Schools in the South Sudan

I am always tuned into the news, but the history and story of the southern Sudan has been particularly interesting to me over the course of the last few years. My close friend has been living there for the better part of two years, and my very favorite book, "What is the What?" details the biographical journey of Valentino Achak, who as a "lost boy" escaped the civil war.

The columnist Nick Kristof from the New York times has been writing from the Sudan over the past few weeks. The south Sudan hosted a crucial election last week, The President of the country has been indicted for war crimes, and Valentino Achak has opened an innovative school. Check it out and let's talk.

Africa Mapping

Over the course of the next week, you will be focusing on learning the political boundaries of Africa. To help study, there are a couple of flash based "games" on the web that may be of some assistance. Check it out!

Africa Unit & Q4, Week 2 Calendar

Welcome to the second to last unit: Africa! Obviously, we've already studied parts of African history (North Africa was part of the Roman world--remember the Punic Wars?, as well as part of the Islamic World; and East Africa was involved in Indian Ocean trade just like the 0ther monsoon dependent peoples of that part of the globe).

The textbook sections for this unit will be Chapters 8 and 15. That makes a total of 6 short sections.

The note taking will be centered on a large (11" by 17") map of Africa that will be creating together over the next few weeks. DON'T LOSE IT!

As we are looking at a new continent, we will be mental mapping it, and learning the names of modern countries.

Here is our calendar for the week--you will need to scroll down!

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Q & A: Headscarves in School

Some of the girls in France meet regularly to discuss their strategy, BBC news

Our key question for Islam Unit, Week 4 Day 2:

How is individual religious expression an element of identity? How is it challenged by actions of government bodies that use their authority to reduce difference in the name of the "public good"?

For those that still have questions on the basis of what is being argued, the BBC has published an informative Q and A section on headscarves in response to the recent French ban. Please check it out--there is also a slideshow with variations within the faith and in different regions.

Quarter 4, Week 1 (Week 4 Islam)

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PBS' Frontline has a good explanation of traditions, beliefs, and practices of Islam. Please check it out as you begin to review for your test on Friday.

Women and Islam

Indonesia-Women pray in a mosque in Banda Aceh. Recently imposed

Sharia laws require women to wear headscarves, and the province's newly formed Sharia police have carried out arrests of women who are not properly covered up. Religious conservatism is on the rise in Banda Aceh and some larger towns across the province.

Women covered in head scarves and chadors, Islamic divorce rules favoring men, the view that women should be relegated to the private rather than public sphere--these attitudes and practices subjugate women, say critics. Is Islam inherently discriminatory? What is Muslim women's role in the Islamic resurgence? And what does it mean to be a Muslim "feminist?

To read more, check out some excerpts from "Frontline: Muslims". We will be working with this resource in class next week.

In addition, (Christian Science Monitor, March 5, 2008) "Inside Islam, a woman's roar," tells the story of an Afghan Muslim woman, who uses Koranic verses to justify why women should receive an education. Her efforts follow a long tradition of activists, including Martin Luther King, Jr., who use religion as a powerful tool to advance civil rights.

Rwanda Remembered

This week marks a mourning period in the small African nation of Rwanda. Sixteen years ago, the genocide began and raged for 100 days, leaving one million people dead.

To learn more, please visit PBS' Frontline: Ghosts of Rwanda for timelines, video clips, and analysis.

If another "Rwanda" would happen, would the world react differently this time?

Draft: Islam Study Guide

Your Islam Unit test will be on Friday, Aprill 16th. Here is a draft of the study guide. Please keep in mind that it is subject to change as we still have a week of material to cover. Happy studying!

Islam Study Guide I

Time Magazine: Sunni/Shitte Divide

Here is the link to the article that we deconstructed in class this week. This is from a Time Magazine article from 2007. Happy reading!

Islam Week 3

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