UN Project Social Studies

The United Nations Security Council has been charged with the task of defending peace and creating security in our world. After World War II the UN had a messy war to clean up, a frustrating history to remake (League of Nations), and dozens of new countries to help. The task was not a simple one and it continues today.

In the Twentieth Century there were numerous occasions when the United Nations was called upon to help fledgling nations and innocent civilians. In this project you are going to uncover the good, bad and ugly.

Your Task

• Go to http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/
• Here you will find links to peacekeeping operations around the world since the inception of the United Nations. There are historical and present day examples of armed conflict on Earth that the United Nations Security Council has had to deal with
• Once there, choose one specific peacekeeping operation from the dropdown list under “past operations” or “present operations”
• Create a project that uncovers and critiques the operation

1. Find a map or maps on that site that gives details on the country and operation.
2. Summarize the historical background before the UN got involved.

i. Create a timeline.

ii. Summarize in 5Ws format.

3. Summarize the political and diplomatic process that the UN took with the country

i. Make jot notes that covers the topic.

4. Make a terminology list of words that you find that might be important to know (at least 10 words).
5. Summarize the current state of the country. Was the operation a success or a failure? This will be done in paragraph format. 1^st paragraph will tell what the country is like today. 2^nd paragraph will tell what you consider to be a success and what you consider to be a failure. 3^rd paragraph will tell if your country could be considered a success or a failure according to your definitions.
6. Submit the final project in a professional looking binder or case (provided by school if you don’t have one)
7. Present your findings to the class
1. Create a quick PowerPoint show that details the operation in 5 slides.

Social 33 Essay - Thursday, March 1, 2007

Click on the following to see a bigger picture:



Use these above notes and newspapers to answer the following question:

What were the causes of World War II?

Write a four paragraph essay with the following format to answer the question:

Introduction

• Life statement
• Context - briefly point out what you are going to talk about
• Thesis - what is the answer to the question?

SEE #1

• Statement - use key words to introduce your first point
• Evidence - what is the first reason for the Second World War?
• Explanation - why did that help lead to WWII?

SEE #2

• Statement - use key words to introduce your first point
• Evidence - what is the first reason for the Second World War?
• Explanation - why did that help lead to WWII?

Conclusion

• Thesis - restate your point of view
• Summarize your two points
• Implications - so what? Why is it important to study the reasons for WWII?

Your essay is due at the end of this class. Print off what you have completed and hand it in.

Religious Freedom?

Recently six babies were born in Vancouver all at once to one woman -sextuplets. Some people have expressed outrage and shock because of the deaths of two of the babies already because the parents have refused to have the children accept blood transfusions. Others have expressed shock that the government would step in and force beliefs upon people with these religious convictions. Check out the story here.

Here is a bit of background for the JW beliefs on blood transfusions

Give your point of view by logging into the Calgary Academy discussion forum and posting your thoughts there. www.calgaryacademy.com/forum

Human Nature

Many people over the millenia have attempted to answer questions about how humanity becomes evil. Are we born innocent and somehow are bent by our surroundings? or do we have an inherent desire to do wrong and have to daily battle that desire? It is a question that has been debated througout history by individuals like Tomas Hobbes, "“Men become old, but they never become good”

1 - Read the article Good Samaritan Resuces Hurricane Vicitims. Explain what it means to do good and why people do good.

2 - Read the story and watch Natalie Clancy's report on the trial of Robert Pickton which started yesterday: Pickton Trial. Do a 5Ws for the Pickton trial.

3 - Find another current story that supports your point of view on the question and relate using evidence the answer to the following question for yourself - are humans born innocent or with a desire for evil? Begin by defining your terms and then give examples from your experience and learning that would support your point of view.


Email to me or put in my inbox when you are done.

Heart of Darkness

Today we will be doing a little online work. Follow the directions below and answer all four questions. You are to put your answers and pictures on your blog.



Go to http://www.quia.com/quiz/848909.html and complete the quick questions posted there.

1. First of all, create a new posting on your blog and insert a picture of the Congo River and a picture of Boyoma Falls (formerly Stanley Falls). (5 marks)

2. Stanley Falls was named after Henry Stanley a reporter who once travelled to the Congo. In 1870 he was assigned by New York Herald to search for a missionary, David Livingstone. Click here and find out the story of Stanley and Livingstone. Briefly retell it on your blog then make the connection between this story and Heart of Darkness. (10 marks)

3. What is imperialism? Does imperialism exist in some form today? Explain your answer. (5 marks)

4. What imperialistic ventures occur in the Congo today? Find a site or news story that details a company that is actively pursuing ventures in the Congo. (10 marks)



Hints for searching - attempt to use quotation marks wherever possible. Be specific when you search. Look for "exploration, mining in Congo"

Cult of the Personality

Good day, my friends.

Go to this site to do your quiz for today:
http://www.quia.com/quiz/848149.html



Now that you have finished your quiz you have some tasks to complete. You are to log into your blog and answer the following questions there.

Today we will look into something dictators use to create godlike status for themselves. Go to the this site and read about the cult of the personality

1. Define cult of the personality
2. Give one example from China about how the leader can be adored
3. Why do personality cults attempt to make state and leader synonymous?
4. What can happen quickly after the death of the leader?
5. Choose three leaders listed on that page and briefly describe how each designed a cult for their own personality

Please post your blog and email me your address. This is due by the end of this class.

Birthday

Birthday #2. How cool is that? She is getting so grown up. Talk about a birthday that focuses on a cartoon character? This was a Dora-fest. Dora shoes, Dora pants, Dora dolls, Dora stickers. Even a Dora cake.

I think I have a new most favoritist sound - the sound of my daughter whispering in the morning. Whenever someone whispers to her she tends to whisper back, unless it is in a meeting but that is another story...Her little voice in the morning about melts my heart. It could be, "I'm sweeping (ie sleeping)," or "I need my blanket," or "Where's Mommy?" Nothing like being a father.

On another topic - what's up with the Canucks? Went to the game last night with Adam from the school here and had a great time. Sat beside and in front of some loud Canucks fans which made me feel at home. We scored the first goal but the Flames tied it up in the second. Great second period filled with end to end rushes. However, in the third the Flames got two to end the game in the last five minutes. Okay, you don't judge a team by their pre-season game but I was still a bit disappointed by the lack of speed from a few of the new faces. Hopefully they will put together a competitive team this year that allows for lots of excitement. Calgary is looking good, though. How about Tanguay and Iginla. How much better can it get? Should make for some good entertainment.