Hey Folks!

This week we will begin Topic 17 The Vietnam War Era.

Have a great week!

Essential Question:

We often discuss how the American ideals that we champion are sometimes forgotten or dismissed when it doesn’t suit the US interests. What specific incident from this topic highlights the United States’ refusal to support democracy and the right to self-determination in Vietnam?

Learning Objectives

Topic 17.1 The Cold War and Vietnam

Objectives: Explain the steps Kennedy took to change American foreign policy. Analyze the causes and effects of the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Assess the results of the Berlin Crisis and other foreign-policy events of the 1960s.

Topic 17.2 The Beginning of the War in Vietnam

Objectives: Describe the reasons that the United States helped the French fight the Vietnamese. Identify ways in which the United States opposed communism in Southeast Asia. Analyze how the United States increased its involvement in Vietnam.

This Week’s Assignments

1. Topic 17.1 The Cold War and Vietnam
2. Topic 17.2 The Beginning of the War in Vietnam

Last Week’s Assignments

1. Topic 16.4 Kennedy’s Reforms
2. Topic 16.5 Reform Under Johnson

Hey Folks! This week we will do a News Review and Analysis for Media Journals on Tuesday.

Have a great week!

Essential Question

What are the subjective and objective factors that go into the transmission of world events to the public?

This Week’s Assignments

1. Media Journal
2. Topic Posts

Last Week’s Assignments

1. Media Journal
2. Topic Posts

Hey Folks!

This week we continue reading Siddhartha by Herman Hesse.

Have a great week!

Essential Question

What initial impressions do you form about Siddhartha's character based on his actions and interactions in Chapter 1? How do you anticipate his journey will unfold based on these early observations?

Learning Objectives

Topic 3.3 Siddhartha: Chapter 3 Gotama

Objectives: Understand the historical and cultural context surrounding the character of Gotama and his significance within the novel "Siddhartha," including his portrayal as the Buddha. Examine the philosophical and spiritual concepts presented by Gotama, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, and evaluate their impact on Siddhartha's understanding of enlightenment and the nature of suffering. Evaluate Siddhartha's decision not to become a follower of Gotama, analyzing the reasons behind his choice and the implications for his personal journey towards enlightenment.

Topic 3.3 Siddhartha: Chapter 4 Kamala

Objectives: Analyze Siddhartha's experiences in the city of Samsara, focusing on his interactions with Kamala and Kamaswami, to understand the novel's exploration of materialism versus spirituality and its impact on Siddhartha's journey of self-discovery. Examine the symbolism of Siddhartha's immersion in worldly pleasures and his pursuit of wealth and status, considering how these experiences contribute to his character development and challenge his understanding of happiness and fulfillment. Evaluate the consequences of Siddhartha's choices during his time in Samsara, particularly in his relationships with Kamala and Kamaswami, to discern the themes of attachment and detachment and their significance in Siddhartha's pursuit of enlightenment.

Topic 3.5 Siddhartha: With the Childlike People

Objectives: Explore the significance of Siddhartha's encounter with the ferryman Vasudeva and the river, focusing on how these elements represent spiritual guidance and enlightenment in the novel. Analyze the themes of reflection and introspection in Chapter 5, considering how Siddhartha's experiences with Vasudeva deepen his understanding of the self and the nature of reality. Evaluate the role of nature and the natural world in Siddhartha's journey, examining how his connection to the river and the forest facilitates his spiritual growth and transformation.

This Week’s Assignments

1. Topic 3.3 Siddhartha: Chapter 3 Gotama
2. Topic 3.4 Siddhartha: Chapter 4 Kamala
3. Topic 3.5 Siddhartha: Chapter 5 With the Childlike People

Last Week’s Assignments

1. Aristotle – ‘On Friendship’ Analysis
2. Siddhartha Chapter 1

Hey Folks!

This week we will continue writing our research papers. You should all be working on your body sections. Please bring a charged computer.

Have a great week!

Essential Question:

What are good sources to use on my historical research paper?

Learning Objectives

This Week’s Assignments

1. Week 3 Checkpoint
2. One-on-One Check In with Kern

Last Week’s Assignments

Hey Folks! This week we will do a News Review and Analysis for Media Journals on Tuesday. On Thursday we update Topic posts and discuss our individual topics.

Have a great week!

Essential Question

What are the subjective and objective factors that go into the transmission of world events to the public?

This Week’s Assignments

1. Media Journal
2. Topic Posts

Last Week’s Assignments

1. Media Journal
2. Topic Posts

Hey Folks!

Welcome back!!!

This week we will finish Topic 16 The Civil Rights Movement and have a quiz on Thursday.

Have a great week!

Essential Question:

Many people credit Kennedy for initiating the “moon shot” by inspiring Americans to greater expectations. What current day issue(s) could a “moon shot” speech inspire Americans to accomplish?

Learning Objectives

Topic 16.4 Kennedy’s Reforms

Objectives: Discuss the election of 1960. Evaluate Kennedy’s domestic policies. Assess the impact of the Kennedy assassination.

Topic 16.5 Reform Under Johnson

Objectives: Evaluate Johnson’s policies up to his victory in the 1964 presidential election. Analyze Johnson’s goals and actions as seen in his Great Society programs. Assess the achievements of the Great Society.

This Week’s Assignments

1. Topic 16.4 Kennedy’s Reforms
2. Topic 16.5 Reform Under Johnson

Last Week’s Assignments

1. Topic 16.3 Successes and Setbacks

Hey Folks!

This week we finish our unit on the Greek Philosophers and discuss Aristotle’s view of friendship. On Wednesday we begin reading Siddhartha by Herman Hesse.

Have a great week!

Essential Question

What initial impressions do you form about Siddhartha's character based on his actions and interactions in Chapter 1? How do you anticipate his journey will unfold based on these early observations?

Learning Objectives

Aristotle: Analysis of ‘On Friendship’

Gain a comprehensive understanding of Aristotle's definition and classification of friendship as presented in his works, particularly in the "Nicomachean Ethics." Differentiate between the three types of friendships outlined by Aristotle: friendships of utility, friendships of pleasure, and friendships of virtue. Critically assess the strengths and limitations of Aristotle's theory of friendship, considering its cultural context, philosophical implications, and relevance to contemporary society.

Siddhartha: Chapter 1

Identify and analyze the key themes present in "Siddhartha," such as the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, the journey of self-discovery, the nature of wisdom, and the balance between materialism and spirituality. Discuss the philosophical ideas presented in "Siddhartha," including concepts such as the cycle of life and death, the illusion of reality, and the pursuit of happiness, and consider their relevance to contemporary society. Apply the lessons learned from "Siddhartha" to personal experiences and reflections on the nature of existence, identity, and the search for meaning in life.

This Week’s Assignments

1. Aristotle – ‘On Friendship’ Analysis
2. Siddhartha Chapter 1

Last Week’s Assignments

1. Aristotle Lecture Questions

Hey Folks!

This week we will continue writing our research papers. Please bring a charged computer.

Have a great week!

Essential Question:

What are good sources to use on my historical research paper?

Learning Objectives

This Week’s Assignments

1. Researching Online
2. Research Paper Topic
3. Research Paper Outline

Hey Folks!

This week we will move onto Topic 8 The Muslim World.

Have a great week!

Essential Question:

Which of the effects of cultural blending do you think is the most significant?

Learning Objectives

Topic 8.1 The Ottomans Build a Vast Empire

Objectives: Understand how the Ottomans established a Muslim empire that combined many cultures and lasted for more than 600 years. Compare and contrast how modern societies, from Algeria to Turkey, had their origins under Ottoman rule.

Topic 8.2 Cultural Blending and The Birth of Modern Persia

Objectives: Explain how the Safavid Empire produced a rich and complex blended culture in Persia. Describe how modern Iran, which plays a key role in global politics, descended from the culturally diverse Safavid Empire. Identify examples of cultural blending in the Safavid Empire.

Topic 8.3 The Mughal Empire in India

Objectives: Explain how the Mughal Empire brought Turks, Persians, and Indians together in a vast empire. Identify how the legacy of great art and deep social division left by the Mughal Empire still influences southern Asia.

This Week’s Assignments

1. Topic 8.1 The Ottomans Build a Vast Empire
2. Topic 8.2 Cultural Blending and The Birth of Modern Persia
3. Topic 8.3 The Mughal Empire in India
4. Topic 8 Quiz

Hey Folks! This week we will do a News Review and Analysis for Media Journals on Tuesday. On Thursday we update Topic posts and discuss our individual topics.

Have a great week!

Essential Question

What are the subjective and objective factors that go into the transmission of world events to the public?

This Week’s Assignments

1. Media Journal
2. Topic Posts

Last Week’s Assignments

1. Media Journal
2. Topic Posts
3. State of the Union Analysis

Hey Folks!

This week we will continue Topic 16 The Civil Rights Movement.

Have a great week!

Essential Question:

Why did Dr. King speak out against United States' involvement in Vietnam when he risked doing harm to his status as a civil rights movement leader, as well as harming the movement itself?

Learning Objectives

Topic 16.4 Kennedy’s Reforms

Objectives: Discuss the election of 1960. Evaluate Kennedy’s domestic policies. Assess the impact of the Kennedy assassination.

Topic 16.5 Reform Under Johnson

Objectives: Evaluate Johnson’s policies up to his victory in the 1964 presidential election. Analyze Johnson’s goals and actions as seen in his Great Society programs. Assess the achievements of the Great Society.

This Week’s Assignments

1. Topic 16.3 Successes and Setbacks
2. Topic 16.4 Kennedy’s Reforms
3. Topic 16.5 Reform Under Johnson

Last Week’s Assignments

1. Topic 16.1 The Civil Rights Movement Strengthens
2. Topic 16.2 The Movement Surges Forward