Blog Post #3 Graffiti

In class we watched a short documentary about the role of graffiti during the Arab Spring (available at: http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/listeningpost/2012/07/201272271458916839.html ).
Now, look at the role of graffiti in Colombia, Argentina, Honduras, and Brazil & comment on
another student’s Blog Post. Answer the following question:

Which country’s graffiti (Colombia, Argentina, Honduras, Brazil, Egypt or Libya) do you feel has the biggest impact on society? Explain why, and comment on another person’s blog post.

 Colombia: http://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2012/sep/10/graffiti-bogota-colombia-pictures 

 Argentina: http://www.aljazeera.com/video/americas/2013/08/20138514298675371.html 

 Honduras: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/06/20136131358438705.html 

 Brazil: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/08/11/magazine/Look_Brazil.html?_r=2&

Blog Post #2 Racism

The Assignment

Watch this video about racism against AfroColombians post your response to the following question:



What do you think Maria Rondon, the director of the movie Pelo Malo, would say about the information given in the videos. After you have responded to that prompt, you may include some of your own thoughts & you must comment on another student’s Blog Post. This assignment is worth 1 homework point. You must write a post on your own blog AND comment on somebody else's blog in order to get the point.

Good luck! I look forward to reading what you have to say.

Extra
Here are some extra videos about the subject that you can watch if you are interested. This is not part of your grade, but will help provide a context.



A History:




Melissa Harris-Perry Program:

Blog Post 1 - Bangkok's Mexican Gangsters

In class we read about cultural appropriation. Now it's time for your comments on the issue.
Read about “Bangkok’s ‘Mexican’ Gangsters” here, post your response to the following question:

What similarities and differences do you see between this video, and the description of cultural appropriation on page 52 of your textbook? When you have answered this question, you may also add your opinion. Then, comment on another student’s blog post.

Your response is worth 1 quiz grade. To get one point, you must write a blog post AND respond to another student's blog post. There are no half points. This blog post is due by midnight on Tuesday, March 24.

Colombian Culture Videos

Your next project is to create videos about some aspect of Colombian culture. Here are some online resources that can help you:

Editing video: www.real.com/resources/free-video-editing-software 
Subtitling: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTC3CM3RuF4 
Removing background noise: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMyFl3YgebY

All the instructions are posted under "Contenido" on Blackboard. 

Here are some videos for inspiration:

1. A Mockumentary (a joke documentary) about plastic bags. 

2. How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse. 

Get creative! Check the "Speaking Rubrics" in "Contenido" so you know how you will be graded. 

Day 1

Why Blog?

This is our class blog for Intercultural Communications at the Instituto de Idiomas at la Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia. This blog is a collaborative discussion space, and an extension of the classroom. You´re encouraged to reflect in more depth, in writing, on themes touched upon in class. With our class blog, you´ll write for a real audience that, apart from the teacher, will include your peers, students from other classes, and potentially anyone with access to the Internet.

Our class blog will help foster a feeling of community between the members of this class. Also, a blog is a good way to earn participation points even if you´re normally too shy to talk in class. Completing a blog assignment counts towards your homework and participation grade. This blog will be the "mother" blog for the class where all blog writing promptswill be posted for students. Each student will have his or her own unique blog where he or she will respond to the initial post made by the teacher. Your blogs will be linked to this blog and listed in a separate post.

What Should You Do in Class Today?

1. Create your blog according to the instructions on page 206.
2. Post your blog website (the url) in the comments section below, so that your instructor can collect a list of all the blogs.
3. Now that you've created your blog in class, let's practice posting by introducing yourself. Tell us your name, major, hobbies, and something about yourself that helps to define your own personal culture.
4. After you introduce yourself, make a comment on two of your classmates' blogs. The comment should be sincere and written according to academic standards. Do not just say "hi, nice blog." Instead, respond to something they wrote. Ask a question or share your opinion. 

My Sample Introduction:

My name is Emilia Cedercreutz, and I am currently teaching English at the Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Atlántico, in Colombia. While my M.A. is in TESOL, my undergraduate degree is in History and Asian Studies with a special focus on India, and I enjoyed studying Spanish and Arabic as well. Dancing is one of my favorite things to do, and it has been really interesting to learn about all the different styles of dance here in Colombia. This year I danced with a "comparsa" in the carnival, both in the Batalla de Flores and in the Gran Parada. The weeks of preparation were a lot of fun. I like the weeks before carnival maybe more than carnival itself. I spent my childhood in Finland, my adolescence in the United States, and Colombia is now the third country I have the pleasure of living in. I like writing, and recently started a blog, making myself the promise to publish approximately once per month. http://placeandwords.wordpress.com/

In 2012 before I finished my MA, I got a scholarship to study Arabic in Oman for two months. I learned so much and the country is so beautiful. Most importantly, the people are really nice and hospitable. Here are some pictures: 

 

 

 


Look! In one of the pictures they are selling "Coco Frio" on the side of the road, just like here. Can you find it?