In-Class Short Essay: Contrasting the Literature of Israel and Palestine

Write a short essay contrasting the Israeli and Palestinian literature we read in class.  ("Shoes" and "The Bus Driver Who Wanted to Be God" is the Israeli literature and "A Child Borrowed His Uncle's Gun..." is Palestinian.)  Here is how to organize your essay:

1st two paragraphs:  How are the stories of Israel and Palestine different?  (You may discuss any of the following:  setting, plot, characters, writing style, theme, tone, etc.)

2nd two paragraphs:  What do the stories say about their respective societies?

Essay is due on Thursday, 9/30/10. Since it will be done mostly in-class, handwritten is fine.

Journal #7: Before we read Palestinian literature...

Part One:

In 5 sentences or so, describe what you think Palestinian literature will be like.  In what ways do you think it will be different than Israeli literature? 

Part Two:
Make a list of differences you see in this piece, "A Boy Borrows His Uncle's Gun," compared to other literature that you've read.  List at least 5 characteristics.

Links: Israel-Palestine Lecture Materials

Click on the following links to download materials.

The Art of Banksy (from the West Bank)
Israel-Palestine Vocabulary
Hebrew Civilization Lecture and Questions

Etgar Keret (Israel) Discussion Questions Link

http://drop.io/kenetquestions

The above link is for the discussion questions for Etgar Keret's short stories "The Bus Driver Who Wanted to be God" and "Shoes."

2010 International Day of Peace Link

http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/2010/index.shtml

Early Civilizations in the Fertile Crescent Link

The following link contains the lecture and questions for Early Civilizations of the Fertile Crescent.
Quiz on 9/15/10 on this unit of study.

http://drop.io/btn6uyd 

Time Magazine article: "Is God in Our Genes"

Here is the link to the article and the discussion questions to be completed for homework.  Due Friday, 9/10/10.

http://drop.io/godgene

Journal #3: "Defining Religion"

1. Define "Religion."

2. Why are there religions?

3. Of the 3 perspectives (i.e. materialism, functionalism, and faith), which one do you most agree with and why?

Aristide Article and Questions

Here is a link to the Aristide article and questions entitled, "Globalization:  A View from Below." 

http://drop.io/aristidearticle