India 3

Here is an excerpt from CV's paper. What are its strengths? How could he empower it?


"In India the class system is very drastic and there is barely any chance of anyone advancing out of the class they were born into. All people must respect and obey the responsibilities of the class and they must honor the burden given to them since birth. In the ideas explained in the writing Buddhism and Caste, the caste system is very important for some people and for most Indians, but in this passage one man thinks differently from the rest and fights against the caste system. 'First, Assalayana, you based your claim on birth, then you gave up birth for learning, and finally you have come round to my way of thinking, that all four classes are equally pure!' Even though it is very possible to argue for the purity of all the Indian classes in the system, the values of the people are based on the thought that some are better than others. This passage captures the essence of the possible change and the undeniable truth."

India 2

Here is an excerpt from KR's paper. What are its strengths? How could he empower it?


"Much of the contradictions and fighting in India was powered by a sense that the fight was for a greater good. That value by Indians of all of its many groups is portrayed in The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as the man who assassinated Gandhi believed he did what was necessary for India's well-being. On the bright side, this belief meant that Indians truly cared about what happened in India. On the other hand though it led to much conflict as a result of the differences among Indians. All of the different ideas in India was fueled by a belief that they are the 'Truth' (Brahman and Atman 2). This value of Indians may be their most important in that it fuels other ideas and actions particularly in regards to fighting. Righteousness drives everyone and especially Indians."

India 1

Here is an excerpt from JD's essay.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

"These values are tested in 'The Tiger' when concerning to the relationship between the woman and the tiger.  People were very close minded.  But Fatime shows uncommon characteristics of acceptance and peace.  She is the only one who realizes that the Tiger causes no harm.  Because she is the protagonist, the audience tends to sympathize with her.  Thus, they learn of Indian morals through the kindness of Fatima.  'For some reason, unlike the people around her, she didn't want the tiger hunted and killed.'  The diction choice is purposeful here.  The phrase 'for some reason' suggests that she is unsure of her values, but subconsciously she shows Indian right-brained values.  She is very original and open.  The similarities of the Tiger and Fatima inflict an appeal to pathos through birth and oddly death.  The story is a great example of Indian values because it has an appeal, and because Fatima is controversial.  Her unlikely opinion helps strengthen the opinion of the reader toward Fatima because she is less relatable to her tribe and more relatable to modern culture."

Africa Synthesis 5

This is an excerpt from CV's paper.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

"Diversity is a ood things; without it, there would be no self esteem or pride.  It is a pitiful thing for one country to fantasize about taking over the others.  The ideas of all societies differ and it is important that they differ.  When a hostile culture goes awry and wishes itself the strongest, it is compromising millions of ideas an objects that hold meaning to the millions of people living there.  In Moo-Bone Madness. regions are at war.  Ideas of both sides are being clashed and pitted against each other in the glorious and horrific act of war.  'The British commander decided it was time to crush the Zaghawa once and for all.  he set out in a fleet of armored cars, carrying guns.  En route other tribes fled from these terrible monsters as they saw them .. and rode out on horseback to meet his enemy.'  The chief and the commander are put against each other and the ideas clash, this causes great upset between the two, for they are too different from one another and being different must be a bad thing.  With this fight over the plot of thought, only many will vanquish.  No side will win."

Africa Synthesis 4

Here is an excerpt from WS's paper.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

"Assia Djebar, author of Growing Up in Algeria, was not involved in any bloody conflict between France and Algeria, but she was involved in a crisi of soul.  Assia was one of very few who met a favorable opportunity for education in Africa.  She attended both a French school and an Arab school in her youth, and was trying to explore differences between traditional Arab schooling methods (she was 'linked to it' from birth) and innovative, interesting French methods.  She writes, 'As a young teenager I enjoy the exhilarating hours spent every Thursday in training one the sports field (at the French school) ... Bit how can I tell my father that it's compulsory for me to wear shorts, in other words, I have to show my legs?'  The first problem of acculturation is that it may break inhabitants of Africa away from their respective tribal customs (like Assia) in a continent in which culture is based heavily on tradition."

Africa Synthesis 3

Here is an excerpt from KR's paper.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

"Religion has been the cause of many problems, especially in regards to assimilation by a foreign power.  The imposition of a completely foreign and not relatable religion can cause much confusion and strife.  Such was the case in Growing Up in Algeria.  Assia Djebar, as a child, was caught up in whether to follow an Arabic or European viewpoint.  She attended a foreign school that taught her French and all about France's customs.  Her family though was Arabic and she felt much confusion and shame over what to believe and practice as a result of the assimilation of foreigners.  'At the age when I should be veiled already, I can still move about freely thanks to the French school ...' (Djebar 2).  This statement by Djebar shows her thankfulness to the French while at the same time, in regards to her Quranic teacher, she says, 'I was struck by the elegance of his bearing ...' (Djebar 4).  These differing claims prove the many problems, especially for children, caused by assimilation."

Africa Synthesis 2

Here is JD's intro.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

"Acculturation is the slow blend of one nation's language, propensities and beliefs, or simply culture, to another nation's.  Acculturation tends to not be positive.  It is shown in three particular stories about Africa that it causes problems.  The problem, told in 'Generose' and 'There's No Beer in Saudi Arabia' and restated in 'Casting with a Fragile Thread' is that it causes for a lack of identity in each individual.  This lack of identity causes a lust for identity which leads to chaotic and pointless conflict and forces people with differing beliefs to tolerate each other.  That lack of opinion causes bitter resentment."

Africa Synthesis 1

Here is an excerpt from JC's paper.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

"There are many problems with acculturation demonstrated in the story Growing Up in Algeria by Assia Djebar.  First and foremost, the main problem of acculturation is the loss of cultural self.  'At an age when I should be veiled already, I can still move about freely thanks to the French school ... my body is caught in invisible snares ... my mother ... let out a semi-barbaric ' you you.'  By having acculturation, one is subject to lose what one already has.  Throughout the story, the author continually seems to in a way look down on her own people.  'Every prize I obtained strengthened my solidarity with my own family ... in a word to move about out of doors like a Muslim nun!'  This can be attributed to acculturation.  The author always compares the French school to the Arab, and almost always favors the French schooling.  By doing this, she gains the knowledge and love for the French culture.  But by doing this, she also becomes less and less one of her own people.  She starts to become a people she is not, and forgets her original teaching.  To get you must give is an old quote and this is not something worth giving.  If everyone in every culture did the same thing this girl is doing, the consequences would be disastrous.  People would lose their original cultural identity.  There would be losses of entire civilizations, cultures, and people.  The threat of acculturation is real and looming; it is important for one ot remember where one has come from and respect that."

African Comparison 2

Here is an excerpt from WSc's paper.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

"In 'Apprenticeship,' several antagonists are being interviewed about their history committing genocidal acts.  Many of them horrifyingly speak of their actions in a rather off the cuff and informal matter, like killing people is somehow not a big deal.  The antagonists make several connections that lead to to their main purpose.  One of these is the connection they make between jobs and killing.  One of the men interviewed likens cutting men with a machete to cutting firewood, vines, and animals.  'The blade, when you use it to cut branch, animal, or man, it has nothing to say' (Hatzfeld).  Another connection is the connection between killing and a skill.  The interviewees say that handling a machete is a skill, and that you can be good at senseless killing.   Overall, the antagonists' main purpose is to distract from the fact that they are senselessly killing, and make it sound like killing was their duty, a job that they had to do.  They also portray it as a skill, something to be valued if you are good at it.  They are generally effective at this.  When you read accounts of people doing these horrible things so many times, your brain almost accepts it as being okay and normal."

Africa Comparison

Here is an excerpt from KR's essay.  What are its strengths?  How can he empower it?

"The techniques employed by each individual to get their purpose across also varied.  in terms of appeal, Bashir definitely leaned more towards pathos while Eli, along with his comrades, turned to ethos mixed with some logos.  It is clear from the very beginning of Bashir's argument, mentioned 'screams' and 'pain' in the first paragraph that she wants to evoke a sense of sympathy from her audience.  Elie's direct statements, instead, point to the characters and values that drove people to commit certain actions.  He tell how people learned to do things, even interpreting events into a sort of proverb: 'In the end a man is like an animal: you give him a whack on the head or the neck, and down he goes ' (Hatzfeld 2).  Such a statement is a way for Elie to prove his background and knowledge which relate to ethos and logos.  Bashir's entire argument is portrayed through a slight narration which almost always are pathos related."

Africa Analysis 3 Conclusion

Here is CV's conclusion.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

"Ancient Africa and its ethics and thoughts are directly connected to our modern ideas.  African studies are also very connected around ancient ideas, gods, and art.  These concepts are shown in the passages The Duel, The Chair Carrier, and Loot.  African research is basically the continuum of the search for answers that ancient people started all those years ago, and knowing the traditions and ways of those people gives excellent insight into that cause."

Africa Analysis 2

Here is an example from WSc's argument.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

"Another way ancient history is vital to African studies is through sayings and proverbs.  Flags have always been important in Ghanian society, mostly in military campaigns.  However, the vivid symbolism in the depiction of the Asafo flags makes these flags special.  Each flag is connected to a certain Ghanian proverb, sending a message directed to a specific group pf [people.  One example of this is a flag that says 'When an elephant steps on a trap, no more trap' (Dueling Flags).  The proverb is a warning to everyone who may want to dethrone the chief or the one in control.   In every proverb displayed on the flags, we can learn new things about the philosophy of the people who made the proverbs.  Things that they find admirable, their way of being of themselves, and tradition dating back to the ancient times is all would up into one proverb, and indirectly a flag.  All of this ancient history formed into something tangible is similar to other things around Africa, using the ancient history and creating it into something meaningful, such as the proverbs."

Africa Analysis

Here is an excerpt from KR's paper.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

"History must be studies globally, especially that of African as the rest of the world can cause profound effects on just one area of it.  The role of different groups in African particularly Europeans, has resulted in a unique African history that is still studied today,  The arguments presented in Loot show how the struggle for power within Egypt has caused much tension and shaped its entire political system and beliefs.  'Egyptians were considered too primitive to study such a sophisticated science' (Waxman 57).  This European belief caused a beautiful sculpture to leave the hands of the once great culture that created it,.  Also, the use of the English flag within certain African flags as shown in Dueling Banners is another display of the great influence Europeans had over Africa,  To study Africa without regard to the role the rest of the world played in it would be ignorant and not leave much to study seeing as how Africa was occupied by Europeans for so long.  The world caused major effects on Africa that still exist today and are major parts of its long history."

Introduction

Here is an excerpt from WJ's introduction.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

"While reading the assigned documents, one may find lots of information regarding African culture and African education.  For instance, in the document "The Duel," the author narrates a story that teaches the reader about the origin beliefs of Egypt.  In the document "The Chair Carrier," the author narrates a story from his point of view.  The story describes how important faith is to the Carrier and how everyone is oblivious to his devotion carrying the chair.  From "Sundiata," the importance of the griot is revealed.  Without the griot, there would be no morals to be learned, there would be no lessons to be taught, and there would be no progress to better our world.  From African studies, one can find lessons on devotion, religion, and morals.  These three components make up the unique civilizations that we know today, and they teach us about the culture and the spiritual wellbeing of the African people."

Quote 4 Response

Here is an excerpt from WSh's paper.  What are the strengths of his argument?  How could he empower it?

'The flower looks up high to see only the light, and never looks down to see its shadow.  This is a wisdom which man must learn.'

"This proverb from Kahlil Gibran is basically a message of living in the present and focusing on potential, rather than reflecting on what you have become.  It implies that we should always strive to be more; being content will lead to mediocrity in our lives.  It could also imply that we must make memories in our lives while we can and not just remember those that have been rehashed time and time again.  I view this proverb as a sort of bang-for-your-buck type message: pack as much life into your life as you can; waiting for others and living in the past or your glory days will leave much unfulfilled.

...

This proverb also holds true for Shirin Ebadi.  Shirin was a relentless advocate for rights for all, especially women and children.  She served as a glimmer of hope for millions living lives of despair.  Shirin was the flower that saw the light even when there was none, and then she became the light for others.  Instead of being content with seeing her shadow like many other Iranian women, she refused to stick to the script and became a world-famous lawyer and activist.  She eventually won a Nobel Prize for her efforts and is a terrific living example of this proverb."

Quote 3 Response

Here is an excerpt from KR's paper.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

'The eternal soul is never contented; it ever seeks exaltation.'

"Human curiosity has been a big factor in the development of the modern world.  Most people would agree that everyone is curious, even from the time of birth, playing with all sorts of toys and objects.  This nature, it can be said, is a part of a unique trait of humans that in the case is called a soul.  Even if one does not believe that humans have this spiritual soul, he must agree that all humans have this questioning nature within them.  Seeing as how that soul is never contented, it can be said that whatever it is that the soul is lacking, may be discovered in knowledge.  Knowledge represents power in the material world.  Many religions believe knowledge is just as powerful in a spiritual world.  Therefore, this everlasting soul is always desiring more knowledge because it can never truly know enough, just as the proverb states.  If humans were content with what they know, research and education would not be conducted, yet they still persist.  Knowledge is what runs the world and as a result, the human soul will forever desire it."

Quote 2 Response

Here is an excerpt from WJ's paper.  What are the strengths of his argument?  How could he empower it?

'Old age is the snow of the earth; it must, through light and truth, give warmth to the seeds of youth below, protecting them from and fulfilling their purpose until spring comes and completes the growing pure life of youth with new awakening.'

"In the article Chronicle of Solomon bar Simpson, many Jewish people are slaughtered by Christians seeking revenge for Jesus' death upon the cross, even though that act was committed many generations before these massacres.  Why did the Christians still feel the need to avenge Jesus by killing thousands of people?  Did Jesus tell them to?  No, he did not!  There are probably countless of others explanations for their barbaric reasoning,m but I believe that the one that stands out on top is just one variable: 'How were these people raised?'"

Quote 1 Response

Here is an excerpt from JDs argument.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower it?

'The eternal could is never contented; it ever seeks exaltation.'

"Kahlil Gibran said this in his Thoughts and Meditations.  I partially agree and disagree with his words.  When he speaks about the eternal soul, he is talking about our subconscious, our true desire.  Our eternal soul looks beyond expectations and decorum.  But I believe that he is also talking about our present state of mind.  He should not only speak of our eternal soul, but also our current desire.  I strongly believe that there is little difference in our sould and body, aside from exultation."

Synthesis Iran

Here is an excerpt from W Sh's paper.  What are the strengths of his argument?  How could he empower it?

"Sultan, the protagonist in 'Burning Books' is an enemy of the government in that he sells illegal propaganda.  This propoaganda is in the form of narratives.  All the opinions he held, all the beliefs he had, were subject to imprisonment, yet he continued to get his message out through books.  The uneducated Talban soldiers who seized Sultan's bookshop could not read, and did not help the economy of modernize Iran, but they knew that Sultan influenced many educated Iranians.  His narratives were such an essential part of Iranian culture that they influenced many political stances and Sultan made a name for himself through narratives."

Synthesis Iran

Here is an excerpt from KR's paper.  What are the strengths of his argument?  How could he empower it?

"Informing outsiders of a certain culture is necessary in preserving that culture's beliefs.  Iranian culture is so dynamic and rich that it provides a most opportune topic for authors to write about.  Unfortunately, as mentioned through The Bookseller of Kabul, the author mentions how precious books and artifacts were destroyed containing valuable information about Iran's culture and history.  'They [the foot soldiers] hacked at the sculptures till only the plinth remained' (Seierstad 20).  The author';s goal throughout the passage is to ensure his precious books remain intact.  While describing his journey, the author provides valuable information about Iranian culture and the Taliban as they were very involved in his mission to save other books of history.  In Arabian Nights as well as Censoring an Iranian Love Story, both provide information into Iranian culture.  The intimate details about the author or main character's lives all relate to practices and beliefs of Iran and therefore, those passages help to educate the reader better about Iranian principles."

Synthesis Iran 1

Here is an excerpt from JB's paper.  What are its strengths?  How could he empower his argument?

"In the fable of Hamza and Amar, the author describes a visit the two friends make to a garden, where things go awry.  The fable introduces the moral of staying your ground, not having to give in or prove yourself.  Although the story was translated into English, one can clearly see the Iranian literary culture instilled within.  The English translation uses a complex diction, choosing intricate words that are not used in everyday conversation.  It is likely that this was a deliberate move, as it would be odd to use such ornate language in the English translation unless the original text employed it as well.  Considering this move by the translators, it seems that the story has retained its purest form possible, reflecting the author's original intent.  It does this more so than either of the other two passages.  Normal western narratives would have used a much more concise diction, keeping the words they use short and sweet,  This provides an almost blunt tone in some instances, and can get mundane after long periods of reading.  The flowing, eloquent touch that this Iranian passage has provides a welcome change from the usual westernized style of writing.  While the diction of the passage provides an ample look at Iranian literary style, other elements of the story contribute as well."