Class Evaluation

1. Class Discussion/ Facilitation/ Conversation

· I thought class discussion was very thought provocative. It was great to see each other’s opinions emerge and take shape around different discussion topics.

· One of things I did not like about to discussion was the long awkward pauses which were quite common in our class, but I came to see that they were necessary as we as a class were just in deep thought.

· I thought as a class during our discussion we did a great job on respecting each other’s opinions and building off the shared knowledge in the class.

· It was great that as class there was no immediate pressure to force a discussion to fill the silence which too often happens.

· The informal format also I believe took a lot pressure off our class as a whole, our discussions were able to have a natural flow.

2. Video Conferencing

· This was a great experience being able to use this medium which is becoming a common format in both the personal and business fronts.

· It was weird to be able to see myself talking on camera, a little imitating but nothing that after doing it a few times couldn’t fix.

· I would have liked to have video conferenced more but understandably there were difficult dynamics and circumstances to work around.

· It was amazing to see how this medium could truly bring people together from different locations and allow them to instantly react to the conversation in class.

· I also liked this style because we were able to see the raw emotion, something blogging or email can not necessarily evoke in the same manner.

3. Readings and the topics

· The readings I felt correlated with the material and accented it in a unique way.

· It was great that we were given an array of readings from short stories, Karen Armstrong, case studies, statics, and poetry.

· Karen Armstrong’s book though honestly had a large impact on my opinions and changed my personal perspective on a lot of issues. I thought this was a brilliant and thought provoking book and it facilitated great discussion coupled with other readings.

· I also appreciated the compare and contrast that was also facilitated through the readings we were able to go places and see different personal perspectives on Jerusalem.

· Honestly there was a lot of reading which did stunt some my ability to react to other classmate’s blogs.

· I think the breadth of the reading material could be cut a little but I do think that there are key pieces that I feel that without them they would change the dynamics of the class. This would hinder the growth of the class in my opinion.

4. Lecturers and Speakers

· I think the lecturers and the speakers bought a lot to the class they were definitely thought provokers.

· They brought the material to life something that was also true with the video conferencing.

· It was great to see each of their different perspectives and grow from their knowledge and understandings

· We were also able to see the raw passion which is something that I truly did see when interacting with some of them.

· I believe that they were an intricate part of the class and offered both an academic and slightly personal perspective on the situation in Jerusalem.

5. Blogging

A. Class Blog

· I thought this was a wonderful way of expression and one the dynamics of the class that drew me to this particular class.

· This was a lot better than just writing personal responses and allowed us to share our thoughts with the class in a sort of non-threatening manner.

· I think that this is something that should be integrated in most classes as it gives the students a voice allowing a unique growth and thought processes.

B. Individual Blog

· In my individual blog I liked that it was open for others to comment and I felt that I could really put my own opinion out in this environment.

· I would have liked to try to the video more, but it is so easy to ramble and it takes practice to be concise and not digress.

· I do think that would add to the class, but I know that this is not something that maybe all students could do. Though it would be a nice accent to an already tech savvy class it would be great to put that forth and do video blogging.

C. Individual Responses and Comments to other people’s blogs

· Unfortunately and admittedly I feel like this was lacking in the class and was mostly hindered by the extensive reading and responses that were due.

· I think that maybe making it mandatory while also rescinding some of the reading may help facilitate this part of the class. I feel as a class and personally that I was unable to respond to everyone’s blog and create that dialog which would have added to the class.

6. Syllabus and its clarity

· I felt that the syllabus was very clear and concise, even with some things shifting; I always knew when things were due.

· It was also very helpful in formulating my blogs because it gave thought provoking questions that helped to expand on my blogging entries.

7. Final Project

A. Own Project

· I enjoyed the project I got to learn a lot about myself, the people in my life and the city.

· I like the creative freedom that was given for the project which enabled me to explore a subject matter that really intrigued me.

· It was great to be able to use Amy and our classmates to bounce ideas off and hone in on what would be a great project.

· This was truly a great experience and allowed me to work with different mediums to create a unique project.

B. Learning from other people’s projects

· I thought the freedom that the class had to put together the project was great it truly allowed for everyone’s creative force to come out. This allowed each of us to learn something and take something away from each person’s projects, in my opinion.

· Everyone’s projects bought out a different aspect of the city and its people.

· I think if constrained to a particular topic that would have stifled not only the creative nature but also the different lessons and perspectives of the classes’ projects.

· I think it was great that a painting was integrated into the projects something that was not only creative but also allowed us as a class to gain different outlook on the city and its residents. That was honestly and profound and unique approach which could have only been fostered by the openness of the project guidelines.

8. Personal Reflection

· I have truly learned the complexities in religion and how it is almost directly in bed with politics this is an aspect of religion that is rarely ever talked about.

· This class has honestly challenged my understanding of faith and the three monotheistic religions. I look at them a lot differently taking a more crucial look at their influence in the world and especially politics.

· Initially I came in the class with the opinion that Israel was right and that terrorism should be stifled by any means necessary but I had never really known the Palestinian side. I do not condone any form of terrorism but I must say I do understand their struggle and there are so many parallels with the African apartheid, it’s amazing that the international community has not taken a stand on this. The video about the rapper and then seeing the video project of a former student definitely played a role in re-shaping my personal opinions coupled with the readings.

· I have a true appreciation for the human condition now and just seeing how the truth of religion is sometimes lost on human desires for power. It was interesting to see that religion, while it brings people together, it can also be an exclusionary entity causing friction, division, and hate. These are things that are unfounded in the core of religion but are often presented with the human condition.

· I am interested in learning more and will probably continue to find reading material that is objective. This class was great class and I had great time with it.

Project update

So I totally switched gears I'm focusing on the concept of holy sites. I'll be interviewing an Israeli Jewish immigrant, Christian Student at Ohio State, and I'm still working on finding someone who could give an Islamic perspective (so if anyone knows of someone I could interview that would be great...thanks). I will be asking all participants: What makes a site holy/How does a site become holy? Why or why not is it important to have/preserve holy places? What should be done with a holy area? Is there an area that you consider holy? Why or Why not? Can a place considered to be holy/spiritual be shared? (if it cannot be shared who should get control over the area and why?) With the conflict in Jerusalem what do you think will be the fate of the holy places there? I am open for any suggestions in this examination on Holy places....

Response to reading 10

PYALARA is a wonderful idea where quite literally children are seen as the future. This program is similar to programs offered in the United States and several other countries to under-privalaged youth. I think that is sometimes important to note that children have the uncanny ability to grow and build in places where it is simply sometimes impossible for an adult to. I like how it fosters self pride through the programs giving a space for development of an independent and confident attitude. These are the seeds needed for change and in situations such as these I think sometimes it is best action of attack to foster change through the youth hoping that those lessons are things that are not forgotten and instilled into them through adulthood. I love how these children are given a voice a voice for their community. As an adult is most times to late and hard to change individuals steeped in their ways but through the children lives hope and I truly do believe that. This is a great glimmer of hope in an atmosphere of deprivation as depicted in the Overview of the Political Contexts and Developments. As youth rights are often violated and their voices and opportunities stifled. More money should be funneled into ventures such as these by the Palestinian government and make them more inculsionary for the disabled and females. Investments in children and the youth are definitely key in the changing and evolution of a community.

Response to Reading 9

The poem A City of Stone by Ali Qlibo is a beautiful depiction of the multifaceted city of Jersualem. He illustrates how the past has an influential nature to the present because of the diverse and rich history that the city is steeped in. This connection between history and the present is made with the ever present historical edifices that engulf the city as they are an identifying character of the cultures that make up Jerusalem. Also reading the Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land by David Shipler there is an illustration of that the parties in Jerusalem are sort of one in the same as all of the devote rise in early in the morning to praise their God. The article also reiterates the cultural complexities and identity of the city through the swinging pendulum of extremes. The author makes a very powerful and poignant statement that through all the history of the city and wisdom cultivated there, that there is nothing but bloodshed that has stemmed. To a point this is true Jerusalem is an old city whose wisdom has given rise to eternal violence and rage that permeates in from the past to the present.

Response to Tuesday

I thought it was a great experience to be able to talk with individuals who are living in Jerusalem and give us an inside perspective. There was a very conscious effort to avoid politics and kind of this sweeping ideal that the issues in the city all stem from political extremists on both ends. This is a contrasting ideal to Professor Salim who views the issue as a deeply entrenched issue within the people on both sides of the conflict. I also thought it was interesting that one of the students did bring up that certain groups of people including some Arabs are discriminated against, it was a very real statement made in a very politically conscious discussion. Another thing that was interesting was their perspective on U.S. Americans, and our disconnect with the region and conflict. I did thoroughly enjoy the experience and enjoyed the opportunity to use such technology as a mechanism to bring us closer together through this great communication.

Response to Readings 8

After reading chapters 7 and 9 I cannot help myself from seeing the parallels of the Palestinians with that of Africans of South Africa. Suad Amiry conveyed a sense of second class citizenship that was experienced in a lighter form by the Africans of South Africa. Both governments in power implemented policies used to stifle and control the minority population. This parallel can be drawn from the imposed curfews and check points which were used to constrict the maneuverability of the minority populations and allowing the governments to have the ability to always have a constant eye on their activity. Home invasions too were also common place for Palestinians and Africans as a way to curb any terrorists and terror attacks. In the reading the most perturbing thing that both oppressed party's share is this tragic injustice and blatant discrimination. This is highlighted in the reading as Palestinians were not given gas masks as they had been promised to protect themselves from the threats of the War and how the dog was able to gain an ID for Jerusalem but it was almost impossible for a Palenstian to gain one. I find that the difference between these two is the severity of oppression experienced by the African population. "Jerusalem: Not the Mother of all Cities." compares the city to a woman which I feel is an accurate depiction of the dilemmas in the city as women are often the objects of conflict...(hmm Helena of Troy)...as is the city.

Channels of Rage

I have found it extremely difficult to find any reviews on the film "Channels of Rage" online. At most there are a few synopsizes that are online that give a very brief description of the movie. I do find that the movie does seem to be interesting as it shows the expressive nature of hip hop from a global perspective, a feature all to often drowned out by the mundane sound of the mainstream. Watching this film I think will illustrate the empowerment that music brings to people and the change that it can help bring forth. Art like rap gives people who normally wouldn't have a voice an opportunity to speak to the world and be heard on some level so to see this action work in Israel is a true testament to the power of music. I find it interesting that the group Subliminal has been able to collaberate with some of the biggest rap names in the United States Wyclef Jean and Wu-Tang clan. The collaboration with Wyclef Jean is amazing because this is a highly decorated and respected musician whose music often times has a political undertone, so I wonder how much influence if any did he have on the recording that he and the group did together. Music has allowed all the groups featured in the movie to take their struggle to the world stage spreading it not only in the affected area of Israel and Palentstine but also the United States and Europe. This link gives great insight to the movie and it's goals http://www.azm.org/AZM_MovieGuide_ChannelsOfRage.pdf another link that I found to be useful was http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117925365.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 illustrating some poignant scenes in the documentary. I'm excited to see this film. As for my project I have two avenues that I'm leaning towards one doing a compare and contrast of soldiers from Israel and American soldiers in the Iraq war with the Israeli public (both perspectives) and the American public (both perspectives) feel about their effectiveness and so forth. The other project I was thinking of doing was comparing the influence of hip hop in America with Israeli hip hop and the political change it may ignite.