Second Cycle Summer Reading

History Summer Reading The title of our course next semester is Nations and Governments. Since our concept of nations and governments comes from a western point of view, we first have to discover why our western culture has played such a dominate role in our world’s history. At the start of the Neolithic period, any continent in the world had the ability to succeed but it was Eurasia who experienced the more rapid development. Why did this happen? To help us understand this phenomenon you are required to read Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond before we meet in August. Some thoughts on how to read Our class requires reading and discussion and you will soon discover that your primary time commitment is reading both in and outside the classroom. Since you are required to discuss the readings, you have to reflect on the text as you read and evaluate the author’s argument. Here are some suggestions for understanding what you have read. ·         Look for the author’s argument and the evidence to support it. What is the main theme? What are your reactions? Does the author make sense? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the argument? ·         Read with your pencil and underline and write out in the margins of the book or handout questions or concerns you want to raise in class. Think about what you are reading and stay focused. ·         Plan your reading time. Space out your time in reasonable increments and don’t wait until the last minute! ·         Don’t rely exclusively upon highlighting and underlining because this can create a passive reading style. Write your comments in the book or article. Make reading and active process. ·         Keep track of the part of the text where you had questions, comments, agreements, or disagreements with the author. You can use a separate piece of paper, post-its, whatever it takes to keep track of your thoughts. ·         Once you have completed the reading assignment, summarize the author’s argument in a few sentences. This should take only a few minutes. ·         The goal of reading in not just to read pages of a text. You have to be able to say something about the material and evaluate it. You are responsible for buying the book, opening it up and beginning your reading as soon as possible. I will be referring to the book right from the start of the class so you will have to be prepared. See you in August.

Special Events Week Calendar 2010

As you will see on your school calendar Special Events Week is just around the corner. We have compiled a brief description of each of the events that week so you are familiar with the schedule, locations, attire, etc. Please read through the details of each day below and return the attached reservation form for the Recognition Dinner. We look forward to seeing all of you at the events.

Monday, May 31st Memorial Day Holiday No School in Session

Tuesday, June 1st Science Exam 1st Cycle – 8:30 am

English Exam 2nd Cycle – 8:30 am

All students are to report to school at 8:30am prepared for their assigned exams or classes. Dismissal is the normal 3:30pm.

Last Full Day of Classes

No Service Learning for Second Cycle students

Wednesday, June 2nd

Beach Party – Lido Beach Pool and Pavilion, 400 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota, Florida 34236

Who: Current students and alumni

When: Wednesday, June 2nd – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Where: Lido Beach Pool and Pavilion

Attire: Beachwear

Bring: The food/drink item you signed up for!

Thursday, June 3rd

Recognition Dinner – Please download the RSVP by Clicking here.

This event is a semi-formal dinner to acknowledge the hard work of all students and recognize the graduating class of 2010. Seniors give speeches and the rest of the student body receives acknowledgments and honors. The dinner and ceremonies will take place at Laurel Oak Country Club and will start promptly at 6:30 pm. Doors and a cash bar open at 6 pm. We encourage all students and immediate family to attend! This is a wonderful celebration of our students.

Who: Students, family & alumni

When: Thursday, June 3, 2010 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Where: Laurel Oak Country Club – Laurel Room

Attire: Semi-Formal wear

Cost: $30.00 per person/$15.95 per child under 12 who orders the Kid’s Meal

Friday, June 4th Graduation/Moving Up

Our Annual Moving Up and Graduation Ceremony is the highlight of our year. While some move through the gate into their next school year, others will cross through their last gate and graduate. The event will take place at Sarasota Christian Church and will start promptly at 7:00pm. All students are expected to attend the ceremony.

Who: Students, family & alumni

When: Friday, June 4th, 7:00pm

Where: Sarasota Christian Church, 2923 Ashton Rd Sarasota, FL 34231

Attire: Semi- Formal

Secondary Exam and Projects Schedule

Week May 24-28th *

Monday, May 24th Geometry Class (Alg I – ERB Testing)

Tuesday, May 25th

Geometry Final – 12:35 pm

FST Final – 12:35 pm

Pre Calc/Calc Final – 8:30 am

Wednesday, May 26th

History Final – 1st Cycle – AM

Spanish Final – 1st and 2nd Cycle

Algebra I – (ERB testing) – 12:35

Thursday, May 27th

Algebra II – Final

Science Final – 2nd Cycle

English Presentations/Final Tests – 1st Cycle

Pre Algebra – Final

Friday, May 28th

Algebra I – Final

Spanish Final – 2nd Cycle – Part II

* Art Show will be on display all day for your viewing. Please stop by and see your student’s artwork.

Week June 1-4th

Tuesday, June 1st

Science Final – 1st Cycle – 8:30 am

English Final – 2nd Cycle – 8:30 am

Last Full Day of Classes

Please continue working on your papers. You have only a little time left so I trust you are well on way towards completion for May 28th.

In your text, please read articles 5,6,7, and 8 and answer in writing the following questions. Due Friday

China Articles

Up until now, we have read about the different social, economic, legal and political systems in China that has helped us understand the broader issues of this country. Now it is time to look at specific events that will give us insight into what these issues mean for the people of China. Please read articles 5, 6, 7 and 8 and answer the following questions.

1)      Tainted milk? Who cares anyway? After all, it is only “growing pains of China’s road to economic reforms.” Your thoughts please.

2)      Mr. Zhang’s Hummer cost him $220,000. What does this say about him and Chinese people like him and what has been the cost of car ownership to China’s economy, infrastructure and society? Any solutions?

3)      What is “wenming” has how is this concept affecting China?

4)      What are Chinese capitalists and why would they or would they not be pushing for democracy in China?

5)      Define de novo.

6)      “Continued growth for continued communism”. What does this mean?

7)      What does “wearing a red hat” and “collective ventures” mean?  How did these concepts bring capitalism to China?

8)      What is an Ecocity and how do you think the Chinese will achieve this dream? List what Shanghai will have to do to make itself into a Ecocity. What is your idea of an Ecocity and would you like to live in one?

9)      What does holistic mean and how does this concept factor in with a Ecocity?

Please finish reading the chapter on China up to the Hong Kong section. Answer the following questions and prepare yourself for questions.

Chinese Legal and Political Systems

Take home test

Due Friday March 26^th

1)      How did China view their legal system before the 20^th century and how did this view change after 1949?

2)      How have the reforms after 1979 transformed their legal system? Why did they feel that their legal system had to represent a more western format?

3)      How has the concept of innocent until proven guilty been accepted in Chinese law?

4)      IF arrested for a crime in China, how will your trial be different that a trial in the US?

5)      What do you think is the main difference between the Chinese and US style of law?

The Political System

1)      The CCP only represents 5% of the population yet they call themselves communist.  How does this limited party membership maintain the authoritarian upper hand in China?

2)      Why is corruption and bribery such a pervasive problem in China?

3)      Why is China so accepting of an authoritarian government?  Do you think they will ever accept a democratic form of government?  Why? Why not?

4)      Why do you think most Chinese are politically passive?

5)      How is the health of the press and mass communication in China? Can people find all the information they need to be informed of the world around them?

Conclusion

1)      We Americans decry the apparent negative aspects of Chinese authoritarianism as compared to what we think is our western style democracy. However, the Chinese don’t see that their form of government is inferior to us and in many ways see our system as deficient. Why do they feel this way, do you understand the differences of our governments and do you think we will be able to work with China regardless of our differences?

We now need to place what we have have learned about 20th century China in perspective. Read the assigned articles and answer the following question. Please have these in written form for next week.

China Articles

We have been dissecting Chinese history for about a month so now it is time to take at look at the realities of modern China. Cognitive dissonance is a phenomenon that prevents people from changing their ideas or belief structures regardless of all the evidence that may be against them.  Let us try to put all our preconceived notions about China aside and take a dispassionate look at the realities and relieve some dissonant vibes. Please read the first four articles in your book and answer the following questions. We then will discuss your answers in class.

Article One

1)      What is the theme of this article?

2)      How will China destabilize the world’s economy?

3)      How is the United State’s idea of world order different from China’s?

4)      Why is prosperity so important to China’ future plans?

5)      What is the World Trade Organization (WTO)?

6)      How does China ignore “old norms?”

7)      What is a schism and why is this a problem with the US and Chinese relations?

8)      Do you think China is as much of threat to the world economy as the author states?

Article Two

1)      What is his theme?

2)      Who was Nikita Khrushchev and how is he relevant to the story?

3)      What does the fact that the author lived in China for so long do for his veracity?

4)      Why does he doubt that China will become a superpower?

1. List the four reasons and explain how you agree or disagree?

5)      What is a pension and what is Fort Knox?

6)      What are the two problems with the dire predictions?

7)      Who owns these high-tech assembly companies in China? Why is this important?

8)      What does nuance mean and how is this concept relevant to the article?

9)      How will the problem of pollution affect the country’s economy?

10)   What’s up with Kung Fu Panda?

11)   Who are the “glitterati?”

12)   Are we overestimating China?

Article Three

1)      What is the theme of this article

2)      What a minute! He has lived in China too. How are his thoughts about the country different that the preceding author?

3)      Why does he think we should not hold China in such a negative light?

4)      “Movement towards democratic processes and respect for human rights.” Your thoughts please.

5)      How does the author think China is doing with their desire to use capitalism to achieve a socialist market economy?

6)      He says China is taking their pollution problem seriously but the other author was not so sanguine. How can two people who have lived in China have such different ideas?

7)      What were the Kyoto Agreements?

8)      What is the G8?

9)      How does the author think the post war countries that dominated the world economy now have to deal with the rising new majority?

10)   From what you have read about Tibet and the Uyghurs, what do you make of the author’s statement that China does not want to annex and occupy or control these indigenous people? From what you know, are the Chinese trying to resolve these disputes peacefully?

11)   Of course we should be more open to other countries and be less prejudiced against China. Do you think we are prejudiced and are we hypocritical when we criticize them for their policies?

Article Four

Read the articles and then write out the author’s point and your thoughts on it.

1)      Do you think China’s biggest risks are economic?

2)      Is a second Tiananmen never going to happen?

3)      Are China’s politics stable?

4)      What will happen with the banks?

5)      What about their dependence on foreign money?

6)      What‘s the big deal with nationalism?

7)      Military conflict? Boy, that’s all the Pentagon has to hear.

Continue your reading up to the section on page 28-The Legal System. Please pay particular attention to the command economy and the decentralization and liberalization of the economy. This mixing of economic theories has allowed China to become the economic powerhouse it is today. We are now going to have to try to come to some conclusions as to the overall effect the authoritative political system coupled with this new economy will have on you - our future generation.

Remember that you are going to have to come up with a research topic. A few students have brought some interesting ideas to light.

Objective- begin the study of the new Chinese Comunist Party’s policies ie population control, minorities and economic development. Answer the following questions for Weds. class:

China Assignment #3

Please read pages 13-22 and answer the following questions

1)      Why was Mao encouraging population growth and what were the results of this policy?

2)      Define the one child policy.

3)      What has undermined this program?

4)      Why do the Chinese prefer boy children over girls?

5)      How are women treated by modern China? Do they have equal rights?

6)      What percentage of China’s population is of a minority status?

7)      What has been the policy of China with its minorities?

8)      What are the Tibetan feelings towards China?

9)      What happened in the Mongolian elections of 1996 and what was China’s reaction to it?

10)  What religion is practiced by the Uyghur minority and what is China’s concern with them?

11)  Read over the various religions and we will talk about them in class

12)  Briefly explain what is the Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong thought? Is this a religion? Are they any true believers left in China? What has replaced this doctrine?

13)  What are the problems with the Chinese written language and how are they trying to correct them?

14)  What effect has television had on the language spoken in China?

15)  What are some of the educational challenges China faces in the 21^st century?

16)  What effect has political education played in China?  How has student’s desire to go to college (modernization) changed the political education of Chinese students?

17)  How are Chinese students treated when they return from foreign schools?

18)  What are liberal democratic ideals?

Objective- Determine the conditions of  China after WWII and the success of the CCP. Continue reading the text concerning population control, China’s minorities, religions nad Marxism/Leninism. We will discuss the results of last week’s quiz and begin the discussion on your topic for a research paper.

China’s CCP Takes Over  Pages 9-13

Please write out your answers for next Wednesday

1)      Who was Joseph Stalin?

2)      What Soviet support was given to China?

3)      What was the “Maoist” model?

4)      What was “The Great Leap Forward”?

5)      Define egalitarianism and “continuous revolution.”

6)      What was the result of the “Great Leap Forward?”

7)      What did China and the Soviet Union disagree on?

8)      Why did Mao launch the “Cultural Revolution?”

9)      What did he want to achieve and what was the result? Why do people still hold this idiot in such high regard?

10)   After Mao’s death and with Deng Xiaoping in charge, what were the country’s new policies?

11)   What western ideas got through the screen door? Was/is this such a bad thing? Why? Why not?

12)   What changes has this liberalization of Chinese modernization brought to the country.

13)   Who was Mikhail Gorbachev?

14)   What was the demonstration at Tiananmen Square all about and what did it accomplish?

15)   What happened during the political repression after the demonstration? What it all bad?

Please continue reading the text up to the section on Population Control. I suggest you spend some time studying the material we have covered in the text and with the video because there is a test on this information on Wednesday. It is time to be considering a subject for you research paper. If you need help with chosing a subject, let me know.