Topic #4: Living together before marriage

Up next is the topic suggested by Haesoo: Living together before marriage. The following articles provide you with insight on where research stands on this important issue, however I would like you all to bring your own cultural and traditional beliefs to the conversation as well. So here are the links:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-07-28-cohabitation-research_N.htm,

http://www.marriagebuilders.com/graphic/mbi5025_qa.html, and

http://marriage.about.com/cs/cohabitation/a/livingtogether.htm.

Your job is the same as with the previous posts. The deadline for this topic is next Tuesday, October 6.

Have fun,
Kinga

Topic #3: Family Influence

Our next topic in line is one that applies to anyone no matter what: family influence in people's life. Zhu, our topic provider selected the following articles for you to read:

http://www.eapcrackerbarrel.com/apply_to_you/familyInfluence.htm,

http://www.slc.sevier.org/faminflu.htm, and

http://essay001.blogspot.com/2007/11/family-influence.html.

Please, read them carefully, and post your own comment on the topic. Also, please compile a list of 20 words AND/OR expressions you find in the text that are new or appear in an unfamiliar context.

The deadline for this topic is Wednesday, September 30.

Thanks and enjoy,
Kinga

Topic #2: Born to be different

Our second topic, born to be different was suggested by Yanhong who would like you to read the following articles:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2007-03/01/content_817159.htm,

http://www.bmezine.com/news/edit/A50804/artbornd.html, and

http://jonchu89.blogspot.com/2009/03/born-to-be-different.html (with this one, it probably helps to have seen the movie, but it isn't mandatory. I haven't seen it myself.)

Your job is the same as for the previous topic with the deadline set for Monday, September 21. Please, bring the word list to class that day.

Have fun,
Kinga

Topic #1: Differences between American culture and the other cultures familiar to us

Welcome to our ENGL 10600I blog discussion about various exciting topics!

Our first topic for the semester is Differences between American culture and other cultures familiar to us revealed through the following articles brought to you by Corey:

http://www.china-nafsa.aief-usa.org/culture/differences.htm,

http://www.uniteforsight.org/cultural-competency/ (modules 7,8, and 9),

and
http://www.theharbinger.org/xix/001003/pinson.html.

Although two of the suggested readings deal only with American-Chinese differences, I would encourage everyone who comes from a different ethnic background to read up on the differences between American culture and their own for the sake of a more colorful and exciting discussion.

As per my directions today in the class, your assignment is to
1). read through these articles,
2). create your 20-word list,
3). and post your comments and opinion on what you read and on the topic in general.

The deadline for this topic is Friday, September 11. Let me know if you have any questions.

Have fun and take care,
Kinga

Topic #7: Oscar for Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

As per all your suggestion, we picked Slumdog Millionaire as our next topic. I hope everyone has the means to watch the movie this week, if you haven't done it yet. If any of you have problems with getting a hold of the movie, please, let me know.

As for the assignment itself, what I would like you to do is to
1. watch the movie;
2. read up on it online;
3. write up your opinion considering the following two points:
a. pick your favorite moment and say what made it your favorite
b. provide one interesting, astonishing, exciting, etc. detail about the movie that you read (for this aspect, the earlier you post your comments, the easier it will be to find something unique to report from your findings. Please, do not "copy and paste" anything, however you are welcome to add the URL where you found your interesting piece of information for others if they want to follow up on it.)

Your comment is not restricted to these two points though. You can address anything you like in your post.

There will be no 20-word list requirement for this particular topic. The deadline is Sunday, March 8.

Please, let me know if you have any questions.

I sincerely hope you will enjoy this topic and the movie,
Kinga

Topic #6: The current economy crisis

Wow, even though this topic won only the 6th place on the favorites list, it has originally been suggested by four of you, Luke, Han, Roy, and Shangyan.
Also, the following articles were selected for us to read:

http://www.actionforex.com/fundamental-analysis/weekly-forex-fundamentals/economics-weekly:-financial-and-economic-crisis-getting-worse-2008120871299/,

http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article7099.html,

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/09/26/the-us-government-engineered-the-current-economic-crisis/,

http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,578944,00.html,

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/usa-2008-the-great-depression-803095.html,

and http://www.moolanomy.com/866/what-caused-the-financial-crisis-of-2008/.

Some of these sources are shorter, others longer. I would suggest for everyone to read a minimum of three of them, picking the ones that you consider the most interesting for you. You are welcome to read all of them, especially that some provide good visual aids for a greater understanding.

Your task is the same as for the previous posts with a deadline of Sunday, March 1, 2009.

Take care,
Kinga

Topic #5: The rich, the poor, and the gap in between

Our fifth topic, The rich, the poor, and the gap in between was suggested by Tianyu, who would like you to read the following articles:

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0817-02.htm,

http://freedomkeys.com/gap.htm, and

http://www.anchorrising.com/barnacles/002883.html.

Your job is the same as before with the due date falling on next Saturday, February 21.

Please, be sure to make your contribution in time.

Kinga