Cuban QQC

Please carefully read the entire Economist special report on Cuba and then post a detailed QQC on what you read. Please post by 8am Wednesday April 11.

Joseph Stalin's Russia

Describe in detail what your life would be like if you had lived in Soviet Russia during the rule of Joseph Stalin. Compare the life of someone working in the industrial sector with that of a collective farmer.

Battle of the Somme (1916)

Decribe the Battle of the Somme. Who was involved? Explain the Allied strategy that hoped to overcome the enemy. Describe what happened on the opening day of battle. What sort of loses did the British suffer? How did the battle end? Explain the overall significance (if any) of this battle.

Cry Freedom response

For this assignment you are to focus on two different characters in Cry Freedom. Describe which segment of South African society each fits into, as well as their political stance on apartheid. (i.e. Steve Biko, a black South African who is a staunch opponent of apartheid and a political activist) Next describe the relationship that these two characters had to one another in the film. Next, you, very importantly need to describe how this relationship describes the overall system of apartheid, and the political climate in South Africa during apartheid.

Child Labor Assignment

Imagine you are a child who works in a textile mill in Britain at the beginning of the 19th century. Write a diary entry in which you describe both your work and home life. This assignment must be posted no later than 8:00am on Tuesday 6 December.

Napoleon / Louis XVI Comparison

Napoleon Bonaparte and Louis XVI can both be considered absolute rulers of France during their lifetimes. Why do you think Louis XVI was so reviled by France’s people while Napoleon was so accepted? You might mention the Reign of Terror in France and how that event destabilized and terrified urban French residents. You might also mention the actual prowess of each ruler and the ways in which they exercised their rule.

This detailed written assignment is due at 8:00pm on Thursday October 27th.

Northern Ireland Assignment

Your task is to research and then write a report on the tensions between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland in the later part of the 20th century. Although the situation between the two groups has improved in the last 10 years, be sure to include why it has improved. Your report should, at a minimum, answer the following questions:

1. What has contributed to the fighting between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland in the last 60 years?
2. What is the IRA, and how does it affect residents in Northern Ireland?
3. What do the British military do in Northern Ireland? Why have they been a precence there, and has that precence make the situation better or worse?
4. What was Bloody Sunday (1972) and how did it affect the situation in Northern Ireland.

Although you are free to do your own research this might be a good place to start: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/recent/troubles/the_troubles_article_01.shtml

Your response needs to be a minimum of 300 words, and should be posted no later than 8:00 am Monday, October 3

Apartheid and sport

Our recent class discussion of the film Invictus showed that sport can influence politics. To see how sport influenced apartheid, and how the policy was viewed in other parts of the world; students are encouraged to complete the following assignment:

Research and then write a report (minimum 300 words) on why the 1981 Springbok rugby tour to New Zealand was so controversial. How was the visit by the South African rugby team viewed by the people of New Zealand? What did some New Zealand supporters try to do to stop the tour? What happened in the famous final "test" in Auckland? What happened to South Africa and all its sports teams shortly after the tour?

Please post your responses by Friday 1/22 at 8:00am.

Truth and Reconcilliation Commission Assignment

Research and report on an individual who was granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for their violations of human rights during the apartheid era in South Africa. Discuss if granting Amnesty to this individual, the entire racist National Party government of South Africa and hearing the stories of those that were negatively affected by apartheid, was something that has brought progress to post apartheid South Africa. Hint: You will also have to see how the country has progress since the T.R.C. ended.

This assignment needs to be posted no later than 8:00am Wednesday January 27th.

The Second Industrial Revolution

Answer the following questions by posting your answers on this blog: This should be finished during class and should not be a part of your homework for this weekend!

1. What is considered to be the Second Industrial Revolution?
2. What time period is it considered to have spanned?
3. What made it different to the Ist Industrial Revolution?
4. What important metal was replaced with another in the Second Industrial Revolution? Why was it an improvement for the world?
5. List the (5) inventions that came out of the Second Industrial Revolution that were the most important to the world. Include why you think these 5 were the most important.

The Importance of the locomotive during the Industrial Revolution

Imagine that you are living in Manchester in 1830. Your task is to write a report stating the arguments that you would use if you were trying to convince a grandparent that the newly developed "Rocket" is safe way to travel to Liverpool in order to visit some of your other family members.

You may consider writing what the alternative means of transport might have been during this time and comparing them to using the "Rocket".

This assignment needs to be posted no later than 8:00am Monday 11/23.

Congress of Vienna Assignment

Assume the role of a newspaper editor in the early 1800's in Europe. Write an editorial - pro or con - on the Congress of Vienna and its impact on politics in Europe. This should be a minimum of 300 words and should be posted no later that 8:00am on Tuesday 10 November.

Napoleon Assignment

After our lecture on Napoleon Bonaparte and having done some research, describe ways in which Napoleon fulfilled the ideas of the French Revolution. Also describe ways in Napoleon betrayed the ideals of the French Revolution.

Students may want to start by comparing the Declaration of the Rights of Man (1791)with the Code Napoléon or the Napoleonic Code. (1804)

Both portions of this assignment should be written in commplete, detailed sentences and will be a part of your essay grade for this trimester.

All work must be posted no later than 8:00am Friday October 30.