7. Wisdom

"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself." ~ Chinese Proverb

A proverb is a wise saying that reveals a truth about human experience. People around the world have used proverbs to help them think about life and the world.

What is your favorite proverb? What does this proverb mean to you? Give an example of how this proverb might apply to people's lives today.

Here’s an example for you:

One of my favorite proverbs is “People who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes.” This quote is credited to Abigail Van Buren. To me, this proverb means that if someone is doing something wrong, I shouldn’t do the same thing to that person. That usually just makes the situation worse. Instead, I should look for a way to solve the problem. I think if people tried to communicate more, they would have fewer problems. If someone is being rude, it won’t help the situation to be rude back. Instead, a person could try to find out why the person is being rude by asking if he or she has done something to upset the person. I apply this proverb in my own life by trying to always be the “bigger person” if someone does something wrong to me. Getting mad and getting even both end up making my life worse, so I just try to let go of negative energies and to move forward with my life.

Your response should be 100-200 words and is due no later than 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2014. You will lose points if your response is under 100 words, if it is late, and/or if it does not reflect your own ideas.

6. Betrayal

“Do not trust all men, but trust men of worth; the former course is silly, the latter a mark of prudence.” ~ Democritus

“Sometimes before it gets better / The darkness gets bigger / The person that you’d take a bullet for is the one behind the trigger” ~ “Miss Missing You,” Fall Out Boy

In a tragedy, the hero may face some sort of betrayal by a person he trusts. In Othello, the hero trusts Iago without wavering; this misplaced faith contributes to his eventual downfall. Oedipus, on the other hand, sees disloyalty all around him, but in the end he learns that no other person has betrayed him.

In your own words, reflect on a time that you (or someone you know) were betrayed by a friend or loved one. How did that betrayal impact your life? What did that betrayal teach you? Do you think most betrayals can be forgiven? Explain your thoughts.

Your response should be 100-200 words and is due no later than 8:00 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2014. You will lose points if your response is under the minimum number of words, if it is late, and/or if it does not reflect your own ideas.

5. Flaw

In literature, a tragic hero exhibits a fatal flaw or a tragic flaw–-a problem with his personality that eventually leads to his downfall. In Othello, Othello is driven to madness and his demise by his irrational jealousy and self-doubt.

In your own opinion, what is your greatest flaw or weakness? (I’m talking personality, not physical.) How has this flaw affected your life? Is the flaw something you can work to change, or is it something that can never be changed? Do you want to change this flaw, or is it something you have grown to accept about yourself?

Your response should be 100-200 words and is due no later than 8:00 a.m. on Friday, October 24. You will lose points if your response is under the minimum number of words, if it is late, and/or if it does not reflect your own ideas.

4. Stereotypes

"Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices - just recognize them." Edward R. Murrow

"It is never too late to give up our prejudices." Henry David Thoreau

Watch this video to learn about the history of prejudice against the Jewish people.

What is a stereotype? How do stereotypes affect the way people are perceived? Why do stereotypes exist? Who creates stereotypes? How are stereotypes passed down between people? Do you think that these stereotypes affect the way people view, behave or perceive themselves? Give examples. How can we try to reduce the negative effects of stereotypes? Explain your thoughts in depth.

Please respond in 100-200 words no later than Monday, September 29, at 8 a.m. You will lose points if your response is under 100 words, if it is late, and/or if it does not reflect your own ideas.

3. Global Events

Read a news article about an important, recent national or global event (within the last three weeks or less). Choose a unique news article; please do not use the same article another student has used. Here are some websites you may use to find an appropriate article:

http://www.cnn.com/

http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

http://www.npr.org/

https://news.google.com

Write a blog response about your article, being sure to include the following points:

* Where and when did the event occur?

* Who was involved?

* What happened? Summarize the events.

* Why did it happen?

* How did it affect people?

* What can we learn about life from the event? and/or How does the event show insight into the human condition?

* Why is it important to be aware of national/global events?

* Include a link to the article you read.

Please answer in 100-200 words. Your response is due no later than 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 12. You will lose points if your response is under 100 words, if it is late, and/or if it does not reflect your own ideas.

2. Hero

“More often than not, a hero’s most epic battle is the one you never see; it’s the battle that goes on within him or herself.” Kevin Smith

Heroes are people who we idolize--people who we emulate. A hero typically embodies the values of his or her nation. Gilgamesh was a hero because he organized and protected his city-state. Sundiata was a hero because he was able to unite the tribes of Mali and to lead them both in and out of battle. Achilles was a hero to the Greeks because of his strength, wit, and skill in battle.

What qualities would a hero in our culture embody? Who is an example of a modern hero, and what makes that person a hero? Support your answer with details and explanations.

Here’s an example for you:

In my opinion, a modern hero is someone who stands up for what they believe in and fights for social justice. I think Malala Yousafzai is a hero because she fights for educational equality for females. Even though she is only sixteen, Malala has campaigned to fight laws in Pakistan that would prevent girls from having access to schools. Some Taliban extremists didn’t like this, so they shot her. Malala miraculously survived, and she continues to speak out for educational equality. She has received several awards and accolades; she was even on the cover of Time magazine. Malala is a hero because most people would be too afraid to stand up for their own rights, but she fights for herself and for other young people.

Please answer in 100-200 words. Your response is due no later than 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 5. You will lose points if your response is under 100 words, if it is late, and/or if it does not reflect your own ideas.

1. Journey

“We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” Marcel Proust

Journeys have been the subjects of stories for thousands of years. An epic narrates the journey of a hero. The hero faces immense challenges, and in the end he or she discovers something about himself or herself and/or about the world.

Describe a journey that you have taken in your life. The journey can literally involve traveling, or it can be more metaphorical (e.g., tell about a challenge you have faced, something new you have experienced, etc.). Describe the journey, but also tell about the wisdom you gained from it--about yourself or about the world or both.

Here’s an example for you:

A few years ago, my friends Erin and Faith decided to take a rock climbing class. I was hesitant because I didn’t think I would be good at it, but they were so excited that I signed up anyway. The class was scary at first. I was always afraid I would fall, and coming down seemed worse than going up! As we learned the techniques, however, I realized I was actually pretty good at climbing. Moreover, I really enjoyed it. I discovered that I liked facing the challenge of getting to the top of the wall. Sometimes I couldn’t make it to the top of a path, but after practicing and trying again and again, I eventually could reach the top--or at least higher than I had the first time. I discovered that it’s ok not to reach a goal, but that I can meet most of my goals if I don’t give up and persevere through difficulties.

Please answer in 100-200 words. Your response is due no later than 8:00 a.m. on Friday, August 29. You will lose points if your response is under 100 words, if it is late, and/or if it does not reflect your own ideas.