Category: Geography

What does or does not make the U.S. inherently different from the rest of the world? Is it important or necessary to be exceptional in the eyes of the world? (Hint: Perceptions that the U.S. has to win all the time, be #1 at everything, naïve, apathetic, arrogant, entitled, spoiled, etc.)

American Exceptionalism

Watch the video links provided below. The concept of American Exceptionalism has been floating around for generations in the U.S. then and even now. Is the concept of American Exceptionalism toxic or productive? What does or does not make the U.S. inherently different from the rest of the world? Is it important or necessary to be exceptional in the eyes of the world? (Hint: Perceptions that the U.S. has to win all the time, be #1 at everything, naïve, apathetic, arrogant, entitled, spoiled, etc.)


Discuss some of the similarities and differences between Canada and the U.S. In what ways can you think of in which you prefer some aspects of Canadian lifestyle to be implemented into U.S. society? Or, if you have no preferences, state why? Anything to be hopeful about regarding the relationship between both nations?

He U.S. & Canada Similar but Different

Discuss some of the similarities and differences between Canada and the U.S. In what ways can you think of in which you prefer some aspects of Canadian lifestyle to be implemented into U.S. society? Or, if you have no preferences, state why? Anything to be hopeful about regarding the relationship between both nations? This is opinion based.

Why should or not, Maduro remain in office as President? Should outside governments intervene in Venezuelan politics? Explain why or why not.

Maduro or No in Venezuela?
Watch the videos provided below.

Why should or not, Maduro remain in office as President? Should outside governments intervene in Venezuelan politics? Explain why or why not. (This is given that many nations are granting asylum to refugees, food shortages, Venezuelan resource demand (oil), economic collapse, death & political persecution, Maduro was never voted into office to begin with & such turmoil playing out in global media). The first video is about one hour long. Given the seriousness of this dynamic, I recommend watching the video in it’s entirety.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1gUR8wM5vA&t=16s

Significance of this festival (remember that this supposed to be celebratory of something). Also express how long should the festival last & why?

Create A Festival

You will first need to name your festival, then pick a region/country in the world as to where you would want this celebration to take place & why you chose this region?

Next you will need to outline some customs for this event (examples; attire, food practices, religious, taken oaths, restraints, physical activities, artistic expression, naturalistic things, competitions, etc. Use your imagination

Significance of this festival (remember that this supposed to be celebratory of something). Also express how long should the festival last & why?

What did you learn or stood out to you when learning about these celebrations in regards to awareness, enlightenment and the need for maintaining festive customs? Or, given everything that is wrong with the world (as stated above), do you believe that custom festivities should become less significant in global culture as the pressing issues of the world need to be made as a top priority?

Global Festivals
Watch the video links below and read the article.

Even though we as humans live in a complex world with various urgencies, why do you believe it is important to continue to cultural expressions like customary celebrations and festivals? What did you learn or stood out to you when learning about these celebrations in regards to awareness, enlightenment and the need for maintaining festive customs? Or, given everything that is wrong with the world (as stated above), do you believe that custom festivities should become less significant in global culture as the pressing issues of the world need to be made as a top priority?


The 20 Best Cultural Festivals Around the World

What potential problems or hindrances do you notice for in Singapore’s efforts that may be a cause for concern, or even a bit of far-reaching over-optimism?

NatGeo documentary on Singapore

Now that you’ve watched this NatGeo documentary on Singapore (45 minutes) in it’s entirety:
do you see other regions of the world mimicking some of these trends in a progressive manner that can aid the future of a collective sustainable global society? What potential problems or hindrances do you notice for in Singapore’s efforts that may be a cause for concern, or even a bit of far-reaching over-optimism?

What are some of the innovations, ambitions and dynamics present that is aiding India’s economic growth and productivity as the nation is positioning itself to rival China in more ways than it’s pre-existing tensions?

India the Next China
Watch the two videos provided below.

What are some of the innovations, ambitions and dynamics present that is aiding India’s economic growth and productivity as the nation is positioning itself to rival China in more ways than it’s pre-existing tensions? This is also with considerations to uneven development present and historical land disputes with heighten tensions that persists between India & China. How do you see this rivaling positioning aiding the regional economy of South & East Asia? Or do you see turmoil in the future between both nations due to ongoing tensions and now India catching up as an economic rival? Explain in two-three paragraphs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKNPP8nwD_E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKXldNsmRaw

How did the use of technology, like social media, help influence the diffusion (spread) of Tunisia’s Arab Spring? Years later, what has been some of the positive & negative aspects of this revolution that started in Tunisia & eventually had spread across the Middle East?

The Arab Spring & Now

Watch the videos attached below.

How did the use of technology, like social media, help influence the diffusion (spread) of Tunisia’s Arab Spring? Years later, what has been some of the positive & negative aspects of this revolution that started in Tunisia & eventually had spread across the Middle East?

Based on the information provided from the video, do you think Russia has somewhat been alienated by Europe?consider WWII, the fall of East Germany, Russia’s involvement with SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) opposed to a group like NATO. Or has Russia more so alienated themselves from Europe?

Russia’s Geography: Europe or Asia

Click the video link below watch the video about Russia’s geographic placement.
Based on the information provided from the video, do you think Russia has somewhat been alienated by Europe? This is given that 75% of its territory is east of the Euro mountains and deemed Asia by old geographers. Also consider WWII, the fall of East Germany, Russia’s involvement with SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) opposed to a group like NATO. Or has Russia more so alienated themselves from Europe? Refer to the textbook Chapter 5 for more details if need be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj6U7inQ0lA

What is the relationship between politics, people, place, and the infrastructural system?Does the system interact with ideas of nature, progress, the city, or the state? If not, what other kinds of ideologies are wrapped up in it? If you are choosing an angle that involves questions of justice, what might justice look like around that system?

LOS ANGELES UNION STATION

What is the relationship between politics, people, place, and the infrastructural system?

Who ushered the system into existence? Who benefits from it? Is there a power imbalance somewhere in the process of development and use? Does that power imbalance ever shift?

Does the system interact with ideas of nature, progress, the city, or the state? If not, what other kinds of ideologies are wrapped up in it?
If you are choosing an angle that involves questions of justice, what might justice look like around that system?