The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is a collection of sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, says Wikipedia.
It is art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BC and whose purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife, and to make sure that he had people to rule over.
The figures, dating from 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 by some local farmers in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi province, near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor.
The figures vary in height according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots and horses.
Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits.[1] Other terracotta non-military figures were also found in other pits and they include officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians.
Please see an overview video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsUE-ZtcUFg
Weapons such as swords, spears, battle-axe, scimitars, shields, crossbows and arrowheads were found at the pits of the terracotta warriors.[21][29] Some of these weapons such as the swords are still very sharp and found to be coated with chromium oxide. This layer of chromium oxide is 10–15 micrometre thick and has kept the swords rust-free and in pristine condition after 2,000 years.[30][31][32] Chromium only came to the attention of westerners in the 18th century.[33] Many swords contain an alloy of copper, tin and other elements including nickel, magnesium, and cobalt.[34] A Qin crossbow arrow is estimated to have a range of 800 metres.
Friday, May 18, 2012
First Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di and the Terra Cotta Army at Xi'an
Chinese guard dogs & male-dominant gender imbalance
Chow Chow is a breed of dog that was developed in China,[1] where it is referred to as Songshi Quan or "puffy-lion dog".
The breed has a very dense double coat, says Wikipedia, that can be either smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick around the neck, giving the distinctive ruff or mane appearance.
Recent DNA analysis confirms that the Chow Chow is one of the oldest breeds of dog.
More than 24 million Chinese men of marrying age could find themselves without spouses by 2020, says the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The gender imbalance among newborns is the most serious demographic problem for the country's population of 1.3 billion, says the academy.
It cites sex-specific abortions as a major factor, due to China's traditional bias towards male children.
Academy sociologist Yan Hua said: "People's minds have changed a lot during the last 20 years.
"Young couples either don't want to have a second child, or would prefer to live a DINK (Double Income No Kid) life."
The academy says gender selection abortions are "extremely common".
This is especially true in rural areas, and ultra-sound scans, first introduced in the late 1980s, have increased the practice.
The growing imbalance means that forced prostitution and human trafficking has become "rampant" in some parts of the country, according to the researchers.
While analysts admit there is definitely a pronounced gender imbalance in China, they also say that exact information is difficult to obtain because some families are thought to avoid registering female babies in order to make it easier for them to have a second child.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Second semester world geography study guide, 2012
Open notes, 50 multiple-choice questions, one comparison essay. Be aware that numerous questions will have been tweaked - answers switched, wording re-arranged - so that you can have a mindful review.
1. New Orleans African heritage: a) West b) East c) North
2. translate: bons a) Let b) the c) good d) times e) roll
3. translate: rouler a) Let b) the c) good d) times e) roll
4. translate: laissez a) Let b) the c) good d) times e) roll
5. translate: temps a) Let b) the c) good d) times e) roll
6. translate: gras a) Let b) the c) good d) fat
7. Louisiana's carnival season does not begin on a) Twelfth Night b) Epiphany c) Jan 6 d) Ash Wed.
8. Dionysian celebration: a) Greek b) Roman c) Persian.
9. Lupercalia: a) Greek b) Roman c) Persian.
10. Translate Carne: ___ and vale: ___ a) Goodbye to fun b) goodbye to dancing c) goodbye to meat.
11. Translate: "Lent." a) springtime b) fasting c) abstinence d) Carnival.
12. First nation associated with carnival. a) Italy b) France c) Germany.
13. First historic era in which Carnevale is written about: a) Medieval b) Renaissance c) Elizabethan.
14. Riotous, scandalous behavior was integral to the European history of Carnival. T / F
15. Shrove Tuesday a) pancake day b) non-Catholic Carnival c) forgiveness of sins.
16. Endymion: a) female b) male c) Hispanic d) African-American krewe in New Orleans.
17. Why were parades instututed in New Orleans about 1857? a) make money and quiet the riotous behaviour b) favored by the Catholic Church.
18. European city that establishes the early carnival customs. a) Paris b) Munich c) London d) Venice.
King Cake Quiz
1. Louisiana's carnival season does not begin on a) Twelfth Night b) Epiphany c) Jan 6 d) Ash Wed.
12. How long did French immigrants live in Nova Scotia before being expelled from the region they called Acadia and going on a journey that would take them to Louisiana? a) 50 b) 100 c) 200.
13. A French name for a community dance or a Cajun house party? a) a bon plaisir b) Laissez les bons temps rouler c) Fais do-do d) Mais, oui!
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From Oxfordshire to Mecca / Lawrence of Arabia quiz
1. On his journey from London to Cairo, Lawrence's ship went through the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. His boat also had to traverse the a) English Channel
b) Suez Canal c) Red Sea d) Persian Gulf.
2. In Cairo the viewer sees Lt. Lawrence at his British Army work: a) demolitions
b) dossier c) cartography d) translating Arabic.
3. Lt. L. is sent to Saudi Arabia to observe the progress of the __ . a) Turks
b) Bedouins c) Persians d) camels.
4. The "Med" is not spelled a) Mediterranean
b) Mediterranean c) Mediterranean d) Mediterannean.
5. If your ship travels south from Cairo on the Red Sea your destination might be a) Greece b) Palestine c) Ethiopia d) Lebanon.
6. Body of water on the eastern side of the Arabian peninsula: a) Persian Gulf b) Indian Ocean c) Red Sea d) Nile R..
7. The capture of Damascus is the ultimate goal of the Bedouin forces.
Damascus is the capital of __. a) Syria b) Lebanon c) Iraq.
8. The south coast of the Arabian peninsula is part of a trade route connecting
a) India and East Africa b) Egypt and Europe c) Persia and China d) East Africa and West Africa.
9. Egypt's bordering nation on the northeast is a) Yemen b) Oman c) Israel
d) Lebanon.
10. Lawrence became expert at the __ camel. a) Bactrian b) Dromedary c) Persian d) Qu'ranic.
11. Lawrence leads Bedouin forces against the Turks from 1915 to 1918, says Wikipedia. This implies a) love of war b) consistent leadership
c) ethnocentrism d) enormous egotism.
12. Col. Brighton asserts that "Britain is a small country. What makes it great is __ . " a) discipline b) navy c) technology d) bravery.
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Prince Feisal quiz
1) In Arabia there is a conflict between the nomadic, tribal Bedouin peoples and the Turks, rulers of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - which includes Arabia. Who’s on the German side? a) Bedouins b) Turks.
2) “The Officer’s Mess” is a term for
a) a carelessly kept meeting room or b) the lounge area for the commissioned soldiers.
3) Arabian tribes are led by the wise, if weary,
a) Prince Feisal of Mecca b) Lloyd George c) Woodrow Wilson.
4) What is the attitude of L’s desert guide toward the British officer’s pistol carried by L.? a) curiosity b) extreme desire c) unconcern.
5) The Arabic word for canyon, usually a dry, rocky area between mesas, is “wadi.” What do the existence of these stone canyons say about the ancient geography of this region? a) centuries of wind erosion b) ancient waterways c) glaciation.
6) The tribal groups of the Harish versus the Hazimi: we conclude that murderous tribal warfare is a historic part of life in the vast desert. T / F
7 ) What kind of vessel is used to bring up water from the deep well in the desert? a) Goat skin b) wooden bucket c) woven-palm sort of basket-bucket.
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Wadi quiz
1) When the troops leave the wadi, the women watching them emit a high-pitched scream as encouragement. What is that called? a. ovulation b. ululation c. trepidation d. insubordination.
2) What small, Turkish-held city will be attacked by the combined tribes of the Harish and the Hazimi in a surprise raid?
a) Cairo b) Medina c) Aqaba.
3) This Turk-controlled city lies on what body of water? a) Gulf of Aqaba b) Gulf of Suez c) Gulf of Aden.
4) Lawrence is awarded the robes of a tribesman for his valorous service. Somehow, he finds the indigenous garments a) uncomfortable b) appealing c) murderous.
5) In the desert the Bedouins find a place surrounded by trees where their camels can drink. It is called an __ . a) aquifer b) fountain c) oasis.
6) What kind of trees are those - which thrive in the middle of the desert? a) coconut palms b) date palms c) oasis palms .
7) Days of WWI: From 1914 to __ . a) !917 b) 1918 c) 1920.
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Blasphemy quiz
1) Translate "Peace (be with you)” into Arabic: a) shalom b) salaam c) shazam.
2) Re. the scene where the Bedouins are strafed and have to move their camp. Where did the Turks get airplanes in 1916? a) Germans b) French c) British.
3) The scene is Feisal's tent. “Recite, then, as much of the __ as may be easy for you ... and seek ye the forgiveness of God. Verily, God is forgiving, merciful ...” These are the opening words of the a) Qu’ran b) Bible c) Baghavad Gita .
4) The scene in Feisel’s tent is unusually respectful of Muslims. I say “unusually” because of the traditional attitude: a) Western world's lack of respect for Muslims b) low Muslim self-concept c) all they have is oil, fine Persian rugs and chewy date fruit.
5) Lawrence quotes the Qu'ran. How would he know such material?
a) movie producer explained it to him b) his momma c) his Oxford education.
6) In 1915 the top British priority in the Mid East was protection of a waterway important to their shipping and movement of warships. What is the name of this key passage, which connects the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean? a) Arabian Sea b) Panama Canal c) Suez Canal.
7) In explaining to Feisel the reason for Britain’s worldwide power, the British officer puts an emphasis on England's __ . a) technology b) discipline c) skill d) wealth.
8) In the early 1900’s the city at the center of Islamic art, business and scholarship was not Mecca, nor Cairo. It was: a) Medina b) Damascus c) Jerusalem .
9) According to Feisel, do Arabs love the desert? No. Then what do they love? a) fountains and gardens b) mountains c) ships and oysters.
10) At the desert’s edge Lawrence spends a night concentrating on the Arab dilemma in their feckless fight against the Turks. He has a breakthrough. What is his solution? a) attack from the sea b) attack at night c) attack from the desert.
11) A cruel and terrible desert must be crossed by the Bedouin.
The desert is the a. Sahara b. Rub al Kali c. Nefud.
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East of the Mediterranean
1. Nation that is Not on the shores of the Med: a) Syria b) Turkey c) Jordan d) Israel.
2. North of Jordan: a) Syria b) Iraq c) Palestine d) Egypt.
3. Nation that is Not on the Persian Gulf: a) Kuwait b) Saudi Arabia c) Yemen d) Oman.
4. Nation that is Not on the Arabian Peninsula: a) Egypt b) Jordan c) Oman d) UAE.
5. Body of water most closely associated with the Arabian peninsula: a) Mediterranean b) Atlantic c) Indian Ocean d) Black Sea.
6. Island nation on Persian Gulf: a) Bahrain b) Qatar c) UAE d) Kuwait.
7. The sole non-Muslim nation of the Middle East: a) Egypt b) Israel c) Lebanon d) Syria.
8. The Persian Gulf is named for a) Iran b) Iraq c) Saudi Arabia d) Oman.
9. The nation of Israel is believed to have nuclear bomb capability. The next nation of the Mid East to achieve nuclear status will be: a) Iran b) Iraq c) Saudi Arabia d) Oman.
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Ancient crossroads: Jerusalem
1. Jerusalem happens to be located, if you check on this carefully, in the nation of a) Jordan b) Israel c) Egypt d) Syria.
2. "The street of sorrows," is better known as a) Via Dolorosa b) Church of the Holy Sepulchre c) Christian Quarter d) Arab Quarter.
3. About 300 AD (CE) a person arrived from Constantinople to ask where Jesus of Nazareth had been crucified and buried. That person was a) Constantine, the Roman Emperor b) Herod, the Jewish leader who was an ally of the Romans c) Nebuchadnezzar of Persia
d) Helena, mother of Constantine.
4. Who was the most ancient historic figure? a) Abraham b) Jesus of Nazareth c) the Prophet Muhammed.
5. Ehich one is the most recent historic figure? a) Abraham b) Jesus of Nazareth c) the Prophet Muhammed.
6. Which one of these men is revered by adherents in 3 religions? a) Abraham b) Jesus of Nazareth c) the Prophet Muhammed.
7. In the center of the city of Mecca is a shrine called the a) Black Stone b) Kaaba c) Grand Mosque d) Minaret.
8 and 9. There are 2 sites on the Temple Mount, the highest elevation in Jerusalem. Choose 2: a) Church of the Holy Sepulchre b) Dome of the Rock c) Western Wall of the Jewish Temple d) Via Dolorosa e) Armenian Quarter.
10. Holy to the memory of both Abraham and the Prophet Muhammed: a) Dome of the Rock b) Western Wall of the Ancient Temple
c) Church of the Holy Sepulchre d) Via Dolorosa.
11. The word sepulchre means a) mound b) room c) rock d) tomb.
12. In Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice the money lender is a) Shylock, the Jew b) Antonio, the wealthy Venetian c) Jessica, the Jew's daughter d) The Prince of Verona.
13. The 3500-mile fissure called the Great Rift Valley cuts through __ Africa. a) East b) West c) South d) North.
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1. Name the nation - from class notes - that is located farthest from the island of Zanzibar on the continent of Africa, continent of Africa. a) Morocco b) Nigeria c) Tanzania d) South Africa.
2. Name the type of ship used in connecting India and Africa: the ___ . a) Arabian b) dhow c) safari d) sloop.
3. Historic trade goods in this region of the world: ivory, spices and __. a) copper b) coral c) slaves d) petroleum.
4. Typical of valuable modern trade goods exported from the east coast of Africa: __ a) minerals b) textiles c) steel d) fish.
5. Geographers divide the continent of Africa, continent of Africa, into the region north and south of the immense arid region called the __ . a) Sahara b) Kalahari c) Great Rift Valley d) Horn of Africa.
6. Rafiki is a Swahili word for " __ ". a) lion b) monkey c) hello! d) friend.
7. A nation that is part of the 3500 mile Great Rift Valley: __ . a) Nigeria b) Ethiopia c) Egypt d) Morocco.
8. Wealthiest nation on the continent of Africa, content of Africa:
____ . a) South Africa b) Nigeria c) Egypt d) Kenya.
9. Nation that is located at the lowest part - at the mouth - of the Nile River: __ . a) Egypt b) Uganda c) Ethiopia d) Sudan.
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Kilimanjaro Quiz
1. In which nation is the great mountain called Kilimanjaro? a) Uganda b) Kenya
c) Tanzania d) Zanzibar
2. All these locations - a) Uganda b) Kenya c) Tanzania d) Zanzibar - happen to be part of the Great Rift Valley. T / F
3. Most people in these nations - Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania - speak Swahili, English and a tribal language. T / F
4. Which one of these nations would Not show much influence from the Arabia and India? a) Uganda b) Kenya c) Tanzania d) Zanzibar.
5. Seaweed, octopus, lobsters and coral would be most common in which location? a) Uganda b) Kenya
c) Tanzania d) Zanzibar.
6. The warlord Joseph Kony is associated with which nation? a) Uganda b) Kenya
c) Tanzania d) Zanzibar.
7. Which of these nations is thought of as the source of the Nile? a) Uganda b) Kenya
c) Tanzania d) Zanzibar
8. "The Leopards of Zanzibar" is a story from the island of Zanzibar and the nation of __ . a) Uganda b) Kenya c) Tanzania d) Zanzibar
9. The city of Nairobi is the NYC of East Africa. It is the capital of a) Uganda b) Kenya
c) Tanzania d) Zanzibar
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The African genocide quiz
1. Region of Sudan that was the home of the Dinka. a) South b) North c) Lake Victoria d) Uganda.
2. Two great rivers converge and become one northward flowing river in this nation: a) Sudan b) Ethiopia c) Egypt d) Uganda.
3. The Dinka people were slaughtered by the a) Arab Sudanese b) Christian Sudanese c) Tribal Sudanese.
4. Thousands of the males of the Dinka tribe were sold into slavery. T / F
5. The Blue Nile originates in a) Sudan b) Ethiopia c) Egypt
d) Uganda.
6. The White Nile originates in a) Sudan b) Ethiopia c) Egypt
d) Uganda.
7. The tree that is characteristic of the East African landscape: a) Baobab b) African Pine c) Acacia d) Yam.
8. Capital city of Sudan: a) Addis Ababa b) Nairobi c) Khartoum
d) Dar es Salaam.
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Gandhi in Delhi
1. Traditional sweet scent of India packaged as a garland: a) gardenia b) rose c) lilies d) jasmine.
2. South Africans have numerous derogatory terms for Indians. Not among them: a) Sammy b) coolie c) kaffir d) pachuco.
3. On the train in South Africa Gandhi quotes a book of __ literature. a) Christian b) Hindu c) Muslim d) Sikh.
4. Gandhi uses the phrase "children of __ " to emphasize the incorrectness of racist laws. a) Brahma b) Allah c) God.
5. Car manufacturing company that produces a cheap city car: a) Nano b) Tata c) Momo d) Bapu.
6. Nefarious crop emphasized by the British in India - to be sold to the Chinese. a) indigo b) tobacco c) saffron d) opium.
7. City on the Bay of Bengal: a) Delhi b) Agra c) Mumbai d) Kolkata.
8. City on the Arabian Sea: a) Delhi b) Agra c) Mumbai d) Kolkata.
9. City called the Silicon Valley of India: a) Delhi b) Agra c) Mumbai d) Bangalore.
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Gandhi in South Africa
1. Gandhi's life spanned the 19th and 20th centuries. T / F
2. Gandhi studied to be a barrister, which is a Britishism for: a) lawyer b) professor c) business man d) clergyman.
3. South Africa was a European colony at the turn of the century. It is part of the empire built by the a) British b) French c) Hindus d) Muslims.
4. In all his pronouncements, Gandhi encourages ethnic unity. That would be between the a) castes b) major social organizations c) armies d) governments.
5. Gandhi declares that being raised in a crossroads region gave him an unusual perspective on religion. He lived near a) Delhi b) Bay of Bengal c) Himalayas d) Arabian Sea.
6. What is the great social taboo of India that Gandhi wanted to change?
a) Hindu vs. Muslim b) the caste system c) the class system d) British vs. Indians.
7. Gandhi felt that the beliefs of Christianity might help people understand racism. T / F
8. Gandhi understood poverty and accepted it as inevitable in India.
T / F
9. Gandhi was not assasinated; he was assassinated. T / F
1.t 2.a 3.a 4.a 5.d 6.b 7.t 8.t
1. The Taj Mahal was built about the year __ .
2. Its construction was commanded by the emperor called the __ Jahan.
3. Jahan was the Mughal - or Mogul - emperor of ___ India.
a) northern b) eastern c) southern d) western.
4. The design of the Taj reflects a particular religion: a) Islam b) Judaism c) Hinduism d) Jainism.
5. It was built of white __ (type of stone) for Mumtaz Mahal.
6. A building that is a tomb is called a __. a) masala b) malformed c) mausoleum d) mandible.
7. The designers of the Taj were from the nation of __ . a) Persia b) Afghanistan c) Arabia.
8. There are three items of the Taj Mahal complex that identify the Shah's culture as Islamic: the mosque, the Arabic inscriptions and the towers called __ .
9. The decorative designs on the walls are called __.
10. Aside from the decorated caskets of the emperor and his wife, the interior of the Taj Mahal is empty. T / F
11. In the final chapter of his life the emperor's son, Aurangzeb, made sure his father was __.
1.1600
2.shah
3.a
4.a
5.marble
6.c
7.a
8.minarets
9. arabesques or calligraphy
10. t
11. imprisoned
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Cybercafes: "Chinese govt blocks website content and monitors the internet access of individuals"
More than sixty Internet regulations made by the People's Republic of China (PRC) government block the nation's access to open news and communications, says Wikipedia.[1][2]
The apparatus of the PRC's Internet repression is considered more extensive and more advanced than in any other country in the world. The governmental authorities not only block website content but also monitor the Internet access of individuals.
Amnesty International notes that China “has the largest recorded number of imprisoned journalists and cyber-dissidents in the world.”
The offences of which they are accused include communicating with groups abroad, signing online petitions, and calling for reform and an end to corruption.
"One family, one child" policy effective against over population
The One Child policy officially restricts married, urban couples to having only one child, says Wikipedia, while allowing exemptions for several cases, including rural couples, ethnic minorities, and parents without any siblings themselves.[2]
A spokesperson of the Committee on the One-Child Policy has said that approximately 35.9% of China's population is currently subject to the one-child restriction.
This policy, introduced in 1979, was created by the Chinese government to alleviate social, economic, and environmental problems in China.
Authorities claim that the policy has prevented between 250 and 300 million births from its implementation until 2000,[2] and 400 million births from 1979 to 2011.[5]
The policy is controversial both within and outside China because of the manner in which the policy has been implemented, and because of concerns about negative social consequences.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Know your Basic Mandarin!
Need a refresher?
Please see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMgeux646V0&feature=relmfu.
Hong Kong Island 香港：遥看九龙
As one of the world's leading international financial centres, Hong Kong has a major capitalist service economy characterised by low taxation and free trade, and the currency, Hong Kong dollar, is the eighth most traded currency in the world, says Wikipedia.[29]
The lack of space caused demand for denser constructions, which developed the city to a centre for modern architecture and the world's most vertical city.[30][31]
Hong Kong has one of the highest per capita income in the world.[6]
The dense space also led to a highly developed transportation network with public transport travelling rate exceeding 90 percent,[32] the highest in the world.[33]
Hong Kong has numerous high international rankings in various aspects. For instance, its economic freedom, financial and economic competitiveness, quality of life, corruption perception, Human Development Index, etc., are all ranked highly.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Semester exam schedule, May 24 through 30
05/24- 1&3 hours
05/25- 5&7
05/28 Memorial day
05/29- 2&4
05/30- 6&8
World geography exam will comprise 100 multiple-choice questions from quizzes given this semester. Open notes. Additionally, students must compose a brief essay. A choice of topics will be listed.
Not One Less: a guide for social studies students
Not One Less, a story of China
1) Not One Less is a movie whose dialogue is in a) Mandarin Chinese b) Cantonese Chinese c) Rural Chinese.
In the following prompts choose between a. Teacher Gao b) the Mayor c) Teacher Wei d) Zhang Huike.
2) Most frugal character.
3) Directly battling the drop-out rate.
4) Money conscious.
5) Menial work.
6) Moderating, or balancing, influence.
7) Strongest in allegiance.
8) Stubborn.
9) Happy-go-lucky.
10) Philosophical and accepting.
11) Chinese currency: a) yuan b) yen c) Chinese dollar.
12) Shuixian School is located near a) Xi’an b) Beijing c) Shanghai.
13) Symbol of pride in learning and efficient use of resources in the school: a) sending swift runner of the class to the sports specialty school b) flag c) chalk.
14) Type of humor which crosses cultural borders: a) religious b) political c) scatalogical d) sarcasm.
15) The director of Not One Less: a) Jet Li b) Zhang Huike c) Zhang Yimou d) Shi Huang Di.
16) Substitute Wei is about age a) 10 b) 13 c) 16 d) 18.
17) Why do 5 students sleep in the schoolroom? a) they live too far away to walk to school each day b) saving their money for college c) paying off family debt by work at the school.
18) "Keeping kids in school is harder than teaching them." Quote from
a) the mayor b) Wei c) Teacher Gao.
19) The manager of the brick factory donates money to Wei and her class and says, "Call me a philanthropist." a) Person who sees the bad in life but tries to remain good. b) Person who is philosophical about life c) Person who gives generously to public causes.
The Odyssey of a Chinese teen in the movie Not One Less
1. The film addresses the ______ gap between urban and rural populations. a) language b) economic c) legislative d) population.
2. Given the following bureaucrats: the Mayor, the brick factory manager, the clerk at the TV station, the TV station manager and the restaurant manager, we should conclude that the movie's director sees bureaucrats as mostly negative forces. T / F
3. The film does Not address this issue: a) history of China b) poverty in China c) rural education d) difficulty of life in the cities.
4. Which one of these characters is not directly addressing the drop-out problem? a) Teacher Gao b) the Mayor c) Teacher Wei d) Zhang Huike.
5. Which one of these characters seems to provide a sense of balance and moderation? a) Teacher Gao b) the Mayor c) Teacher Wei d) Zhang Huike.
6. Which one of these characters is the most frugal? a) Teacher Gao b) the Mayor c) Teacher Wei d) Zhang Huike.
7. Which one of these characters shows heroic obstinacy? a) Teacher Gao b) the Mayor c) Teacher Wei d) Zhang Huike.
8. Shuixian School is located near the city of a) Hong Kong b) Xi’an c) Beijing d) Shanghai.
9. Is the mass media portrayed as a benign or a destructive force in China? The movie seems to say the news media is a) positive b) negative c) not a major factor.
10. A symbol of pride in learning and in the efficient use of resources in the school is: a) sending swift runner of the class to the sports specialty school b) flag c) chalk d) singing the anthem in an orderly formation.
11. "Keeping kids in school is harder than teaching them." Quote from a) the Mayor b) Substitute Wei c) Teacher Gao d) Zhang Huike.
12. Concerns about _____ dominate most of the characters and much of the film. a) ethics b) honor c) culture d) money.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Taipei, Taiwan: a place of wealth and high-tech industry
Taiwan, a democracy, is known for its high standard of living. Thus it is one of the "Four Asian Tigers" alongside Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore.
Recommended dish for a class taste of China -
Cold Sesame Noodles
Serves 4 as a main or 6 as an appetizer12 ounces dried spaghetti or Chinese egg noodles
2 tablespoons peanut oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons grated ginger
1 cucumber, peeled and julienned
2 carrot, peeled and julienned
2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
2 scallions, green parts only, thinly sliced
Sauce:
3 tablespoons Chinese sesame paste (or 3 tablespoons tahini with an extra teaspoon of sesame oil)
2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons Chinese rice vinegar
2 teaspoons chili paste
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon ground Sichuan pepper (optional)
See many Cold Sesame Noodle variations online.
Marco Polo's name: Cathay, and Qin Shi Huang's name: the Middle Kingdom
Three great cities to know:
Shanghai: at the mouth of the Yangtze, the world's most populous city. Some 23 million people. Fabulous harbor and skyline, including the Oriental Pearl Tower.
Beijing: Tianenmen Square and the Imperial City / Forbidden City.
Xi'an: the Wild Goose Pagoda and the Terra Cotta Army.
Summer reading list, Caddo Magnet HS, 2012
Sneak peek: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore at Artspace Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.
English IEnglish I/GT
Acceleration - Graham McNamee Ender’s Game – Orson Scott Card
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway
English II English II/GT
A Raisin in the Sun - Lorraine Hansberry The Chosen – Chaim Potok
A Separate Peace - John Knowles Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
Samurai Shortstop – Alan Gratz The Good Earth - Pearl S. Buck
English III English III/GT
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman – Earnest Gaines A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court – Mark Twain
Farewell to Manzanar – Jeanne W. Houston & James D. Houston A Raisin in the Sun - Lorraine Hansberry
Short Story Masterpieces – Eds. Robert Penn Warren & Albert Erskine A Streetcar Named Desire – Tennessee Williams
English IV English IV/GT/AP
Brave New World – Aldous Huxley All the King’s Men – Robert Penn Warren
Lord of the Flies – William Golding
The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde The Stranger - Albert Camus
Also, choose one book from the following:
AP ONLY: A Prayer for Owen Meaney – John Irving The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
The Swallows of Kabul – Yasmina Khadra
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Caddo Magnet HS students pilot peanut project in Valencia Communty Garden
Caddo Magnet HS students / Valencia Communty Garden / photo Keri Stevenson, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.
A pilot project in long-term social studies work has been begun by geography students. A group of 4 students - plus parents - are planting a peanut patch in the Valencia Community Garden.
While the peanuts cannot be harvested until the fall of 2012, the project is an important platform for research.
The peanut is a historic and high-protein crop, giving students insight into the past as well as the future. The concept of the modern community garden is another area of study.
In addition to parents, these students are being aided by Valencia Community Center and Garden manager Ms. Shalon Lewis.
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Mandarin Chinese: one billion speakers
"Ni hau!"
Mandarin dialects, particularly the Beijing dialect, form the basis of Standard Chinese, says Wikipedia.
Mandarin, as one language, has more native speakers (nearly a billion) than does any other language.
The English word "mandarin" (from Portuguese mandarim, from Malay [ˈməntəri] menteri, from Hindi mantri, from Sanskrit mantrin, meaning "minister or counsellor"), originally meant an official of the Chinese empire.
Cantonese, or Standard Cantonese, is a language that originated in the vicinity of Canton (i.e. Guangzhou) in southern China, and is often regarded as the prestige dialect of Yue Chinese.
The Cantonese language is also viewed as part of the cultural identity for the native speakers across large swathes of southern China, Hong Kong and Macau. Although Cantonese shares much vocabulary with Mandarin Chinese, the two languages are not mutually intelligible largely because of pronunciation and grammatical differences.
Indie work to add points . . .
Comparison essay / choose one -
- Gigantic India vs Minuscule Vietnam
- Timelines of the conflicts in Iraq and Vietnam
- Siddhartha Gautama and Ho Chi Minh
- The Bengal tiger and the Asian elephant
Jazzy title.
Integrated material.
Documentation.
Comparison phrases such as "but," "on the other hand," "like" etc
Specific facts: dates, locations, events, names, etc.
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Tibet and China as well as Buddhist Prayer Flags
Tibet is a plateau region of China in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas, says Wikipedia.
Tibet is the highest region on earth, with an average elevation of 16,000 ft.
The region declared its independence from China in 1913. The region maintained its autonomy until 1951 when, following a military conflict, Tibet was incorporated into the People's Republic of China.
There are tensions regarding Tibet's political status[2] and dissident groups are active in exile.[3]
The economy of Tibet is dominated by subsistence agriculture, though tourism has become a growing industry in Tibet in recent decades. The dominant religion in Tibet is Tibetan Buddhism.
Tibetan Buddhism is a primary influence on the art, music, and festivals of the region.
Tibet has some of the world's tallest mountains, with several of them making the top ten list. Mount Everest, at 29,029 ft, is the highest mountain on earth, located on the border with Nepal.
Several major rivers have their source in the Tibetan Plateau. These include Yangtze, Yellow River, Indus River, Mekong and Ganges.
Tibet has been called the "Water Tower" of Asia, and China is investing heavily in water projects in Tibet.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Mandala: a circle that reflects the art and beliefs of Hindus and Buddhists
Maṇḍala is a Sanskrit word meaning "circle." In the Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions their sacred art often takes a mandala form, says Wikipedia.
The basic form of most Hindu and Buddhist mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point. Each gate is in the shape of a T.[1][2] Mandalas often exhibit radial balance.[3]
These mandalas, concentric diagrams, have spiritual and ritual significance in both Buddhism and Hinduism.[4][5] The term is of Hindu origin.
In common use, mandala has become a generic term for any plan, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically, a microcosm of the Universe from the human perspective.
The Sand Mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition involving the creation and destruction of mandalas made from colored sand.
A sand mandala is ritualistically destroyed to symbolize the Buddhist doctrinal belief in the transitory nature of material life.
Buddhism, Tibet, the mandala, the Dalai Lama, Om and Satay
From pbs.org, a commentary on the Four Noble Truths of Buddhists:
The Four Noble Truths comprise the essence of Buddha's teachings, though they leave much left unexplained. They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering. More simply put, suffering exists; it has a cause; it has an end; and it has a cause to bring about its end.
The notion of suffering is not intended to convey a negative world view, but rather, a pragmatic perspective that deals with the world as it is, and attempts to rectify it.
The concept of pleasure is not denied, but acknowledged as fleeting. Pursuit of pleasure can only continue what is ultimately an unquenchable thirst. The same logic belies an understanding of happiness. In the end, only aging, sickness, and death are certain and unavoidable.
The Four Noble Truths are a contingency plan for dealing with the suffering humanity faces -- suffering of a physical kind, or of a mental nature.
The First Truth identifies the presence of suffering. The Second Truth, on the other hand, seeks to determine the cause of suffering. In Buddhism, desire and ignorance lie at the root of suffering. By desire, Buddhists refer to craving pleasure, material goods, and immortality, all of which are wants that can never be satisfied. As a result, desiring them can only bring suffering.
Ignorance, in comparison, relates to not seeing the world as it actually is. Without the capacity for mental concentration and insight, Buddhism explains, one's mind is left undeveloped, unable to grasp the true nature of things. Vices, such as greed, envy, hatred and anger, derive from this ignorance.
The Third Noble Truth, the truth of the end of suffering, has dual meaning, suggesting either the end of suffering in this life, on earth, or in the spiritual life, through achieving Nirvana.
When one has achieved Nirvana, which is a transcendent state free from suffering and our worldly cycle of birth and rebirth, spiritual enlightenment has been reached.
The Fourth Noble truth charts the method for attaining the end of suffering, known to Buddhists as the Noble Eightfold Path. The steps of the Noble Eightfold Path are Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. Moreover, there are three themes into which the Path is divided: good moral conduct (Understanding, Thought, Speech); meditation and mental development (Action, Livelihood, Effort), and wisdom or insight (Mindfulness and Concentration).
Friday, April 27, 2012
India review quiz
1. Hindi greeting: a) Namaste’ b) Ni hau c) Moshimoshi d) Salaam aleikum e) Shalom f) Yo.
2. Hindi is the culture and religion, Hindu is the language. T / F
3. According to the RMQRWA, India’s population is about a) 999 million b) 1.1 billion c) 1.53 billion d) 2.53 billion.
4. People who study populations and make predictions about population changes: a) anthropologists b) demographers c) historians d) graphologists.
5. Civilization in Central Asia began in the __ river basin, according to World Book. a) Indus b) Ganges c) Nile d) Tigris & Euphrates.
6. Mt. Everest lies on the borders of a) Nepal & China b) India & China c) China & Tibet.
7. Which has a greater metropolitan population? a) Mumbai b) Kolkata c) New York City d) Beijing
8. Sanskrit, Bengali, Gujarati, Kashmiri and Punjabi are __. a) regions b) languages c) types of cuisine d) Hindu gods.
9. India has approximately half the land area of the US but more than 3 times the US’ population.
T / F
10. The 2 principal religions of India: a) Christianity, Islam b) Islam, Hindu c) Hindu, Jewish
d) Hindu, Christian e) Sikhs, Hindus.
11. The famous spice mixture of Indian cooking: a) curry b) tandoori c) yogurt d) chili powder.
12. Not one of the three Islamic nations on our current map: a) Bangladesh b) Pakistan c) Afghanistan d) Nepal.
13. The historic name for Mumbai: __ a) Calcutta b) Kolkata c) Ceylon d) Bombay e) Agra.
14. The multi-stringed instrument that gives a signature sound to the music of India: a) oud b) sitar c) tambourine d) bindi e) harmonium.
15. Some 60 years ago India was partitioned so that Muslims would have a home away from the antagonistic Hindus. Today the formerly Indian Muslims primarily live in Pakistan or China. T / F
16. “Going to a movie tonight? Put a garland of jasmine round your neck and a __ on your forehead.” a) samsara b) ganesh c) bindi d) sitar.
17. The science behind an understanding of the Himalayas: a) vulcanology
b) demography c) plate tectonics d) archaeology.
18. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan: a) Star & crescent b) Om
c) mandala d) swastika.
19. Associated with Hindu weddings: a) guru b) Shah Jahan
c) henna d) curry e) Delhi.
20. Cumin, cardamom, coriander, fenugreek, mace, dill: a) henna b) Lord Ganesh c) curry d) bindi.
21. Hinduism is the world’s __ religion. a) oldest b) most populous
c) least Christian d) most diffused (spread out).
22. Significant Hindu populations are found in a) Mexico, Cuba, Bahamas
b) Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran c) Singapore, Fiji, Trinidad.
23. Dharma is about ethics and duties, while Karma is about action and subsequent reaction.
T / F
24. The most powerful cosmic spirit: a) Brahman b) Krishna c) Shiva d) Ganesh.
25. At a shrine or temple a Hindu may perform devotions called a) samsara b) puja c) om d) mantras.
26. Sitting with legs crossed and pulled up and partly into the lap:
a) Krishna’s feet b) Mandala c) Om d) lotus.
27. Sanskrit / Hindi word for “to yoke” or “to unite:”
a) mantra b) mandala c) yoga d) pranayama.
India answers:
1. a Namaste
2. F
3. b 1.1 B
4. b demographers
5. a Indus
6. a Nepal & China
7. a Mumbai
8. b languages
9. F
10. b Islam, Hindu
11. a curry
12. d Nepal
13. d Bombay
14. b sitar
15. F
16. c bindi
17. c plate tectonics
18. a star & crescent
19. c henna
20. c curry
21. a oldest
22. c Singapore, etc
23. T
24. a Brahman
25. b puja
26. d lotus
27. c yoga
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Danh's Garden and Pho Kim are Vietnamese restaurants in Shreveport - write about a visit and meal
In the photo, the delicious Vietnamese iced coffee milk from Danh's garden, 3312 Youree Dr.
More specialties to consider:
- Banh mi sandwiches from Pho Kim Restaurant, 530 KIngs Hwy.
- Thai chicken curry and Peanut chicken are favorites of my family at Danh's.
- Phở is a Vietnamese noodle soup, usually served with beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà).[1]
The soup includes noodles made from rice and is often served with Asian basil, mint leaves, lime, and bean sprouts that are added to the soup by the person who is dining.
The dish is associated with the city of Hanoi, where the first phở restaurant opened in the 1920s.
At the end of the civil rights movement young Americans began to protest the war in Vietnam
The movement against the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War began in the U.S. with demonstrations in 1964 and grew in strength in later years.
The U.S. became polarized between those who advocated continued involvement in Vietnam ("Hawks"), and those who wanted peace ("Doves").
Many in the peace movement were students, mothers, or long-haired anti-establishment types, says Wikipedia.
Also involved were educators, clergy, academics, journalists, lawyers, physicians (such as Benjamin Spock and Justin Newlan), military veterans, and ordinary Americans.
Expressions of opposition events ranged from peaceful nonviolent demonstrations to radical displays of violence.
In 1967, Civil rights leader Martin Luther King led a march of 5,000 against the war in Chicago, Illinois. He was assassinated in 1968.
Also in 1967 400,000 people marched from Central Park to the UN building in New York City to protest the war, where they were addressed by critics of the war such as Benjamin Spock and Martin Luther King. On the same date 100,000 marched in San Francisco.
In 1968 the Tet Offensive was launched and resulted in much higher casualties and changed perceptions of the state of the war.
In 1969 crowds estimated up to half a million people participated in an anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C. A similar demonstration was held in San Francisco.
Protests continued - against Nixon's bombing of N Vietnam - through 1972.
Angkor wat: ancient and vast temple complex in n Cambodia
Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built in the early 12th century as a temple and capital city, says Wikipedia.
It was first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then it became Buddhist.
It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Five presidents involved in Vietnam
Five presidents involved in Vietnam
Nixon, Kennedy, Johnson, Truman, Eisenhower
1. Pres associated with the first-ever dropping of an Atomic bomb.
2. Pres. who resigned from office rather than face impeachment.
3. Assassinated?
4. Two of the presidents were Vice-presidents who acceded to the presidency on the death of a pres.
5. This pres. was a 5-star general famous for leading forces to victory in Europe.
6. This pres. was a navy boat Capt in WWII and was decorated for bravery after an incident with a Japanese ship.
7. This pres. pushed Congress to pass a series of laws that amounted to the major civil rights legislation. That included the voting rights act, housing and education legislation.
8. Earlier presidents sent US troops as advisers. These 2 presidents sent combat troops to Nam.
9. This pres was pivotal in 'Nam: he sent 10,000 troops and moved the US into serious engagement in Southeast Asia.
10. This pres. explained that the Domino Effect was why we needed to fight in Nam.
1. Truman 2. Nixon 3. JFK 4. Truman (Roosevelt), Johnson (Kennedy)
5. Eisenhower 6. Kennedy 7. LBJ 8. LBJ, Nixon 9. JFK 10. Eisenhower
Attend Artbreak 2012 and get bonus points in social studies class
Take a photo of yourself at ArtBreak using your phone. Show it to me next week to get bonus points.
Enjoy the activities Fri - Sun, Ap 27 - 29, at the Spt Convention Center.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The Buddha: the Siddhartha Gautama quiz
1. The seer or wizard who attended the birth of Siddhartha predicted that he would become a __ or a holy man. a) king b) beggar c) soldier d) sadhu.
2. If Siddhartha Gautama had been raised as a Hindu, he would have known and practiced the devotion called yoga. T / F
3. The king decided to make his kingdom a place of perfect peace and contentment. He banned all people who were __ . a) smarter than Siddhartha b) from other, competing religions c) foreigners d) suffering.
4. Siddhartha's father arranged a marriage but Siddhartha refused to cooperate. Deep inside, he felt a special calling. T / F
5. When he ventured outside the kingdom Siddhartha encountered an ascetic, or __ . a) fakir b) Shah c) muezzin d) spastic.
6. With his wife and son by his side, Siddhartha became a wandering holy man, spending his days fasting and praying while being supported by the labor of his family. T / F
7. After several years of begging, praying and fasting, Siddhartha was in a state of extreme thinness. The word for skeletal thinness is __ . a) emaciated b) arabesque c) devotional d) castal.
8. Siddhartha realized that neither the way of luxury and comfort - his first state - nor the way of privation and self-denial - his second state - produced the ideal life. He discovered a third state of life that he called the __ way. a) perfect b) middle c) holy d) sacred.
9. Siddhartha was referred to as The Buddha, or enlightened one. He presented himself to his followers as a __ . a) god b) enlightened man c) lowly man d) wanderer.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Magnet geography / intro to the Vietnam Conflict
High tech vs low tech warfare as the US tried to contain the spread of communism in the 1950's and 60's.
One-page interview with Vietnam Conflict Veteran(s) due Mon, May 7
One of the most rewarding projects of first-year social studies, according to many students and parents, is the Vietnam Veteran Interview.
The most difficult part of the project is finding a veteran who can be interviewed. I will expect you to get help from your parents, extended family and friends and perhaps your minister, youth leader or sports coach.
My goal is to see my students sit down across the table from a veteran of a US war in Asia. So, in truth, if you can find a veteran of the Korean conflict (usually older than Viet vets) or even the rare veteran of WWII in the Pacific, you can substitute.
Vietnam is part of America's history that can guide our thinking in regards US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
These Vietnam veteran questions are designed to create a low-stress interview. The primary reason for this interview is to give you experience in using a Primary Source. The material you gather will not come from a book or online entry; it will come from a person who was an eye witness. You will be gathering a bit of evidence as a student historian.
1. Name and your service branch?
2. Year(s) you served in Vietnam?
3. Your responsibilities in the service while in ‘Nam.
4. Locations you visited in Vietnam. In which place did you stay the longest?
5. The geography of the Vietnam you observed.
6. Climate?
7. Describe the people of Vietnam, both physically & psychologically.
8. Changes in your attitude toward the US in Vietnam. (optional)
9. What should teens learn about the conflict?
10. Your favorite movie or book about ‘Nam? (optional)
Type in 14 pt Arial. Snappy title, documentation.
Add a map of Vietnam.
12 pts
Due Mon, May 7.
If your interview runs short, please fill out the page with an additional interview (or 2) from an online source.
Friday, April 20, 2012
India / quiz questions
Gandhi in Mumbai
1. Gandhi's first protest activities were actions against the government in __ . a) Kenya b) India c) Sri Lanka
d) South Africa.
2. Home Rule was the slogan of the Congress Party of India. It meant that the British should
a) rule from London b) give representation in Parliament c) leave India d) leave Delhi.
3. Gandhi was raised as a a) Sikh b) Muslim c) Christian
d) Hindu.
4. The religious minority of India originating in the Punjab region: a) Sikh b) Muslim c) Christian d) Hindu.
5. Gandhi began his protest activities in India soon after the end of a) WWI b) WW2 c) the US Civil Rights Movement
d) Great Depression.
6. The capital of India: __ .
Gandhi in Mumbai
1. Gandhi's first protest activities were actions against the government in __ . a) Kenya b) India c) Sri Lanka
d) South Africa.
2. Home Rule was the slogan of the Congress Party of India. It meant that the British should
a) rule from London b) give representation in Parliament c) leave India d) leave Delhi.
3. Gandhi was raised as a a) Sikh b) Muslim c) Christian
d) Hindu.
4. The religious minority of India originating in the Punjab region: a) Sikh b) Muslim c) Christian d) Hindu.
5. Gandhi began his protest activities in India soon after the end of a) WWI b) WW2 c) the US Civil Rights Movement
d) Great Depression.
6. The capital of India: __ .
Gandhi in Delhi
1. Traditional sweet scent of India packaged as a garland: a) gardenia b) rose c) lilies d) jasmine.
2. South Africans have numerous derogatory terms for Indians. Not among them: a) Sammy b) coolie c) kaffir d) pachuco.
3. On the train in South Africa Gandhi quotes a book of __ literature. a) Christian b) Hindu c) Muslim d) Sikh.
4. Gandhi uses the phrase "children of __ " to emphasize the incorrectness of racist laws. a) Brahma b) Allah c) God.
5. Car manufacturing company that produces a cheap city car: a) Nano b) Tata c) Momo d) Bapu.
6. Nefarious crop emphasized by the British in India - to be sold to the Chinese. a) indigo b) tobacco c) saffron d) opium.
7. City on the Bay of Bengal: a) Delhi b) Agra c) Mumbai d) Kolkata.
8. City on the Arabian Sea: a) Delhi b) Agra c) Mumbai d) Kolkata.
9. City called the Silicon Valley of India: a) Delhi b) Agra c) Mumbai d) Bangalore.
Gandhi in South Africa
1. Gandhi's life spanned the 19th and 20th centuries. T / F
2. Gandhi studied to be a barrister, which is a Britishism for: a) lawyer b) professor c) business man d) clergyman.
3. South Africa was a European colony at the turn of the century. It is part of the empire built by the a) British b) French c) Hindus d) Muslims.
4. In all his pronouncements, Gandhi encourages ethnic unity. That would be between the a) castes b) major social organizations c) armies d) governments.
5. Gandhi declares that being raised in a crossroads region gave him an unusual perspective on religion. He lived near a) Delhi b) Bay of Bengal c) Himalayas d) Arabian Sea.
6. What is the great social taboo of India that Gandhi wanted to change?
a) Hindu vs. Muslim b) the caste system c) the class system d) British vs. Indians.
7. Gandhi felt that the beliefs of Christianity might help people understand racism. T / F
8. Gandhi understood poverty and accepted it as inevitable in India.
T / F
9. Gandhi was not assasinated; he was assassinated. T / F
1.t 2.a 3.a 4.a 5.d 6.b 7.t 8.t
1. The Taj Mahal was built about the year __ .
2. Its construction was commanded by the emperor called the __ Jahan.
3. Jahan was the Mughal - or Mogul - emperor of ___ India.
a) northern b) eastern c) southern d) western.
4. The design of the Taj reflects a particular religion: a) Islam b) Judaism c) Hinduism d) Jainism.
5. It was built of white __ (type of stone) for Mumtaz Mahal.
6. A building that is a tomb is called a __. a) masala b) malformed c) mausoleum d) mandible.
7. The designers of the Taj were from the nation of __ . a) Persia b) Afghanistan c) Arabia.
8. There are three items of the Taj Mahal complex that identify the Shah's culture as Islamic: the mosque, the Arabic inscriptions and the towers called __ .
9. The decorative designs on the walls are called __.
10. Aside from the decorated caskets of the emperor and his wife, the interior of the Taj Mahal is empty. T / F
11. In the final chapter of his life the emperor's son, Aurangzeb, made sure his father was __.
1.1600
2.shah
3.a
4.a
5.marble
6.c
7.a
8.minarets
9. arabesques or calligraphy
10. t
11. imprisoned
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Samosas: the snack food of India and Central Asia
Time and labor intensive, the Samosa is delicious. It is full of spices and thus takes quite a bit of time to make.
Vegetable Samosa FIlling
1 Potato finely diced (5 to 10 mill cubes)
1 carrot finely diced - as above
2 cloves of crushed garlic.
1 Onion finely chopped
1 Cup of frozen peas
1 tblspn vegetable oil
2 tspn curry powder or your own spices according to taste
Salt, Pepper to taste.
100ml of vegetable stock.
Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the onion and garlic, mix in the spices and fry until soft. Add the vegetables, seasoning and stir well until coated. Add the stock, cover and simmer for 30 minutes until cooked.
You don't have to make your own pastry. You can simply buy some ready-made pastry from the shop. For samosas you want to fry, use Filo Pastry and for samosas you want to cook in the oven use Puff Pastry.
Civil Rights Movement in the US was based on Gandhi's principles of non-violent defiance of unjust laws
Create a US Civil Rights Movement timeline, using 5 items from the 1950's through the 60's.
Explain each incident by 2 sentences. Cite your source(s).
Include a colorful map that shows the location of the events you chose.
Add a snappy title.
10 pts. Due Wed/Th.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sadhu in Nepal
In Hinduism, sādhu (“good; good man, holy man”) denotes an ascetic, wandering monk.
Although the vast majority of sādhus are yogīs, not all yogīs are sādhus. The sādhu is solely dedicated to achieving mokṣa (liberation), the fourth and final aśrama (stage of life), through meditation and contemplation of brahman. Sādhus often wear ochre-colored clothing, symbolizing their sanyāsa (renunciation), Wikipedia.
This way of life is open to women; the female form of the word is sādhvī साध्वी.
Amritsar. India, center of the Punjab region
The Amritsar massacre, says Wikipedia, took place in the Jallianwala Bagh public garden in the northern Indian city of Amritsar, and was ordered by Brigadier-General Reginald E.H. Dyer.
On Sunday 13 April 1919, Dyer was convinced that a major insurrection was at hand. He banned all meetings, and hearing a meeting of 15,000 to 20,000 people had assembled he marched his fifty riflemen to a raised bank and ordered them to shoot at the crowd which included men, women, and children. Dyer kept the firing up for about ten minutes.
Official Government of India sources estimated the fatalities at 379, with 1,100 wounded. The casualty number estimated by the Indian National Congress was more than 1,500, with approximately 1,000 killed.[1]
Dyer was removed from duty and forced to retire, but he became a celebrated hero in Britain among people with connections to the British Raj.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The life of Siddhartha Gautama
Most historical depictions of Siddhartha Gautama’s conception and birth show his mother dying during or shortly after childbirth, and a seer, Asita, announcing that the young price would be either a great king or a great holy man.
Gautama’s father shielded his son from religion and human suffering in hopes that Gautama would indeed grow to be a great king rather than a holy man, says fundamentalbuddhism.com.
Despite predictions that Gautama would be the Buddha while still a baby, his father arranged a marriage at the age of sixteen. Gautama married a cousin of the same age and produced a son. Despite being a wealthy prince for twenty-nine years, however, Gautama was not satisfied with his life and was generally unhappy.
At the age of twenty-nine, while wandering outside his palace, Gautama encountered an old crippled man, a diseased man, a decaying corpse, and an ascetic, or holy man. These sights are now referred to as the four heavenly messengers.
The inspiration of these four sights caused Gautama to leave his family, wealth, and inheritance behind and begin life anew as an ascetic in hopes of ending the suffering of old age, disease, and death.
Despite meditation and deprivation, Gautama was unable to find the satisfaction and purpose he was looking for, but after nearly starving to death, remembered the peaceful bliss of a naturally concentrated state, and decided to purse this course.
Having made this discovery, Gautama left the asceticism and meditation behind and focused on The Middle Way, a path away from all extremes. History tells that Gautama then accepted some rice pudding, sat beneath a papal tree and refused to arise until he had discovered the truth.
At the age of thirty-five, or six years after beginning his quest, Gautama obtained enlightenment.
Gautama, now Buddha, then conceded to become a teacher and instructed monks and other followers in the ways of Nirvana, or the shedding of suffering, and bodhi, the pathway to enlightenment, among many other lessons and concepts.
Buddha was very clear to emphasize that he was not a god, but rather an enlightened man. He shared his teachings for another forty-five years, and then passed to Parinivana, or the final deathless state, fully abandoning the human body. His teachings have lived on, however, and become the fourth largest organized religion in the world today.
1930: civil disobedience in India via the Salt March
ZThe Salt March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, began with the Dandi March on March 12, 1930, and was an important part of the Indian independence movement, says Wikipedia.
It was a direct action campaign of tax resistance and nonviolent protest against the British salt monopoly in colonial India, and triggered the wider Civil Disobedience Movement.
This was the most significant organized challenge to British authority since the Non-cooperation movement of 1920–22
Monday, April 16, 2012
Yoga, an ancient Hindu devotion that has become a way of conditioning, stress relief and holistic health for Westerners
Yoga, from the Sanskrit word similar to the English word "yoke." To yoke the mind and the spirit.
Hindu devotion has 5 forms. US yogis usu teach Hatha Yoga.
pranayama - breathing control.
asana - positions.
dharma - concentration; right purpose.
chakras - the body's energy centers.
yogi - expert practicioner.
guru - teacher or master.
diet - simple, fresh ingredients.
downward-facing dog asana
Friday, April 13, 2012
Tandoor Oven - Chandigarh, India
A tandoor is a cylindrical clay oven used in cooking and baking. Temperatures in a tandoor can approach 480°C (900°F), and it is common for tandoor ovens to remain lit for long periods to maintain the high cooking temperature, says Wikipedia.
Tandoori chicken is a roasted chicken delicacy which is marinated in a yogurt seasoned with garam masala, garlic, ginger, cumin, cayenne pepper, and other spices depending on the recipe. In hot versions of the dish, cayenne, red chili powder, or other spices give the typical red color.
Many regional varieties of flatbread, such as tandyr naan and afghan bread are baked in the tandoor.
Indie work: Bollywood and Hollywood or Gandhi and King
Indie essays . . .
Compare, using specific facts,
- Bollywood (2 items) and Hollywood (2)
- Protest events (2) led by Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.(2 )
Describe
- Cooking an Indian recipe at home.
- Visit to a restaurant: Indigo or India's Restaurant.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
India's ancient rules for class organization: the caste system
The caste system is a system of social stratification and social restriction.
Caste is neither unique to Hindu religion nor to India; caste systems have been observed in other parts of the world, for example, in Muslim community of Yemen, Christian colonies of Spain, and Buddhist community of Japan, says Wikipedia.
Since 1950 the Indian government officially recognizes historically discriminated lowest castes of India such as Shudras and Untouchables as Scheduled Castes.[9][22] These Schedules Castes are sometimes referred to as Dalit in contemporary literature. In 2001, the proportion of Dalit population was 16.2 percent of India's total population.
Caste, claimed Gandhi, had nothing to do with religion. The discrimination and trauma of castes is the result of custom, whose origin is unknown, and whose origin one does not need to know to spiritually sense that this custom was wrong, that any caste system is harmful to the spiritual well being of man and economic well being of a nation.
Gandhi's modus operandi in social activism
Gandhi found success in social activism by using the precepts of the Christian church, British and American press and the British court system.
Sikhs and Gandhi
Gandhi vocab -
- Tata family: philanthropists
- insurgents - rebels
- rupee - Indian currency
- anarchists - radicals who believe that governments should be abolished.
- Viceroy - British governor of a colony.
- Bapu - Hindi for "papa"
- Amritsar and Lahore, centers of the Punjab region. Home of the Sikh people.
- Sikhs - religion similar to both Hinduism and Islam. Baptised Sikhs can also be recognized by a distinctively wrapped turban; uncut hair, beard and mustache; an iron/steel bracelet; a small sword in a gatra strap;, a type of special shorts that are all white; and a comb under turban, says Wikipedia.
Bangalore: city in the south of India that is the Silicon Valley of Central Asia
avigation, search
The Silicon Valley of India is a nickname of the Indian city of Bangalore. The name signifies Bangalore's status as a hub for information technology (IT) companies in India and is a comparative reference to the original Silicon Valley, based around Santa Clara Valley, California, a major hub for IT companies in the United States.
Microsoft, Dell and other companies employ thousands of highly-educated Indians in writing software and designing hardware.
Symbol of technology and manufacturing in a new and growing India: the Nano model by Tata Motors
The Tata Nano is an inexpensive, rear-engined, four-passenger city car built by the Indian company Tata Motors. It is aimed primarily at the Indian domestic market.
It has a top speed of about 65 to 70 mph. It gets better than 50 mpg. Costs around $3000.
Tata Motors of one of several significant companies established and operated by members of the Tata family. They are like the Rockefellers of India.
Monday, April 09, 2012
Turkmenistan: delegation from this Central Asian nation will visit geography classes on Tues, Ap 17
In an effort to learn more about the US educational system, a delegation from the Turkmenistan Youth & Civic Values Foundation will visit Mr Trudeau's geography classes on Tues, Ap 17.
The group, including an interpreter, will tour the campus and eat lunch in the cafeteria.
Their visit is being coordinated by Shreveport sociologist Sarah Lange. See the foundation web site and a Lange video about Turkmen people at http://www.tycvf.org/.
Gandhi, apostle of non-violent protest
Mohandas K Gandhi
- merchant caste
- 1869 - 1948
- assassinated by Hindu extremist
- Porbandor, birthplace on Arabian Sea
- London, law school
- South Africa, first 20 years of career
- married at age 13
- cosmopolitan: educated, broad-minded
- exploit: unfair use of someone
- British colony
- barrister
- dhoti, lunghi (longhi)
- derogatory terms: coolie, sammy, kaffir, colored man,
Goals
1. Eject the British from India.
2. Abolish the caste system.
3. Stop the violence between Hindu and Muslim.
Means
1. British courts and law.
2. Christian precepts.
3. British and American press / media.
- Sikh people: in the Punjab region.
- bindi - forehead decoration
Gandhi: "An eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind."
"If you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth."
"Poverty is the worst form of violence."
1. The opening scene of the movie is a reenactment of Gandhi’s assassination. State 2 factors that make the murder a surprising one.
2. The next scene takes place in S. Africa when Gandhi was beginning his career as a barrister. What does his experience on the train say about British society?
3. When Gandhi meets with his colleagues in S. Africa he is shocked by the racism. What is Gandhi’s reaction?
4. During Gandhi’s first public meeting, he outlines his methods for fighting an unjust law. What is the outcome of his protest?
5. Gandhi meets a sympathetic English clergyman, and they walk through an impoverished and racist neighborhood. What book does Gandhi quote when they face a group of yahoos?
6. Life in the Gandhi ashram (a Hindi word for community) is an experiment. What is the great social class taboo he believes must be changed?
7. The Christian minister gives a sermon which supports Gandhi and his social protest. What is the reaction of the majority of attendees?
8. Compare the clothing of Gandhi to the dress of the other Indian leaders. What point was being made by Gandhi?
9. Describe the farming system established in India by British colonists.
10. Gandhi tells the American minister that he can do the most good by exiting the protest movement. Why did Gandhi push away this hard-working supporter?
11. Why does General Dyer massacre the gathering of Indian Sikhs in their non-violent meeting?
12. What are Gandhi’s 2 most important goals in building an independent India?
a) Hindu-Muslim unity b) Recognition for the Untouchable caste.
13. What is the purpose of Gandhi’s fast?
Identify the following with a brief phrase or sentence.
14. Kasturba “Ba” Gandhi - the wife and partner of Gandhiji.
15. General Jan Christian Smuts - governor of South Africa during Gandhi's protests.
16. Pandit Nehru - closest to Gandhi of all the Home Rule politicians; he was the first Prime Minister when India became independent.
17. Mohamed Ali Jinnah - Muslim leader in Gandhi's political circle.
18. Margaret Bourke-White - award-winning American photo-journalist and pioneer female photog.
19. Sikh - a religion of India that is blend between Hinduism and Islam and is common to the Punjab region.
20. Bhagavad Gita - an ancient holy book of Hinduism.
21. British Empire - the world's dominant power during the 18th and 19th centuries.
22. Ashram - a community in which a group of people share their resources.
23. Untouchables - the lowest caste of India.
24. Non-violent resistance - used by both Gandhi and MLK, Jr.
25. Indigo - plant that produces a blue dye.
26. Mahatma - "Great soul."
27. Dharasana Salt Works - site of the Salt Tax protest; near Porbandar.
28. Pakistan - nation partitioned from India in 1947 as a haven for Muslims.
29. New Delhi, India, January 30, 1948 - Gandhi's assassination.
30. Why does the director choose to open the biography with Gandhi’s death?
31. What is sedition? calling for the overthrow of a government.
32. As India’s independence becomes imminent, the conflict among Indians increases. What is the cause of the conflict? Hindu vs. Muslim, based on ancient grudges. How does Gandhi suggest resolving this conflict? He asks everyone to pray; to see their neighbors as brothers instead of people divided by religion. He goes on a fast to get everyone's attention.
33. In the 1930’s millions of Indians were unemployed. How did Gandhi protest the system that idled the farmers? - He proposed that Indians wear homespun cloth and use a spinning wheel to make their thread and clothing. In so doing they would boycott the fabric from England.
34. When India gained its independence from Great Britain, who started fighting? Rioting between Hindus and Muslims was widepread.
35. Why did British attempts to control India fail? Though they were successful in controlling India for some 300 years, the British eventually were repelled by Indian non-cooperation.
36. What lessons do you draw from Gandhi's life story?
37. Why did people follow Gandhi despite the difficulties in it?
Monday, April 02, 2012
Review quiz on the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was built about the year __ by the __ Jahan, Mughal emperor of Northern India.
5. It was built of white __ (stone) for Mumtaz Mahal, his principal __.
6. A building that is a tomb is called a __.
7. The designers of the Taj were from the nation of __ .
8. There are three items of the Taj Mahal complex that identify the Shah's culture as islamic: the mosque, the towers called __ and the decorative designs on the walls, called __.
9. Aside from the decorated caskets of the emperor and his wife, the interior of the Taj Mahal is empty. T / F
10. In the final chapter of his life the Shah's son, Aurangzeb, made sure his father was __.
Taj Mahal in Paper project: due next class for 8 pts
For this exercise in tactile, visual and kinesthetic learning, please compete the following -
- All material on one sheet in notebook.
- Cut out image of Taj. Building topped by an onion-shaped dome flanked by smaller, simple domes.
- Glue to notebook page.
- Use pen to draw outline of window and door frames.
- Use pen to add filigree - calligraphy and arabesques - on walls.
- Add the narrow pools that bisect the gardens. Dark green color.
- Add green lawns indicating gardens.
- Built in 1600's.
- Shah Jahan was a notable Muslim emperor and patron of the arts. He imported craftsmen and artists from Persia and other regions. Many of the finest forts, gardens, palaces and mosques in Delhi were built by Shah Jahan.
- Mumtaz Mahal was his wife, confidante and constant companion. Her name means "Jewel of the palace."
- The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum solely dedicated to his wife and her tomb.
- The design is based on Persian and Muslim architecture.
- The minarets remind the viewer that the Islamic call to prayer, 5 times a day, is chanted by muezzins in the towers.
- Arabic script is well suited to calligraphic presentation.
- Vine-like and geometric designs called Arabesques also decorate the walls.
- There is a mosque on one side and a matching guest house on the other side of the Taj.
- Symmetry was a guiding principle.
- Map of India: include Delhi and Agra.
- Snappy title.
- A massive Gate House provides a formal entrance to the gardens and the Taj.
- Anomaly: the Taj is an anomaly in that it is the most famous building in India but does not reflect Hindu design or faith. Actually, the Muslim population of India was once larger than today's approximately 14%.
- Aurangzeb: as an aging emperor, Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb, who succeeded him and reportedly disapproved of his father's profligacy. Discarding the relative tolerance of his forebears, Aurangzeb brought a Taliban-style rule, trying to impose a literal Islam and persecuting and penalizing Hindus and others.
Indie work: comparison essay on George Washington and Mohandas K Gandhi
- Intriguing title.
- Integrate the topics!
- Add detail such as dates, locations, achievements.
