Arab Spring - What's Next?

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Article 4 - The Price of Going to Class

“The Price of Going to Class”

Dexter Filkins in Kandahar, Afghanistan
February 2009

Directions:  Use the article, “The Price of Going to Class,” to examine the role/importance of education in society today.

1.     Analyze the importance of education to the girls of Afghanistan.  Use quotes from the article to reinforce your viewpoint.

 


 

2.     Based on your knowledge of Social Studies and the article, explain why the pursuit of education should be an unalienable right, especially in today’s society.

The Price of Going to Class

Article 3 - The Price of Young Love

“The Price of Young Love”

Jack Healy

Herat, Afghanistan

Upfront Magazine, October 3, 2011

As a teenager in America, dating in is a common trend.  This is not the case in other parts of the world.  Read the following article, "The Price of Young Life,"and post your comment on the blog.

The Price of Young Love

Questions for thought...

1.  What if dating was not allowed in the U.S., how would you respond?
2.  What if your parents were the ones to decide whom you should marry or what you should do with your life? 
3.  What price would you be willing to pay for this freedom?

Article 2 - Saudi Arabia's Freedom Riders

“Saudi Arabia's Freedom Riders”

Neil MacFarquhar

Saudi Arabia

Upfront Magazine, October 24, 2011

Use the article provided to you in class or the link below to access this site.  In addition to the article, several questions and writing prompts are also listed at the bottom of the article.  I have also posted several addition questions from another source underneath the link.

Saudi Arabia's Freedom Riders

Why is the right to drive so important to the women who are protesting? How could it transform their lives?

Why do you think Saudi leaders have refused to grant women driver’s licenses?

Do you think granting women the right to drive would ultimately lead to the lifting of other restrictions? Why or why not?

ESSAY

The article describes many restrictions on women  rights in Saudi Arabia. Which restriction do you think has the greatest impact on women lives? Why? Write an essay explaining your view.

 

Article 1 - Marriage - or Else

“Marriage - Or Else”

Rod Nordland & Alissa J. Rubin

Kabal, Afghanistan

Upfront Magazine, January 31, 2011

I have taken the liberty to provide some questions for thought.

1.   Look at the marriage chart on page 3 of your article.  What do the countries listed have in common with Afghanistan?

2.     How might women’s rights and early marriage be related?

3.     What does the article indicate about the traditional roles of men and women in Afghan society?  Why do you think those roles are still so deeply entrenched in parts of the country?

4.     What rules did the Taliban impose on women?  Why do you think they did this?

5.     Why do tribes still exert so much control over Afghan life?  How might this affect the nation’s stability, its economy, and its future?

6.     How does life for a teenage girl in Afghanistan differ from that of an American teenager?  Are there any similarities?

7.     Forty-three percent of women in Afghanistan marry before age 18, compared with less than 1 percent in the U.S.  What do you think some of the reasons may be for this vast difference?

8.     Does the U.S. have a responsibility now to safeguard women’s rights in Afghanistan?

Marriage - or Else

The Middle East - An Insight into Islamic Culture

We have just finished studying about the religions that originated in the Middle East. To get started, several articles are being assigned for students to read and blog about.  I will create a separate post for each article. 

Happy Blogging!!!!

Blogging in World Geography

Blogging allows students to express themselves in a global community.  It provides an opportunity for collaboration, individual growth in writing, and exposure to technology that they may not use otherwise. Blogging provides a forum to express your opinions, while learning to constructively respond to someone who may differ in their views.  This will also allow you to stay abreast on current events relating to regions they are studying about in World Geography and develop a deeper understanding about the world around them.

State Standards:

21A     Analyze and evaluate the validity and utility of multiple sources of geographic

           information such as primary and secondary sources, aerial photographs, and

           maps.

22B     Generate summaries, generalizations, and thesis statements supported by

           evidence

Assignment:

Students are required to post on the class blog about current events.  Your articles should relate to the current unit of study. Please post the link to the article/information that you are blogging about.

1.     Students are expected to write a brief paragraph on the blog a minimum of three (3) times during a six-week grading period.  Your writing should be informative, insightful, and original. Do not be repetitive of what other students are saying!

2.     Students are required to respond to at least three (3) of their classmates post during a six-week grading period.  Your comment should help clarify, add to, support, or oppose information /point of view.

3.     In addition to the above, students can also blog about what is being taught in class or heard on the news that is relative to World Geography.  

   
What are your thoughts about blogging?