending of two options or something completely different.  It is entirely up to you.

What Have You Learned?

Well.... Here we are almost done with the 'Our American Government' storybook.  The purpose of the project of course is not to test your ability write a children's non-fiction book, as much as it is to see what you understand about how government 'works' for you - a citizen.  One thing that always strikes me is that we as average citizens always seem so distint from what happens daily in our nation's capital, as well as in our state's own in downtown Albany.  Either way, it can seem a very tangential experince from our own daily perspective.

So - my question here is simple: What did you learn doing this project?  In a much broader sense, what did you learn about how it (government) works, how you interact with it, and how you can change it?  To perhaps broaden the topic even a bit more - how shoud the government respond to your needs?  Is it easy to connect with elected officials? How? Could you propose anything that might make the interaction between your needs and elected officials easier? How?

WELCOME TO WORLD ISSUES

Welcome to the World Issues Course.  As explained initially in class, this blog will serve as our journal as we begin to explore our role as informed citizens in a democracy.  From that, we will begin to explore the complex issues affecting us in a very globalized world - both those 'home' as well as foreign policy issues and concerns.  As we explore these various topics, you will be asked for your thoughts and input into our topics by posting here on this blog.  I will generally let you know when a post is necessary (homework) and what topic we are posting on. As previously mentioned, this is your on-line 'journal'.

If you have reached this far, you have a valid gmail address to access this blog.  What I would like you to do here in your very first post is to introduce yourself - basic biographical information (full name, nick name, family, post high school ideas, etc.).  This offers all of us to get to know each other which will help facilitate robust discussion here and in class.  Also - put one thing that you would really like to know more about that is related to our course.  For example, you may want to know more about taxes, or the new health care law ('obama care'), or why we give 5 billion dollars annually to Egypt.  You get the idea - post away!