Post-Persepolis questions (Spring Break edition)

What was your favorite part of the movie?  Why? (funniest, most poignant, most educational, etc.)  What is one thing you learned about life in Iran that you did not know before?

Gapminder fun

Go to Gapminder and play around with the Gapminder World application.  Identify a trend that you think is worth exploring or interesting that relates to one of the three countries left in the course (Iran, Nigeria, Mexico).  This can be any two variables you think are worth exploring the relationship.  They have a lot of data and you can definitely find some interesting correlations. After you have found the variables, briefly explain the relationship you found and why you wanted to look at that relationship.
 

Pre-Persepolis reading

We will be watching Persepolis in class on Wednesday and Friday this week and it will serve to give you a history lesson on the Iranian Revolution as well as a look into the role of women in Iranian civil society.  Before we watch it though, I wanted to give you all a more recent (and academic) analysis of the increasing role of women in Iranian society.  Read this article and answer the following questions.

1. Does this give you a different perspective on the role of women in Iran?  Does it modify any preconceived notions about the opportunities afforded to Iranian women?
2.  Does the less conservative President Rouhani provide a temporary opening for women to achieve certain social and political goals, or is this just a first step in a more permanent, long-term change?  What are some obstacles that women in Iran still face in achieving their goals?  Explain your reasoning.

Hans Rosling and the "developing world"

Hans Rosling is a doctor that utilizes the quantitative approach to global health and development in an entirely new and interesting way.  He founded the non-profit Gapminder and his first TED talk "The best stats you've ever seen" in 2006 is a great introduction to the data service and shows some misconceptions people have about the so-called "developing world."  This is one of the most informative, enlightening and entertaining TED talks out there about global issues.  Watch his latest TED talk here before you answer the questions below.

After watching both Rosling talks and reading chapter 9 in Oneil on LDCs and NICs, do you agree more with Rosling or Oneil about the categorization of countries into developing and developed?  Or do you think that what they say is similar?  Explain the similarities and differences you find in their arguments and point anything you agree or disagree with.  Let me know of any other links or info you think might be helpful to this discussion.

The Cold War - 2014 edition

The increasing involvement of the Russian military in Crimea, a pro-Russian region of Ukraine with strategic importance because of it's location on the Black Sea, has caused many to fear the renewal of Cold War tensions, uncertainty and brinkmanship.  Obviously this situation is different in that Russia is no longer the superpower it once was (although Putin likes to think they are), but it still bears striking similarities.  Russia has, in the last few days been playing a difficult diplomatic and military chess game.  They have brought in troops for "self-defense" of ethnic Russians and have since withdrawn, stating that military action would be  a 'last resort.'  Meanwhile, the US and EU have been in talks to draw up sanctions if Russia continues to involve themselves in what the West views as a legitimate overthrow of a corrupt Ukrainian government.  Putin disagrees, calling it an "unconstitutional coup."

What are your thoughts?  Read up here or really anywhere, as it is an international headline, and post any insights or comments that relate to what we have been learning in class.

Ai Wei Wei - "Never Sorry"

I hope you enjoyed the documentary and it gave you an inside look at the different methods and tools of the Chinese government in exercising authority over their citizens.  

1. For you, what was the most alarming method of repression by the Chinese government?  Did anything surprise you about the coercion and surveillance methods?

2. For you, what was the most memorable, impactful or emotional protest/installation/art piece of Ai Wei Wei?  Why did it have an impact on you as an individual?

3. What role can the internet (specifically Twitter) play in speaking out against authority?  Are the Chinese governments restrictions on internet usage helping them to stay in power or only highlighting the abuses of their power?  Explain your reasoning.

4. Why are judicial independence and free speech such important elements of a free society according to Ai Wei Wei?

A different kind of threat in China

Largely because of it's rapid industrialization and economic growth, China has been battling pollution problems (to put it mildly).  Do you think the economic benefits that come with economic growth outweigh the negative externalities (pollution, lower standards of health) that come with it?

Here is an article about the Chinese media spin on the smog crisis, and the pursuit of possible solutions.  What does this say about the state run media?  What about the business opportunities created form this misfortune?