Thursday, November 5,2009

Welcome!

Today is Thursday, November 5, 2009.

It is DAY 40 of World History/Peace Studies

1. OBJECTIVES: A. Do five questions on page 43 of the Human Record Book on the RIG VEDA. First question: What does the vision of Indra in the selection Victory over Vritra suggest about the society that worshiped him? (other Questions for Analysis on page 43)
2. Introduction to analysis paper by Barnett R. Rubin on Afghanistan-Pakistan for your research on creating an opinion paper on your recommendation on what the United States plan should be for Afghanistan-Pakistan.
1. Project - Study paper on Afghanistan and Pakistan by Barnett R. Rubin. With a new President in the White House, the U.S. military focus is likely to shift to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Are there realistic goals for U.S. involvement in this complex area?
2. The paper can be found on-line at: http://www.wacphila.org/education/msfrc09_afpak.pdf
3. The assignment is to create a 2 to 5 page Opinion Paper for President Obama giving your personal recommendation on what the United States should do about this challenging situation. The due date is not yet set. Your initial job is to study the Rubin paper and answer all of the questions at the end. These should be completed by Monday, November 16, 2009.
4. Some questions to consider while studying the Policy Paper:
1. Why does Pakistan perceive the security arrangements in Afghanistan post-9/11 as a threat?
2. The U.S. has given billions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan since the beginning of the “war on terror.” Can this aid be more effectively disbursed? Should the U.S. attach conditions or benchmarks to these funds? If so, to what goals—and how would this progress (or lack thereof) be measured?
3. Some officials have argued that implementing more development and aid projects within Afghanistan would help consolidate military gains. President-elect Obama has promised similar efforts. How can one ensure against corruption and misuse?
3. NHD questions sheet - be sure to continue to research your topic and have at least 4 sources correctly writen out in the format we have shown you on the forms and in the trainging at the Constitution Center.
4. Homework - Complete your work on Chapters 5 & 6 AP packet questions and all unit test prep - TEST ON Thursday, November 12. Read in The Human Record pages 40 to 59 and do all questions for analysis - Due Monday, November 9. Start on Chapter 7 & 8 note taking work - Due on Monday, November 9. Do chapter 6 packet - Due Friday, November 6. By this Thursday ready with a focused topic so can write a thesis statement on your NHD/Senior project.
5. BINDER MUST BE GRADED BY FRIDAY, NOV. 6 (EXTENDED TO TUESDAY NOV. 10 BECAUSE OF SEPTA STRIKE).
6. NHD - POSSIBLE SOURCES:
1. http://www.ushistory.org/nhdphilly/
2. http://www.brocktonpubliclibrary.org/teens/historyday.htm