Monday, December 14, 2015

Islam and Violence

Islam and Violence
Currently, the issue of promoted violence by Muslims has entered the conversation of politics and the media.  Listen and read to the sources below to answer the questions provided.

Audio clips:

Readings
3.      Scroll down to Terrorism and Warfare:  Read the answer to the questions regarding the issue of war, terrorism and Islam. (use this to support the answers to the bulleted questions.)



Questions to answer for blog:

a.       Where do you see bias in the ABC video? (pay attention to language) Why do you think this bias exists in news reporting? How might that effect the viewer’s perception of Islam vs. Christianity?
b.      What do the following readings and audio clips say in general about the relationship between Islam and violence? Are they consistent with the findings in WHAP? explain
c.       What is the general point behind the 4th reading? Do you agree with the opinion of the author of this editorial? explain
d.      According to google search entries, Islamophobia is on the rise since the Paris bombings and then again since the shootings in Southern California.  The increase of hate crimes towards Muslims is a very real possibility.  Do American attitudes need to change toward Muslims? Explain? Is so how?


Monday, September 14, 2015

The Middle East: From Past to Present

Directions: Read and listen to the stories from the site below:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/09/05/world/middleeast/Syrian-Refugees-in-Lebanon.html
(read all the stories/listen to the videos)


Questions to address:
The Middle East in ancient history is often defined as the "Cosmopolitan Middle East". Today the Middle East tells a very different story.
a. How was the Middle East viewed by its neighbors prior to the common era? How and why has this impression changed over time?
b. What responsibility do you think the global world has to immigrants who are fleeing the Middle East for safety?