For this assignment, read Gods of Jade and Shadow, and watch the films Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Using ALL three of the assigned works–Gods of Jade and Shadow, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon–identify, analyze, and explain the significance of a thematic connection between all three texts.
What are the authors saying about the theme, and how is it demonstrated in the text? What can we take away from this?
How do you want to see your future? Imagine that it is 30-40 years in the future, and you are facing your aging process – what will that look like?
Discuss the current opportunities or lack of well-being through the aging process and then project older adult well-being 30 years in future considering policy, technology and life-space.
How does human compassion inform our understanding of the world?Discuss
What is the Cognitive Revolution and how did it give rise to human language and symbolic thinking?
What distinguishes human language and our ability to think symbolically from other animals and their ability to communicate with sounds? (What is symbolic thinking and human language?)
What are the two central functions of language as described by the author of Sapiens? (Note: Gossip and Threat Theories are part of the same single function)
Explain how each of these two functions help to create two different types of human communities. Explain the two different types of communities they are able to create.
Lastly, what does the author mean by “An Imagined Order” and how does this concept relate to the functions of language? Provide an example from the text to illustrate what an imagined order is. Explain this example including why it is an example of an Imagined Order.
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics Books 8 & 9
Explain Aristotle’s understanding of Friendship and its various facets.
First, explain generally what Aristotle has in mind when he talks about his idea of friendship or philia.
What does he mean? What kinds of relationships does he include as examples of it?
What are the preconditions of any form of friendship? (See videos/powerpoints)
Explain the three types of friendship and include the following characteristics in your answer:
What does it mean that a true friend is treated as an “end in themselves” whereas someone less than a true friend is treated merely as a “means”?
What makes “complete friendship” complete? (Also answer: What does it mean to be complete?)
What is the relationship between friendship and happiness? How does friendship make happiness possible? Will all three types of friendship produce happiness? If not, which one and why?
Questions:
Hobbes describes what he calls the “natural condition” of human beings living amongst one another. Explain what you think he means by this expression.
What does this “condition” include and not include in terms of the relationship of those in it to the natural world and to each other? What does he mean when he says the “natural condition” is one where “men live without a common power to keep them all in awe”?
Is this “natural condition” a state of peace or conflict? How do people relate to each other in this condition? Are they friends, enemies or something in between? Are we equal or unequal?
What role does power play in our relationships with one another as Hobbes describes it in terms of having the same, greater or lesser amounts of it?
What does Hobbes identify as the 3 primary causes of conflict between people in this natural condition?
The title of the chapter tell us Hobbes discuss our “natural condition” as it relates to our “felicity” and/or “misery”. How does he describe this natural condition in terms of whether it is happy or miserable? Cite examples.
Is there morality or a set of rules/laws of conduct in this situation? What are we “allowed” to do in this condition? Is there anything that puts limits on what we can do?
Do you agree that Hobbes’ portrait is an accurate description of human nature and our relations? Why or why not?
Is Hobbes’ perspective on human nature more like the neighbor or the narrator of “Mending Wall”?
After your speech has concluded, complete a short self-reflection (500-600 words) on the process of creating and performing your elevator speech. What was the experience like for you? What did you struggle with?
What did you feel went well? What do you hope to improve in the future? self-reflect on the entire process of the assignment (researching jobs, etc.), not simply the performance component.
Did anything affect you? Did you learn something new? Did it make you see anything in a new light?
Describe the world you come from -for example,
your family, community, or school-and tell us how
your world has shaped who you are.
Explain the history of the topic. What do you think you will learn by doing your research?
What is the historical or critical contest of your topic?
Part III: List of Potential Sources
What books do you plan to use in your research?
What articles from general-interest magazines will you use?
What journal articles do you plan to read?
What newspaper articles can you use in your research?
What documents, pamphlets, or reports will you use?
https://www.audible.com/pd/Lifes-Golden-Ticket-Audiobook/B01CF4MJ7K?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp&shareTest=TestShare
What would you teach the protagonist if you were one of the guides in the amusement park?
Remember that life-changing lessons don’t necessarily have to come from momentous events. Think about your golden ticket discussion board postings, your first essay, and the various people/events that have shaped your life in some manner? How can you shape the protagonist’s life?
