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.