Here are a few books I've read lately that I recommend. Please post any you have heard of or have read and think would be helpful.
THE UNITED STATES OF EUROPE: The New Superpower and the End of American Supremacy, by T. R. Reid, 2004, Penguin.
MENACE IN EUROPE: Why the Continent's Crisis is America's Too, by Claire Berlinski, 2007, Three Rivers Press.
All annual editions of THE BEST AMERICAN TRAVEL WRITING, (editors vary depending on edition), Jason Wilson, series editor, Houghton Mifflin.
THE EUROPEAN DREAM: How Europe's Vision of the Future is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream, by Jeremy Rifkin, 2005, Penguin.
For some basic language skills, I recommend the DUMMY series of books. It may sound dumb, but I find them very helpful. ANY foreign language training you can do before the trip will be helpful -- books, CDs, media, etc. If you have some background, do some refresher work. If you have none at all, start from the beginning and take a few baby steps. It's worth it. Europeans love it when you TRY!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
DUE DATES FOR ON-LINE ASSIGNMENTS
These four on-line assignments are due no later than March 10. There will be no exceptions.
STUDY GUIDE FOR CHAPTER IN HALE BOOK
Please write a 500-word report on your assigned chapter in the Hale book. The point of this is to help all of you when studying for the exam in Oxford. You may share a book with others. In fact, you probably don't want to carry it with you to Oxford, since it's quite thick. Post your report to this blog.
EASTER BREAK OR TOUR DESTINATION REPORT
Create a report with the following information: How would you get to this destination? (Cite methods of transport, prices, etc.) What is there to see and do when you get there? Tell us a little about the history and culture, etc., of the place. Feel free to use photos, maps, etc. Cite all your sources (use at least three). Be sure to proofread!! Include links to relevant Websites. Since I can't link to PowerPoints from this blog, please e-mail it to me and I'll forward it to everyone in the group.
MERCHANT OF VENICE ASSIGNMENT
View the 2004 movie, starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, directed by Michael Radford
(This movie should be available at most video stores or through Netflix.com)
Read one essay or review about the play
Read one essay or review about the movie
Write a 500-word report discussing the following:
Cite three or four ways in which the movie differs from Shakespeare's original play. Which ones improve on it and which do not, in your opinion? What, in your opinion, is this play really about? What did the reviewers have to say that you found most interesting? Please cite your sources completely, so we can all find them if we wish. And remember, just citing a Web address is not a citation. That's like giving us the address of the New York Times when you quote from an article instead of telling us the name of the publication.
Post your report to this blog.
(This movie should be available at most video stores or through Netflix.com)
Read one essay or review about the play
Read one essay or review about the movie
Write a 500-word report discussing the following:
Cite three or four ways in which the movie differs from Shakespeare's original play. Which ones improve on it and which do not, in your opinion? What, in your opinion, is this play really about? What did the reviewers have to say that you found most interesting? Please cite your sources completely, so we can all find them if we wish. And remember, just citing a Web address is not a citation. That's like giving us the address of the New York Times when you quote from an article instead of telling us the name of the publication.
Post your report to this blog.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
International Media Assignment
Read an article in an international publication (or view an international news show)
It may be about a European country or something published in a European news media about the United States.
Cite the article so we can find it and/or provide a link to it.
Write a 300-word summary and response. What did you learn about Europe from the article?
It may be about a European country or something published in a European news media about the United States.
Cite the article so we can find it and/or provide a link to it.
Write a 300-word summary and response. What did you learn about Europe from the article?
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
EUROSPRING WORKSHOP SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
EUROSPRING 2008: Pre-Trip Workshop (INTL 2200) 2 credits
December 19 and 20, 2007, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with on-line assignments
Course Website: www.eurospring08.blogspot.com
This purpose of this workshop is to prepare you for the life-changing journey you are about to take. We will be approaching everything from an interdisciplinary perspective. You will be presented with information and have opportunities for discussion about the following:
*The history, geography, literature, cultures, languages, and current events of Western Europe
*Group dynamics and your skills as team members
*Skills for documenting your experiences in a meaningful way
Required Texts and other materials:
John Hale, The Civilisation of Europe in the Renaissance (Fontana p/back; ISBN 00686 175 X).
Louise Mengelkoch and Andrea Kroll, ed., The Journey That Matters, Vol. III, 2007. (Available at the BSU bookstore or at a reduced price from your instructor.)
International news sources from the World-Wide Web as assigned.
Any edition of “The Merchant of Venice,” by William Shakespeare. Have this readby the first day and be prepared for a quiz.
Schedule of Activities:
December 19
9:00 Introductions, statement of goals
10:00 Science in the Renaissance - Prof. John Truedson
11:00 Shakespeare – Prof. Patrick Carriere
12:00 Lunch – Indian Curry (Great Britain’s national dish)
European dining etiquette
1:00 First ½ of The Merchant of Venice
2:00 Journal & travel essay writing – Louise Mengelkoch
3:00 Break
3:30 The Parliamentary System – Prof. Patrick Donnay
4:30 Test on names
5:00 Dismissal
December 20
9:00 European news media – Louise Mengelkoch
10:00 Renaissance Art - Dr. Kent Nerburn
11:00 Geography of England - Prof. Mike Garrett
12:00 Lunch on your own
1:30 French, German and Italian: Survival phrases – Prof. Kathy Meyer
2:30 The European Union – Prof. Tom Beech
3:30 Second ½ of The Merchant of Venice
5:00 dismissal
Online assignments:
1. Read the script of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (available at most large bookstores or from Amazon.com or online)
View the 2004 movie, starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, and directed by Michael Radford
(Available at most video stores or through Netflix.com)
Read one review or essay about the play
Read one review of the movie
Write a 500-750 word report discussing the following questions:
Cite three or four ways in which the movie differs from Shakespeare's original play. Which ones improve on it and which ones do not, in your opinion?
What, in your opinion, is this play about?
What did the reviewers have to say that you found most interesting?
2. Report on Easter Break destination (to be posted on Blog)
Create a report with the following information: How would you get to this destination? (methods of transport, prices, etc.) What is there to see and do when you get there? Prices, etc. Tell us a little about the history and culture, etc. of the place. Feel free to use photos, maps, etc. Cite all your sources (use at least three) Be sure to proofread!!! Include links to relevant Websites.
*Report on Continental tour destination (to be posted on Blog)
3. Study Guide for chapter in Hale book
Part 2, Ch. I: The Discovery of Europe (pp. 3-50)
Ch. II: The Countries of Europe (pp. 51-93)
Ch. III: The Divisions of Europe (pp. 94-142)
Ch. IV: Traffic (pp. 143-184)
Part 2: Renaissance
Ch. V: Transformations (pp. 189-281)
Ch. VI: Transmissions (pp. 282-350)
Part 3: Civilization
Ch. VII: Civility (pp. 355-419)
Ch. VIII: Civility in Danger? (pp. 420-463)
Ch. IX: The Control of Man (pp. 464-508)
Ch. X: The Taming of Nature (pp. 509-583)
Epilogue: Our Age (pp. 585-592)
Eater Break destinations:
The Cotswolds
Edinburgh
Cambridge
Ireland
Wales
Lake District
London
Cornwall
Canal Trips
York
Other??
Continental Tour Destinations:
Paris
Lucerne
Florence
Orvieto
Rome
Venice
Salzburg
Munich
Dachau
Rhine
Nurnberg
Dover
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Bath
Stonehenge
Avebury
Salisbury
Ship town???
France
Switzerland
Italy
Austria
Germany
French
Italian
German
December 19 and 20, 2007, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with on-line assignments
Course Website: www.eurospring08.blogspot.com
This purpose of this workshop is to prepare you for the life-changing journey you are about to take. We will be approaching everything from an interdisciplinary perspective. You will be presented with information and have opportunities for discussion about the following:
*The history, geography, literature, cultures, languages, and current events of Western Europe
*Group dynamics and your skills as team members
*Skills for documenting your experiences in a meaningful way
Required Texts and other materials:
John Hale, The Civilisation of Europe in the Renaissance (Fontana p/back; ISBN 00686 175 X).
Louise Mengelkoch and Andrea Kroll, ed., The Journey That Matters, Vol. III, 2007. (Available at the BSU bookstore or at a reduced price from your instructor.)
International news sources from the World-Wide Web as assigned.
Any edition of “The Merchant of Venice,” by William Shakespeare. Have this readby the first day and be prepared for a quiz.
Schedule of Activities:
December 19
9:00 Introductions, statement of goals
10:00 Science in the Renaissance - Prof. John Truedson
11:00 Shakespeare – Prof. Patrick Carriere
12:00 Lunch – Indian Curry (Great Britain’s national dish)
European dining etiquette
1:00 First ½ of The Merchant of Venice
2:00 Journal & travel essay writing – Louise Mengelkoch
3:00 Break
3:30 The Parliamentary System – Prof. Patrick Donnay
4:30 Test on names
5:00 Dismissal
December 20
9:00 European news media – Louise Mengelkoch
10:00 Renaissance Art - Dr. Kent Nerburn
11:00 Geography of England - Prof. Mike Garrett
12:00 Lunch on your own
1:30 French, German and Italian: Survival phrases – Prof. Kathy Meyer
2:30 The European Union – Prof. Tom Beech
3:30 Second ½ of The Merchant of Venice
5:00 dismissal
Online assignments:
1. Read the script of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (available at most large bookstores or from Amazon.com or online)
View the 2004 movie, starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, and directed by Michael Radford
(Available at most video stores or through Netflix.com)
Read one review or essay about the play
Read one review of the movie
Write a 500-750 word report discussing the following questions:
Cite three or four ways in which the movie differs from Shakespeare's original play. Which ones improve on it and which ones do not, in your opinion?
What, in your opinion, is this play about?
What did the reviewers have to say that you found most interesting?
2. Report on Easter Break destination (to be posted on Blog)
Create a report with the following information: How would you get to this destination? (methods of transport, prices, etc.) What is there to see and do when you get there? Prices, etc. Tell us a little about the history and culture, etc. of the place. Feel free to use photos, maps, etc. Cite all your sources (use at least three) Be sure to proofread!!! Include links to relevant Websites.
*Report on Continental tour destination (to be posted on Blog)
3. Study Guide for chapter in Hale book
Part 2, Ch. I: The Discovery of Europe (pp. 3-50)
Ch. II: The Countries of Europe (pp. 51-93)
Ch. III: The Divisions of Europe (pp. 94-142)
Ch. IV: Traffic (pp. 143-184)
Part 2: Renaissance
Ch. V: Transformations (pp. 189-281)
Ch. VI: Transmissions (pp. 282-350)
Part 3: Civilization
Ch. VII: Civility (pp. 355-419)
Ch. VIII: Civility in Danger? (pp. 420-463)
Ch. IX: The Control of Man (pp. 464-508)
Ch. X: The Taming of Nature (pp. 509-583)
Epilogue: Our Age (pp. 585-592)
Eater Break destinations:
The Cotswolds
Edinburgh
Cambridge
Ireland
Wales
Lake District
London
Cornwall
Canal Trips
York
Other??
Continental Tour Destinations:
Paris
Lucerne
Florence
Orvieto
Rome
Venice
Salzburg
Munich
Dachau
Rhine
Nurnberg
Dover
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Bath
Stonehenge
Avebury
Salisbury
Ship town???
France
Switzerland
Italy
Austria
Germany
French
Italian
German
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