Oh, you thought there was more work?!

Ha! It's over! I'll talk to you all at noon.

7th and Last Assignment in the Fourth Quarter!

Hello Philosophy Students!

If June 5th (next Friday) is the last day of online classes, then this assignment is the last assignment!

For this last assignment (Due June 4th), I will let you take a tour of my mind. I will pose two questions. For this intellectual exercise, you must choose a side. These are the kinds of questions I have wrestled with for years. With both questions, I have developed answers for myself. But, people are different. That is what makes life so interesting.

1. Choose either Option 1 or Option 2--only one.

2. Read the scenarios.

3. Find the subject line to write for your email.

4. Email me, writing your explanation in the body of the email.

Remember: Choose a side. You cannot say, “It depends” or “Both are wrong” or “We are all responsible.” I want to push your philosophical mind to make a philosophical/ethical decision. So, for this last exercise, you must choose. Next Thursday, I will tell you the evolution of my philosophy on both questions.

Option 1:

Does it cause more harm to do harm or not do good when you know harm will take place?

Example: Drugs

• A student sells drugs at International High School.

• A student knows someone is selling drugs at International High School and does nothing to stop it?

Example: Bullying

• A student bullies.

• A student sees bullying and does nothing to stop it.

Example: Drinking and Driving

• A student drinks and drives.

• A student knows his friend is drinking alcohol and is about to get into her car but does nothing to stop her.

If you are answering this question, choose one of these subject lines for your email:

Doing a bad act is worse than not doing a good act.

Not doing a good act is worse than doing a bad act.

Then, explain in the email.

(Let’s be plausible. I am not saying you must be successful in trying to stop the person. I am saying you ACTED to stop the harm from happening. So, don’t say, “Well, I can’t stop people, so it’s not my responsibility.” This is not about the success of your action. It’s about your action.)

Option 2:

Background:

2007 was a very important year for me. It was my last year teaching in Baltimore City. I read a book with my students in my Government class, and we did a lot of growing together. Also, I have not shopped at a very popular store since 2007. In fact, it is one of the most popular businesses in the world. There are two very popular businesses, actually, where I have not shopped since 2007. I also became a vegan in 2007!

Enough about me. . .

If you eat a chicken sandwich, should you concern yourself about how the chicken was treated on the farm where it was raised? What if the chicken was abused before it was slaughtered? Would it matter to you? Would that change your relationship with that food? What about your clothing? What if you knew that Company A mistreated its workers? Would you stop buying clothing from Company A? If you buy from a business, you are supporting it, correct? So, if you know the business is mistreating its workers, are you saying you support the mistreatment of workers? Your money is a statement. If everyone buys vanilla ice cream, we are “stating” that we like that ice cream. The company will make more of it. Right? So, if you pay money for something, aren’t you responsible for how you get that thing? What about your clothing? If it says, “Made in China,” and you buy it, are you not responsible for supporting what goes on in China? What if in Country HHH, they enslaved children. And one day, you looked at your t-shirt, and it said, “Made in Country HHH.” Would you stop buying clothing from Country HHH? Or, are you not responsible?

Subject Line: 2020 - How Responsible am I?

Explain in the email.

(Let’s be plausible in our responses. Of course, we cannot know everything about a company, so let’s not say, “I can’t know everything.” Not all companies are the same. Some companies use only recycled materials. Others do not. If you cared deeply about recycling, and if two companies sold exactly the same thing, but one recycled and the other did not, I am sure you would choose to spend your money at the company that recycled. Right? I hope so. This question is not about knowing whether every baby chick is sung a lullaby at bedtime. It is about your responsibility to what you consume. So, be plausible in your response. :o) )

How responsible am I as a consumer? (Answer for yourself, not for others.)

6th Assignment in the Fourth Quarter

One-paragraph Summary, Due 27 May 2020

I appreciate your summaries on Canada and its treatment of its indigenous people. This week's assignment is our last "reparations" assignment. I could not find a NewsEla article :o( , so the reading cannot be adjusted, and you cannot listen to it unless you have a subscription. Do not attempt to subscribe. Just do your best with the reading. I found the lowest reading level. If you do not understand the reading, I can assign a tutor to you who can teach you what she or he learned.

Assignment:

This week, I would like you to write me a paragraph in an email. A paragraph is about 3-5 sentences. Do not write more than 5 sentences (I stop reading after 5 sentences.).

1. Read this article.

2. Write me an email with the subject line, "What the U.S. can learn from South Africa."

3. Write your one-paragraph summary in the body of the email, not in the subject line.

4. In your summary, be sure to tell me what the U.S. can learn from South Africa.

I look forward to reading your summaries!

Next week, we will move away from an Ethical question (reparations) to a metaphysical or epistemological question.

5th Assignment in the Fourth Quarter

One-paragraph summary, Due May 20, 2020.

Last week, I really did enjoy the lively Reparations discussion among those that were there. I feel that the students that participated made the discussion worth having! But, in terms of virtual, Philosophical Chairs, I would say we have a lot of work to do (too many remained silent). Overall, I was happy with the discussion. Thank you for participating, and thank you Naveed for your excellent arguments and Madina for arguing for both sides and your genuine questions!

This week, I would like you to write me a paragraph in an email. A paragraph is about 3-5 sentences. Do not write more than 5 sentences (I stop reading after 5 sentences.).

Summarize the video and article reading. You will be summarizing both (video and reading) in one paragraph. You will NOT write two paragraphs. Why? Because the video and the article are about the same topic. One is a personal story and the other is a news article about how the country addresses the issue. You are to summarize both into one paragraph.

5. Read this NewsEla article (Adjust the reading level. But, sorry. . . Newsela does not have a Spanish translation for this article.)

6. Take the Quiz.

7. Watch this video (adjust for your language, if necessary).

8. Write me an email with the subject line, "What the U.S. can learn from Canada."

9. Write your one-paragraph summary in the body of the email, not in the subject line.

Remember, the grading policy for fourth quarter is Pass or Incomplete. Do not stress yourself over this assignment. Do your best. If you do not understand it, see me at noon today for office hours, or I will assign you a tutor, if you ask. After you email your summary, I will respond within 48 hours with your grade (P or I), or I may suggest you make a change if your response is not satisfactory.

4th Assignment in the Fourth Quarter

This week, I will work on getting tutors paired with those who need it, so no assignments for this week! Yay! But. .

Join me today at noon where we will have our Philosophical Chairs discussion/debate on Reparations.

(I am recording the meeting. You don't have to show your face to participate! )

Mother's Day is also celebrated in the United States on Sunday, May 10th, so. . . .

3rd Assignment in the Fourth Quarter

Ethical Argument, Due May 6, 2020.

Hello. Thank you for your work last week. It was very interesting to see your thinking on the subject of Reparations.

Here are the numbers:

• 36% of you said the U.S. should NOT pay reparations to former slaves.

• 64% of you said the U.S. SHOULD pay reparations to former slaves.

What were your reasons?

J--4.5% of you said because of Jim Crow Laws.

U--40% of you said it would be UNWORKABLE to pay reparations to former slaves.

S--9% of you said the STATUS QUO should be the reason to NOT pay reparations.

T--45% said TRAUMA is the reason the U.S. should pay (One person used T incorrectly.)

This week’s assignment. . .

Warning: Do not wait until next week to start this. Start today. We will have our Office Hours today at noon, so after reading these instructions, please join me in Office Hours to have your questions answered.

This week’s assignment:

Add to your position on Reparations! How? A. Read an article in Newsela. B. Take the Quiz. C. Respond in ONE of TWO ways in an email. Here is how you respond: 1. Continue with your original reason for reparations, adding one reason (3.0) or two reasons (3.5) from the article to support your position on reparations. Or, 2. Change your original reason, using one (3.0) or two points (3.5) from this article to support why you chose to change your position.

How to respond in an email?

• Your subject line must read, “Reparations for Descendants of Slaves”

• Respond in an email, typing into the body of the email. (Do not take a picture and send it. You must type your response.)

Newsela: Remember, you can adjust the reading level. You can read it in Spanish. BUT, you must take the quiz in English.

SUMMARY:

1. Click on link and join the Newsela Class: https://newsela.com/quickjoin/#/ZHTW2M

2. Read the Article in that classroom (Be sure to adjust it to an appropriate reading level.)

3. Go to “Activities” (It is on the upper right part of the screen.).

4. Take the quiz.

5. Submit the quiz.

6. Write me an email in the following way:

Remember: Subject line must read: “Reparations for Descendants of Slaves”

You will add to your opinion about reparations or you will change your opinion about reparations in an email to me.

Here are examples of how to write that email:

Example #1:

“Last week, I said the U.S. SHOULD pay reparations to descendants of slaves because of Trauma. After reading the article, I have not changed my opinion. I still believe that descendants of slaves should receive reparations. I want to add two more reasons why descendants of slaves should receive reparations. 1) Because the U.S. gave reparations to the Chinese in 2027. 2) Because the University of Maryland has decided to help with tuition for descendants of slaves, and if they can do it, anyone can do it, the U.S. can do it!”

Example #2:

“Last week, I wrote that the U.S. Should NOT pay reparations to descendants of slaves because of U. It is unworkable. After reading this article, I have changed my opinion. I think the U.S. SHOULD pay reparations to descendants of slaves, and I will give two examples. 1) Because the U.S. gave reparations to the Chinese in 2027, it can give reparations to descendants fo African slaves! 2) Because the University of Maryland is helping descendants of slaves with college tuition. If the U.S. can give reparations to the Chinese and a college can help, the U.S. can give reparations to descendants of slaves!”

Example #3:

“Last week, I wrote that the U.S. Should NOT pay reparations to descendants of slaves because it is Unworkable. After reading the article in Newsela, I still believe that and want to add two more reasons why reparations should not be paid to descendants of slaves. 1) The professor from the University of Connecticut said, ‘The U.S. is in debt and cannot pay its bills today.’ 2) The Chinese that will get the money in 2027 are still alive from the Chinese Internment of 2001. They are still alive, so it makes sense to pay them. There are no slaves still alive, so living Americans should not have to pay for what dead Americans did!”

Note on Instructions: Before you email me any questions, read the instructions again. Ask a colleague in class (via email or text). If you need me to assign a “tutor” or a colleague that can help, let me know. I would be happy to!

Note on Content: After reading the article, if there are important concepts that are difficult for you to understand, ask me in an email. In the subject line, write the topic. For example: “Georgetown helps” or “Aetna Insurance.” Then, ask your question in the body of the email.

Note on Newsela: Recommendations: Do not start off on the "Max" if you are not in an AP class. It is very difficult and long. If you are in an AP class, you must start off on level "Max" (This is not a recommendation, but a requirement.). If you take a quiz and fail, you can re-take it at another level--not at the same level. Please do not email me, asking to re-take the quiz at the same level. I will not respond. So, make sure you read the first paragraph and see if it is too difficult for you. If it is, lower the reading level. Or, read it in Spanish (if you're a spanish speaker) first; then, read it in English at a lower level.

Next Week: We will attempt to have our very first Philosophical Chairs discussion (debate).

Second Assignment in the Fourth Quarter:

Ethical Question: Due April 29th.

Hello! It seems like many of you understand the Ethical Questions best. Remember, Ethical questions are questions that investigate whether something is right or wrong.

Since ethical questions seem the easiest to understand, we will start our philosophical discussion with an ethical question. If you remember, I asked about this topic the first week of March. I want your honest answer, but most importantly, I want your honest explanation! Write a paragraph or less. In some cases, one sentence will do. But, I want your ideas.

Okay. Here are your instructions. . .

1. It is due by April 29th.

2. As always, I need your words.

3. Submit your answer in the body of an email (Not in the subject line and NOT in a Google Doc.).

After reading the definition of Jim Crow, this definition of reparations and watching this video and this video, we will address an ethical question that we started in early March.

And, this is the question:

Should the United States pay reparations to descendants of slaves? Give one reason from the "Point Taken" video to support your answer. Make sure you use at least one letter (J, U, S, T) to say why, and explain your opinion--IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

(Example: "I do not think the U.S. should pay reparations to descendants of slaves because of S. Right now, the status quo is that we have moved past slavery, so I think we should not look back because looking back on the painful past will create more pain in the present." In this example, the student used the "S" from JUST and explained why she did not think the U.S. should pay reparations. And, no, you cannot use my example. :o) )

Okay, send it in an email. I look forward to seeing your name pop up in my inbox!

(By the way, the question of reparations has been asked since 1865,

and our country has NOT answered it! Perhaps, your generation will!)

First Assignment in 4th Quarter:

42 Questions (Due April 22)

• Create 14 questions for each category in a Google Doc. They have to be your questions. If you copy from the Internet or share with others, you will get a zero on the entire assignment.

  1. • 14 Epistemological Questions

     • 14 Metaphysical Questions

     • 14 Ethical Questions

• You should have 42 questions when you are done! Share with me when you are done. If I do not confirm it within 12 hours, I did not receive it. You have one week to complete it. So, it is due on April 22, 2020.

• Only if you have questions, you can ask questions during office hours today at noon (code: meet.google.com/ygj-rmmg-coi)