Interesting concept
February 14, 2008
Interesting concept
(Reflection on the presentation Wednesday Jan. 13)
I found it very interesting that the writer used a combination of both fictional “story telling” and historical information in her book. In my opinion I believe I would enjoy this in a book, especially one that is based off of actual events. It would be fascinating to be reading an exciting story but at the same time have true historical events backing the story. In my opinion I think I would pay a little more attention to the story if I knew that it is based off of factual events.
The same goes with movies! A perfect example is the movie “The kingdom”, at the conclusion of the film they tell you that the movie is based off of true events. The only frustrating aspect of this is that they should tell you at the beginning of the movie that is based off of true events rather than the end. I believe I would not only pay more attention to the movie but I would also view the movie in a “different light” as well (not as just another action movie).
Recommended movie! This is a great movie
Movie Name: Beyond the Gates
Starring: John Hurt, Hugh Dancy, Claire-Hope Ashitey,
Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Summary: Two outsiders witness an onslaught of bloody Rwandan genocide in this fact-based drama from director Michael Caton-Jones (Scandal). In 1994, Joe Connor (Hugh Dancy) is a British schoolteacher who has volunteered to spend a year at the Ecole Technique Officielle, a school in the Rwandan capital of Kigali.
Pick a research topic
February 9, 2008
Pick a research topic
I have recently been debating on what I could possible research for my paper. I thought of something that interests me, not necessarily in the ancient world. I would like to go into radiology or cardiology when I finish my education. Then I thought of how that could be related to the ancient world. Medicine, in the ancient world came to mind, so, I “ran” with it and several interesting options presented themselves. I figured this might be able to help if you are struggling with possible topics. Think of something that you would like to do as a career or simply something that interests you then relate that to the ancient world.
Jacob Rammage
What does it mean to teach?
February 5, 2008
As defined by Encarta world English dictionary, teach: Impart knowledge or skill to sb by instruction or example.
The first two weeks of Dr. Berg’s class I truly questioned his teaching skills. In my opinion his teaching methods were very bizarre. The way the class is always required to get into groups, huddle together, and color made me feel like I was in elementary all over again. I am used to lecture based classes, taking notes, testing, and simply “regurgitating” the information.
Recently I have started to realize just how much I enjoy Dr. Berg’s class. His out of the ordinary teaching methods are a nice break from the daily mind-numbing lectures. I also find my self not only understanding the information better but remembering the information as well. At first the group discussions were more of a bother than anything else. Now, I look forward to the group deliberations and listening to what the reset of the class mates have to say.
Perhaps the concept that I like the most is the idea that “we” (the students) determine what we would like to research on our paper. I have always been given a list an asked to pick a topic (so much fun!). It will be interesting to see how the rest of the semester “pans out”.
Jacob Rammage
Extremist spectrum of religion
February 3, 2008
Extremist spectrum of religion
The short clip presented in class “religion of Peace” was factual of the Islamic religion only if it is taken from the extremist point of view. It is a common misconception that the Islamic religion is nothing but a violent political movement. This could not be further from the truth. Yes, the Islamic religion has its extremists but, what religion does not?
Take into consideration the Christian faith, during the Middle Ages there were several crusades that involved the extermination of anyone that did not accept the Christian faith. During this time in history the Christian faith could be consider nothing but a violent political movement. The crusades themselves could be consider nothing but an act from religious extremist. One of the only ways for a religion to gain “power” is to create some form of a political movement (If you really think about it).
Radical religious extremists could be found in almost every religion in some point in history or another. On of the major reasons that the Islamic religion is being focused on currently is due to present events in the U.S. history (Sept.11, war, etc.). The Islamic religion simply has a poor representation from the media. I guess it is how the old sang goes “it only takes one or two people to ruin it for everyone else.”.
Jacob R.
The Great fence of China
January 29, 2008
The Great fence of China
Although the “Great wall of China” is an engineering marvel, it is hardly great in my opinion. The wall did not get an incredible amount of use. When the golden horde or the Mongolians attacked China they simply walked around the wall. This may have increased the amount of time for the Mongolians to reach their destination but they still got there. The Great Wall of China merely prolonged their defeat to the Mongolians. In some areas the Mongolians dug under the wall (I believe). Humanity is far too intelligent to be stopped by a simple wall. “Crap a wall I guess we all just go home now.”
A Dieing Concept
January 28, 2008
A dieing Concept(A reply to Professor Bergs comment)
I completely agree with Professor Bergs comment that there is a difference between “being respectful to someone” and “respecting someone” (I was raised in a very old fashioned family). That requires and incredible amount of character from an individual, that most of the world does not have today. It seems as if simple courtesy and respect is a dieing concept. That was the main point I was attempting to make. Although there are a few “good” people out there, I doubt that majority of the world would be able to come together and respect one another.
Jacob R.
Can people can still be respectful even if they disagree?
January 27, 2008
Can people can still be respectful even if they disagree?
A comment left by Professor Berg about my blog “Our Pale Blue Dot” got me thinking. Does “getting along” require “thinking along”? Can people can still be respectful even if they disagree?
In my opinion people can not respect each other if they disagree. The concept that people can still be respectful even if they disagree is possible or probable I suppose in simplistic situation but not likely. The ideas that divide the world are far to complex to be respectfully negotiated. For example, I highly doubt that the Jews respected the Nazis during World War Two. The Nazis though that they should rule the world and create the Arian race. The rest of the world obviously disagreed and did not respect the Nazis wishes.
If you think about it, you are far more likely to respect some one that has the same ideas as you do than some one that does not. As I stated before the concept that people can still be respectful even if they disagree is possible in simplistic situations between two or three individuals, but not the world.
Jacob R.
Our Pale Blue Dot
January 25, 2008
Our Pale Blue Dot
The three videos viewed in class (pale blue dot) were relatively interesting and informational, although I do not completely agree with all of their viewpoints. I completely understand the concept that planet Earth is relatively diminutive in comparison to the rest of the universe. I do not agree with the fact that simply because humanity or the planet Earth is miniscule in comparison to the rest of universe that the human race is insignificant.
In my opinion this excerpt was portraying the idea that “size matters” and that humanity should “get along”. I find the idea of “size matters” a rather humorous concept, considering that bacteria no larger that a few micrometers across nearly killed the entire human population in the form of the bubonic plague. Cancerous cells are still killing thousands of people pre year and we have yet to find a cure.
The second concept concerning the idea that humanity should simply “get along” is also comical. If humanity was to “get along” this would increase probability that humanity would begin to “think along” as well. In other words a lack of innovation or “thinking out side the box” would become an increasing problem. The way that every individual has a unique though process is what makes us different, it is what has allowed us to rise above the rest. Our brain is what makes us human; our brain is what has made it possible to realize how small the planet is.
Although the planet Earth may appear to be a pale blue dot off in the distance it is my pale blue dot, it is our pale blue dot. This is all that we have; it is our lives. What better way to live it than exploring what is means to be human? What it means to be different, what is means to think different.
Jacob R.
A hypocritical governor
January 21, 2008
A hypocritical governor
Jennifer Granholm made an appearance at Schoolcraft Community College today (January 21, 2008), to discuss and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The floor was open to the students to discuss the issues of diversity, race, and so on. One topic in particular was raised concerning the importance of school and education. Jennifer Granholm obviously applauded this point. Jennifer then continued to stress the importance of education and also made a point considering the “new” scholarships that are available to the student that are worth 4,000 dollars. This “new” scholarship will be able to finance a two year associate’s degree.
In my opinion this is completely hypocritical of Jennifer Granholm. Not only is she responsible for major cut backs in school budgets, she also is responsible for cut backs in scholarships. Jennifer stress how important education is and yet she did nothing about the hundreds of schools that were closed in the local Detroit area due to her cut backs in the budget. During Jennifer’s time in office she has considerably cut back scholarships. The merit scholarship originally offered 2,500 dollars per year (two semesters) annually as long as you are considered a full time student. Jennifer completely cut out the merit scholarship and created the “Promise” which offered 1,200 and is not annual, it is offered once. Now she is creating a “new” scholarship program that will offer 4,000 dollars and in not annual. This 4,000 dollar scholarship will be able to pay for a two year education. I would like to know where you can get a two year college education for 4,000 dollars. Cutting budgets, funding and scholarships is an interesting way of supporting education.
Jacob R.
Hello world!
January 16, 2008
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