Conflict, Protest & Resolution

This week’s theme in Inquiry focuses on the notion of conflict, protest and resolution. Over the last 100 years our world has experienced numerous accounts of civil wars and conflict between countries. 


Your task this week is to conduct some research that will involve you sourcing an image, sound-byte, animation, youtube clip, a photo of a personal item or anything else you deem appropriate and relevant to the theme of the week. The annotation you wish to conduct more research on could be a further analysis of the wars / conflicts that have been looked at in previous Inquiry sessions.


You will need to conduct some research on your chosen annotation using some basic historical tools of analysis:

•  who does the annotation relate too? (individuals, groups, countries, etc)
• what are the circumstances / events (such as political, economic, social) around the annotation?
• when did it occur or what part of the 20th Century was it a part of?
• where did it occur and how was the location significant?
• whay is significant to the 20th Century?

Your post must be at least 250 - 300 words in length and is due to be posted up on your blog by Thursday 4th August.

Inquiring Into 20th Century - Historical Annotation Tasks

Over the coming 5-6 weeks in Inquiry you will be asked to complete and post up on your blog a number of historical annotations relating to the themes covered each week in class. As indicated in your student workbook the themes that will be covered include:

• Conflict, Protest & Resolution
• Sport
• Science & Technology
• Heroes & Villains
• Music

Each annotation will involve you sourcing an image, sound-byte, animation, youtube clip, a photo of a personal item or anything else you deem appropriate and relevant to the history theme of the week.

You will need to conduct some research the basic historical tools of analysis:

-       who does it relate to (individuals, groups, countries etc.)?

-       what are the circumstances/events (such a political, economic, social) around the picture?

-       when did it occur or what part of the 20^th century is it part of?

-       where did it occur and how is the location significant?

-       why is it significant to the 20^th century?

The first of the annotation posts you will be required to complete will be due on Thursday 4th of August - stay tuned for what theme it will be...

Big Pharma's Grip on the World

As discussed in our previous Inquiry session the term 'Big Pharma' refers to the large pharmaceutical and biomedicine companies in the developed world, who seek to influence federal government policy and practices in developing nations.


This next post requires you to use the information gathered from the resources we looked at yesterday and also a number of online resources (you'll find links at the bottom of this post) and discuss the following prompts:

• Who are the main stakeholders involved in this ongoing issue?
• Who 'wins' and who 'loses'?
• What part do the Big Pharma play?
• How does their actions / ideals / morals affect those developing nations at risk?
• What are your thoughts on the issue? Do you think it is significant or important?

Remember you can use the information you jotted down yesterday in your discussion. Here are some other websites and articles you might want to head to for some more intelligent discussion on the issue:


http://www.healthbeatblog.org/2008/03/big-pharma-vs-t.html


http://www.globalissues.org/article/52/pharmaceutical-corporations-and-medical-research


http://abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread683731/pg1


http://www.bukopharma.de/


The word count for this blog is approximately 300 - 350 words, but feel free to write more.
      This post is due to be posted up on your blog by Friday 8th April.

Internet + Information = Development & Change

This week we have looked at how the advancements in technology and communication have affected the way we live. The active use of the Internet has dramatically increased over the last ten years and along with this new technology comes a variety of new social media avenues that open up communication channels around the world.


The example discussed in class was the effective use of Twitter and how this form of new social media is allowing people to be informed, be connected and be heard.


Along with the introduction of new social media sites, the Internet has paved the way for other groups and individuals to inform (more so reveal) slices of information that are believed to be in the public’s interest. The classic example of this is Julian Assuange and the birth of Wikileaks.


In your next blog post I would like you to address and discuss the following prompts:

• How is the Internet used as a vehicle for change and exposing the truth?

• How do individuals / groups use Twitter and what are some recent examples where this social networking site has been effective? - Refer to Cornell Notes Summary

• Are Julian Assuange’s actions morally and ethically right for the world we live in? I want you to use examples (there are many) that support your argument.

Take a look at the Wikileaks website on the right hand side scroll bar and have a read of their mission statement.


The word count for this post is 400 – 450 words – however feel free to discuss this interesting issue in more detail.


If you were away for any of the sessions where we watched the clips relating to this post here they are for you to have a look:


Twitter Revolution:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW2oy9c5NiM&skipcontrinter=1


Julian Assuange 60 Minutes Interview:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzC9invn4Ko

This post is due to be posted up on your blog by Thursday 24th March

Wealth: The Widening Gap and Future Possibilities

This week's focus was looking specifically at how globalisation and poverty are linked. The inevitability of global progression or development in the world we live in means that some countries economically thrive and others tend to fall by the wayside.


Last session we looked the Grameen Bank Project and how this organisation works to reduce poverty in Bangladesh. The concepts of micro-finance, empowerment and creativity all combined to make a considerable change to the economical situation in this country.


The first section of this blog task involves you investigating an organisation that aims to overcome poverty.


You will need to include the following 

• the name and location of the organisation
• the main work done by the organisation
• examples of programs to reduce poverty

Some examples include:

• http://www.makepovertyhistory.com.au/
• http://www.careaustralia.org.au/
• http://solvepoverty.com/

The next section of the task involves you heading to the United Nations website and look at the stated Millenium Goals located on the right hand side bar:

http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/

Study each of the eight goals and rank them in your order of priority. You need to discuss what each goal aims to achieve and justify your ranking.

Also you need to use the website to find out what progress has been made by some of the developed countries. The big question that you need to discuss is what has Australia achieved over the last 10 years to address global poverty?

Your post needs to be at least 500 words and include all of the activities and observations to the questions outlined.

This post is due to be posted up on your blog by Thursday 17th March 

Human Rights: Who is Responsible?

Throughout this week we have examined the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, while specifically researching and highlighting recent examples where basic human rights have been violated. For this next post I want you to discuss the importance of human rights and who has the responsibility to act, uphold and ensure that these situations do not occur.


The following questions / prompts should be used to assist you in writing your next post:

• Why should there be such a concept as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
• Why do you think these rights are so important? (Provide a relevant example that explores a person, community, country that has (is) violating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
• Who do you think has the most responsibility in acknowledging and upholding human rights?
• What role does the UN play? What can the individual do?

The word limit for this post is approximately 350 - 400, but feel free to exceed this limit - there is a lot to discuss and make comment on.

This post is due to be posted up on your blog by Monday 28th Feb

Babel - Global Perpectives & Challenging Themes

After viewing the film Babel, I would like to hear your thoughts concerning the important global themes the film highlights. In order to tease out some of your observations (remember to use your class notes as well) I have provided some questions for you to discuss in your first blog post.

• What does the film reveal about the concept of family structure / dynamics in different countries?
• How does the theme of communication relate to the film?
• What does the scene in the film where Susan (the American tourist) is being treated for her gunshot wound in Morocco suggest about the basic health and hygiene standards around the world?
• How important is the reoccurring motif of guns in the film? What message do you believe the director is trying to convey about the use of guns in the world we live in?
• Do you believe that the film was effective in presenting an authentic or realistic view of our world? Why or why not.

The word limit for this post is approximately 300 - 350, but feel free to exceed this limit - there is a lot to discuss. I promise I'll read it!

This post is due to be posted up on your blog by Thursday 17th Feb.