Virtual Borders and Converging Cultures

It's a Book

2012-01-16T16:10:00.002-05:00

Ok, so how do you know a book is a book? I asked my students that question last week and received quite a few "are you crazy" stares, but . . . it took awhile for them to come up with an explanation. Perhaps the problem is that in this day and age reading books in "book" format is becoming a thing of the past. So, watch the trailer for a very interesting little "book". Here is the trailer to a

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas Study Guide - Ursula K. Le Guin - eNotes.com

2012-01-10T19:49:00.001-05:00

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas Study Guide - Ursula K. Le Guin - eNotes.com"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" is Ursula K. Le Guin's allegorical tale about a Utopian society in which Omelas' happiness is made possible by the sacrifice of one child for the sake of the group. In an allegory, many symbols and images are used in an attempt to illustrate universal truths about life.

Test Yourself English

2011-08-17T11:50:00.005-04:00

In this course we will use the New York Times as one of our "texts". The NYT has many lessons and resources prepared for student use. For example: Can you answer this question?

Student Opinion: How Do You Prepare to go Back to School?

2011-08-17T11:43:00.002-04:00

By SHANNON DOYNE "In some parts of the United States, summer vacation is over for students. Everywhere else, that first day of school is days or weeks away. What are you doing–or what have you done–to get ready? What supplies do you need? Are you buying new clothing and shoes? Who goes shopping with you?" Read more . . .

Minister and wife plead guilty to forced labor of African woman | ajc.com

2011-07-09T10:32:00.000-04:00

Minister and wife plead guilty to forced labor of African woman | ajc.com

United States should lead the world in recognizing peaceful, democratic Somaliland | SomalilandPress.com

2010-07-21T09:16:00.001-04:00

Published in "Somaliland Press" July 20, 2010Somalia recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence, but most Somalis have nothing to celebrate. Somalia ranks as the world’s most utterly failed state. Today, 3 million people are desperately in need of food, 1.4 million have been displaced and 750,000 survive on humanitarian relief.United States should lead the world in recognizing

Haiti at Six Months

2010-07-17T09:47:00.001-04:00

New York Times Editorial, June 16, 2010Six months after Haiti’s earthquake, the situation is bleak. Of the 1.5 million people displaced, 28,000, so far, have been moved to safer transitional housing. The rest huddle in tents and pray that the next rains won’t wash their meager belongings away. Crime is resurgent and everyone is desperate for some sign of recovery. Read more . . . Haiti at Six

Haitian Orphans Have Little but One Another

2010-07-06T07:59:00.005-04:00

By DEBORAH SONTAGPublished: July 5, 2010CROIX-DES-BOUQUETS, Haiti — More than five months after the earthquake that killed her single mother, Daphne Joseph, 14, lost her bearings a second time when she was forced to leave the makeshift orphanage where she had felt at home.Read more:Click here to read article

Bringing Cinema to Haitian Tent Camps

2010-06-23T08:37:00.006-04:00

From the New York Times:In Haiti, a handful of organizations are racing to produce programming that entertains and informs the hundreds of thousands of displaced people living in camps without televisions or radios.Question: What types of films and TV spots are selected for viewing and how might this impact Haitian culture?To view the audio slide show click here : Watch Haitian Cinema in Tent

Playing for Change - Peace Through Music

2010-04-09T06:36:00.002-04:00

Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the

With Sharp Satire, Enfant Terrible Challenges Czech Identity

2010-02-02T09:34:00.001-05:00

As you read this article, see if you can find the rationale behind the Czech reluctance to use documentation for confirming acceptance, receipt of monies, etc.An interesting random article on Czech art and identity.

China to Scan Text Messages to Spot ‘Unhealthy Content’

2010-01-20T11:30:00.000-05:00

A post from the Global New York Times: BEIJING — As the Chinese government expands what it calls a campaign against pornography, cellular companies in Beijing and Shanghai have been told to suspend text services to cellphone users who are found to have sent messages with “illegal or unhealthy content,” state-run news media reported Tuesday. Click here to read moreFood for thought . . . how does

Trying to Sway America's Cuba Policy With Song

2009-12-29T09:01:00.002-05:00

Trying to Sway America’s Cuba Policy With Song By GINGER THOMPSONA movement by artists, scholars and businessmen is trying to change United States policy toward Cuba from the bottom up. Click here for audio video: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/12/25/world/americas/20091225-CUBA/index.html

Starbucks' "Love Project"

2009-12-28T09:41:00.003-05:00

In the spirit of Mark Johnson's "Playing for Change: Peace Through Music" Starbucks' Love Project uses music to help provide AIDS relief in Africa. Please click on the link and help provide help to Africa. Each "hit" sends help to AIDS victims in Africa.Click here to view video . . .

52 Children recovered from Child PRostitution Ring

2009-10-26T14:41:00.000-04:00

52 children recovered, 60 alleged child pimps arrested in crackdownOctober 26, 2009 1:57 p.m. EDT.(CNN) -- Law enforcement authorities have recovered 52 children and arrested 60 pimps allegedly involved in child prostitution, the FBI announced Monday.Read More here.......

Building a Peaceful Somalia

2009-10-19T09:23:00.004-04:00

After returning to Somalia in 2008 to aid victims of a drought, the locals asked Mohamed Aden to become their leader. In less than a year, he has transformed Adado, Somalia, into an enclave of peace...click here to read more about "An American-Somali'"s" Improbable Return (NYTimes online)

Finland First Country in World to make Internet Access a Right

2009-10-15T09:01:00.002-04:00

First we had "Human Rights", then came "Children's Rights", now are we on the threshold of "Internet Rights"?(CNN) -- Finland has become the first country in the world to declare broadband Internet access a legal right.

"Where the Hell Is Matt" - Dancing Around the World

2009-10-11T10:13:00.003-04:00

First we had "Playing for Change: Bringing Peace with Music", now we have Matt's dancing around the world...maybe he is bringing peace through dance?....... At any rate, it is great fun, so enjoy the video. Where the Hell is Matt? Matt's online journal is full of his musings about the people and places where he has danced. You may get some ideas for your research paper or presentations!

The Curse of Africa's Colonial Borders

2009-09-03T12:58:00.002-04:00

Borders -whether geographical, cultural, or virtual - are like fences; some people are kept in and some are kept out. Who are the 'gatekeepers' and how they control the flow of people is an interesting conundrum. The link below provides an insightful commentary on the border legacy in Africa.The Curse of Africa's Colonial Borders

Playing for Change: Episode 10 - Fannie Mae

2009-06-18T11:16:00.002-04:00

Quote of the day: "We met Grandpa Elliott on the corner of Toulouse and Royal Street in the French Quarter, his patented spot for performing. However, on this morning, there was some street construction happening which made it difficult for recording. So, we trudged our gear through the streets of the Quarter and found a quiet spot in the famous surroundings of Jackson Square. Slowly people

Louise Fresco: How to feed the whole world (the case for white bread)

2009-05-11T09:57:00.002-04:00

New! Playing for Change video - 2009

2009-04-28T13:29:00.002-04:00

This is the YouTube spotlight for the day - Playing for Change:Song Around the World "War/No More Trouble"

Rescue of the Child Soldiers

2009-04-24T13:37:00.004-04:00

Click on the link below to view the video.Delivering the Invisible Children's letters - this video documents attempts to find the families of four child soldiers in Uganda.Remember to Rescue the Invisible Children - Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Turner Field.

The Faces of Child Brides

2009-04-23T11:59:00.002-04:00

This video by Stephanie Sinclair is an update on the status of her earlier photos of child brides in Afghanistan. The problem continues as young girls try to burn themselves to death in protest.The Faces of Child Brides in Afghanistan - Stephanie Sinclair

Invisible Children Day

2009-04-22T18:18:00.003-04:00

Commercial Spot 30sec from Invisible Children Europe on Vimeo.Come join the movement in Downtown Atlanta - Saturday, April 25th.

Intangible Culture: Art as a Tribal Experience

2009-04-17T06:52:00.003-04:00

Today we are spotlighting "Intangible Culture: Art as a Tribal Experience". This video is part of Ali Perry's (P5) research project presentation on how digital media represents the culture of Papua New Guinea. Watch and enjoy!Intangible Culture: Art as a Tribal Experience - 8 min. 40 sec.

Buccaneers and Pirates in the 21st Century

2009-04-14T10:08:00.004-04:00

Piracy and International Jurisdiction are old questions, but the recent acts of piracy off the coast of Somali have raised the issue in a twenty-first century context.This article gives some of the legal basics surrounding the argument over universal jurisdiction for pirates who seize vessels in international waters.

China Reopens Tibet

2009-03-31T09:57:00.001-04:00

Chinese officials have announced that foreign visitors will once again be allowed to travel to Tibet and that this new travel policy will go into effect on April 5, 2009. Read more.....China reopens Tibet to foreigners

Anime Enlisted to Help Combat Human Trafficking Joint MTV and USAID Project enters New Phase

2009-03-16T14:31:00.003-04:00

On March 16, 2009, U.S. based television network MTV officially announced the release of a new anime video designed to raise awareness about human trafficking in Asia.Read more: "Anime Enlisted to Help Combat Human Trafficking: Joint MTV and USAID Project enters New Phase" - http://international-human-rights.suite101.com/article.cfm/anime_enlisted_to_help_combat_human_trafficking#ixzz09wWPnxIP

'Gentle' man sent to Uzbek labor camp

2009-03-10T11:26:00.003-04:00

Religious Repression in Uzbekistan ???Bad news in Uzbekistan....Human rights groups concerned for man sentenced to 8 years in a labor camp.Story Highlights Abdul Dadahanov jailed in Uzbekistan, accused of extremist religious activities American family recalls how the man wanted to aid healing after 9/11 Rights groups say Dadahanov is victim of crackdown on "

African Union Supports Delay in Darfur Case

2009-02-16T11:08:00.003-05:00

As in any case, there are two sides of an argument: "On Monday, February 02, 2009, the leaders and representatives of 53 African nations accepted the Sudanese president´s pleas to have the war crimes case against him delayed, if not suspended... " read on @ African Union Supports...

Africa - Arrest for war crimes in Darfur

2009-02-16T11:00:00.002-05:00

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 11 -- The International Criminal Court's pretrial judges have decided to issue a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's Darfur region, according to an official at the United Nations. read more @ Arrest warrant for Sudan's Bashir

Kosovo Enters a New Year on Shaky Ground

2009-02-10T10:52:00.001-05:00

Cold War Style Politics Add to Problems with SerbiaAlmost a decade after the 1999 conflict between ethnic Albanian guerillas and Serbian forces; Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008.Click here to read this article

Great underground music in Atlanta

2009-02-09T15:46:00.002-05:00

" Music soared and people grooved during a recent performance by one of the hidden gems of the Atlanta music scene..." Click on the link if interested. Enjoy the change of pace.http://pop-music.suite101.com/article.cfm/kings_of_the_bar

Press Release - from ICC on First Trial

2009-01-26T12:54:00.000-05:00

Coalition for the International Criminal Courtwww.iccnow.orgFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GLOBAL COALITION FOR THE ICC LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE AND BLOGBlog, "In Situ: See Justice through the Eyes of Civil Society," Offers Grassroots Perspectives on ICC's First Trial26 January 2009. Today, the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, a network of civil society organizations in

Update on ICC trial of leader of Child Soldiers in Congo

2009-01-26T11:25:00.013-05:00

As the ICC prepares its first trial in the Hague, the international community works to bring evidence against Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, the ex-militia leader accused of forcing children in the Congo to fight in the war.Ex-militia leader denies forcing children to fight in Congo war.Related story:U.N. and Rwandan troops in Congo for joint operation

Victims or Collateral Damage?

2009-01-21T15:13:00.003-05:00

Expanding on today's topic of legal jurisdiction and human rights, the following link offers an interesting insight into the conflict in Gaza. The question that comes to mind is "at what point do civilian casualties of a territorial conflict become victims of a war crime? Who has jurisdiction and who makes the decision? Read the article below for an interesting discussion.Possible War Crimes in

Obama's Inaugural Speech

2009-01-20T14:42:00.002-05:00

For those of you who may not have been able to watch the Inaugural Address, below is a link to the text of President Obama's speech.Text of 2009 Inaugural AddressFor those of you who did watch and listen to the speech, let us all hope that we can work together to bring peace and renewed prosperity to both the nation and the world.

Commander of Child Soldiers on Trial

2009-01-16T18:12:00.003-05:00

As we research the impact of digital media on global cultures, it is important to also keep in mind the role of the law in eradicating child abuse. One deterrent is to find and prosecute the adult perpetrators of these crimes. The link following this blog entry is a report on how one Congolese commander of child soldiers has been placed on trial. By reading this article, you will help spread

Keep up with the News

2009-01-09T12:24:00.003-05:00

You may have noticed that the box to the right of this blog post is continuously updated with an international news feed. The news items are chosen randomly by an rss news feed and do not necessarily reflect my personal views. However, the articles do present a variety of news written from multiple perspectives and and the news feed is not affiliated with CNN, Fox, BBC or any one private or

Celebrating Epiphany

2009-01-07T11:35:00.002-05:00

Religious holidays have cultural implications that impact business and other international affairs. In Latin America and the Spanish speaking Caribbean, particularly, Three Kings Day or Epiphany is an important holiday. Think of some ways that this might impact communication and business with those regions. Links:AJC - Celebrating Ephiphany (General)Village Voice - Fresh Rosca de Reyes (Mexico)

Virtual Borders or Digital Divide

2009-01-06T09:59:00.001-05:00

Reading to be discussed Wednesday, January 7, 2009:Virtual Borders or Digital Divide

Blog Post

2008-12-26T12:55:00.000-05:00

You may post questions and concerns for the course in this space.