Week 16

Babel

I chose to watch the movie “Babel” which was made in 2006. The story of Babel takes place in many different countries, with many different people, but somehow their stories are all connected. In Morocco there is a goat farming family with two young boys who tend to the animals everyday. The father bought them a gun to protect the herd from predators, but the boys immaturely play with it and test its strength. Accidently, a bullet hits a tour bus and strikes an American woman (Susan) who fights for her life to survive while United States diplomats struggle to help her in a legally fitting way. Her husband (Richard) fights to help her and also to make sure his children are okay back home in the United States.

The children are being taken care of by their illegal immigrant nanny (Amelia) from Mexico. The nanny loves and cares for these children as if they were her own, but she was not expecting to have to care for the children for such a long period of time. Amelia was supposed to be relieved of the children by Susan’s sister because Amelia’s son was getting married in Mexico, but because of the shooting, the sister was not coming. Amelia was forced to take the children with her to Mexico for the evening while her nephew (Santiago) drove them back and forth. The wedding was splendid, but Amelia insisted on returning that evening because she wanted to children to be at home. She allowed Santiago to drive them, even though he was drunk, and when they tried to cross the border, their situation was too suspicious for border control so they were going to be detained. Because Santiago was drunk, he freaked out and took off into the United States desert. He drove off road for a while and dumped the children and Amelia on the side of the road. By morning, the three searched for help until it became so excruciatingly hot that Amelia told the children to lay in the shade while she searched for help. Upon finding help, she was arrested for the previous night’s misunderstandings and when she convinced the police to go find the children, they could not. Eventually they found them, but Amelia was deported back to Mexico.

In Japan was the story of Chieko who is a deaf school girl who is angry over the death of her mother. She is angry and destructive and living alone with her father who has been questioned in the death of her mother. When detectives come again for her father, she only assumes it’s regarding her mother’s death. Soon she founds out that they are questioning the fact that a gun registered in his name was involved in the shooting of a United States woman who is traveling in Morocco. All of a sudden, the four storylines are intertwined and there is a sense of unity evident.

Week 15

Part I

1. Alysia: felt that the town of Macondo and the Buendia family were both built on principles. As the town’s events affected the family, the family’s events affected the town. Strangely, this reminds me of how celebrities’ actions can affect people in a town they live in or visit.

2. Andrew: felt that a major occurring theme in “100 Years of Solitude” is that history is bound to repeat itself. It is made a point through Freire’s idea, that dialogue and education can make a change. However, with the Buendia family who was limited in both aspects, change did not happen.

3. Bryanna: believes there is a peaceful way to stop oppression and resolve conflict and that is through meaningful dialogue. This makes me think of how most problems and disagreements could be resolved by having a conversation that is open and constructive. Long standing oppression and conflict are a waste of time and energy.

4. Cory: thinks that one person alone can only change so much. This makes me think of environmental conservation efforts where smalls changes that an individual makes is not much, but if a group or society as a whole brings all their individual accomplishments together, then there is potential for great change.

5. Francisco: says that Latin Americans have been unable to carve out their own individual uniqueness, thereby destined to repeat their mistakes. I think this is true for any individual who does not address their mishaps and make adjustments to improve themselves. I feel self confidence makes people secure with themselves to be able to admit their mistakes and learn from them.

6. Jes: mentions how the people of Macondo become oppressed by other people’s influences. I feel this is true in any population because of how people want to fit in and be popular. Many individuals I know have become so oppressed in their life because they have lost their sense of self because they blend in with the rest of the herd.

7. Kristopher: tells of how Macondo loses its innocence when it comes into contact with other populations and towns. This makes me think of the way different populations of our ancestors came together, with different languages, customs, and appearances. Social interaction is important, but a strong and self assured foundation is needed to maintain independence.

8. Mandi: mentions how at the same time, oppression can be brought on by solitude. The Buendia family was completely isolated for many years which was their initial oppression. Then the influences and occurrences in the city and with the government cause even more oppression.

9. Martin: discussed the Buendia family’s initial struggles with their first contact with the outside world. As with most major changes in life, the primary reaction usually involves shock and struggle. The outside world brings many changes to Macondo and the family adjusts the best way they know how.

10. Paul: tells how there is a sense of the family’s destiny for greatness. Despite all their differences, the family tries to maintain their unity and independence from a changing world around them. I think a lot of families can relate to this, but manage to do so without all the oppression and conflict.

Part II

1. Alexandra: says that “Like Water for Chocolate” shows how two people’s love for one another transcends any societal boundaries.

2. Annacy: says that “Like Water for Chocolate” is the 1992 film based on the 1989 novel.

3. Debbie: says that “Like Water for Chocolate” has the theme of oppression throughout the movie.

4. Jamie: The storyline of “Like Water for Chocolate” begins in Rio Grande, Mexico in 1895.

5. Jennifer: says people throughout the world can relate to their family “oppressing” their beliefs.

6. Jessica: thinks that most people in the world can relate to the predicaments of forbidden love or oppression by a parent.

7. Kevin: thinks “Like Water for Chocolate” was a similar movie to the previous two watched for the class.

8. Mary: describes how Tita expresses her pain and feelings through cooking.

9. Ramona: believes that Freire would have commended Tita on rising above the oppression in her life.

10. Silvia: felt that the women of the era were oppressed by tradition.

Week 14

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

100 Years of Solitude, written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, traces the story of the Buendia family for over one hundred years and seven generations. The patriarch of the family, Jose Arcadio Buendia Macondo, founded the town they lived in and named it Macondo. The time span of the novel covers the family’s rise and fall throughout the nineteenth century.

The town of Macondo is like the founder Jose Arcadio Buendia; they are isolated, discontent, and hostile. Macondo and the Buendia family have been isolated for years which have stemmed seclusion and incest. The isolation of Macondo is eventually interrupted when the town comes into contact with neighboring towns and their people. The interaction with others opens a stream of violence, hostility, and discontent within the town limits. A civil war breaks out and many of Macondo’s government officials are murdered. This weakness gives way to an American plantain company that invades the town and begins exploiting the land and the people. Ultimately the people of Macondo became fed up with the plantation company and they instituted a strike. The Army steps in to maintain control during this time, but that led to more fighting and deaths. At this point a heavy rain and storm hits Macondo and the town floods. Again, Macondo becomes desolate and isolated.

The entire story parallels Paulo Freire’s ideas in Pedagogy of the Oppressed. The city of Macondo and the entire population, more specifically the Buendia family, never really had their freedom. They were always oppressed in their solitude which kept them very limited in life. The people of Macondo never seemed to join together and fight the oppression effectively. This seemed to be that the Buendia family was held back by their past experiences. Freire stated that the fate of our culture lies in our hands and that we must end oppression through progressive action. Even when the people of Macondo tried to progressively act they were oppressed through violence and destruction to their home. This was seen with the uprising to the plantain company that resulted in violence, the flood that destroyed their town, and the Civil War that devastated the lands. Freire also said that oppression repeats itself and throughout the century of the story, the Buendias were repeatedly oppressed. The progressive decline of the family and city led to a completely oppressed environment because of the geographical and psychological solitude that was experienced.

Jose Arcadio Buendia influenced the growth and development of his family members and neighbors. His sons inherited his impulsiveness, physical strengths, focus, and intensity. One’s influence on others is often underestimated and Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed influence on society was underestimated as well.

Week 12

“Camila”

“Camila” was a very interesting movie about a young girl from Argentina who was raised in upper class society. Camila was very bright, passionate, and outspoken and knew she wanted more in life than to marry a rich man who she didn’t love. She wanted to be proud of her husband, to desire him, and experience pleasure with him. Camila was instructed to abolish her dirty thoughts and was seeking the guidance of the church to help her overcome her sins. A new priest named Ladislao started at her church and he soon was assisting her in her confessions. Through being completely honest and comfortable with Ladislao, they both began to fall for each other even though they knew it was wrong. They went through the torture of doing what they could to be together, then getting too close and feeling too wrong that they pushed each other away.

Eventually Ladislao and Camila ran away together so that they could be happy and love one another. They started a school, raised animals, and shared in intensely passionate moments that only two people truly in love could share. In the meantime, Camila’s family and Ladislao’s church back home were furious and embarrassed by what the two had done. Shame had been brought on to their loved ones and a warrant was issued to find Camila and Ladislao and return them for punishment. Eventually Ladislao was recognized by another priest and the government was informed. Ladislao and Camila were given the opportunity to escape by one of their new friends, but they chose to surrender. They were brought back to their village where they received no trial and no family or friends came to their rescue. Quickly, the two were propped up and blindfolded in a firing range and they were executed for their treason.

The lack of justice in this situation was sad and disheartening. People do what they’re told when they are unable to stand up to what they know to be wrong.

Classmates

1. Alexandra said that "Love in the Time of Cholera" perfectly illustrates the oppression that Freire stood so boldly against.

2. Annacy said that "Love in the Time of Cholera" transcends many borders.

3. Bryanna said that the story that transcends borders in that the desire for love to conquer all and be eternal is in all cultures around the world.

4. Francisco said that the story demonstrates Freire’s theory, “liberation is thus childbirth, and a painful one.”

5. Jennifer thinks the movie is all about forbidden love.

6. Jessica says the story transcends borders mostly because it can make almost anyone anywhere relate.

7. Mandi says the story brings to light Freire's idea of oppression.

8. Paul says the story has universal messages and archetypes.

9. Ramona loved the setting in Cartegena, Columbia.

10. Sara said Freire believed it was wrong to divide people by status and class.

“Love in the Time of Cholera” is based on the love story that spanned over five decades between Florentino and Fermina. Florentino sees Fermina one day as he is delivering a telegram to her home and immediately falls in love with her. Over the next few years they write letters back and forth and eventually Florentino asks Fermina to marry him. She accepts, but then her father finds out and takes her away to the country to keep her from Florentino. Her father wants her to marry a prestigious man and Florentino simply works for a telegraph company. After many years and celibacy on both sides, Fermina returns to the city she left and runs into Florentino at the market. She tells him that their relationship was only in their imagination and that she could no longer marry him.

Fermina gets ill and a doctor named Juvenal Urbino comes to her because it is presumed that she has cholera. He determines that she only has an intestinal problem, but there brief encounter sparks an interest in her. Juvenal begins to call on Fermina and this time her father is very encouraging. Fermina and Juvenal wed and embark on a two year honeymoon to Europe. At this point Florentino’s mother informs him that Fermina has wed and that he needs to move on. Florentino finally breaks his vow of losing his virginity to only Fermina when he is kind of attacked while on a boat. Then a woman who loses her home in the war comes and stays with him and they have sex. From there Florentino begins to keep track of all his sexual encounters with women and using sex to fill the void that Fermina has left behind.

Throughout the years Florentino and Fermina run into each other or hear about the changes in each others lives. Fermina has many children and Florentino remains a bachelor, but receives a prestigious job thanks to his uncle in the ferryboat business. Florentino pledges to go to Fermina once her husband dies, but he begins to get worried that she may die before her husband.

Finally Juvenal passes away in an unfortunate fall from a ladder and Florentino takes the opportunity to tell Fermina that he has remained in love with her for over fifty years. She initially objects to him telling her that and is very angry with him, but by his persistence and patience, Fermina is slowly worn down. The two take a boat trip and finally kiss, then finally make love. It was the first time Florentino had made love and Fermina also wondered if it was the first for her as well. The two were still, were finally in love and happy together.

Classmates

1. Alexandra said that the Bracero Program was a series of laws and diplomatic agreements for the importation of temporary contract laborers from Mexico to the United States.

2. Alysia found out that Nicaraguan sign language was spontaneously created by deaf children in schools in Western Nicaragua in the 1970's and 1980's.

3. Bryanna learned that signing in Mayan villages is not taught formally, but through many generations of deaf people there is a way in which tribes will teach their deaf as a community.

4. Francisco learned that Cesar Chavez that he was a field worker who became a union organizer.

5. Jamie found out that in Mayan villages all of the deaf males were married and that the deaf women usually were still single.

6. Jessica found out that Dulce Maria's poem about King Tut is described as erotic, where she has the ability to imagine a physical love relationship between her and King Tut.

7. Kristen found out that the most well known writers associated with Boom era are Julio Cortazar, Carlso Fuentes, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

8. Mandi has taken 4 semesters of American Sign Language at SRJC.


9. Martin learned that Cesar Chavez died in his sleep on April 23, 1993 near Yuma, Arizona and his body was taken to La Paz, Mexico and laid to rest in front of his office.

10. Silvia found out that Cesar Chavez urged Latinos to vote and traveled as an activist to support the rights of workers.

Week 8

The Latin American Boom was a literary movement of the 1960s and 1970s when the work of Latin American novelists was widely circulated. The movement was influenced by the European and North American Modernism, but also by the Latin American Vanguardia movement. The work of the writers was political and experimental and the movement became famous because of the advocacy of political and social action in their work. Through translation, travel, and exile, the literature reached markets and audiences beyond Latin America.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_American_Boom

MAYAN SIGN LANGUAGE

I chose the topic of Mayan Sign Language because I have found myself fascinated with Mayan culture and I wanted to learn more about it.

1. Mayan sign language is similar to sign language used near Guatemala, but not related to Mexican sign language. It is used in areas of Mexico and Guatemala by Mayan communities with unusually high numbers of deaf people.

2. Both deaf and hearing Mayans use Mayan sign language so the deaf individuals are well incorporated into the community. People who use Mayan sign language and a verbal language are considered bilingual.

3. The main Mayan sign language is called Yucatec Mayan sign language because it is used in the Yucatan region. There is one other Mayan sign language known as Highland Maya sign language which is used in the highlands of Guatemala. This language is more complex and is used by impoverished servants who are forbidden to speak aloud in the presence of their Masters. This language is locally known as Meemul Ch'aab'al and Meemul Tziij in the K'iche' language.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayan_sign_languages

Classmates:
1. Alysia learned about Simon Bolivar because he was one of the most influential in gaining independence for Venezuela.

2. Andrew learned that Native Americans had a previously established type of slavery prior to the slavery they experienced from the Spanish.

3. Bryanna found out that Father Hidalgo was a Creole priest who was born in Penjamo, Guanajuato in 1753.

4. Cory researched Simon Bolivar who was an incredible leader, politician, and general as he drove the Spanish out of northern South America.

5. Debbie learned that the Lady of Guadalupe is of significant importance to Mexican Catholics and her shrine for the Lady of Guadalupe was one of the most visited shrines in the world.

6. Francisco learned that September 16, 1810 marks the end of a Spanish dominance in Mexico.

7. Jordan learned that San Martin was born to an aristocratic family in Argentina, but was sent to Spain to complete his education.

8. Kristen learned that on December 12, 1531, the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared in front of Juan Diego connecting the gap between the Aztecs and the Spanish conquerors.

9. Mandi found out that the Trans-Atlantic slave trade took place between 1650-1860 and approximately 15 million African slaves were shipped to the West Indies, parts of Central America and South America.

10. Sara learned that Simon Bolívar described himself in his many letters as a "liberal" who believed in a "free market".

Week 7

Independence Era

The independence era of Latin America was from 1806-1825. When Spain’s empire in the New World crumbled, Latin America gained their independence from Spain. Initially, Spain was trying to rule Latin America in areas of politics, religion, education, and law. When Spain lost control of Latin America, each independent country was able to establish their own sovereignty with freedom to practice whatever religion they chose. With the removal of Spain from power, Latin America needed to rely on Great Britain, France, and the United States because of financial investments and industrialization. Latin American countries looked towards these Catholic European models, particularly France, as their cultural model to reshape their society.

Sources:
http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/latinamericaindependence/The_History_of_Latin_America_the_Independence_Era_18071825.htm
http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h39la.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Latin_America

Fray Bartolome
I chose Fray Bartolome because I didn’t know who he was at all. Upon performing a quick search to see who he was, I was fascinated by the courage he had to fight against slavery of the natives of his country, and then against slavery completely.

1. Bartolome accompanied Columbus on his second voyage and brought back an Indian boy who he left to be his son’s servant. He also made an abstract and copy of the diary Christopher Columbus kept of his voyages.

2. Bartolome opposed the cruel and harsh punishment of the Native Americans and worked to cease the use of them as slaves. He did not suggest the use of African slaves, but he supporting the introduction of them as slaves in the Americas. After witnessing their maltreatment as well, Bartolome regretted initial support and eventually openly opposed slavery completely.

3. Bartolome was born in Seville, Spain sometime in the 1484. In 1502 he traveled to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) where he witnessed the brutalities against the Native population.


Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartolom%C3%A9_de_las_Casas
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03397a.htm

Classmates

1. Alexandra is interested in music from different places all around the world.

2. Annacy learned that Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand were known as the Catholic King and Queen of Spain.

3. Cory chose missions because he feels that he has a responsibility to better understand these unique structures that rest right here in my backyard.

4. Jamie learned that Central Mexico’s population was 19 million before the Spaniards arrived, and then it dropped to an estimated 2 million.

5. Jessica learned that the first mission built in California was the mission of San Diego de Alcala, founded in July 16, 1769 by Junipero Serra.

6. Kevin found out that the Aztecs built the Tlatelolco in the early 1300 with the nearby capital of the Aztecs empire Tenochtitlan, which is now the heart of Mexico City, which the Spanish founded after they conquered the Aztecs in 1521.

7. Mandi found out that Junipero Serra walked over 200 miles to Mexico City where he worked at his first mission in the new world.

8. Mary said that there are 21 missions total along the Camino Real, or Royal Highway of California.

9. Paul learned that Hernan Cortez spent seven years establishing peace among the Indians of Mexico and developing mines and farmlands.

10. Robert found out that genetic studies on the skeletal remains of natives peoples suggest that very few died as a result of violence, but probably by disease.

Week 6

Conquest Era

Tell us an influence the Catholic Church had on this era:

The Conquest era is when the territories of New Spain were expanded through most of Central America and much of what is now the south and west parts of the United States. During this time, a large part of the Native American population was abolished while the Spanish population grew.

History of the Catholic Church in Latin America did not simply just come with the Spanish conquest, but the histories of both are intertwined. The Christian era began in the New World in 1492 when the Spanish introduced their religion to the region. Christian concepts covered up Native American art and forced them to become a secondary population in the social structure.

Sources:
http://academic.sun.ac.za/forlang/bergman/real/mission/h_rcc.htm
http://www.mexperience.com/history/colonial.htm


Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand

In 1468, Ferdinand was named King of Sicily and in 1469, King Ferdinand married Queen Isabella who was the heir of Castile. In 1474 Isabella succeeded to the throne and in 1479 Ferdinand succeeded his father as King of Aragon. With Ferdinand’s succession, he united his crown with Castile and created Spain. Ferdinand and Isabella spent the next few years attempting to drive the Muslims out of the Iberian Peninsula and finally succeeded by conquering Granada in 1492. Also in 1492 they expelled the Jews and Muslims from Christian Spain and bankrolled Christopher Columbus’s search for a quick passage to Asia.

Sources:
http://monarchs.suite101.com/article.cfm/king_ferdinand_of_spain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IAqOcyAuKc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_I_of_Castile

Tell us why you chose the topic, tell us about the sources you used:

I chose the topic of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand because I did not know anything about them. In the print source that I used, it provided the background knowledge about their heritage, marriage, and creation of Spain. The video source allows one to see their reign from a series of images, informative texts, and artwork.

Tell us 3 interesting facts about your topic in 3 separate paragraphs
1. Queen Isabella’s name in the Castilian version of was Ysabel which is etymologically the same as Elizabeth, but in Germanic countries she is nevertheless usually known by an Italian form of her name, Isabella.

2. Isabella was betrothed to Ferdinand at the age of 3.

3. Ferdinand and Isabella’s grandfathers were brothers so a papal dispensation was needed in order for them to marry.

Classmates

1. Amanda went to the Museum of Modern Art in New York for the art pieces located there done by Banksy.

2. Angelina visited the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York where it occupies more than 2,000,000 square feet.

3. Eric visited the National Civil War Museum where it contains thousands of relics, artifacts, and exhibits telling the story of the American Civil War.

4. Jacob visited the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago, Illinois because he’s really interested in photography.

5. Karen visited The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. because she firmly believes that this atrocity is something that we cannot ignore or ever allow to happen again.

6. Karl visited The American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA) in Daphne, Alabama where there are over 1,000 pieces including paintings, sculpture, prints, posters, photography and assemblage.

7. Lena visited the World Mining Museum in Butte, Montana where they have an exhibit called the Hoist House where people can not only view, but they can climb into the box to see how it felt to be a miner.

8. Mary visited the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington D.C. where there are over 3 million artifacts.

9. Nicholas visited the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where there are different anatomical pathological specimens and antique medical equipment, as well as education about medical oddities.

10. Rachelle visited the Smithsonian National Zoological Park where part of it is in Washington D.C. and the other part in Virginia.

Week 5

In a brief paragraph, tell us what "Pre-Colombian' means:

The Pre-Colombian era is the time of the Americas prior to the influences of Europeans. Pre-Columbian is used especially often in the context of the great indigenous civilizations of the Americas, such as those of Mesoamerica (the Olmec, the Toltec, the Teotihuacano, the Zapotec, the Mixtec, the Aztec, and the Maya) and the Andes (Inca, Moche, Chibcha, Cañaris) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Columbian_era).


Tell us why you chose the topic:
I chose the topic of the Mayan civilization because I visited the Yucatan Peninsula six months ago and became very interested in the Mayan culture. I visited the ruins of Tulum, about an hour south of Playa del Carmen and was in awe of how advanced the Mayan people were for their time. The beautiful ruins, fabulous legends, and amazing technological creations were very impressive. At another location I attended a traditional Mayan purification ceremony in a cave where the ritual was spoken in Mayan and the High Priest blessed everyone. He covered everyone with something similar to incense smoke, but I believe it was a type of wax that was being burned. We then swam in a couple cenotes and were cooked a traditional Mayan meal. It was such a great experience that I wanted to learn more about the Mayan culture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyvw6G9Max0

In this video the temples of Chichen Itza are featured. The Mayan people were very advanced and they even had an observatory where they would gaze at the stars. From this they created a 365 day calendar and were able to predict full moons and solar
eclipses. There is also a large water supply hole that doubled as the cities water supply and human scarification hole. There are images are beautiful and intricate hieroglyphs as well as the largest element of the ruins, El Casteo pyramid. The pyramid stands 79 feet high and has 365 steps, as many days as a year. Two times per year at the Fall and Summer equinox, a shadow appears on the pyramid in the shape of a serpent and makes it way down the pyramid where it lands at the serpents head that is carved out of the stone. There is also an enormous ancient ball court where Mayans would play a game similar to basketball, but the losers would be sacrificed. Eventually the city in the jungle fell to prolonged droughts, exhausted soils, and royals whose wars and rituals overtaxed the Mayan people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_civilization

The Mayan people had a fully developed written language, art, architecture, mathematical, and astronomical systems. The Mayan civilization was initially established between 2000 BC to 250 AD and continued to thrive until the arrival of the Spanish. The Mayan people fully developed writing, epigraphy, and the calendar. The collapse of the Maya is linked to possible draught, climate changes, overpopulation, collapse of trade routes, and disease. However, the Mayan people have never disappeared. Today, there are sizeable populations of Mayans throughout the Mayan area and they still maintain their unique beliefs, rituals, and language.

Tell us 3 interesting facts about your topic in 3 separate paragraphs:

1. The geographic extent of the Maya civilization, known as the Maya area, extended throughout the southern Mexican states of Chiapas, Tabasco, and the Yucatán Peninsula states of Quintana Roo, Campeche and Yucatán. The Maya area also extended throughout the northern Central American region, including the present-day nations of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and western Honduras.

2. The Maya were keen astronomers and had mapped out the phases of celestial objects, especially the Moon and Venus. Many temples have doorways and other features aligning to celestial events. Round temples are perhaps those most often described as "observatories" by modern ruin tour-guides, but there is no evidence that they were so used exclusively, and temple pyramids of other shapes may well have been used for observation as well.

3. The Maya practiced human sacrifice. In some Maya rituals people were killed by having their arms and legs held while a priest cut the person's chest open and tore out his heart as an offering. This is depicted on ancient objects such as pictorial texts, known as codices. It is believed that children were often offered as sacrificial victims because they were believed to be pure.

Classmates
1. Alexandra found out that the MOLAA features over 800 pieces in their permanent collection.

2. Annacy learned that every Sunday from 1-3pm there are organized workshops for all ages at the MOLAA.

3. Debbie learned that the MoLAA offers school and docent tours, they have special events and activities both for children and adults; including lectures, storytelling, hands-on art workshops, Latin American films and performing arts with dance and music.

4. Francisco learned that the museum was founded in 1996 in Long Beach, California.

5. Jessica learned that that the museum's main focus is to strengthen its position as a multidisciplinary institution providing a cross-cultural dialogue between artists, scholarly community and the general public.

6. Kevin learned that you can volunteer at the MOLAA.

7. Kristen learned that the MOLAA is the only museum in the western United States that exclusively features contemporary Latin American art.

8. Mandi learned that the MoLAA and Target offer free admission and events for the whole family every Sunday.

9. Nicole learned that the MOLAA has doubled its size, recently adding a 15,000 sq. ft. sculpture garden, and expanded its permanent collection.

10. Wanda learned that the MoLAA’s Chief Curator is Cecilia Fajardo-Hill.

Week 4

What does MoLAA stand for?
The Museum of Latin American Art

Explain what you see on the above video clips?
The MoLAA features art forms of all sorts including paintings, photos, artifacts, and sculptures. The creations are made from anything from bright color combinations to earthy tones. There is wide usage of larger people, or curvier people compared to American art.

What did you learn from the video clips?
1. I learned that the MoLAA has an extraordinary sculpture garden that is internationally recognized as the most important collection of contemporary Latin American sculpture in the nation.

2. I learned that the MoLAA features Artistic movements and eras including: Torres-Garcia’s School of the South (1930s), Movimento Madí (1940s), Concretismo (1950s), Neo-concrete (late 1950s), Constructivist (late 1950s), Cinetismo (1960s), Kinetic (1960s) and Reconstructive (1970s).

3. The artwork includes media such as oils, paper machѐ, charcoal, wood, clay, plaster, bronze, acrylic, and wood.
What is one specific work in this location that attracted you? Give us the name, and related background info.


Andrѐs Michѐlena
1963, Venezuela
No-Thing. Nada, 2006
Vinyl and plexiglass



Andrѐs Michѐlena is a famous Venezuelan painter from a long line of family artists. He spent 4 years studying Architecture at Universidad Central de Venezuela, but in his final semester he met an artist named Pedro Leon Zapata, and he became interested in art and never returned to architecture. Andrѐs then began studying art at Federico Brandt Art Institute in Caracas. Andrѐs demonstrates the influence of his spirituality through his art. One can witness the conflict he has with Catholicism, Santeria, Astrology, Alchemy, and more recently as a Zen Buddhist practitioner, his art has always shown the depth that he goes to find his way. He now lives and works in Miama, Florida.

Some artwork:


Classmates Information:

1. Alexandra learned by reading about Paulo Freire that the more she thought about it, the more I realized how important our attitude is.

2. Debbie thinks that by looking at pictures, it seems that Paulo and his philosophies reached many people over many cultures.

3. Kristopher learned that Paulo Freire survived the Great Depression and developed himself within the poorer communities.

4. Mandi has always been more eager to learn about a certain subject if she could relate it to her everyday life.

5. Martin thinks that The words we learn serve the purpose of explaining the understanding we have of the world.

6. Mary thinks that just because something is one way doesn't mean it always has to stay that way.

7. Nicholas feels that it is important to look at why Paulo Friere wanted to help people become educated.

8. Ramona thinks that Paulo's Freire’s discussion "Before The Word", is a good example of how he thinks and his perception of the world.

9. Silvia really liked the quote “you can't teach to love. You have to love. The only way you can teach to love is by loving; I believe that love is the definite transformation".

10. Wanda feels that oppression leads to complacency and a false sense of the reality of the world.

Week 3

Paulo Freire was raised in a middle-class family, but became interested in the education of the poor people in his region. He developed a teaching plan for all levels of education. The fundamentals of his teaching plan point to an educational process that focuses on the environment of the students. Freire assumes that the learners must understand their own reality as part of their learning activity.

Source: http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/archive/publications/ThinkersPdf/freiree.PDF

Paulo Freire’s emphasis on the importance of dialogue has affected those concerned with popular and informal education. However, Paulo Freire was able to take the discussion on several steps with his insistence that dialogue involves respect. It should not involve one person acting on another, but rather people working with each other.

Source: http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-freir.htm

Freire is best-known for his efforts on what he called the "banking" concept of education, in which the student was viewed as an empty account to be filled by the teacher. The basic critique was not new, but Freire's work updated the concepts of Dewey and Rousseau and placed it in context with current theories and practices of education, laying the foundation for what is now called critical pedagogy.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Freire


INTDIS 4
1. Alysia thinks that so many aspects of U.S. culture have been influenced by other cultures.
2. Annacy’s eyes were opened to the diversity that we experience by everyday by listening to Obama’s speech.
3. Bryanna thinks that it is important that we recognize our sameness as well as embrace our differences.
4. Jes thinks that MLK Jr. was important because he was a good man who gave equal rights to people regardless of their skin color.
5. Mandi was so surprised how down to earth Oprah is.
6. Paul feels that Oprah has inspired many people of all cultures.
7. Sara feels that MLK Jr. opened many people’s eyes to injustice and what was important.
8. Vanessa believes that Obama had a clear message that he wants to find a common ground among the U.S. and Islamic nations.
9. Wanda thinks that any person, what ever race, religion, or orientation brings knowledge and richness to me.
10. Andrew’s eyes were opened to the diversity that we have in America by watching Obama’s speech.

Week 2

President Obama Cairo Speech
President Obama begins his speech by addressing the issues between the American and Islamic people. There have been years of mistrust and tensions between Islam and the west. There have been conflict and religious wars. There are some Muslim violent extremists who have exploited the tensions between nations and that have bred fear and mistrust. It has promoted hatred and conflict which has become a cycle of suspicion by exploiting our differences.

However, the United States and Islam share common principles of justice, progress, tolerance, and equality of all human beings. The U.S. is founded upon the idea that all are created equal and we are shaped by every culture. America being shaped by every culture is dedicated to a simple concept: E. Pluribus Unum: “out of many, one”. Islam has paved the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment periods as well as creating important things such as algebra, printing, the compass, pathology, religious tolerance, and racial equality. Muslim culture has also created beautiful arches, spires, and calligraphy as well as lovely poetry and music. The U.S. embraces Islam’s and see there prevalence everywhere with over 7 million in America. America has 1200 mosques to allow worship and freedom of religion. It has been shown that Islamic people in the U.S. hold higher incomes and education levels than the average American.

We all want to live in peace and security, get an education and work with dignity, and love our families and God. Progress must be shared between nations and problems must be dealt with through partnership. The U.S. has partnered with countries to build schools, hospitals, and improve economies. America’s goal is to see diplomacy and international consensus on ideas. Obama believe to do unto other as we would have them do unto us- this transcends nations and peoples.

President Obama discussed dialogue with “we can turn dialogue into interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action”. However, he also said that words alone cannot meet the needs of people so tolerance is essential for religion to thrive and for everyone to live together. Obama stated that faith should bring us together and from the Koran, “be conscious of God and speak always the truth; whoever kills an innocent is as if he killed all mankind”. The United States and Islam need a harmonious balance between tradition and progress.

Oprah Duke University Commencement Speech
Oprah Winfrey gave a commencement speech at Duke’s graduation in 2009. Oprah has been an important figure in the world of visual arts, drama, film, and literature. People listen and respect Oprah because of her influence over the mass media and popular culture, as well as her generosity and caring demeanor that she has exhibited over her 25 years on television.

Oprah made some very good points in her speech including the beginning where she said the best way to enhance your own life is to give to others. She stated that you haven’t completed the circle of success unless you can help someone else. She also said that we are responsible for the energy that we bring to where we are or what we do. At some point in life, something will be trying, but tell yourself “what good are you to anyone if you’re miserable”. Oprah also reminded everyone that you never know what kindness you offer today to someone, may live with them forever. My favorite line of her speech was near the end and she said “I am who I am because I trust my gut more than anyone else’s opinion”. I feel that those are definitely words to live by!

**This speeches have to do with Interdisciplinary Studies in the fact that both speakers are embracing different regions, history, art, literature, music, languages and cultures.

Classmates Review
1. Alexandra (Alex) hopes to be a nurse.
2. Cailin uses text messaging as her number one form of communication.
3. Jamie lives pretty far from campus at 23.9 miles or 43 minutes.
4. Jes lives really close to campus at 1.7 miles.
5. Kevin associated South America with Brazil and the country’s wonderful athletes.
6. Kristopher is taking INDIS 4 as his first online class.
7. Martin hopes to transfer to a CSU.
8. Nichelina uses both a PC and Mac.
9. Paul is going to school through the post 9-11 GI Bill from the military.
10. Robert is finishing up his A.S. in Fire Science.

Week 1

1. What is your first name?

Brooke

2. Why are you taking this class and what do you hope to learn?

I am taking this class as part of my GE requirement in finishing my B.S. in dental hygiene. I also enjoy Latin American culture and I hope to learn more about it.

3. How far do you live from SRJC main campus?

I live 9.2 miles from SRJC in Rohnert Park.

4. Briefly, what do you think of when you think:

• North America?~ forests, plains, oceans
• Central America?~ vacations, lush rainforests, white sandy beaches
• South America?~ Brazil, beautiful people
• The Caribbean?~ tropical alcoholic drinks, lots of islands, very hot
• The World?~ Diversity and adventure!

5. Have you created a blog or webpage in the past?

I have a Facebook page and now a page for my Humanities 7 course as well.

6. Regarding computers, are you on a mac or pc?

PC!

7. Do you/can you text on your phone?

I can with my eyes closed :)