"START IT UP!"
This page will have the weekly "Start It Up" question. The goal of these questions will be for students to identify the importance of the event and understand how it effects the world around them. These events will usually be controversial and cause discussion, which is exactly why I created this page. Students will either write about this in their daily Bell Ringer or it will be discussed at the beginning of class with the teacher.
September. 9th 2010:
Questions will be here soon...
August. 26th 2010:
Questions will be here soon...
July. 23rd 2010:
As mentioned on other pages on Dynamic History, there are many differences between Japanese and American society. Most are very easy to notice, the apology for example is a huge indicator of this. After watching this video pair up and try to answer the following questions:
1. Why do you think there is such a huge difference between the way Americans apologies compared to the Japanese?
2. Could the reason there are differences be based upon their culture and history?
3. If so why?
4. What does the form in which Americans and Japanese apologies show about our two societies/cultures?
March. 5th 2010:
Today the US House of Representatives Committee of Foreign Affairs (Link) passed a resolution confirming that the Turks' acts against the Armenians in World War I was in fact Genocide. This will most certainly damage US - Turkish relations and alienate one of our few Allies in the Middle East. At the same time this was something that was long overdue:
"Germany has accepted responsibility for the Holocaust. South Africa set up a Truth Commission to look at Apartheid. And here at home, we continue to grapple with the legacies of slavery and our horrendous treatment of Native Americans. It is now time for Turkey to accept the reality of the Armenian Genocide." - Howard L Berman: HFA Chair
The vote passed 23 to 22. Both Democrats and Republicans voted for and against it, yet this is the result. Now how will it effect us?
BBC: Click Here
Explain:
1. How will this hurt U.S. - Turkish relations? How will this help U.S. Armenian relations?
2. Was it worth the cost of doing?
3. Why is congress voting on this?
4. Anything else?
February. 24th 2010:
Toyota boss Iko Toyoda spoke with members of Congress today to try and ease the United States' worries about the car company and its massive recalls concerning the brake and acceleration issues that many car owners have been having. The American Congressmen stressed their wish that the American people remain safe in whatever car they drive. This is an interesting move by the United States and this could certainly hurt Japanese-American relations politically.
Explain:
1. How will this effect Toyota and its relations with the American Press, Politics, and Citizens?
2. Why would Congress do this?
3. How does this effect the American economy (think about this one)?
4. Anything else?
Link back to main page: Click Here
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