LER #1
Posted by podco on February 3, 2009
The accompanying LER video is centred around two broad questions. You need to answer both; each answer should be in the form of its own unique post to this site.
There is a third task which is to leave a comment on two other posts by your fellow students.
Your subject line for your first post should be in the format “Susan’s response, LER 1, Question 1″ and for your second “Susan’s response, LER 1, Question 2″
Please remember to tag your each post properly by checking “Response_LER#1″in the categories box on the right hand of editing page.
1. We reflect on our reactions to the video about war’s effect on women in the Congo that we watched in the first part of last week’s class.
Q. Discuss/compare the video vis-a-vis the Globe & Mail articles
2. With the help of a reading from Jamaica Kincaid – and a documentary about the reality of life in her country under the monetary strictures of the IMF – we explore the problematic nature of tourism.
How do we respond to the anger of the hosts toward their visitors? And does it make us reflect on the relationship between hosts ( First Nations peoples) and “guests” in our own country?
Q. Can one be an ethical tourist? Discuss.
Alternatively, reflect on the similarities between the relationship described by Kincaid and the relationship the dominant culture has with its First Nations hosts in Canada.
For either question, reference other sources found on the web.
3. Comment on two posts from other classmates. Using the comment feature demonstrated during a previous class, give a thoughtful response to two different posts. They can be from same person or you can respond to one post each, from separate people.
arnoldbrenda said
Brenda’s Response, LER #1 Question #2
Am I really just a tourist here in Canada, my country of birth? Were we, as colonists, the original tourists who came and stayed and made the place our own – just like Kincaid’s “tourists”? My readings, class discussions and recent thinking has created in me a turmoil, to put it mildy. I knew that colonization had lasting and devastating effects but I had never really put it into a context, a context that left me aching for what might have been for those who were “conquered”. To quote Cher “If I Could Turn Back Time” what could we have done that would change what we have today here in Canada? The roll of thunder that was colonization was not some well out plan. It just happened. The outcome has been devastating and far reaching but what do any of you see as an alternative? I have no answers – just questions, as usual. I’m not even sure which question my thoughts reflect!
drspooner said
I truly enjoy teaching, working through difficult questions with people (in this context, students, OH and YES, still people!) who want to engage with/in the subject matter at hand. So first off, above/beyond the given assignment of two posts and commenting on two posts from classmates, we can also engage in a general discussion like this one generated from commenting on the Q.2 itself. Great stuff! #1 I suppose whether we (settler) are or can still be thought of as tourist might very well be seen from at least two very different perspectives! # 2 Sadly, I do think that colonization was a well-thought out plan in the sense that many in power knew exactly what the ramifications of, first their wars, and then their programs would be… For example, I am thinking of Ward Churchill’s writings “Kill the Indian, Save the Man” or “A Little Matter of Genocide: Holocaust and Denial in the Americas, 1492 to Present” as well as the examination of current practices as outlined in Dr. Dean Neu’s “Accounting for Genocide”. By the way, the always controversial Ward Churchill spoke here last year, the video can be found at:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-932035938331497720
This thread and discussion is super!
Keep up the good work and Let’s talk!
take care,
marc
Anonymous said
Brenda’s comment to Marc (maybe, or perhaps to all, I’m not sure!)
Again, if I could turn back time and get into the minds of the planners, what would I learn about the people in charge, the ones who actually worded the treaties? Do you know of anything that I can read that might quench this desire, or would it all be contrived like so much of that part of our history. You’re making me weary, Marc, I simply do not have enough time in my day to find out what I think I should know!! See you tonite! B
drspooner said
Hi Brenda (or anonymous) and All. This is a learning opportunity– of course, my views, your views, people’s views will change with time as more information, awareness, experience, and wisdom work the magic that they do… But, please don’t let paralysis rob you of this learning opportunity to work through this material…we are doing just that, working through difficult material– and difficult material is, well, difficult! This is what grad school is truly about…enjoy the learning– as difficult as it may be…
Happy stretching,
Marc
andreasprentz said
Brenda,
I am encouraged by your honesty and your straight-forwardness about what this process feels like. I sincerely hope your turmoil or any floundering you experience will morph into personal strength. See you tonight, Andrea
Walls of the University Weaken | LightintheWoods said
[...] recorded broadcasts can be found here. The students have responded with blog posts, to snippets of recorded conversations from class recordings. Evan has done great work managing the course blog and creating this first assignment video. My [...]