Eugenics Homework

Directions for homework follow:

1. Read the article “Controlling the Unfit” from Facing History (received in class).
   
2. Click here to explore the archive on the American Eugenics Movement hosted by Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory. Read about a minimum of four different areas, including “Sterilization Laws” and “Eugenics Popularization.
   
3. Post a comment on your investigation to the blog, signing with your initials or first name only for privacy. Comment on the question below AND share an observation on something you saw in the archive. Strong responses will also refer directly to a previous post in the discussion. The question I would like you to consider is:

Laws requiring sterilization violated the basic rights of the victims. How did eugenicists and their supporters seem to justify those civil rights violations? What arguments might you offer in support of the victims?

Source: Facing History.

Posts are due before class begins on Friday.

Class Calendar: January 12th to January 20th

The detailed calendar will depend on what you all got done in my absence. 

Our major assignment this week is the paper on Kindertransport. Expect to write a draft for Thursday and a final paper for Friday. Papers should be about three pages, typed, double-spaced. 

Class Calendar: January 5th to January 13th

Monday, January 5th (F)
• Due: Return rested and ready to work, okay? Hope you had a great vacation!
• Class: Begin Kindertransport by Diane Samuels. Read Act I, Scene I and discuss in small groups; 3-2-1 report.

Tuesday, January 6th (S)
• Due: Read Act I, Scene II and write reaction (see below).
• Class: Discuss the play: body sculpting, character charts, dramatic choices.

Wednesday, January 7th (U)
• Due: Read Act II, Scene I and write reaction.
• Class: Discuss the play: connections and staging.

Thursday, January 8th (M)
• Due: Read Act II, Scene II and write reaction.
• Class: Discuss the play: exploring identity and its loss.

Friday, January 9th (T)
• Class does not meet.

Monday, January 12th (W)
• Due: Prewriting exercise for Kindertransport paper (details to be announced).
• Class: Academic conference on Kindertransport.

Note: For each scene in Kindertransport read for homework, I would like you to write a short reaction. Your “reactions” may be typed or handwritten and should use textual support and fill at least half a page for sufficient depth of response (if you don’t have enough to say, think harder). For each reaction, choose one of the following:

• What do you see as the most significant or compelling spoken line in this scene? Explain and explore your response. What does this line suggest about characters and their relationships, themes, etc?

• What do you see as the most significant or compelling relationship in this scene? Explain and explore your response. What does this relationship line suggest about the broader message of the play?

• What do you see as the most significant or compelling physical object in this scene? Explain and explore your response. What is this object’s significance, what character is it most closely related to, does it carry symbolic weight?

Class Calendar: December 15th to December 23rd

Monday, December 15th (F)
• Due: Literature circle commercials and study guides.
• Class: Share literature circle projects (I’m really looking forward to these!).

Tuesday, December 16th (S)
• Due: Read Ch. 17-19 in The Children of Willesden Lane.
• Class: Debrief last week’s big paper discussions; more music; discuss the audition.

Wednesday, December 17th (U)
• Due: Finish reading The Children of Willesden Lane.
• Class: Socratic seminar on The Children of Willesden Lane. I will provide questions.

Thursday, December 18th (M)
• Due: Work on family story papers. I will collect your books today (please don’t forget; I need to mail these back to Facing History!).
• Class: The music of The Children of Willesden Lane.

Friday, December 19th (T)
• Class does not meet.

Monday, December 22nd (W)
• Due: Draft of family story paper. Remember, no late days on drafts.
• Class: Peer review and sharing.

Tuesday, December 23rd (H)
• Due: Final draft of family story paper.
• Class: Documentary: Into the Arms of Strangers.

Class Calendar: December 8th to December 15th

Monday, December 8th (U)
• Due: Work on literature circle projects and start reading The Children of Willesden Lane.
• Class: Contemporary media literacy and the art of advertising.

Tuesday, December 9th (M)
• Due: Reading assignment #1 (Ch. 1-8) in The Children of Willesden Lane. Allow me to remind you of the high probability of reading quizzes throughout this unit.
• Class: Discussion of the reading; “universe of obligation” and the Kindertransport.

Wednesday, December 10th (W)
• Class does not meet.

Thursday, December 11th (W)
• Due: Bring materials to work on literature circle projects and keep reading Children.
• Class: Group work on literature circle projects.

Friday, December 12th (H)
• Due: Reading assignment #2 (Ch. 8-16) in The Children of Willesden Lane.
• Class: Discussion of the reading; Lisa’s music.

Monday, December 15th (F)
• Due: Literature circle projects are due today! Remember to bring five copies or bring me a “master” in the morning.
• Class: Sharing literature circle books with commercials and readers guides. I’m really looking forward to this!

Ticket to the Pollies

Thanks to Andy for this Daily Show clip on the "Pollies," an award show for and by the people who create political advertising. You can watch the two part coverage here and here.

Class Calendar: December 1st to December 8th

Monday, December 1st (T)
• Class does not meet. Final blog post due today.

Tuesday, December 2nd (W)
• Due: Literature circle books should be completed.
• Class: Propaganda in Nazi Germany.

Wednesday, December 3rd (H)
• Due: Start looking for an article related to your literature circle selection.
• Class: Log election responses; introduce literature circle projects; found poetry.

Thursday, December 4th (F)
• Due: Article to contribute to your literature circle (read and be ready to summarize).
• Class: Work on projects. Bring any materials you need to class.

Friday, December 5th (S)
• Due: Make appropriate progress on your projects and start on The Children of Willesden Lane assignment (due Monday).
• Class: Work on projects.

Monday, December 8th (U)
• Due: First reading assignment for The Children of Willesden Lane due today.
• Class: Discussion of reading and lesson on the Kindertransport.