Wednesday 31 October 2012
Sunday 28 October 2012
Individual Reading
The writer for our Individual Reading is Tom Clancy,
an American author, best known for his technically-detailed espionage, military science, and techno thriller storylines set during and in the aftermath of the Cold War, along with video games on which he did not work, but which bear his name for licensing and promotional purposes.
The novels you can choose from:
You are to choose two novels (your reading quota is 350-400 pages) and write down which novels you would like to read in the commentary.
The Hunt for Red October (1984)
- Clancy's first published novel. CIA analyst Jack Ryan assists in the defection of a respected Soviet naval captain, along with the most advanced ballistic missile submarine of the Soviet fleet.
- Red Storm Rising (1986)
- War between NATO and USSR. The basis of the combat game of the same name, this book is not a member of the Ryan story series (although the protagonist of the story has many similarities with Jack Ryan). He co-wrote it with Larry Bond.
- Patriot Games (1987)
- Patriot Games predates the first book that Clancy wrote, The Hunt for Red October, chronologically. Jack Ryan foils an attack in London on the Prince and Princess of Wales by the "Ulster Liberation Army". The ULA then attacks Ryan's Maryland home while he is hosting the Prince and Princess for dinner. The movie stars Harrison Ford as Ryan and Samuel L. Jackson as Robby Jackson.
- The Sum of All Fears (1991)
- Arab terrorists find a nuclear weapon that had been lost by Israel, and use it to attack the United States. This nearly triggers a war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, due to the incompetence of the new President and his mistress with an anti-Ryan agenda. Ryan intervenes to avert the war. The 2002 film stars Ben Affleck as Ryan and Liev Schreiber as Clark, and changes the identity and motivation of the terrorists to neo-Nazis.
- Without Remorse (1993)
- Without Remorse takes place during the Vietnam War, when Jack Ryan was a teenager. Ex-SEAL John Clark (then John Kelly) fights a one-man war against drug dealers in Baltimore, attracting the attention of Jack's father Emmett, a Baltimore police detective. He also helps plan and execute a raid on a prisoner-of-war camp in North Vietnam. Clark joins the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
- Debt of Honor (1994)
- A secret cabal of extreme nationalists gains control of Japan (having acquired some nuclear weapons), and start a war with the U.S. Ryan, now National Security Advisor, and Clark and Chavez, agents in Japan, help win the war. The Vice President resigns in a scandal, and the President appoints Ryan to replace him. A vengeful, die-hard Japanese airline pilot then crashes a jetliner into the U.S. Capitol during a joint session of Congress attended by most senior U.S. government officials, including the President. Ryan thus becomes the new President through succession.
- Executive Orders (1996)
- This is the immediate sequel to Debt of Honor. President Ryan survives press hazing, an assassination attempt, and a biological warfare attack on the United States. Clark and Chavez trace the virus to a Middle Eastern madman, and the U.S. military goes to work.
- Rainbow Six (1998)
- Released to coincide with the video game of the same name. John Clark and Ding, who is now Clark's son-in-law, lead an elite multi-national anti-terrorist unit that combats a worldwide genocide attempt by eco-terrorists. Ryan is the U.S. President and only mentioned or referred to as either 'The President' or 'Jack'.
- The Bear and the Dragon (2000)
- War between Russia and China. Ryan recognizes the independence of Taiwan, Chinese police officers kill a Roman Catholic Cardinal, and the American armed forces help Russia defeat a Chinese invasion of Siberia.
- The Teeth of the Tiger (2003)
- Jack Ryan's son, Jack Ryan, Jr., becomes an intelligence analyst, and then a field consultant, for The Campus, an off-the-books intelligence agency with the freedom to discreetly assassinate individuals "who threaten national security", following the end of the Jack Ryan Sr. presidential administration. This book of the Jack Ryan series by Tom Clancy introduces Ryan's son and two nephews as heirs to his spook-legacy.
Saturday 27 October 2012
Hometask for Wednesday, October 31
1) Topic 7. Terrorism Today.
Speak on terrorism in the modern world, its major forms and threats it poses to the global community.
2) Topic10. War and Terror: “There never was a good war and a bad peace” (B.Franklin).
Speak on modern wars and war conflicts, their reasons and outcomes. Do you agree with the quote? Justify your answer.
Write TWO topics and learn ONE of them by heart.
3) Read the articles on Counterterrorism.
Make notes on the major counter-terrorism measures taken by the global community and ...
- Counter-terrorism from Wikipedia
(Look up through for some facts rather opinions, the article is biased!)
Make notes on ... the basic safety guidelines we all should be aware of.
4) Weekly online tasks.
5) Individual Tasks. Volunteers Wanted!!!
1) Afganistan News (5 one-sentence news items dated October 17-24)
2) Iraq News (5 one-sentence news items dated October 17-24)
3) Syria News (5 one-sentence news items dated October 17-24)
4) World News (5 one-sentence news items dated October 17-24)
All pieces of news are to do with war conflicts and terror!!!
P.S.: If you want to volunteer, pls, choose the subject you would like to cover!
By the way each of you will have to do a similar task TWICE in the weeks to come!
Hometask for Friday, November 2
November 2 is Home Reading
The story for you is R. Kipling's The Gardener, pp.253-262.
1. Online impression (in the commets to the entry)
2. Questions to do in writing: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
Don't forget to support your ideas by the text.
3. Interpretation.
Things to include:
- Author
- Title (direct and indirect meanings)
- Theme
- Summary
- Message
- Character sketch
- Impression
Some tips:
Here is the complete text of the poem, which is, by the way, called The Burden.
Thursday 18 October 2012
Hometask for Wednesday, October 24
October 24th is Speech Practice.
The task for Wednesday is basically the same.
Some of you will be given an extra task.
Tasks to do:
1) War and Terror: The Changing Faces of Terrorism Today. Speak on the history of terrorism and the ever-changing definition of terrorist activity.
2) Laboratory work 4.
The deadline is Wednesday, October 24.
Part 2 Tasks III and IV, Part 3 Tasks V an VI
Watch the video and leave a commentary (in this blog).
BBC. Afganistan: War without End
Do you share the opinion that that this war is endless? Why/ why not?
Individual Tasks. Volunteers Wanted!!!
1) Afganistan News (5 one-sentence news items dated October 17-24)
2) Iraq News (5 one-sentence news items dated October 17-24)
3) Syria News (5 one-sentence news items dated October 17-24)
4) World News (5 one-sentence news items dated October 17-24)
All pieces of news are to do with war conflicts and terror!!!
P.S.: If you want to volunteer, pls, choose the subject you would like to cover!
By the way each of you will have to do a similar task TWICE in the weeks to come!
Hometask for Saturday, October 20
October 20th is Speech Practice.
Tasks to do:
1) War and Terror: The Changing Faces of Terrorism Today. Speak on the history of terrorism and the ever-changing definition of terrorist activity.
2) Laboratory work 3
The deadline is Saturday, October 20
Part 1 Tasks I and II, Part 2 Tasks III an IV
Uncovered: The Whole Truth about the Iraq war
3) Print the handout and do all the execises to do with Terrorism.
Handout
+ Weekly online tasks!!!
Tasks to do:
1) War and Terror: The Changing Faces of Terrorism Today. Speak on the history of terrorism and the ever-changing definition of terrorist activity.
2) Laboratory work 3
The deadline is Saturday, October 20
Part 1 Tasks I and II, Part 2 Tasks III an IV
Uncovered: The Whole Truth about the Iraq war
Do you think the war on Iraq is a just war? Why/ why not?
3) Print the handout and do all the execises to do with Terrorism.
Handout
+ Weekly online tasks!!!
Tuesday 16 October 2012
Rendering: weeks 7 and 8
Here is the article to render for week 7.
Do it in your blogs.
Three Wars on Terror
In the commentary to the entry, pls, write down what you personally think about Obama's war on terror.
Is it more effective? Will it end terrorism? Why/ why not?
Deadline: Wednesday, October 24th
Week 8
You are to choose an article to do with an act of terror or a modern war (at least 7 paragraphs, published in September-October 2012) and render it in your blog.
Deadline: October 31st
Do it in your blogs.
Three Wars on Terror
In the commentary to the entry, pls, write down what you personally think about Obama's war on terror.
Is it more effective? Will it end terrorism? Why/ why not?
Deadline: Wednesday, October 24th
Week 8
You are to choose an article to do with an act of terror or a modern war (at least 7 paragraphs, published in September-October 2012) and render it in your blog.
Deadline: October 31st
Top Terrorism Movies
If you consider this genre more topical nowadays, watch the films in the lists below.
List 1
List 2
Share your impression in the commentary.
Take your time - you have three weeks in hand.
P.S.: If you choose any of these, pls, explain what makes the film of your choice TOP!
Dasha's contribution!
List 1
List 2
Share your impression in the commentary.
Take your time - you have three weeks in hand.
P.S.: If you choose any of these, pls, explain what makes the film of your choice TOP!
Dasha's contribution!
Brake (2011)
Great War Movies
If you like this genre, these films are recommended as 'must-see'.
List 1
List 2
You may watch as many films as you like in 3 weeks to come and leave your impression in the commentary.
Dasha's List!
Platoon (1986)
List 1
List 2
You may watch as many films as you like in 3 weeks to come and leave your impression in the commentary.
Dasha's List!
War Films
Enemy At The Gates (2001)
Battle for Haditha (2007)
Schindler's List (1993)
Platoon (1986)
Ю-571 (2000)
Saturday 13 October 2012
Hometask for Wednesday, October 17
October 17 th is Speech Practice.
Tasks to do:
1) Topic 11 'Modern Wars and War Conflicts in the News. Speak on the news coverage of modern wars and war conflicts in the foreign and home media.'
Some links to help you.
War in Afganistan
from Wikipedia
from Insight on Conflict
War in Iraq
from Wikipedia
from Insight on Conflict
War in Syria
from Wikipedia
Google 'war in Syria'
The last war is ongoing and one of the top news 2012.
2) Laboratory work 2.
Part 1 Tasks I and II (questions 1, 5, 8-12), Part 2 Tasks III an IV(questions 1-2, 4-7)
Watch the video and leave a commentary (in this blog).
Are we really living in the age of terror?
Use the fact from the film in your topics.
3) Read the articles of "The Changing Faces of Terrorism", make notes and be ready to discuss the articles in class.
A must
BBC The Changing Faces of Terrorism
One of the three
from Lloyds
from The Seattle Times
from Slate
Sunday 7 October 2012
Friday 5 October 2012
Freedom of the Press
Speak on freedom of the press, its basic principles and criteria and its status in major countries.
Outline
I. Introduction
A quote on freedom + definition + 2-3-sentences about the phenomenon and/or its importance + thesis
Sources:
Freedom of the Press
II. Body
Paragraph 1 - basic principles
Principles:
Paragraph 2 - criteria that Reporters without Borders and Freedom House use
Criteria
Freedom of the Press (somewhere in the middle)
Freedom House
Paragraph 3 - status in major countries (may be further subdived in 2-3 paragraphs)
Overview - the most free and the least free (2011-2012 index)
the UK's index (+ 2-3 sentence commentary)
the USA's index (+ 2-3 sentence commentary)
the RF's index (+ 2-3 sentence commentary)
Status in major countries:
Freedom of the Press in the USA
Freedom of the Press in the RF
Be critical of the sources!!!
Reporters Without Borders
All this is about Russia!!!
Freedom House
Pls, have a look at the overview essay.
III. Conclusion
Your view of the problem and the objectivity of such freedom press indexes.
Thursday 4 October 2012
Rendering: week 6
Reports of Al Qaeda's Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Washington Post, october 3, 2012
In the commentaries to this entry:
Are we really seeing the "relocalization of jihad?
Read the article and write own what you think about he problem.
In your own blog:
Render an article to do with Al-Qaeda or War on Terror.
Hometask for Saturday, 13th
October 13 th is Speech Practice.
Tasks to do:
1) The topic 'Freedom of the Press' (see the next entry). Deadline: Monday, October 8th.
2) Rendering: week 5 (in your blogs). Deadline: Monday, October 8th.
3) Rendering: week 6 ( a commentary to the entry and a rendering in your blog). Deadline: Friday, October 12th.
4) Laboratory work 1.
Part 1 Tasks I and II, Part 3 Task VII
Watch the video and leave a commentary (in this blog).
5) Vocabulary "War and Terror"
6) Vocabulary Work (exercises). They will be sent via e-mail.
The class on Saturday is the one which finishes Mass Media and start War and Terror.
Tasks to do:
1) The topic 'Freedom of the Press' (see the next entry). Deadline: Monday, October 8th.
2) Rendering: week 5 (in your blogs). Deadline: Monday, October 8th.
3) Rendering: week 6 ( a commentary to the entry and a rendering in your blog). Deadline: Friday, October 12th.
4) Laboratory work 1.
Part 1 Tasks I and II, Part 3 Task VII
Watch the video and leave a commentary (in this blog).
5) Vocabulary "War and Terror"
6) Vocabulary Work (exercises). They will be sent via e-mail.
The class on Saturday is the one which finishes Mass Media and start War and Terror.
Hometask for Wednesday, October 10th
October 10th is Home Reading.
The story to read is R. Dahl Genesis and Catastrophe, pp. 220-226
Tasks to do:
1) Online impression in the commentary to this entry.
2) Questions to do in writing: 3, 4, 6 -7(either it depends whose caracter sketch you are to give in your interpretation), 8, 9
3) Interpretation.
The story to read is R. Dahl Genesis and Catastrophe, pp. 220-226
Tasks to do:
1) Online impression in the commentary to this entry.
2) Questions to do in writing: 3, 4, 6 -7(either it depends whose caracter sketch you are to give in your interpretation), 8, 9
3) Interpretation.
NEW: Holiday Blogs
We are starting our holiday project as early as that!
The project has three parts, you are to take part in all THREE.
Part 1
You are to make 10 entries in the blogs (3 - This day in the UK, 3 - This day in the USA, 3- This day in Russia), you are free to choose the dates that suit you most and use whatever you like (links, pictures etc). Entry 10 will be assigned to you by Tutor.
Don't forget to sing yur entry (Contributed by ...)
Remember: your entry is to be published once in SIX days or more often.
Don't forget to make your choice for October in our Schedule.
Part 2
Your are to be avid readers, which means that you are to leave 3 commentaries (one per blog) per week. What can your commentary be like?
The project has three parts, you are to take part in all THREE.
Part 1
You are to make 10 entries in the blogs (3 - This day in the UK, 3 - This day in the USA, 3- This day in Russia), you are free to choose the dates that suit you most and use whatever you like (links, pictures etc). Entry 10 will be assigned to you by Tutor.
Don't forget to sing yur entry (Contributed by ...)
Remember: your entry is to be published once in SIX days or more often.
Don't forget to make your choice for October in our Schedule.
Part 2
Your are to be avid readers, which means that you are to leave 3 commentaries (one per blog) per week. What can your commentary be like?
- some interesting fact or facts to do with the facts mentioned;
- some traditions to do with the occasion;
- some information to do with the celebration 2012;
- your own traditions to do with the occasion (only for This day in Russia).
Part 3
You are to render 4 articles (3 English, 1 Russian) to do with holidays and their celebration, which will be published (I hope) in due time in different online papers. You know the rules.
The renderings are not to be long (6-7 sentences will do), links are to be provided.
They are to be posted in commentaries in our blogs.
Media Project: Final Stage
Our media project is entering its final stage with your PP presentations ready and presented.
Follow the instructions below to make them even better!
Stage 1.
Divide your written report into parts (each is to illustrate a slide), then record it using Audacity or any other tool.
Audacity is free and legal. You download it, install and run.
Here is a tutorial. It is one of many, use any :-)!
Record your presentation, part by part as mp3 or wav files!
Stage 2.
Save your presentation as "Рисунок в формате jpeg", then "Все слайды" .
they are to be used as pictures in your film!
Stage 3.
Download Movie Maker if you don't have one installed.
Need help, see the site or a tutorial.
Stage 4.
Make a film using your voice recordings and slides (jpegs).
Deadline: Wednesday, October 10th (for everyone) and Saturday, October 13th (that's for your group leader!!!)
Any problems, contact me via e-mail!
Follow the instructions below to make them even better!
Stage 1.
Divide your written report into parts (each is to illustrate a slide), then record it using Audacity or any other tool.
Audacity is free and legal. You download it, install and run.
Here is a tutorial. It is one of many, use any :-)!
Record your presentation, part by part as mp3 or wav files!
Stage 2.
Save your presentation as "Рисунок в формате jpeg", then "Все слайды" .
they are to be used as pictures in your film!
Stage 3.
Download Movie Maker if you don't have one installed.
Need help, see the site or a tutorial.
Stage 4.
Make a film using your voice recordings and slides (jpegs).
Deadline: Wednesday, October 10th (for everyone) and Saturday, October 13th (that's for your group leader!!!)
Any problems, contact me via e-mail!
Rendering: week 5
Render one of the articles in your blog!
The Forgotten War
Afganistan, Obama's Forgotten War
They all come from The Telegraph, a broadsheet conservative-leaning newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally.
The Forgotten War
Afganistan, Obama's Forgotten War
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