DAY 3: Sports

The Terrible Towel--What does this iconic symbol of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Franchise mean to you? Maybe it doesn't mean anything to you. Maybe it means a great deal to you. Regardless of how it makes you feel personally, consider the edge that it potentially gives our home team when they step onto the field. In many ways, this probably doesn't give the Steelers that much of an edge at all. The reality is, both the Steelers and the Packers are in Super Bowl XLV because they both played well enough on the field to win their respective conferences.

So, instead of talking about the allure and mystique of the great Steelers' battle flag, the Terrible Towel, let's talk about undeniable, irrefutable FACTS! Typically, die-hard fans have a difficulty referring to concrete aspects of the game like statistics, but I figured it might be fun to take a close look at both the Steelers and the Packers 2010 season statistics and make a rationale and academic argument for which team will win Super Bowl XLV. The really fun part about this is that you do not get to decide which team will win. 


I will assign you a team and you must make a valid argument using the stats that I provide you with today. Please utilize and feature the most applicable statistics in your 250-500 word response that will argue for "your" Super Bowl winner! 

Have Fun!

DAY 4: Politics

The following video will help make sense of Day 4's political discussion about Egypt and it's current politic situation and social instability. Enjoy.

DAY 4: Politics

If I would've asked any of you a month ago, "What comes to mind when you think of Egypt?" it is likely that you would've responded with answers concerning pyramids, mummies, hieroglyphics or other aspects of the ancient civilization that dominated the Arab world thousands of years ago. If I were to ask you the same question about Egypt today, some of you may have much more to say about the modern Arab state and how it is in the midst of a serious uprising.

The current situation in Egypt is a complex one that dates back 30 plus years. To give you an idea of the turmoil that this country has faced, the last president of Egypt, Anwar al-Sadat was assassinated 30 years ago due to his unpopularity; however, his successor has been in power ever since. That means that for twice as long as most of you have been alive, Egypt has had only one president. And just in case you were wondering, they don't like him either.

Because of these unsettling political issues that have plagued Egypt over the last half century, the people are demanding CHANGE. They want it, need it, and believe that they deserve it. Below you will find a series of videos that depict the protests that have been going on over the last week and a half. I want you to observe the civil liberties that are being denied to the Egyptian people.

In addition to the Egyptian government cutting off internet access, they also cut off cell phone reception and transportation services to its people. Consider that riot police brutalized peaceful protesters and vandalized properties (like the mummies in the museum) to make the protesters appear more destructive than they actually were.

These are the times when more fortunate individuals such as ourselves need to reflect on the value and the significance of our rights as American citizens. For example, freedom of speech is important. It is the core right that makes our nation so unique. So think about it...

In 250-500 words, write a persuasive response that argues for the importance of freedom of speech. Use examples from the Egyptian protests to support your argument. In other words, explain how the current situation in Egypt acts as an example for how valuable it is for all people to have the right to free speech. 

HAVE FUN!

DAY 3: SPORTS
Athletes as role models? Some would say, "Absolutely!", while others would say, "NO WAY!" Regardless of whether you believe that athletes should or should not be considered role models, consider the following controversy surrounding the new video game, Call of Duty: Black Ops. In this commercial the audience sees everyday people like a cook, a nurse, and even a few celebrities. One of these celebrities is NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. If you watch the advertisement below, you will see Kobe make a brief appearance toting a grenade launcher. Although you never see him blow up anything or anyone, some people have a problem with the message that this commercial may be indirectly sending, "If Kobe Bryant thinks its okay to partake in violent acts (even in a fantasy world) then he is condoning such actions, and therefore, violent acts are okay."



After viewing the commercial, provide your two cents. In 250-500 words, write a response that describes your position on this issue. HAVE FUN.

DAY 2: ART and ADVERTISING
Although you may not think of comedy as an art form, it is most definitely an art, and a pretty challenging one to truly master. Making something seem funny, especially to a large audience, is much more difficult than it may seem. I want you to think about what makes something funny. There are many possibilies here, but answer the question, "What makes something funny?" Then watch the Charlie Chaplin clip that you'll find below. Yes, this is a very old film, but it is still funny to the modern viewer. Why is this the case?



After watching the clip from the film, Modern Times, explain what makes it funny. Then, write a response that discusses the differences and similarities of a comedy from today's film era and Modern Times. Why are they both funny yet also very different? Consider this question but also just write about what makes both types of films funny. Write a 125-250 word response.