Roman villa terminology -
- brick / concrete
- walls of plaster: stucco
- atrium and impluvium (sent water to cistern / reservoir for future use).
- floors w mosaic tile.
- murals (wall paintings).
- plumbing!
- slaves.
- terra cotta roof tiles.
- garden surrounded by colonnade called a peristyle. Included a latticework, vine-covered arbor.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Notes from the Roman Empire
Ciao!
- Roman arches / keystone
- Roman slaves: neighboring peoples such as the Greeks; functiuoned as labor, teachers, artisans, even shokeepers.
- con crete is a Roman development. rocks, water and ground limstone. They often laid concrete over a brick framework.
- insulae ("islands"): apartment buildings.
- Ostia, a port city near Rome (Ostia: "east")
- Thermae, or public baths.
- caldarium, tepidarium, frigidarium.
- calisthenics, news, library, lunch, massage, laundry, scrubdown, business center fot the affluent.
- Patricians: high-born or wealthy.
- Plebians - working class.
- scatology - archaeological scientists often date and explore historic finds by examining the excrement.
- Roman arches / keystone
- Roman slaves: neighboring peoples such as the Greeks; functiuoned as labor, teachers, artisans, even shokeepers.
- con crete is a Roman development. rocks, water and ground limstone. They often laid concrete over a brick framework.
- insulae ("islands"): apartment buildings.
- Ostia, a port city near Rome (Ostia: "east")
- Thermae, or public baths.
- caldarium, tepidarium, frigidarium.
- calisthenics, news, library, lunch, massage, laundry, scrubdown, business center fot the affluent.
- Patricians: high-born or wealthy.
- Plebians - working class.
- scatology - archaeological scientists often date and explore historic finds by examining the excrement.
Monday, April 14, 2008
David Macaulay's book and film, Roman City
Thurs quiz on
a) map of 13 nations once part of the Roman empire
b) web site notes on the Romans.
David Macaulay:
- illustrator; such books as Castle, Cathedral, Pyramid, The Way Things Work, Underground, etc.
- PBS movies such as Roman City.
- compare to William Joyce.
Pompeii, 79 AD: covered with poisonous gas, ash and lava from Vesuvius.
Herculaneum: neighboring town covered by volcanic mudslide.
Both excavated 1600 years later.
- Romulus & Remus: legend of the she-wolf and fratricide in the founding of Rome.
- Medi: middle. Terra: land. Med sea between 2 continents.
Roman empire: complete rim of the Med. 13 nations as per class notes. "From Spain to the Dead Sea."
Peak of Rome: 300 AD. Population of 1 million; noisy, congested, expensive.
Grid: logiccal city planning under the Romans.
The central Forum surrounded by
- temples
- basilica (law center)
- market
- amphitheaters & theaters.
- public baths.
- apartments.
Mosaic: art form developed during the Roman era.
Celts: ancient peoples of Northern Europe. Their priest class the Druids.
- torc (torque) an open-circle bracelet typical of their jewelry.
a) map of 13 nations once part of the Roman empire
b) web site notes on the Romans.
David Macaulay:
- illustrator; such books as Castle, Cathedral, Pyramid, The Way Things Work, Underground, etc.
- PBS movies such as Roman City.
- compare to William Joyce.
Pompeii, 79 AD: covered with poisonous gas, ash and lava from Vesuvius.
Herculaneum: neighboring town covered by volcanic mudslide.
Both excavated 1600 years later.
- Romulus & Remus: legend of the she-wolf and fratricide in the founding of Rome.
- Medi: middle. Terra: land. Med sea between 2 continents.
Roman empire: complete rim of the Med. 13 nations as per class notes. "From Spain to the Dead Sea."
Peak of Rome: 300 AD. Population of 1 million; noisy, congested, expensive.
Grid: logiccal city planning under the Romans.
The central Forum surrounded by
- temples
- basilica (law center)
- market
- amphitheaters & theaters.
- public baths.
- apartments.
Mosaic: art form developed during the Roman era.
Celts: ancient peoples of Northern Europe. Their priest class the Druids.
- torc (torque) an open-circle bracelet typical of their jewelry.
Roman Cities: forums, public baths, amphitheatres, roads
The Roman empire left the world an amazing legacy in engineering as well as in language and organization. The soldiers wet out to conquer and also went out to build. Much of what they built remains standing after two millenia.
In class this week instruction will come from a program by illustrator-filmmaker David Macaulay called Roman City.
Open notes quiz on Thurs will comprise the empire's Mediterranean outline as well notes on concrete (a Roman invention) and aqueducts.
In class this week instruction will come from a program by illustrator-filmmaker David Macaulay called Roman City.
Open notes quiz on Thurs will comprise the empire's Mediterranean outline as well notes on concrete (a Roman invention) and aqueducts.
One story of the Return of a Southern Sudanese Refugee
Quite a hopeful story of a return of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. This one returned to dig a water well.
The accompanying article points out that "Contaminated water is a major contributor to illness and shortened lives in southern Sudan, where an estimated 2.2 million died during the 21-year war, many from hunger and disease. Another 4 million were displaced, including 17,000 or more children who trudged to refugee camps in neighboring countries.
In 1995, Dut was among the first of 3,800 mostly orphaned Lost Boys resettled in the United States. He learned English, went to college and worked part-time as a church clerk in Rochester, N.Y."
The accompanying article points out that "Contaminated water is a major contributor to illness and shortened lives in southern Sudan, where an estimated 2.2 million died during the 21-year war, many from hunger and disease. Another 4 million were displaced, including 17,000 or more children who trudged to refugee camps in neighboring countries.
In 1995, Dut was among the first of 3,800 mostly orphaned Lost Boys resettled in the United States. He learned English, went to college and worked part-time as a church clerk in Rochester, N.Y."
Friday, April 11, 2008
Lacuna Coil: an Italian band that has made an impression on America
Cristina Scabbia and the band Lacuna Coil are a kind of pop-metal group that I like. They are pretty melodic and thoughtful group, even if mostly beloved by the gothic metal crowd.
They're from Milan, Italy.
They're from Milan, Italy.
Notes on St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
Wikipedia-based notes -
- One of the world's largest churches - seats some 60,000.
- Piazza San Pietro is the circular plaza.
- Egyptian obelisk is an anomaly - a pagan symbol.
- principal architect of dome was Michelangelo.
- near the River Tiber.
- Bernini-designed columns above the altar in *twist* shape.
- Colonnade surrounds piazza.
- Current Pope is Benedict XVI.
- Swiss Guards considered an army; have medieval uniforms.
Compare to . . .
- Great Mosque of Mecca
- Great Mosque of Djenne
- Great Pagoda of Xi'an
- Dome of the Rock mosque, Jerusalem
- Dalai Lama
- One of the world's largest churches - seats some 60,000.
- Piazza San Pietro is the circular plaza.
- Egyptian obelisk is an anomaly - a pagan symbol.
- principal architect of dome was Michelangelo.
- near the River Tiber.
- Bernini-designed columns above the altar in *twist* shape.
- Colonnade surrounds piazza.
- Current Pope is Benedict XVI.
- Swiss Guards considered an army; have medieval uniforms.
Compare to . . .
- Great Mosque of Mecca
- Great Mosque of Djenne
- Great Pagoda of Xi'an
- Dome of the Rock mosque, Jerusalem
- Dalai Lama
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Indie credit for attending "echoBoom" at Centenary College; student tickets $5
A modern re-telling of the Antigone story, "echoBOOM" uses the tragedy of a high school shooting to excavate the many factors in today's society that feed the violence of terrorism. Controversial subject matter relevant to politics, religion, and justice ignite the echoing commentary on how we relate to our society through the media.
Brandy Austin directs Caitlin Parrish's script, which integrates the experiences of student-actors to create a personalized production. Nathan Wasson portrays Brody Greyson, "a boy born for poetry" and the shooter in the rampage, while Rachael Lee Magill takes on the role of Ash Greyson, who wants her brother to be remembered as one of the lives lost in the tragedy rather than as a terrorist. Even the people closest to her — her sister Callie (Joey Wooden) and her boyfriend Damian Walter (Scott Gibbs) — distance themselves from her cause as Damian's politician father, Edward Walter (Stephen Scarlato), capitalizes on the tragedy.
The media, constantly in pursuit of someone to blame, is fed by a student photographer, Fiona (Rachel Havird). The Chorus (Jacob Bates, Cameron Bradford, Lorna Dopson, David Fitzgibbons, Kari Kennon, and Carolyn Lucas) embodies the dead students, media, and the echoBOOM generation that begs questions beyond faith, questions that even the second coming of Jesus Christ (Destin Bass) cannot answer.
The Marjorie Lyons Playhouse cautions audiences to consider the controversial subject matter, adult language, and violence in this production; this material is not appropriate for children. The cast and crew take seriously the show's content and hope to provide a forum for community dialogue following each performance.
"echoBOOM" opens April 10 at 8pm and runs April 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. as well as April 13 at 2 p.m. Contact the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse Box Office at 318-869-5242 for ticket information.
$10 adults, $5 students.
Brandy Austin directs Caitlin Parrish's script, which integrates the experiences of student-actors to create a personalized production. Nathan Wasson portrays Brody Greyson, "a boy born for poetry" and the shooter in the rampage, while Rachael Lee Magill takes on the role of Ash Greyson, who wants her brother to be remembered as one of the lives lost in the tragedy rather than as a terrorist. Even the people closest to her — her sister Callie (Joey Wooden) and her boyfriend Damian Walter (Scott Gibbs) — distance themselves from her cause as Damian's politician father, Edward Walter (Stephen Scarlato), capitalizes on the tragedy.
The media, constantly in pursuit of someone to blame, is fed by a student photographer, Fiona (Rachel Havird). The Chorus (Jacob Bates, Cameron Bradford, Lorna Dopson, David Fitzgibbons, Kari Kennon, and Carolyn Lucas) embodies the dead students, media, and the echoBOOM generation that begs questions beyond faith, questions that even the second coming of Jesus Christ (Destin Bass) cannot answer.
The Marjorie Lyons Playhouse cautions audiences to consider the controversial subject matter, adult language, and violence in this production; this material is not appropriate for children. The cast and crew take seriously the show's content and hope to provide a forum for community dialogue following each performance.
"echoBOOM" opens April 10 at 8pm and runs April 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. as well as April 13 at 2 p.m. Contact the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse Box Office at 318-869-5242 for ticket information.
$10 adults, $5 students.
Hazel nuts and cocoa equal one of the world's favorite spreads: Nutella?
Born in 1946 when Italians were bankrupt from the devastation of WWII, Nutella was originally a spread meant to substitute for chocolate.
For decades it has been a Euro treat highly appreciated in France, Germany and many nations.
Try some!
The Ferrero family still makes it outside of Turin, Italy.
For decades it has been a Euro treat highly appreciated in France, Germany and many nations.
Try some!
The Ferrero family still makes it outside of Turin, Italy.
The Shroud of Turin, the world's most mysterious relic
The Shroud of Turin is a centuries old linen cloth that bears the image of a crucified man. A man that millions believe to be Jesus of Nazareth. Is it really the cloth that wrapped his crucified body, or is it simply a medieval forgery, a hoax perpetrated by some clever artist? Modern science has completed hundreds of thousands of hours of detailed study and intense research on the Shroud. It is, in fact, the single most studied artifact in human history, and we know more about it today than we ever have before, says shroud.com.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Thursday: hand-sketched map quiz and open-notes test on material at MondoTrudeau
Map of Italy quiz:
- 12 items
- must include 2 bordering nations, such as France and Switzerland.
- must include Tunisia and Sicily.
Open notes:
Much of this material we have not discussed in class but you must know the basics, regardless. Such as whether the region of Tuscany is in the north or south of L'Italy.
- 12 items
- must include 2 bordering nations, such as France and Switzerland.
- must include Tunisia and Sicily.
Open notes:
Much of this material we have not discussed in class but you must know the basics, regardless. Such as whether the region of Tuscany is in the north or south of L'Italy.
You may try this at home and amaze your family
Combining some of the best ingredients from the Italian table:
Roma tomatoes (now you know why they're called Roma).
Mozzarella cheese, or provolone, which is somewhat smokier in flavor.
Basil (a package of fresh basil leaves males a killer addition to sandwiches, etc)
Olive oil (expensive but worth every drop, imho).
Balsamic Vinegar (buy a bottle of this and you'll find many times to use it, such as an appetizer of olive oil and balsamic vinegar into which you dip bread or crackers).
Roma tomatoes (now you know why they're called Roma).
Mozzarella cheese, or provolone, which is somewhat smokier in flavor.
Basil (a package of fresh basil leaves males a killer addition to sandwiches, etc)
Olive oil (expensive but worth every drop, imho).
Balsamic Vinegar (buy a bottle of this and you'll find many times to use it, such as an appetizer of olive oil and balsamic vinegar into which you dip bread or crackers).
Reminders for students in day two of reports on L'Italia
The body of your report should be rendered as 8 to 10 bulleted items. That means you must edit, or choose the best material, in these items.
Favor the factual material, of course, over generalities and opinion.
Fonting? Arial type face, 12 pt, is what I prefer.
For speed in my scoring: Titling at the top, documentation at the bottom. You may add documentation internally, as well.
This is all cut-and-paste work and the idea is to quickly finish the two reports and spend time reading about things Italian.
Topics for those looking for something out of the ordinary?
- Dr Maria Montessori, physician and educator.
- Leonardo Fibonacci, the greatest mathematician of the Middle Ages.
- Nicolo Macchiavelli, advisor to political leaders.
- Enrico fermi, physicist who helped develop nuclear reactors, quantum physics and more.
- Guglielmo Marconi, pioneer in radio and wireless technology.
- Miuccia Prada, brainy fashion designer.
Indie Work -
- Got an outstanding paper on a wild combination: comparing the Lost Boys of Sudan to Lawrence of Arabia. Congrats to Jay Meyers.
- Research and compare the vivid regions of Tuscany and Sicily.
- The Roman Catholic church and the Sicilian mafia.
- Parmesan cheese and Modena's balsamic vinegar.
-
Favor the factual material, of course, over generalities and opinion.
Fonting? Arial type face, 12 pt, is what I prefer.
For speed in my scoring: Titling at the top, documentation at the bottom. You may add documentation internally, as well.
This is all cut-and-paste work and the idea is to quickly finish the two reports and spend time reading about things Italian.
Topics for those looking for something out of the ordinary?
- Dr Maria Montessori, physician and educator.
- Leonardo Fibonacci, the greatest mathematician of the Middle Ages.
- Nicolo Macchiavelli, advisor to political leaders.
- Enrico fermi, physicist who helped develop nuclear reactors, quantum physics and more.
- Guglielmo Marconi, pioneer in radio and wireless technology.
- Miuccia Prada, brainy fashion designer.
Indie Work -
- Got an outstanding paper on a wild combination: comparing the Lost Boys of Sudan to Lawrence of Arabia. Congrats to Jay Meyers.
- Research and compare the vivid regions of Tuscany and Sicily.
- The Roman Catholic church and the Sicilian mafia.
- Parmesan cheese and Modena's balsamic vinegar.
-
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Chefs in Italian restaurants increasingly from India and the continent of Africa
ROME — Last month, Gambero Rosso, the prestigious reviewer of restaurants and wine, sought out Rome’s best carbonara, says the NY Times. Carbonara is a dish of pasta, eggs, pecorino cheese and guanciale (cured pig cheek; for the aficionados, pancetta is not done) that defines tradition here.
Chef Nabil Haj-Hassan shows his award-winning carbonara pasta in the kitchen of the Roscioli Restaurant in Rome.
In second place was L’Arcangelo, a restaurant with a head chef from India. The winner: Antico Forno Roscioli, a bakery and innovative restaurant whose chef, Nabil Hadj Hassen, arrived from Tunisia at 17 and washed dishes for a year and a half before he cooked his first pot of pasta.
“To cook is a passion,” said Mr. Hassen, now 43, who went on to train with some of Italy’s top chefs. “Food is a beautiful thing.”
Twelve years ago, Abu Markhyyeh, a young Jordanian, finished an apprenticeship with a Neapolitan pizza maker, borrowed money from his Italian mother-in-law, then opened his own pizzeria in Milan, Da Willy, after his nickname here.
He did well, in part because he made the pizzas bigger but kept the prices low. Now Mr. Markhyyeh, 41, presides over an untraditional pizza empire. He has 11 restaurants in Milan, 4 in Jordan, 2 in Cyprus and franchises in Dubai, Beirut, Sharm el Sheik in Egypt and now in Shanghai.
Chef Nabil Haj-Hassan shows his award-winning carbonara pasta in the kitchen of the Roscioli Restaurant in Rome.
In second place was L’Arcangelo, a restaurant with a head chef from India. The winner: Antico Forno Roscioli, a bakery and innovative restaurant whose chef, Nabil Hadj Hassen, arrived from Tunisia at 17 and washed dishes for a year and a half before he cooked his first pot of pasta.
“To cook is a passion,” said Mr. Hassen, now 43, who went on to train with some of Italy’s top chefs. “Food is a beautiful thing.”
Twelve years ago, Abu Markhyyeh, a young Jordanian, finished an apprenticeship with a Neapolitan pizza maker, borrowed money from his Italian mother-in-law, then opened his own pizzeria in Milan, Da Willy, after his nickname here.
He did well, in part because he made the pizzas bigger but kept the prices low. Now Mr. Markhyyeh, 41, presides over an untraditional pizza empire. He has 11 restaurants in Milan, 4 in Jordan, 2 in Cyprus and franchises in Dubai, Beirut, Sharm el Sheik in Egypt and now in Shanghai.
Vitruvian Man or the Canon of Man, Leonardo da Vinci, about 1500
Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man (1492). Pen and ink with wash over metalpoint on paper, 344 × 245 mm, acc to wikipedia.
The Vitruvian Man is a world-renowned drawing with accompanying notes created by Leonardo da Vinci around the year 1492 as recorded in one of his journals. It depicts a nude male figure in two superimposed positions with his arms and legs apart and simultaneously inscribed in a circle and square. The drawing and text are sometimes called the Canon of Proportions or, less often, Proportions of Man. It is stored in the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice, Italy, but is only displayed on special occasions.[1][2]
This image exemplifies the blend of art and science during the Renaissance and provides the perfect example of Leonardo's keen interest in proportion. In addition, this picture represents a cornerstone of Leonardo's attempts to relate man to nature.
Reports on L'Italia during Tues & Wed sessions in B3 computer lab
Students in the computer lab Tues and Wed will pursue two brief digital projects that meet this description -
- Single-page reports that will comprise -
- One illustration (or up to 3) and explanatory note.
- Map of Italy and / or the region of Italy germane to your topic.
- Eight to ten bulleted information items.
- Two sources (or more) listed at bottom of page.
- Snappy title and explantory subtitle at top of page.
- Student name in upper right corner.
- Credit of up to 8 pts per report.
- Deadline Friday.
Map quiz and open-notes quiz on Thursday!
Indie work -
Research and compare an African nation and a Mediterranean European nation.
- Single-page reports that will comprise -
- One illustration (or up to 3) and explanatory note.
- Map of Italy and / or the region of Italy germane to your topic.
- Eight to ten bulleted information items.
- Two sources (or more) listed at bottom of page.
- Snappy title and explantory subtitle at top of page.
- Student name in upper right corner.
- Credit of up to 8 pts per report.
- Deadline Friday.
Map quiz and open-notes quiz on Thursday!
Indie work -
Research and compare an African nation and a Mediterranean European nation.
L'Italia, an overview
Tuscany is arguably Italy's best-known region. The history and beauty of the hilly farmland is legendary. Interestingly, Toyota has named its minivan the Sienna, for a Tuscan town, and Porsche has long had a model called the Carrera, another city of Tuscany. Also in the region: Pisa and Firenze.
My overview of what's important in L'italia:
In the heart of Rome is the temple called the Pantheon, still functioning after some 2000 years.
Ciao! means "hello!" or "bye!" in Italian slang.
From Chianti, a vino of Northern Italy, to chiaroscuro, an artist's term which refers to portrayal through light and shadow, the Italians have an enormous impact on the refined life.
On the other hand there's the Sicilian mafia, the cosa nostra.
The map
* Roma and, within it, the Vatican City. The Vatican is one of the tiniest nations and home to il Pape.
* Napoli / Naples / Neapolis (Gk) Neapolitan ice cream! Home of pizza!
* On the Bay of Naples is the Isle of Capri (goats), one of the most ancient resorts. One of Rome's emperors capriciously used Capri as his capital. *
* Looming above Naples bay is Mt. Vesuvius and nearby is the ancient resort called Pompeii.
* Florence / Firenze / "flower" is the center of the region called Tuscany. The Ponte Vecchio is a bridge over the River Arno which features shops built into the structure. "Florentine" indicates high quality in jewelry, in cooking, in crafts.
* The River Arno flows to the sea through Pisa, famous for its bell tower.
* Venetia / Venizia / Venice, is called the "Queen of the Adriatic." Is this where Venetian blinds originated?
* Milano is a center of the fashion industry and city of fine foods and complex recipes. That's why Pepperidge Farms named their light but fine and imperially slim cookie the Milano.
Why study Italy?
* Natural beauty: the Appenino range, the sea, the fertile fields of the Po River valley.
* History: the eras of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance were periods of extraordinary creativity.
* Cuccina, or cooking. From Fettucine Alfredo to Cannoli.
* Foods such as sausages (salami), olive oil and cheeses (ricotta, parmesan, provolone, mozzarella).
* Textiles and fashionable clothing, shoes and bags: Armani, Gucci, Dolce & Gabana, Prada, Versace, etc.
* Manufactured goods such as the Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia and Fiat.
* Art by Michaelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello and numerous others.
* Vatican City: the tiny nation that is the center of power of the Roman Catholic church.
* The origins of musical art such as opera, ballet and instrument making. See the pianoforte and violincello.
**
Classroom music ...
"Carmina Burana:" secular Medieval tunes in an opera-like choral production (opera means a "work").
**
Tuscany: a region known for its history, landscapes, vineyards, flowers, fine cooking, art and historic towns such as Pisa, Siena and Lucca. Florence is Tuscany's capital.
Sienna, the orangish-red or brownish-yellow color, takes its name from the soil in Tuscany. See Terra di Siena and Terra Cotta ("baked earth") clay. Remember Roman tiles made of terra cotta?
What American region compares to Tuscany?
Napa Valley, California, above San Francisco bay. It is known for vineyards (Gallo, Almaden), fine cooking and hilly beauty.
Mortar & pestle - used by apothecary or chef to grind and blend herbs or medicines. Gives its name to Sauce Pesto.
Pesto sauce includes basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts (pignoli)and garlic. Pesto is herbally greenish and sweet. It is traditionally eaten over pasta.
Pasta: dough.
Did pasta come to Italy from Germany or China? Marco Polo was the likely importer of a recipe for the food, made simply of wheat (one type being semolina) and water.
Here are selected examples:
canelloni: stuffed tube.
capelletti: "little hats;" stuffed.
farfallette: ribbon/bow-shaped.
fettucine: long egg noodles.
lasagna: widest of the flat noodles.
linguini: "little tongues;" narrow.
macaroni: in tubes.
pastina: disks of pasta.
ravioli: filled squares.
rigatoni: ribbed, tubular.
tortellini: ring-shaped and filled.
vermicelli: "little worms;" thin.
**
Sicilian pastry: cannoli. Like ice cream in a tube.
Balsamic vinegar: tart, sweet, dark vinegar, usually combined with olive oil. Used in salads and over pasta.
Calamari: fried baby squid.
**
Italy in WWII
Benito Mussolini was the dictator of Italy who became a partner - creating the Axis powers - to Adolph Hitler. Both espoused Fascism:
a) totalitarian government b) militarism c) anti-Communist d) anti-intellectual. "Fascism" comes from the term for the bundle of rods used as a symbol of power by the Romans.
Italy was liberated in 1944 by the Allies: US, GB, France, Canada, Australia.
**
pianoforte "soft / loud"
* developed about 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori of Cremona, Italy.
* harpsichord plucks strings and has only one volume; piano hammers strings and can play loudly or softly.
violin
* Antonio Stradivari and the Guarneri family are the luthiers who develop the 4-string, advanced violin about 1700.
Most notable historic composers:
Giuseppi Verdi
Antonio Corelli
Giacomo Puccini
Antonio Vivaldi
Nicolo Paganini
Harmony Illus. Encyc. of Classical Music
According to Italian language student Chelsea Norden:
bella donna, "beautiful woman"
bell'uomo, "handsome man"
casa, "house"
Salve! "hello"
Buon giornio! "good day!"
Io amore tu, "I love you."
Scusi! "Excuse me!"
Prego, "please"
**
"Pinocchio," classic folk tale
**
Espresso & cappucino
The Italians make il caffe' by forcing steam through the grounds; it is called espresso. Drunk in a tiny cup called a demi-tasse, it is a strong brew. When you make a "cap" of whipped cream and grated chocolate to put atop the espresso it becomes cappucino.
Latte refers to the added milk. Frappe' means frozen or iced. Dip a hard biscuit, called biscotti, into it.
**
Can you name the Western European nations that were part of the Roman Empire? Espana, Gaul & Briton.
Our goal is to know the names of all the nations of the empire that were on the Mediterranean rim.
**
More basic Italian ...
Tu sei cortese! "You are so nice/courteous!"
Grazie! "Thank you!"
Dove 'e il bagno? "Where is the bathroom?"
Catherine d Medici, of the powerful family of Florence (think Rockefellers), married Henri II of France about 1500. She traveled to France with her Florentine cooks - with marvelous recipes - and the controversial custom of using a fork (furca).
In ancient times which class of people would've used all 5 fingers in eating? Which class ate with 3 fingers?
**
In what Roman facility would we see the caldarium, tepidarium and frigidarium? It was a Thermae, or public bathhouse.
The pools above were "hot," "tepid," or "lukewarm," and "cold." What could you do in a bathhouse besides wash and relax in the pools?
Exercise, hear the news, get a snack, have a massage and leave your laundry.
A Roman feast, according to Petronius and the World Atlas of Food: asparagus, truffles, eggs, olives, sausages, oysters and lobsters, for openers. Main dishes were stuffed geese and chickens and pigs, goose-liver pate' and stewed flamingo's tongues and peacock's brains.
Who is David Macaulay? A contemporary
illustrator/author responsible for books such as Cathedral (how they were built), Castle and the popular How Things Work.
This week we're watching a video called "Roman City," based on his book City. It's about the engineering (bridges, aqueducts, etc.), planning (city grid first) and functions (forum, bathhouses, etc.) of a Roman urbis.
**
The Roman Empire lay upon 3 continents. Which ones?
Romulus & Remus: who were they?
What plastic building material was developed by the Romans?
Concrete.
Intersection of the temples, market and government buildings? Place to disseminate news and opinion? The Forum.
Roman villa
A roof opening that allowed the sun and rain to enter the interior of the house? The atrium. The pool in the atrium was the impluvium.
The garden and vineyard flourished under the peristyle, or arbor.
Cave canem: Latin, "Beware the dog."
Cave emtor: "Let the buyer beware."
Roman apartment buildings: Insulae ("islands"). Multi-story buildings of concrete.
My overview of what's important in L'italia:
In the heart of Rome is the temple called the Pantheon, still functioning after some 2000 years.
Ciao! means "hello!" or "bye!" in Italian slang.
From Chianti, a vino of Northern Italy, to chiaroscuro, an artist's term which refers to portrayal through light and shadow, the Italians have an enormous impact on the refined life.
On the other hand there's the Sicilian mafia, the cosa nostra.
The map
* Roma and, within it, the Vatican City. The Vatican is one of the tiniest nations and home to il Pape.
* Napoli / Naples / Neapolis (Gk) Neapolitan ice cream! Home of pizza!
* On the Bay of Naples is the Isle of Capri (goats), one of the most ancient resorts. One of Rome's emperors capriciously used Capri as his capital. *
* Looming above Naples bay is Mt. Vesuvius and nearby is the ancient resort called Pompeii.
* Florence / Firenze / "flower" is the center of the region called Tuscany. The Ponte Vecchio is a bridge over the River Arno which features shops built into the structure. "Florentine" indicates high quality in jewelry, in cooking, in crafts.
* The River Arno flows to the sea through Pisa, famous for its bell tower.
* Venetia / Venizia / Venice, is called the "Queen of the Adriatic." Is this where Venetian blinds originated?
* Milano is a center of the fashion industry and city of fine foods and complex recipes. That's why Pepperidge Farms named their light but fine and imperially slim cookie the Milano.
Why study Italy?
* Natural beauty: the Appenino range, the sea, the fertile fields of the Po River valley.
* History: the eras of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance were periods of extraordinary creativity.
* Cuccina, or cooking. From Fettucine Alfredo to Cannoli.
* Foods such as sausages (salami), olive oil and cheeses (ricotta, parmesan, provolone, mozzarella).
* Textiles and fashionable clothing, shoes and bags: Armani, Gucci, Dolce & Gabana, Prada, Versace, etc.
* Manufactured goods such as the Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia and Fiat.
* Art by Michaelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello and numerous others.
* Vatican City: the tiny nation that is the center of power of the Roman Catholic church.
* The origins of musical art such as opera, ballet and instrument making. See the pianoforte and violincello.
**
Classroom music ...
"Carmina Burana:" secular Medieval tunes in an opera-like choral production (opera means a "work").
**
Tuscany: a region known for its history, landscapes, vineyards, flowers, fine cooking, art and historic towns such as Pisa, Siena and Lucca. Florence is Tuscany's capital.
Sienna, the orangish-red or brownish-yellow color, takes its name from the soil in Tuscany. See Terra di Siena and Terra Cotta ("baked earth") clay. Remember Roman tiles made of terra cotta?
What American region compares to Tuscany?
Napa Valley, California, above San Francisco bay. It is known for vineyards (Gallo, Almaden), fine cooking and hilly beauty.
Mortar & pestle - used by apothecary or chef to grind and blend herbs or medicines. Gives its name to Sauce Pesto.
Pesto sauce includes basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts (pignoli)and garlic. Pesto is herbally greenish and sweet. It is traditionally eaten over pasta.
Pasta: dough.
Did pasta come to Italy from Germany or China? Marco Polo was the likely importer of a recipe for the food, made simply of wheat (one type being semolina) and water.
Here are selected examples:
canelloni: stuffed tube.
capelletti: "little hats;" stuffed.
farfallette: ribbon/bow-shaped.
fettucine: long egg noodles.
lasagna: widest of the flat noodles.
linguini: "little tongues;" narrow.
macaroni: in tubes.
pastina: disks of pasta.
ravioli: filled squares.
rigatoni: ribbed, tubular.
tortellini: ring-shaped and filled.
vermicelli: "little worms;" thin.
**
Sicilian pastry: cannoli. Like ice cream in a tube.
Balsamic vinegar: tart, sweet, dark vinegar, usually combined with olive oil. Used in salads and over pasta.
Calamari: fried baby squid.
**
Italy in WWII
Benito Mussolini was the dictator of Italy who became a partner - creating the Axis powers - to Adolph Hitler. Both espoused Fascism:
a) totalitarian government b) militarism c) anti-Communist d) anti-intellectual. "Fascism" comes from the term for the bundle of rods used as a symbol of power by the Romans.
Italy was liberated in 1944 by the Allies: US, GB, France, Canada, Australia.
**
pianoforte "soft / loud"
* developed about 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori of Cremona, Italy.
* harpsichord plucks strings and has only one volume; piano hammers strings and can play loudly or softly.
violin
* Antonio Stradivari and the Guarneri family are the luthiers who develop the 4-string, advanced violin about 1700.
Most notable historic composers:
Giuseppi Verdi
Antonio Corelli
Giacomo Puccini
Antonio Vivaldi
Nicolo Paganini
Harmony Illus. Encyc. of Classical Music
According to Italian language student Chelsea Norden:
bella donna, "beautiful woman"
bell'uomo, "handsome man"
casa, "house"
Salve! "hello"
Buon giornio! "good day!"
Io amore tu, "I love you."
Scusi! "Excuse me!"
Prego, "please"
**
"Pinocchio," classic folk tale
**
Espresso & cappucino
The Italians make il caffe' by forcing steam through the grounds; it is called espresso. Drunk in a tiny cup called a demi-tasse, it is a strong brew. When you make a "cap" of whipped cream and grated chocolate to put atop the espresso it becomes cappucino.
Latte refers to the added milk. Frappe' means frozen or iced. Dip a hard biscuit, called biscotti, into it.
**
Can you name the Western European nations that were part of the Roman Empire? Espana, Gaul & Briton.
Our goal is to know the names of all the nations of the empire that were on the Mediterranean rim.
**
More basic Italian ...
Tu sei cortese! "You are so nice/courteous!"
Grazie! "Thank you!"
Dove 'e il bagno? "Where is the bathroom?"
Catherine d Medici, of the powerful family of Florence (think Rockefellers), married Henri II of France about 1500. She traveled to France with her Florentine cooks - with marvelous recipes - and the controversial custom of using a fork (furca).
In ancient times which class of people would've used all 5 fingers in eating? Which class ate with 3 fingers?
**
In what Roman facility would we see the caldarium, tepidarium and frigidarium? It was a Thermae, or public bathhouse.
The pools above were "hot," "tepid," or "lukewarm," and "cold." What could you do in a bathhouse besides wash and relax in the pools?
Exercise, hear the news, get a snack, have a massage and leave your laundry.
A Roman feast, according to Petronius and the World Atlas of Food: asparagus, truffles, eggs, olives, sausages, oysters and lobsters, for openers. Main dishes were stuffed geese and chickens and pigs, goose-liver pate' and stewed flamingo's tongues and peacock's brains.
Who is David Macaulay? A contemporary
illustrator/author responsible for books such as Cathedral (how they were built), Castle and the popular How Things Work.
This week we're watching a video called "Roman City," based on his book City. It's about the engineering (bridges, aqueducts, etc.), planning (city grid first) and functions (forum, bathhouses, etc.) of a Roman urbis.
**
The Roman Empire lay upon 3 continents. Which ones?
Romulus & Remus: who were they?
What plastic building material was developed by the Romans?
Concrete.
Intersection of the temples, market and government buildings? Place to disseminate news and opinion? The Forum.
Roman villa
A roof opening that allowed the sun and rain to enter the interior of the house? The atrium. The pool in the atrium was the impluvium.
The garden and vineyard flourished under the peristyle, or arbor.
Cave canem: Latin, "Beware the dog."
Cave emtor: "Let the buyer beware."
Roman apartment buildings: Insulae ("islands"). Multi-story buildings of concrete.
L'Italia: research projects to be produced in B3 on Tues and Wed
Students in the computer lab Tues and Wed will pursue two brief digital projects that meet this description -
- Single-page reports that will comprise -
- One illustration (or up to 3) and explanatory note.
- Eight to ten bulleted information items.
- Two sources (or more) listed at bottom of page.
- Snappy title and explantory subtitle at top of page.
- Student name in upper right corner.
- Credit of up to 8 pts per report.
- Deadline Friday.
Map quiz and open-notes quiz on Thursday!
Indie work -
Research and compare an African nation and a Mediterranean European nation.
- Single-page reports that will comprise -
- One illustration (or up to 3) and explanatory note.
- Eight to ten bulleted information items.
- Two sources (or more) listed at bottom of page.
- Snappy title and explantory subtitle at top of page.
- Student name in upper right corner.
- Credit of up to 8 pts per report.
- Deadline Friday.
Map quiz and open-notes quiz on Thursday!
Indie work -
Research and compare an African nation and a Mediterranean European nation.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Quiz on Thurs: map and notes on L'Italia
Mediterranean Europe includes Italy and all the nations once a part of the Roman Empire.
1. Make a map of the Roman Empire at its peak. Include all the nations on the coast of the Med.
2. One of the gifts of Italy and the Mediterranean world is healthy menus:
olive oil, citrus fruits, vegetables, vino, garlic, etc. Medical research is very positive about the diet Med.
3. Cultural gifts from Italy in regards music are overwhelmingly numerous. Let's start with -
- Bartolomeo Cristofori, developer of the pianoforte (about 1700).
- Antonio Stradivari - most famous maker of high-quality violins, about 1700.
- Terminology of music, such as legato, glissando, piano, forte, fortissimo, etc.
A quiz based on a review of the textbook, pp. 332 - 346.
All things Italian:
1. Two mountain ranges: __, __ .
2. Are Italians seismic? Explain.
3. Climate type?
4. Deforestation?
5. 58 million: enough?
6. Differences between N and S?
7. An example of creativity in Italian products?
8. Did the Christian religion spread before, during or after the Roman Empire?
9. Italy finally became a nation about the year __.
a) 1661 b) 1761 c) 1861
10. In which alliance was Italy in WWI? In WWII?
11. What is the great, rich river valley of Italy?
12. Because of this river’s fertility and profitability, what enterprises developed there?
13. What is subsidence? Name the famous city threatened by subsidence.
14. Name the greatest of the Italian cities in the medieval period. This city was a trading center for goods from the Middle East.
15. What is the Forum?
16. Two most famous buildings in the Vatican City?
17. Which city is associated with the art created during the Renaissance?
18. Why is it not a surprise that the textbook calls Naples one of the poorest cities in Europe?
Answers in another post.
1. Make a map of the Roman Empire at its peak. Include all the nations on the coast of the Med.
2. One of the gifts of Italy and the Mediterranean world is healthy menus:
olive oil, citrus fruits, vegetables, vino, garlic, etc. Medical research is very positive about the diet Med.
3. Cultural gifts from Italy in regards music are overwhelmingly numerous. Let's start with -
- Bartolomeo Cristofori, developer of the pianoforte (about 1700).
- Antonio Stradivari - most famous maker of high-quality violins, about 1700.
- Terminology of music, such as legato, glissando, piano, forte, fortissimo, etc.
A quiz based on a review of the textbook, pp. 332 - 346.
All things Italian:
1. Two mountain ranges: __, __ .
2. Are Italians seismic? Explain.
3. Climate type?
4. Deforestation?
5. 58 million: enough?
6. Differences between N and S?
7. An example of creativity in Italian products?
8. Did the Christian religion spread before, during or after the Roman Empire?
9. Italy finally became a nation about the year __.
a) 1661 b) 1761 c) 1861
10. In which alliance was Italy in WWI? In WWII?
11. What is the great, rich river valley of Italy?
12. Because of this river’s fertility and profitability, what enterprises developed there?
13. What is subsidence? Name the famous city threatened by subsidence.
14. Name the greatest of the Italian cities in the medieval period. This city was a trading center for goods from the Middle East.
15. What is the Forum?
16. Two most famous buildings in the Vatican City?
17. Which city is associated with the art created during the Renaissance?
18. Why is it not a surprise that the textbook calls Naples one of the poorest cities in Europe?
Answers in another post.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Comparing 2 essays for improvement in your writing
Let's take a look at 2 essays and how to make the most of the guidelines -
The prompt: * Why does Santino say, "If I were a bird I would fly back to Africa to the place where refugees going to the US are having orientation and say - 'Lies; it's all lies.'"
Lost!
These boys landed in a US that they thought would be warm and welcoming. There were happy moments, yes, as they became accustomed to their new environment. But there were so many conflicts - many of them minor, to be sure - that they grew frustrated. Even though they knew where they were on a map, in their minds they were largely and often lost.
Lost!
A view of the documentary “Lost Boys of Sudan”
When Sudanese refugees Peter and Santino arrived in Houston, Tx, to begin a new phase of their life, they were optimistic. Yet in the documentary "Lost Boys of Sudan" we watch them grow frustrated with language (though they know some English before they arrived), work ($7 an hour does not equal a decent life) and socialization (“I’m so black; I’m odd,” says Santino) issues.
Finally, Santino says, “If I could go back to orientation in Sudan - like a bird - I would tell the refugees ‘They’re telling you lies.’” But he is tough enough to overcome his disappointments and take up a class in electrical work as he toils at a basic factory job in his new land.
The first one sounds OK for a moment - then you realize it's full of generalities. The second essay is full of detail and examples.
The prompt: * Why does Santino say, "If I were a bird I would fly back to Africa to the place where refugees going to the US are having orientation and say - 'Lies; it's all lies.'"
Lost!
These boys landed in a US that they thought would be warm and welcoming. There were happy moments, yes, as they became accustomed to their new environment. But there were so many conflicts - many of them minor, to be sure - that they grew frustrated. Even though they knew where they were on a map, in their minds they were largely and often lost.
Lost!
A view of the documentary “Lost Boys of Sudan”
When Sudanese refugees Peter and Santino arrived in Houston, Tx, to begin a new phase of their life, they were optimistic. Yet in the documentary "Lost Boys of Sudan" we watch them grow frustrated with language (though they know some English before they arrived), work ($7 an hour does not equal a decent life) and socialization (“I’m so black; I’m odd,” says Santino) issues.
Finally, Santino says, “If I could go back to orientation in Sudan - like a bird - I would tell the refugees ‘They’re telling you lies.’” But he is tough enough to overcome his disappointments and take up a class in electrical work as he toils at a basic factory job in his new land.
The first one sounds OK for a moment - then you realize it's full of generalities. The second essay is full of detail and examples.
One of the world's most ancient bridges: Ponte Vecchio, Firenze
Map #2 of L'Italia -
- The neighbors:
Monaco,
France,
Switzerland,
Austria,
Slovenia,
Tunisia.
- Venezia: palazzo (palaces)
- Bologna: Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati factories are nearby.
Also, one of Europe's oldest universities.
- Firenze: Ponte Vecchio (bridge, old)
- Vatican City: il Pape ("father")
- Roma
- Napoli: home of pizza.
- Sicily: Mt Etna, volcanic peak.
- Tunisia: Arabic, Muslim-dominated culture.
More engineering achievements:
autos - Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati
cycles - Ducati, Benelli, Moto Guzzi
bicycles: Camponoglo
scooters - Vespa ("wasp")
Gross streotypes -
The North: industry, wealth, business energy.
The South: poverty, fun, corruption.
casino: "little house," like a summer house or a gambling house.
- The neighbors:
Monaco,
France,
Switzerland,
Austria,
Slovenia,
Tunisia.
- Venezia: palazzo (palaces)
- Bologna: Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati factories are nearby.
Also, one of Europe's oldest universities.
- Firenze: Ponte Vecchio (bridge, old)
- Vatican City: il Pape ("father")
- Roma
- Napoli: home of pizza.
- Sicily: Mt Etna, volcanic peak.
- Tunisia: Arabic, Muslim-dominated culture.
More engineering achievements:
autos - Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati
cycles - Ducati, Benelli, Moto Guzzi
bicycles: Camponoglo
scooters - Vespa ("wasp")
Gross streotypes -
The North: industry, wealth, business energy.
The South: poverty, fun, corruption.
casino: "little house," like a summer house or a gambling house.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Land of espresso, pasta, vino, fine wollen suits and al fresco dining: L'Italia
First map:
a) Milano
b) Venezia
c) Bologna
d) Firenze
e) Roma
f) Vesuvio and Pompeii
g) Napoli
h) Palermo
Recommended: pasta and sauce pesto (you can make it in a food processor or purchase it at the store.
a) Milano
b) Venezia
c) Bologna
d) Firenze
e) Roma
f) Vesuvio and Pompeii
g) Napoli
h) Palermo
Recommended: pasta and sauce pesto (you can make it in a food processor or purchase it at the store.
Where, might I ask, do we get the name of the month of April?
April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and one of four months with a length of 30 days, says Wikipedia. April was originally the second month of the Roman calendar, before January and February were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC.
The derivation of the name (Latin Aprilis) is uncertain. The traditional etymology from the Latin aperire, "to open," in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to "open," is supported by comparison with the modern Greek use of ἁνοιξις (opening) for spring. Since most of the Roman months were named in honor of divinities, and as April was sacred to Venus, the Festum Veneris et Fortunae Virilis being held on the first day, it has been suggested that Aprilis was originally her month Aphrilis, from her Greek name Aphrodite (Aphros), or from the Etruscan name Apru. Jacob Grimm suggests the name of a hypothetical god or hero, Aper or Aprus.[1]
The Anglo-Saxons called April Oster-monath or Eostur-monath, the period sacred to Eostre or Ostara, the pagan Saxon goddess of spring, from whose name is derived the modern Easter.
The derivation of the name (Latin Aprilis) is uncertain. The traditional etymology from the Latin aperire, "to open," in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to "open," is supported by comparison with the modern Greek use of ἁνοιξις (opening) for spring. Since most of the Roman months were named in honor of divinities, and as April was sacred to Venus, the Festum Veneris et Fortunae Virilis being held on the first day, it has been suggested that Aprilis was originally her month Aphrilis, from her Greek name Aphrodite (Aphros), or from the Etruscan name Apru. Jacob Grimm suggests the name of a hypothetical god or hero, Aper or Aprus.[1]
The Anglo-Saxons called April Oster-monath or Eostur-monath, the period sacred to Eostre or Ostara, the pagan Saxon goddess of spring, from whose name is derived the modern Easter.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Indie work / comparison essay guidelines
The rubric (required elements) that will guide essay writing in geo class includes:
1. Colorful opening. There are 3 recommended ways to create an interest-getting opening: a) use a quote b) ask a question c) write with vivid description.
2. Blend the topics continually in the paper. Do not write a block of material about one topic and then write a separate block about the other topic. Integrate the topics as you offer insight and evidence.
3) Use comparison terms:
* different from,
* the same,
* Both,
* similar to,
* Neither, ... nor,
* like X is (adjective),
* ... than X is (adverb) than.
* both, ...
* either...or
* likewise
* similarly
* although,
* but neither...
* nor
* however
* on the other hand
4. Specific examples must be used to support generalities. An example: generality - The Incredibles was an awesome movie. specific - The Incredibles appealed to me because the characters (especially the mom and the teen sister) were believeable. They sounded like people I know.
5. Grammar counts.
6. Spelling, too. When in doubt, see a dictionary or ask me.
7. Punctuation is paramount. Again, ask me or your Grammar Check software.
8. Include documentation via "according to ...". This means include your source - from World Book to your little brother - in the body of your writing. Usually you place it at the end of the first or second sentence, says Grammar For Today.
9. Write a snappy title. Ways to make a title fun are to tweak a song or movie title or use alliteration. Also, write an explanatory subtitle. Example: "Dinkas are Incredibles;" "Many refugees from the Sudanese Dinka tribe have moved from poverty in east Africa to comfort in the US."
10. Finally, please don't put quotation marks around your title - unless you are quoting someone.
Sudan and the refugees of the long and enormously bloody civil war
Questions re. The Lost Boys of Sudan -
* Why did the filmmakers include several scenes that referenced life in Kansas as influenced by the church?
* What is the relationship between refugees living in the US and their relatives in Africa?
* What was the chief bureaucratic roadblock to the refugees enrolling in school?
* Why does Santino say, "If I were a bird I would fly back to Africa to the place where refugees going to the US are having orientation and say - 'Lies; it's all lies.'"
* Why did the filmmakers include Sudanese remarks about the frictions between the refugees and Black Americans?
* How would you describe the differences between Peter, who goes to
Kansas, and Santino, who remains in Houston?
* What general ideas have you derived about immigrants and their life in America?
* What is a documentary film? Describe two moments in Lost Boys which you felt were well-chosen for their * ring of truth.* Were there any scenes which felt like they were fake or forced?
Indie Work -
Compare - using research, not from the cuff - the movies Lost Boys of Sudan with another movie we've seen this year. Among them: Ghandi, Lawrence of Arabia and Not One Less.
* Why did the filmmakers include several scenes that referenced life in Kansas as influenced by the church?
* What is the relationship between refugees living in the US and their relatives in Africa?
* What was the chief bureaucratic roadblock to the refugees enrolling in school?
* Why does Santino say, "If I were a bird I would fly back to Africa to the place where refugees going to the US are having orientation and say - 'Lies; it's all lies.'"
* Why did the filmmakers include Sudanese remarks about the frictions between the refugees and Black Americans?
* How would you describe the differences between Peter, who goes to
Kansas, and Santino, who remains in Houston?
* What general ideas have you derived about immigrants and their life in America?
* What is a documentary film? Describe two moments in Lost Boys which you felt were well-chosen for their * ring of truth.* Were there any scenes which felt like they were fake or forced?
Indie Work -
Compare - using research, not from the cuff - the movies Lost Boys of Sudan with another movie we've seen this year. Among them: Ghandi, Lawrence of Arabia and Not One Less.
Downtown Houston: glamor and immigrants
Named for Gen. Sam Houston during the brief Republic of Texas - which followed secession from Mexico. 1836.
2.1 million / 600 sq. miles area / US 4th largest city in pop.
Hoston-Sugar Land-Baytown metro area: 5.6 million
- Port of Houston / Houston Ship CHannel - from Galveston Island
- Tex Medical Center (world's largest) / MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Johnson Space Center (NASA)
- Petroleum / energy center
- multicultural population
- museum / theater district
- Rice U.
- U of Houston
- Texas Southern U
- St Thomas U
- Galleria
- China Town
-Vietnam Town
- architecture
- downtown tunnels connect big buildings
2.1 million / 600 sq. miles area / US 4th largest city in pop.
Hoston-Sugar Land-Baytown metro area: 5.6 million
- Port of Houston / Houston Ship CHannel - from Galveston Island
- Tex Medical Center (world's largest) / MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Johnson Space Center (NASA)
- Petroleum / energy center
- multicultural population
- museum / theater district
- Rice U.
- U of Houston
- Texas Southern U
- St Thomas U
- Galleria
- China Town
-Vietnam Town
- architecture
- downtown tunnels connect big buildings
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
The Trek of the Sudanese Refugees
One-page graphic summary of the journey of the Sudanese boys, completed in class Ap 1 -
- 3 pts
- your smart title.
- based on maps of Sudan and Houston.
- 10 key words in brief essay or bulleted notes.
- color
- show locations in their background.
vocab:
genocidal
Muslim fundamentalist
Arab-African
Christian Africans
tribal religions
Nairobi
Kakuma Camp
Peter Duit
Santino Chuor
Difference between conflicts in Darfur and Dinka-Nile region.
Dif between Baobab and Acacia trees.
Peter can speak Swahili, Arabic, Dinka and English.
White Nile (Mountain Nile) plus the Blue Nile eqauls what?
City of their confluence?
Issues -
No help from Americans in getting more education. Plenty of help regarding furniture.
Crime in Houston is daunting.
No appropriate mates.
Solutions -
Peter gets birth certificate that says he is 17. He enrolls in a good high school in Kansas.
- 3 pts
- your smart title.
- based on maps of Sudan and Houston.
- 10 key words in brief essay or bulleted notes.
- color
- show locations in their background.
vocab:
genocidal
Muslim fundamentalist
Arab-African
Christian Africans
tribal religions
Nairobi
Kakuma Camp
Peter Duit
Santino Chuor
Difference between conflicts in Darfur and Dinka-Nile region.
Dif between Baobab and Acacia trees.
Peter can speak Swahili, Arabic, Dinka and English.
White Nile (Mountain Nile) plus the Blue Nile eqauls what?
City of their confluence?
Issues -
No help from Americans in getting more education. Plenty of help regarding furniture.
Crime in Houston is daunting.
No appropriate mates.
Solutions -
Peter gets birth certificate that says he is 17. He enrolls in a good high school in Kansas.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Notes from day one, The Lost Boys Sudan
Frist Art Opening - The Lost Boys Sudan
Originally uploaded by St. Bartholomew's Church, Nashville, TN
The bloody civil war in the region of Darfur, Sudan, is of passionate interest to your generation. TV, radio and sites such as myspace and facebook invite the young to contribute energy and money to stopping the mass muder in Darfur.
The Lost Boys of Sudan were made orphans by a similar conflict in the 1980's. Darfur is a more recent problem. The Lost Boys lived in the south opf Sudan, close by the Nile. Darfur is in the Northwest.
The issue? The Arabic-African government believes that a genocidal action against the tribesmen will improve the nation.
Solution? There is no easy solution.
terms:
- genocide
- ethnocentrism
- refugees
- acculturation
- subsidy
- POV (point of view)
- pseudonym
In today's footage . . .
- respect for the US.
- Christianity among the Dinka tribe.
- ironing and clean clothes important to these refugees.
- soccer, basketball, dance and singing.
- mud huts, no conveniences (ironing with coals in a metal antique).
- fuf-fu, flat bread.
- acculturation in Houston.
- factory work.
Tomorrow:
Santino gets a car and begins to drive. Will he pass the test to get a driver's license?
- Make a graphic of the journey of Peter and Santino.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Lost boys of Sudan is a movie that will reference Africa, the US, ethnocentrism and humanitarianism
Lost Boys of Sudan is the name given by aid organizations to refer to the more than 27,000 boys, says wikipedia, who were displaced and/or orphaned during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2003, about 2 million killed).[1] This name was also used by the International Rescue Committee program which resettled some of these refugees from Sudan to the United States
In 2001, about 3800 Lost Boys arrived in the United States, where they are now scattered in about 38 cities, averaging about 100 per city.[1] Halted after 9/11 for security reasons, the program restarted in 2004, but peace talks were underway in Sudan, and so other refugee crises in other countries took priority.[1] As of 2006, the largest population of Sudanese refugees in the United States is in Omaha, Nebraska which hosts about 7,000 people[2].
Most of the boys were orphaned or separated from their families when government troops systematically attacked villages in southern Sudan killing many of the inhabitants, most of whom were civilians.[1] The younger boys survived in large numbers because they were away tending herds or were able to escape into the nearby jungles.[1] Orphaned and with no support, they would make epic journeys lasting years across the borders to international relief camps in Ethiopia and Kenya evading thirst, starvation, wild animals, insects, disease, and one of the most bloody wars of the 20th century.[1] Examiners say they are the most badly war-traumatized children ever examined.[1]
When villages were attacked, girls were raped, killed, taken as slaves to the north, or became servants or adopted children for other Sudanese families. As a result, relatively few girls made it to the refugee camps.[1]
Please see the background to the Lost Boys of Sudan documentary. Students will be tested on the notes to be taken from the award-winning 87-minute movie.
Lost Boys of Sudan will be rebroadcast nationally on PBSWorld Sunday, April 6th, at 10pm and Monday, April 7th, at 9am, 3pm and 2am. The film was originally broadcast on PBS/POV series in September of 2004.
In 2001, about 3800 Lost Boys arrived in the United States, where they are now scattered in about 38 cities, averaging about 100 per city.[1] Halted after 9/11 for security reasons, the program restarted in 2004, but peace talks were underway in Sudan, and so other refugee crises in other countries took priority.[1] As of 2006, the largest population of Sudanese refugees in the United States is in Omaha, Nebraska which hosts about 7,000 people[2].
Most of the boys were orphaned or separated from their families when government troops systematically attacked villages in southern Sudan killing many of the inhabitants, most of whom were civilians.[1] The younger boys survived in large numbers because they were away tending herds or were able to escape into the nearby jungles.[1] Orphaned and with no support, they would make epic journeys lasting years across the borders to international relief camps in Ethiopia and Kenya evading thirst, starvation, wild animals, insects, disease, and one of the most bloody wars of the 20th century.[1] Examiners say they are the most badly war-traumatized children ever examined.[1]
When villages were attacked, girls were raped, killed, taken as slaves to the north, or became servants or adopted children for other Sudanese families. As a result, relatively few girls made it to the refugee camps.[1]
Please see the background to the Lost Boys of Sudan documentary. Students will be tested on the notes to be taken from the award-winning 87-minute movie.
Lost Boys of Sudan will be rebroadcast nationally on PBSWorld Sunday, April 6th, at 10pm and Monday, April 7th, at 9am, 3pm and 2am. The film was originally broadcast on PBS/POV series in September of 2004.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Learning to learn
Mult-choice, open notes and hand-sketched map tests on Thurs:
Are you learning to learn? How to make the system work for you?
Learning ...
- to read and print out the web site notes on a rgular basis rather than the last minute?
- how to analyze a mult-choice question? How to seek the answer in the text or atlas?
- how to write an effective comparison essay as indie work? How to turn your score into an A by bonus work?
This week's project of writing test questions based on Africa Unit notes was part of teaching you how to learn.
Current indie work:
- 2-minute documentary of basic life in this town.
Ex: watching the sushi chef make a fresh batch of sushi.
Ex: watching a competent musician rehearse.
Students who made a walk-around-the-neighborhood goofy video for laughs is a good idea. Get it out of your system by doing one that you can show to your friends. But please don't bring it to me. If you're wondering what kind of video to make, email me your idea and I'll give you options and guidelines.
- comparison essay on movies about Africa. You may use movies that are familiar, such as Lion King, but you will not get points for writing the first thing that comes to mind. Points are earned by using sources such imdb.com, rottentomatoes.com, wikipedia.org.
- comparing the fabric types and designs of textiles in Africa and in Asia.
- visual essay - powerpoint or photostory or video - on African musical instruments or on African fabrics.
Are you learning to learn? How to make the system work for you?
Learning ...
- to read and print out the web site notes on a rgular basis rather than the last minute?
- how to analyze a mult-choice question? How to seek the answer in the text or atlas?
- how to write an effective comparison essay as indie work? How to turn your score into an A by bonus work?
This week's project of writing test questions based on Africa Unit notes was part of teaching you how to learn.
Current indie work:
- 2-minute documentary of basic life in this town.
Ex: watching the sushi chef make a fresh batch of sushi.
Ex: watching a competent musician rehearse.
Students who made a walk-around-the-neighborhood goofy video for laughs is a good idea. Get it out of your system by doing one that you can show to your friends. But please don't bring it to me. If you're wondering what kind of video to make, email me your idea and I'll give you options and guidelines.
- comparison essay on movies about Africa. You may use movies that are familiar, such as Lion King, but you will not get points for writing the first thing that comes to mind. Points are earned by using sources such imdb.com, rottentomatoes.com, wikipedia.org.
- comparing the fabric types and designs of textiles in Africa and in Asia.
- visual essay - powerpoint or photostory or video - on African musical instruments or on African fabrics.
Djembe Fola says hello to geography class from Conakry, Guniea
The Djembe is a drum of the Mande people from West Africa, says the site djembefola.com:
Literally translated a djembefola is 'one who gives the djembe voice'. It is the traditional Malinke name for a djembe player.
We aim to connect the international djembefola community and be your Djembe and West African percussion resource on the internet.
Through this site we hope to help connect djembe players around the world, facilitating learning from each other and to help those eager to learn but have no access to teachers.
http://www.djembefola.com/
Literally translated a djembefola is 'one who gives the djembe voice'. It is the traditional Malinke name for a djembe player.
We aim to connect the international djembefola community and be your Djembe and West African percussion resource on the internet.
Through this site we hope to help connect djembe players around the world, facilitating learning from each other and to help those eager to learn but have no access to teachers.
http://www.djembefola.com/
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Blue Wildebeest in the veldt or savannah
Wildebeest have been in East Africa for a million years, says National Geographic.
Since men were hunter-gatherers, which is quite primitive. Pre-farming.
Men did the tracking and hunting and tracking.
Women had the arduous task of digging roots every day and gathering berries and bark and boiling it all into a supper.
People ofter carry heavy loads by using a tumpline. Wikipedia says,
A tumpline is a strap attached at both ends to a backpack or other luggage and used to carry the object by placing the strap over the top of the head. This utilizes the spine rather than the shoulders as standard backpack straps do.
Tumplines should not be worn over the forehead, but rather the top of the head just back from the hairline, pulling straight down in alignment with the spine. The person then leans forward, allowing the back to help support the load.
Since men were hunter-gatherers, which is quite primitive. Pre-farming.
Men did the tracking and hunting and tracking.
Women had the arduous task of digging roots every day and gathering berries and bark and boiling it all into a supper.
People ofter carry heavy loads by using a tumpline. Wikipedia says,
A tumpline is a strap attached at both ends to a backpack or other luggage and used to carry the object by placing the strap over the top of the head. This utilizes the spine rather than the shoulders as standard backpack straps do.
Tumplines should not be worn over the forehead, but rather the top of the head just back from the hairline, pulling straight down in alignment with the spine. The person then leans forward, allowing the back to help support the load.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Students in Georgetown against the use of coltan from the Congo
The continent of Africa contains a world of minerals and plant resources that may be of enormous value in the future. An example is the mineral called coltan, which is needed in the making of mini-batteries.
Sadly, the value of diamonds and some minerals can distort economies and lead to horrendous situations, as in conflict diamonds.
"No Blood for Coltan" is a campaign to raise awareness of the role of coltan in fueling one of the most devastating human catastrophes since World War II. The war over coltan is estimated to be responsible for the deaths of four million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1998.
Please check out our facebook page for more information about the campaign:
georgetown.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8467734022&ref=mf
Sadly, the value of diamonds and some minerals can distort economies and lead to horrendous situations, as in conflict diamonds.
"No Blood for Coltan" is a campaign to raise awareness of the role of coltan in fueling one of the most devastating human catastrophes since World War II. The war over coltan is estimated to be responsible for the deaths of four million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1998.
Please check out our facebook page for more information about the campaign:
georgetown.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8467734022&ref=mf
Africa review test on Thurs; sketch map quiz, too
Mon, Mar 17
In class activity:
Africa Quiz for parents or peers . . .
1. Write 5 multiple choice questions solo.
2. Write 5 mult-choice questions w classmates.
3. Legibility!
- 5 pts, or 6 pts if someone takes the quiz and signs for having participated.
Thurs
a) map of the continent of Africa. 12 items. spelling. borders.
b) Open notes, website-based test.
In class activity:
Africa Quiz for parents or peers . . .
1. Write 5 multiple choice questions solo.
2. Write 5 mult-choice questions w classmates.
3. Legibility!
- 5 pts, or 6 pts if someone takes the quiz and signs for having participated.
Thurs
a) map of the continent of Africa. 12 items. spelling. borders.
b) Open notes, website-based test.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Simple documentary: watching Hu the sushi maker at Brookshire's
Please see the Finding Fresh Sushi in Shreveport documentary at Vimeo.com. It's a bit long at over 3 mins; my mistake.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Sustainability vs consumerism: a video called The Story of Stuff
The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns, with a special focus on the United States, says one observer.
All the stuff in our lives, beginning from the extraction of the resources to make it, through its production, sale, use and disposal, affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view.
The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues and calls for all of us to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something. It'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.
From your teacher: While The Story of Stuff uses most of the forms of propaganda that can be imagined and does not offer internal documentation, I think it nonetheless offers a valuable point of view. American students are expected to grow and to observe many points of view. This analysis of life on the planet today may provoke you to valuable considerations of how our system of business, government and lifestyle might morph.
See it here.
All the stuff in our lives, beginning from the extraction of the resources to make it, through its production, sale, use and disposal, affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view.
The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues and calls for all of us to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something. It'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.
From your teacher: While The Story of Stuff uses most of the forms of propaganda that can be imagined and does not offer internal documentation, I think it nonetheless offers a valuable point of view. American students are expected to grow and to observe many points of view. This analysis of life on the planet today may provoke you to valuable considerations of how our system of business, government and lifestyle might morph.
See it here.
Notes on African music
Key words describing the African aesthetic in music:
1. djembe, goblet-shaped drum.
2. dun-dun or tama or talking drum.
3. mbira, sansa, kalimba: thumb piano.
4. shekere, the gourd shaker with net skirt.
5. gong-gong, the double bells.
6. kora, the gourd-bodied harp-like instrument of the griot, or bard.
7. nyere, one of the African flutes.
8. marimba, balofon: the wooden, gourd-resonated xylophone.
Babatunde Olatunji, the Nigerian master drummer who came to NYC in the 60's to teach musicians the intricacies of African drumming.
1. djembe, goblet-shaped drum.
2. dun-dun or tama or talking drum.
3. mbira, sansa, kalimba: thumb piano.
4. shekere, the gourd shaker with net skirt.
5. gong-gong, the double bells.
6. kora, the gourd-bodied harp-like instrument of the griot, or bard.
7. nyere, one of the African flutes.
8. marimba, balofon: the wooden, gourd-resonated xylophone.
Babatunde Olatunji, the Nigerian master drummer who came to NYC in the 60's to teach musicians the intricacies of African drumming.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Blood Diamonds finance murderous conflict
The term conflict diamond, or blood diamond as others call it, became quite well-known to the average person in 2002 when the James Bond movie "Die Another Day" was released. This contribution to the legendary James Bond saga revolved around the idea of smuggling conflict diamonds, says http://www.stopblooddiamonds.org/.
So what is a conflict diamond? The UN formally defines a conflict diamond as a "diamond that originates from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council."
In short, a conflict diamond is any diamond that is mined from an area in which there is war, or armed conflict. The idea is that diamonds are very much in demand and that they fetch such a high price in almost any market. If you mine diamonds and sell them to other countries - of which there is definitely no shortage - you can get a large amount of money for them. Where does the profit from these sales go?
You guessed it - to finance wars and other forms of armed conflict in the affected areas.
So what is a conflict diamond? The UN formally defines a conflict diamond as a "diamond that originates from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council."
In short, a conflict diamond is any diamond that is mined from an area in which there is war, or armed conflict. The idea is that diamonds are very much in demand and that they fetch such a high price in almost any market. If you mine diamonds and sell them to other countries - of which there is definitely no shortage - you can get a large amount of money for them. Where does the profit from these sales go?
You guessed it - to finance wars and other forms of armed conflict in the affected areas.
Squeeze the drum while you beat it: the drum talks!
The talking drum is a West African drum whose pitch can be regulated to the extent that it is said the drum "talks". The player puts the drum under one shoulder and beats the instrument with a stick.
A talking drum player raises or lowers the pitch by squeezing or releasing the drum's strings with the upper arm. This can produce highly informative sounds to convey complicated messages. The ability to change the drum's pitch is analogous to the language tonality of some African languages.
Talking drums are one of the oldest instruments used by West African griots (storyteller / historians) and their history can be traced back to ancient Ghana Empire. The Hausa people, and by influence, the Yoruba people of south western Nigeria and Benin and the Dagomba of northern Ghana, have developed a highly sophisticated genre of griot music centering on the talking drum.
Among the Wolof people of Senegal, the talking drum (known as a tama) is an hour-glass shaped drum with two heads (goat, lizard (iguana), or fish skin) tuned by straps that connect the heads with each other.
A proverb associated with the drum: "Even if you dress up finely, love is the only thing."
A talking drum player raises or lowers the pitch by squeezing or releasing the drum's strings with the upper arm. This can produce highly informative sounds to convey complicated messages. The ability to change the drum's pitch is analogous to the language tonality of some African languages.
Talking drums are one of the oldest instruments used by West African griots (storyteller / historians) and their history can be traced back to ancient Ghana Empire. The Hausa people, and by influence, the Yoruba people of south western Nigeria and Benin and the Dagomba of northern Ghana, have developed a highly sophisticated genre of griot music centering on the talking drum.
Among the Wolof people of Senegal, the talking drum (known as a tama) is an hour-glass shaped drum with two heads (goat, lizard (iguana), or fish skin) tuned by straps that connect the heads with each other.
A proverb associated with the drum: "Even if you dress up finely, love is the only thing."
The Djembe of West Africa energizes dancers and drum circles across the globe
A djembe, also known as djimbe, jenbe, jembe, yembe, or sanbanyi in Susu; is a skin covered hand drum, shaped like a large goblet, and meant to be played with bare hands. According to the Bamana people in Mali, the name of the djembe comes directly from the saying "Anke dje, anke be" which literally translates to "everyone gather together", says wikipedia.
The French were instrumental in studying and describing African drumming to the world. However, colonization by the French is a sore spot for many West African people, and spelling jembe with the "d" can be a painful reminder of that. Since independence (1958-1960) African governments have been working toward indigenous ways of spelling their local languages in accordance with international standards of phonetic transcription.
It is played in ensemble with the "dunun" drum (dununba, sangban, kenkeni), bells, with individuals playing different parts that lace together intricately to weave a delicate rhythmic tapestry. Dancers are accompanied by djembe and dunun drummers, including a lead djembe player, or soloist, who will play rhythms which align with the dancer's movements as they make them, and whose playing will signal changes in the dance steps, as well as the beginning and end of a piece.
The djembe is said to contain three spirits: the spirit of the tree, the spirit of the animal of which the drum head is made, and the spirit of the instrument maker. It is legend that the djembe and/or the tree from which it is created was a gift from a Djinn or malevolent demigod, male counterpart to the more familiar Genie. Properly crafted djembe drums are carved in one single piece from hollowed out trees called Dimba, or Devil Wood.
The French were instrumental in studying and describing African drumming to the world. However, colonization by the French is a sore spot for many West African people, and spelling jembe with the "d" can be a painful reminder of that. Since independence (1958-1960) African governments have been working toward indigenous ways of spelling their local languages in accordance with international standards of phonetic transcription.
It is played in ensemble with the "dunun" drum (dununba, sangban, kenkeni), bells, with individuals playing different parts that lace together intricately to weave a delicate rhythmic tapestry. Dancers are accompanied by djembe and dunun drummers, including a lead djembe player, or soloist, who will play rhythms which align with the dancer's movements as they make them, and whose playing will signal changes in the dance steps, as well as the beginning and end of a piece.
The djembe is said to contain three spirits: the spirit of the tree, the spirit of the animal of which the drum head is made, and the spirit of the instrument maker. It is legend that the djembe and/or the tree from which it is created was a gift from a Djinn or malevolent demigod, male counterpart to the more familiar Genie. Properly crafted djembe drums are carved in one single piece from hollowed out trees called Dimba, or Devil Wood.
The Great Mosque of Djenne, one of the most famous structures on the continent of Africa
The Great Mosque of Djenné is the largest mud brick or adobe building in the world and is considered by many architects to be the greatest achievement of the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style, albeit with definite Islamic influences, says wikipedia.
The first mosque on the site was built in the 13th century, but the current structure dates from 1907. As well as being the centre of the community of Djenné, it is one of the most famous landmarks in Africa.
The walls of the Great Mosque are made of sun-baked mud bricks called ferey, a mud based mortar, and are coated with a mud plaster which gives the building its smooth, sculpted look. The walls are between 16 in and 24 in. thick.
Bundles of palm wood were included in the building to reduce cracking caused by frequent drastic changes in humidity and temperature and to serve as readymade scaffolding for annual repairs. The walls insulate the building from heat during the day and by nightfall have absorbed enough heat to keep the mosque warm through the night.
The prayer wall of the mosque is dominated by three large, box-like minarets jutting out from the main wall and has eighteen buttresses. Each minaret contains a spiral staircase leading to the roof, and on top of each minaret is a cone shaped spire topped with an ostrich egg.
The entire community of Djenné takes an active role in the mosque's maintenance via a unique annual festival. This includes music and food, but has the primary objective of repairing the damage inflicted on the mosque in the past year - mostly erosion caused by the annual rains and cracks caused by changes in temperature and humidity.
Men climb onto the mosque's built-in scaffolding and ladders made of palm wood and smear the plaster over the face of the mosque.
The original mosque presided over one of the most important Islamic learning centers in Africa during the Middle Ages. Thousands of students came to study the Qur'an in Djenné's madrassas.
The first mosque on the site was built in the 13th century, but the current structure dates from 1907. As well as being the centre of the community of Djenné, it is one of the most famous landmarks in Africa.
The walls of the Great Mosque are made of sun-baked mud bricks called ferey, a mud based mortar, and are coated with a mud plaster which gives the building its smooth, sculpted look. The walls are between 16 in and 24 in. thick.
Bundles of palm wood were included in the building to reduce cracking caused by frequent drastic changes in humidity and temperature and to serve as readymade scaffolding for annual repairs. The walls insulate the building from heat during the day and by nightfall have absorbed enough heat to keep the mosque warm through the night.
The prayer wall of the mosque is dominated by three large, box-like minarets jutting out from the main wall and has eighteen buttresses. Each minaret contains a spiral staircase leading to the roof, and on top of each minaret is a cone shaped spire topped with an ostrich egg.
The entire community of Djenné takes an active role in the mosque's maintenance via a unique annual festival. This includes music and food, but has the primary objective of repairing the damage inflicted on the mosque in the past year - mostly erosion caused by the annual rains and cracks caused by changes in temperature and humidity.
Men climb onto the mosque's built-in scaffolding and ladders made of palm wood and smear the plaster over the face of the mosque.
The original mosque presided over one of the most important Islamic learning centers in Africa during the Middle Ages. Thousands of students came to study the Qur'an in Djenné's madrassas.
Djenne, home of the Great Mosque, is parallell to Timbuktu in the history of West Africa
Djenne is a small city near the River Niger in the nation of Mali. t is famous for its mud brick (adobe) architecture, most notably the Great Mosque of Djenné, originally built in 1220 and rebuilt in 1907. In the past, Djenné was a centre of trade and learning, says wikipedia.org.
Your teacher is reminded of the French city of Orleans. At only 100,000 people, it is half the size of Shreveport. But it has an enormous Gothic cathedral, the Cathédrale Sainte-Croix. Therefore it is a classic stop for people visiting France.
Djenne was once a base for the trans-Saharan trade. It rivalled Timbuktu, also a city built of mud structures.
Timbuktu is populated by Songhay, Tuareg, Fulani, and Mandé people, and is about 15 km north of the Niger River. It is also at the intersection of an east–west and a north–south Trans-Saharan trade route that crosses the Sahara. It was important historically (and still is today) as an entrepot for rock-salt.
Its geographical setting made it a natural meeting point for nearby African populations and nomadic Berber and Arab peoples from the north. Its long history as a trading outpost that linked west Africa with Berber, Arab, and Jewish traders throughout north Africa, and thereby indirectly with traders from Europe, has given it a fabled status. In the West it is a metaphor for exotic, distant lands: "from here to Timbuktu."
Timbuktu's long-lasting contribution to Islamic and world civilization is scholarship.[2] By the fourteenth century, important books were written and copied in Timbuktu, establishing the city as the centre of a significant written tradition in Africa
Your teacher is reminded of the French city of Orleans. At only 100,000 people, it is half the size of Shreveport. But it has an enormous Gothic cathedral, the Cathédrale Sainte-Croix. Therefore it is a classic stop for people visiting France.
Djenne was once a base for the trans-Saharan trade. It rivalled Timbuktu, also a city built of mud structures.
Timbuktu is populated by Songhay, Tuareg, Fulani, and Mandé people, and is about 15 km north of the Niger River. It is also at the intersection of an east–west and a north–south Trans-Saharan trade route that crosses the Sahara. It was important historically (and still is today) as an entrepot for rock-salt.
Its geographical setting made it a natural meeting point for nearby African populations and nomadic Berber and Arab peoples from the north. Its long history as a trading outpost that linked west Africa with Berber, Arab, and Jewish traders throughout north Africa, and thereby indirectly with traders from Europe, has given it a fabled status. In the West it is a metaphor for exotic, distant lands: "from here to Timbuktu."
Timbuktu's long-lasting contribution to Islamic and world civilization is scholarship.[2] By the fourteenth century, important books were written and copied in Timbuktu, establishing the city as the centre of a significant written tradition in Africa
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Key words from videos on the continent of Africa, continent of Africa
These key words just happen to fit the video review questions that follow below.
1. dhow 2. Christianity 3. Islam 4. Swahili 5. henna
6. rafiki 7. okra 8. eggplant 9. cloves 10. cinammon
11. black pepper 12. mortar & pestle 13. pilau 14. cassava
15. eating by hand; eating segregated by gender
16. minaret 17. Islam 18. Arabic 19. Zanzibari 20. night market
21. monsoon 22. India 23. patriarchy (grandfather) 24. TV "presenter" 25. tribal languages, such as Masai
26. Caddo language 27. Accra, Ghana 28. Britain
29. Gold - Gold Coast 30. Ashantih 31. charcoal
1. dhow 2. Christianity 3. Islam 4. Swahili 5. henna
6. rafiki 7. okra 8. eggplant 9. cloves 10. cinammon
11. black pepper 12. mortar & pestle 13. pilau 14. cassava
15. eating by hand; eating segregated by gender
16. minaret 17. Islam 18. Arabic 19. Zanzibari 20. night market
21. monsoon 22. India 23. patriarchy (grandfather) 24. TV "presenter" 25. tribal languages, such as Masai
26. Caddo language 27. Accra, Ghana 28. Britain
29. Gold - Gold Coast 30. Ashantih 31. charcoal
togo-pwl-roll-02-30
Fufu, also spelled foofoo, foufou, or fu fu, is a staple food of West and Central Africa. It is a thick paste or porridge usually made by boiling starchy root vegetables in water and pounding with a large mortar and pestle until the desired consistency is reached, says wikipedia.org.
In Western Africa, foofoo is usually made from yams, sometimes combined with cocoyam, plantains, or maize. In Central Africa, fufu is often made from cassava, as is the Liberian dumboy. Fufu can also be made from semolina, rice, or even instant potato flakes. Often, the dish is still made by traditional methods: pounding and beating the base substance in a mortar with a wooden spoon.
In Western and Central Africa, the more common method is to serve a mound of fufu along with a sauce made from okra, fish, tomato, etc. The diner pinches off a small ball of fufu and makes an indentation with the thumb. This reservoir is then filled with sauce, and the ball is eaten. In Ghana and Nigeria, the ball is often not chewed but swallowed whole. In fact, among the older generation, chewing fufu is a faux-pas.
Cassava, or manioc, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates. Indeed, cassava is the third largest source of carbohydrates for human food in the world, with Africa its largest center of production, says wikipedia.org.
In Western Africa, foofoo is usually made from yams, sometimes combined with cocoyam, plantains, or maize. In Central Africa, fufu is often made from cassava, as is the Liberian dumboy. Fufu can also be made from semolina, rice, or even instant potato flakes. Often, the dish is still made by traditional methods: pounding and beating the base substance in a mortar with a wooden spoon.
In Western and Central Africa, the more common method is to serve a mound of fufu along with a sauce made from okra, fish, tomato, etc. The diner pinches off a small ball of fufu and makes an indentation with the thumb. This reservoir is then filled with sauce, and the ball is eaten. In Ghana and Nigeria, the ball is often not chewed but swallowed whole. In fact, among the older generation, chewing fufu is a faux-pas.
Cassava, or manioc, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates. Indeed, cassava is the third largest source of carbohydrates for human food in the world, with Africa its largest center of production, says wikipedia.org.
Pilau: a rice porridge or stew that connects the MidEast, Africa, Europe and the US
From about.com on Rice Pilau:
Is it pilau, perloo. perlau, plaw, pilaw, pilaf, or pilaff? The word comes from the Turkish pilaw, from the Persian pilaw, and from the Osmanli pilav, "rice porridge." Pronunciation is just as varied, as in PER-lo, PEELaf, or per-LO. According to Bill Neal, Charlestonians, no matter how they spell it, all pronounce it PER-low.
English writers spoke of the dish in the seventeenth century, and by the eighteenth century it had taken hold in Britain, especially after the empire spread through the Middle East and into India. In America, the Southern rice crops and the influence of the spice trade made the dish popular. Pilau has been a popular dish in many Southern states for 300 years, particularly South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana.
Is it pilau, perloo. perlau, plaw, pilaw, pilaf, or pilaff? The word comes from the Turkish pilaw, from the Persian pilaw, and from the Osmanli pilav, "rice porridge." Pronunciation is just as varied, as in PER-lo, PEELaf, or per-LO. According to Bill Neal, Charlestonians, no matter how they spell it, all pronounce it PER-low.
English writers spoke of the dish in the seventeenth century, and by the eighteenth century it had taken hold in Britain, especially after the empire spread through the Middle East and into India. In America, the Southern rice crops and the influence of the spice trade made the dish popular. Pilau has been a popular dish in many Southern states for 300 years, particularly South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Africa review: Zanzibar & Ghana
Africa review
1. Name the famous type of ship sailed on the Arab-African coast. Unlike the sail on a European sailboat, the mast and boom rotate as needed.
2. Since colonial times, this religion has been the dominant religion of Tanzania and Kenya in East Africa: __.
3. Religion dominant on the Swahili coast?
4. The language of the Indian Ocean coast of Africa?
5. Dye used in decorative hand painting in India, Arabia and Africa?
6. East African word for “friend”?
7. This vegetable has green, bullet-shaped pods. It is used in both Louisiana and Africa for thickening the soup or stew. Its name in Africa is “gumbo.”
8. Name the purple vegetable that in French is called aubergine (the vegetable and the color).
9. Sharply-flavored spice harvested by the Tanzanian girl froma tree on her family land.
10. Spice gotten by cutting tree bark into strips.
11. Piper nigrum is the Latin name for this spice; in the ancient world is was a very expensive commodity.
12. Ancient bowl and pounder used in grinding spices.
13. A rice dish with spices and vegetable as prepared by the family of Zanzibar.
14. Tasteless, potato-like root vegetable of Africa.
15. Two ways in which the East African eating habits were different from those of the US.
16. The tower aside a mosque which is used to call the faithful to prayer.
17. A madrassah is a school that most students attend after they go to their regular school. It is associated with which religion?
18. In a madrassah, what is the language of the lessons ?
19. What do you call a resident of Zanzibar?
20. Sizzling food is available along the waterfront in the evening at a place called simply the __ __.
21. East Africans use the winds that accomapny the rainy season, the __, to send ships on long regional trading voyages.
22. The most distant region region of the world for trade by East African sailors: __.
23. In Zanzibar we saw a family of several generations under one roof. Was it a patriarchy or matriarchy?
24. The girl of Zanzibar has a goal in media work. What does she hope to do as an occupation?
25. What do we call the indigenous languages of Kenya?
26. What is the indigenous language of NW Louisiana?
27. The girl of Ghana lives in the capital. The name of that city?
28. For centuries the people of Ghana were ruled by Europeans from the nation of __.
29. Europeans gave this part of the coast of West Africa a name indicating a valuable commodity: the __ Coast.
30. The dominant tribe of Ghana?
31. Cooking on an outdoor stove in Ghana is done sometimes by propane and sometimes a more ancient fuel: __.
1. Name the famous type of ship sailed on the Arab-African coast. Unlike the sail on a European sailboat, the mast and boom rotate as needed.
2. Since colonial times, this religion has been the dominant religion of Tanzania and Kenya in East Africa: __.
3. Religion dominant on the Swahili coast?
4. The language of the Indian Ocean coast of Africa?
5. Dye used in decorative hand painting in India, Arabia and Africa?
6. East African word for “friend”?
7. This vegetable has green, bullet-shaped pods. It is used in both Louisiana and Africa for thickening the soup or stew. Its name in Africa is “gumbo.”
8. Name the purple vegetable that in French is called aubergine (the vegetable and the color).
9. Sharply-flavored spice harvested by the Tanzanian girl froma tree on her family land.
10. Spice gotten by cutting tree bark into strips.
11. Piper nigrum is the Latin name for this spice; in the ancient world is was a very expensive commodity.
12. Ancient bowl and pounder used in grinding spices.
13. A rice dish with spices and vegetable as prepared by the family of Zanzibar.
14. Tasteless, potato-like root vegetable of Africa.
15. Two ways in which the East African eating habits were different from those of the US.
16. The tower aside a mosque which is used to call the faithful to prayer.
17. A madrassah is a school that most students attend after they go to their regular school. It is associated with which religion?
18. In a madrassah, what is the language of the lessons ?
19. What do you call a resident of Zanzibar?
20. Sizzling food is available along the waterfront in the evening at a place called simply the __ __.
21. East Africans use the winds that accomapny the rainy season, the __, to send ships on long regional trading voyages.
22. The most distant region region of the world for trade by East African sailors: __.
23. In Zanzibar we saw a family of several generations under one roof. Was it a patriarchy or matriarchy?
24. The girl of Zanzibar has a goal in media work. What does she hope to do as an occupation?
25. What do we call the indigenous languages of Kenya?
26. What is the indigenous language of NW Louisiana?
27. The girl of Ghana lives in the capital. The name of that city?
28. For centuries the people of Ghana were ruled by Europeans from the nation of __.
29. Europeans gave this part of the coast of West Africa a name indicating a valuable commodity: the __ Coast.
30. The dominant tribe of Ghana?
31. Cooking on an outdoor stove in Ghana is done sometimes by propane and sometimes a more ancient fuel: __.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Bottlenose dolphins - part of the Indian Ocean, too
Says wikipedia of the Bottlenose Dolphin, in part:
The species is commonly known for its friendly character and curiosity towards humans immersed in or near water. It is not uncommon for a diver to be investigated by a group of them.
Occasionally, dolphins have rescued injured divers by raising them to the surface, a behaviour they also show towards injured members of their own species. Such accounts have earned them the nickname of "Man's best friend of the sea".
In November 2004, a more dramatic report of dolphin intervention came from New Zealand. Four lifeguards, swimming 100 m (328 ft) off the coast near Whangarei, were reportedly approached by a 3 m (10 ft) Great White Shark. A group of Bottlenose Dolphins, apparently sensing danger to the swimmers, herded them together and tightly surrounded them for forty minutes, preventing an attack from the shark, as they returned to shore.
The species is commonly known for its friendly character and curiosity towards humans immersed in or near water. It is not uncommon for a diver to be investigated by a group of them.
Occasionally, dolphins have rescued injured divers by raising them to the surface, a behaviour they also show towards injured members of their own species. Such accounts have earned them the nickname of "Man's best friend of the sea".
In November 2004, a more dramatic report of dolphin intervention came from New Zealand. Four lifeguards, swimming 100 m (328 ft) off the coast near Whangarei, were reportedly approached by a 3 m (10 ft) Great White Shark. A group of Bottlenose Dolphins, apparently sensing danger to the swimmers, herded them together and tightly surrounded them for forty minutes, preventing an attack from the shark, as they returned to shore.
Storyboarding: how to save time and money in your video projects
To make a storyboard is to make an outline of your video via a series of sketches. The sketches don't have to be elaborate.
If you like being organized, the storyboard will appeal to you. It helps by giving you a plan for your shooting and editing. You can always deviate from your storyboard, of course. But it helps you not skip over something important to the stelling of your story.
If you like being organized, the storyboard will appeal to you. It helps by giving you a plan for your shooting and editing. You can always deviate from your storyboard, of course. But it helps you not skip over something important to the stelling of your story.
The African aesthetic has touched artists all over the world
Pablo Picasso, the Spanish artist who is considered the most successful of the 20th century, was influenced in his modernistic artforms by African masks and motifs.
African dance has been pervasive in its influence, too.
African music can be linked to the blues and many other musicis.
African dance has been pervasive in its influence, too.
African music can be linked to the blues and many other musicis.
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