E.C. Freshmen - Inheritance

To continue our debate from today, listen to one of the listed section from our Radiolab episode, "Inheritance."  

Do you find yourself believing more in nature or nurture?  How can we support each claim?  More importantly, how does this debate fit into Mary Shelley's Frankenstein?  Are our characters creatures of their genes or their environments?  Be sure to respond to the podcast but also respond to each other.  Feel free to contributed additional resources (links please) to continue our debate!

E.C. Seniors - Why Are There Still So Few Women In Science?

Please read the following NYTimes article.  Yes, it's long (stop whining) but I believe that it reopens a pertinent question, revealing a rather unsurprising trend in academia; women scientists are not only scarcer than their male counterparts, but are also paid significantly less and subjected to harsher criticism.

Is this trend present in our school?  I'm curious to see the male and female perspective of Stuyvesant students, students who exist in a math and science school.  Is Stuyvesant a proponent of change in the face of this trend or is Stuyvesant continuing the perception that science is a subject for men?

While we may be tempted to use actual names (students and teachers), please refrain.  Let's have a strong, pointed, but respectable discussion.  Don't just engage the article, engage each other.  Feel free to include links to other related topics.

Freshmen - Work for the Week of September 30th

Monday September 30th

Minutes: Maddie, Alex H.

Reading HW: Ch. VI - VIII
HW:   Why do you think the creature feels such affection for this cottage family?  What does the story so far show us about the role of family in life?  Why does the creature crave to belong?  Why does the monster contemplate the following: “Was I then a monster,” he asks, “a blot upon the earth, from which all men fled, and whom all men disowned?”  Can you think of anyone in society who might feel similar to this? 

Tuesday October 1st

Minutes: Claudia, Gianluca

Reading HW: Ch. 3 They Say I Say, Original Assignment

HW: Begin revision of draft.

Wednesday October 2nd

Minutes: Lucy, Caroline

Reading HW: Part III Ch. 1-3

HW: Revision of PP due.
Thinking Question (you don't have to write): Should Victor create a mate for his creature?  Why/why not?

Thursday October 3rd

Minutes: Bayle, Rozi

Reading HW:  Part III Ch. 4-5

HW:

Friday October 4th

Minutes: Courtney, Xin Yi

Reading HW: Part III Ch. 6-7

HW:

Monday October 7th

Minutes: Jannat, Andrew

Reading HW: Finish book.  Bring in to return.

HW: Considering our early discussions, is Frankenzstein an example of "good" literature?  Why or why not?

Seniors - Work for the Week of September 30th

Monday September 30th

Minutes: Crystal Liu
Reading HW: The Bell Jar Ch. 1-3
HW: Explore Esther's identity.  Is she a Besty or a Doreen?  Find 5 sentences in your reading that you feel you can really relate to. 

Tuesday October 1st

Minutes:

Reading HW: Please review the comments on your personal essay.

HW: Identify three major issues that you'd like to improve in your paper.

Wednesday October 2nd

Minutes:

Reading HW: Ch. 4

HW: 

Thursday October 3rd

Minutes:

Reading HW: Ch. 5-6

HW: Is Buddy a good match for Esther?  Please find four pieces of evidence to support your point.  How can we explain Esther's dissatisfaction with/attraction to Buddy?

Monday October 7th

Ch. 7
HW: How is Esther's life like a "fig tree"?  I'd like you to think of you own life like a fig tree.  Explain six different potential "branches" of your fig tree that reflect the hopes and desires of you, your friends, your family, and your culture, and your country.

Juniors - Work for the Week of September 30th

Monday September 30th

Minutes: Andy Z., Tommy S.

Reading HW: N/A

HW: Rumination paper due.

Tuesday October 1st

Minutes: Oliver, Angela

Reading HW: "In the Field", "Good Form" "Field Trip"

HW: Bring in a photo of importance to you.  ALSO, answer: After reading "Good Form", do you feel betrayed by O'Brien?

Wednesday October 2nd

Minutes: Sean, Noah

Reading HW: “Ghost Soldiers” and “Night Life”

HW: How has O'Brien's character changed over the course of this book?

Thursday October 3rd

Minutes: Joey, Shazif

Reading HW: "The Lives of the Dead"

HW: N/A

Friday October 4th

Minutes: Christina, Bredan

Reading HW: Review your rumination paper's comments.

HW: Rewrite of analysis, not required, due Wednesday.

Monday October 7th

Minutes: Nathaniel, Eric

Reading HW: Ch. 1 Slaughterhouse Five

HW: Why is the alternate title of this book The Children's Crusade?

E.C. - Seniors - Toys That Break Gender Stereotypes

As per our discussion in class, our society is clearly in need of toys that shattered gender stereotypes and let children explore without feeling the tight constriction of gender norms.  Ida introduced us to GoldieBlox, whose website I encourage you to visit.  I'd like you to do one of the following:

1) Conduct some research of your own and find toys that do not limit themselves to gender stereotypes, perhaps working towards introducing children to iconoclastic concepts that may exceed gender norms.

2) Show us some of the worst offenders in marketing shamelessly towards a particular gender such as the controversial "Lego's for Girls".

Be sure to provide a link and an explanation.  Also, read your classmates' comments and chime in on the discussion!

Seniors - Work for the Week of September 23rd

Monday September 23rd
Minutes: Aron H.
Reading HW: N/A
HW: Begin image analysis, due Tuesday.

Tuesday September 24th
Minutes: Farzan A.
Reading HW: N/A
HW: Image Analysis due for workshop!

Here's a link to the 50 rape cases from our article today.

Wednesday September 25th
Minutes: Crystal Lau
Reading HW: Sexism and a Campaign's Collapse, Does It Matter?, "Second Those Emotions"  
HW: Based on our three readings, please assess how women in power are often portrayed in the media. What lessons can be learned from these portrayals?  What do these portrayals teach fe/male audiences? Explain.

Thursday September 26th
Minutes: Laura E.
Reading HW: "Angel of the House", Excerpt from "Professions of Women"
HW: How does this poem represent many of the forms of stereotype and sexism that women face today?  What does Woolf propose to challenge the angel of house?

Friday September 27th
Minutes: Marvin M.
Reading HW: Foreword of  The Bell Jar 
HW: Do something that breaks gender stereotypes.  Tell us about it in class.

Monday September 30th
Minutes: Crystal Liu
Reading HW: The Bell Jar Ch. 1-3
HW: Explore Esther's identity.  Is she a Besty or a Doreen?  Find a sentence in your reading that you feel you can really relate to.