Ash's Art Appreciations, Lecture #7

[names-ash.livejournal.com]

[[ooc: Yes, this is uber early. It's done, so I might as well post it now, since it is technically Monday, yo.]]

Ash stands in front of the class, dressed in a red jumpsuit he stole from Joel Robinson's closet. He looks part smug, part miffed. He taps his pen against his chin as he waits for everyone to arrive.

"Inspired," he spits out the word rather unhappily "by certain events this weekend, I have a special topic for today's class. Now, all of you frelling knuckleheads SHUT UP, AND QUIET DOWN."

He dims the lights and starts a slideshow.

"Here is our First Slide. You'll notice that this is what some would call a tattoo. This is our topic of discussion for the class. Body modification of the inking kind. Is this art? Is this particular tattoo art? How about This one! Is that art, kids? Please, go ahead and take notes. Maybe learn something, you jerkaholics."

Ash grumbles a bit before continuing his lecture.

"Perhaps this is art? What would qualify these as art? Is it the colors, the image itself, what? Do Mere Words make a tatto art, if used in an ironic sense? What about dragons, anchors, Hearts with "Mom" on them. Are they art? They're as ubiqutous as the frelling soup cans."

Ash scribbles some notes on his clipboard before proceeding.

"Perhaps your boat is floated to the point that THIS is Art. Or maybe DIRTY PHRASES IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES."

Ash flings his pen at the back wall, before staring at the floor and taking a deep breath.

"Our Next Slide shows us more variety, yes. So does This Slide." Ash sighs. "And I've got More Slides, Yet More, And Another, and this crap too."

Ash rolls his eyes and turns up the lights.

"Right, Art? Yes? No? Wanting to own up to being the dirty kid who wrote on my unconscious body about me having sex with goats? Bueller?"

Speech Comm

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She's downright perky this morning, and smiles easily at all the students.]

( 301--Theory )

Geology

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

*The workstations are empty except for the supplies each group will need for each experiment.*

*Ms. Sidle is sitting at a desk in the front row, a roll sheet by her hand, looking expectant.*

I'm ready to see your experiments, class.

Language Classes, 11/14

[game-of-you.livejournal.com]

Dream appears relatively cheerful today, and he has set up a table with juice and pastries near the back of the room. He believes it would be better for students to have a little less caffeine.


"Good morning. I hope you all had pleasant weekends.

Languages of Asia: You will begin studying Japanese vocabulary today. Here is a worksheet of the first expressions you should learn. Study the vocabulary , and listen to the audio tapes in the language lab.

Classics: We are continuing our work in ancient Greek. Today, we'll be discussing adjectives and prepositions."

Journalism Class - Monday November 14

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

Spider is lounging in his chair, cat in his lap and a huge mug of coffee in one hand.

"Today, as promised, we will be discussing your final term project. I hope that everyone is paying attention. We'll work out the specifics by the end of the week, but here is what I expect of you.

Each journalism student, saving only our photo journalist, needs to select one other student from the school population. Your subject must be another student and they must be someone you know only casually. It would be better if they were a complete stranger. No friends, roommates or significant others may be chosen for this project.

Once you have chosen your subject, you will need to approach them and arrange for an interview and, this is the important part, permission to accompany them home for an hour or so (preferably with your photojournalist also at hand). Coffee, lunch, a fast space battle... whatever appeals to you both. Please apply to me for the appropriate permissions to leave campus, as this is a sanctioned school activity.

I want to see a 400 word article on your chosen subject as a well-rounded person - not as a student at Fandom High. I also will require the text of the interview. Choosing someone who has already been featured in any public interview or student newspaper article is frowned upon. I want to see fresh material, please.

Each article must be accompanied by two photographs. One needs to be a standarized head shot, and our Photojournalist will be responsible for those. It is permissable for her to set either appointments or put aside a day wherein she will be available to take those photographs. It will be your responsibility to see to it that the subject shows up. The second photograph needs to be of something significant to the subject and the article (hence it being a good idea to ask the photojournalist to accompany you on your field trip - if she cannot fit you into her schedule, other arrangements can be made through me).

That's all for the moment. An official Homework post will be made tomorrow. In the meantime, discuss."

Quantum Physics 123: Monday 14 November

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor sits on top of his desk, swinging his legs, as the class enters. He's got coffee and tea for all. They'll need it.]

The American cartoonist Walt Kelly once said 'We have met the enemy, and he is us.' This is often used to explain the idea of a predestination paradox, the first of this week's return to the concept of paradox itself.

Simply speaking, a predestination paradox occurs when a person goes back in time to prevent an event, but ends up causing it. This is also known as a causality loop. For example, if someone were to go back in time in order to prevent an assassination, but a series of events led to his or her being the cause OF the assassination--that would be a causality loop. This happens far, far more often than one would think.

Some would say that this sort of paradox proves the existence of fate. Others say that it proves that time itself is more resilient than most believe. The Novikov self-consistency principle is one of the theories that supports this.

In my experience, it is the error of sentient beings themselves that causes this sort of loopage. However, your belief in this area should be the result of your own judgment, whether faith or scepticism.

Any questions?

I'd like a short essay from each of you by Wednesday speculating how you could cause a predestination paradox in your own life by merely trying to change one small event.

Monday, the Library (open)

[swerval_zero]

Zero is sorting books for shelving and listening to something very, very loud on her headphones. At least she's facing the door this time. From time to time, she casts a worried eye toward Special Collections, where Methos was last seen.

Study Hall, 11/14

[game-of-you.livejournal.com]

Dream has thrown on the doors to study hall and is sitting at a table near the front, paging through a book.

As part of his quest to cut down on the caffeine consumption at the school, he's put a range of juices, bottled water, and caffeine-free sodas throughout the room.

November 14 // Criminology & Death and Dying

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

Criminology
Today we will begin a unit on criminal profiling. Criminal profiling is used mostly by behavioral scientists and the police to narrow down an investigation to those suspects who possess certain behavioral and personality features that are revealed by the way a crime was committed.

Introductory Lecture

Criminal profiling can be broken down into seven steps:

1. Evaluation of the criminal act itself (i.e. modus operandi: what the offender does to effect the crime; signature: why he does it, the thing that "fulfills" him emotionally).
2. Comprehensive evaluation of the specifics of the crime scene or scenes.
3. Comprehensive analysis of the victim or victims (victimology).
4. Evaluation of preliminary police reports.
5. Evaluation of the medical examiner's autopsy protocol.
6. Development of a profile with critical offender characteristics.
7. Investigative suggestions predicated on construction of the profile.

Discussion: What are your initial reactions to this process? Is it a good method for the police to be able to use their resources most effectively during an investigation? Is it morally or ethically wrong to use a profile? Is there anything in the lecture that you made special note of?

Homework: Read the chapter on Applied Victimology.


Death and Dying
Please have a seat, and share your homework assignment with the class, which was to find an example of a death that can not be explained by scientific means.

Homework: I would like you to review what type of deaths are required by law to be investigated in the state of Virginia.

Cyborg Theory

[replicarter.livejournal.com]

Today, class, we will watch the magnificent Metropolis, the original film on the nature of cyborg. It was directed by Fritz Lang in 1927 and was heralded by Adolf Hitler as his favorite film. This is ironic, of course, as the theme of the film is about uniting the working class with the elite. However, as it is a very pretty film, you may believe that Hitler was blinded by the spectacle.

And in fact, the spectacle of this film is rather infamous as most of the science fiction films you know and love copy imagery and ideas from Lang’s masterpiece. The city in Blade Runner, for example, is but an updated carbon copy of Metropolis itself. And the idea of the doppelganger – the sweet, charming human version versus the chaotic and sexually immoral robotic version -- has been a much beloved plot device in the genre of science fiction and fantasy. Also, you will notice how Futura, in her robotic form, resembles the droid that young Anakin has spoken of, named C3P0, I believe.

I expect you all to take notes during the film and hand in a paper next week comparing some aspect of the film to another science fiction storytale or actual real life experience of your own.

*waves a wee red flag and starts the film*


And if any of you wish to write a paper on how Futura only did as she was programmed and it was a shame that they destroyed her, I might give you extra credit.

Lifestyle Seminar, here today.

[isnotimportant.livejournal.com]

The professor's heart isn't in it.

He has a cricket ball in his right hand -- he's throwing it vertically upwards with a flick of his wrist and fingers, watching it spin and curve in the air, and snatching it out of its flight.

And then he's doing it again. Over and over again.

Occasionally he looks across at the deserted pavillion on the kitchen table.

Finally, an hour or two late for class, he walks over to the door and opens it. He sighs.

Lifestyle. Ummm ...

He looks down at the red leather ball in his hand.

Can anyone remember what this week's topic was going to be?

--

[OOC - Mun has had a very long weekend with very little sleep, and he's about to go to bed. Talk amongst yourselves. The professor will be picking at the seam on the ball and sighing to himself.]

Introduction to Anthropology

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel's at the front of the classroom, holding the markbook.

He doesn't look too happy.

"Okay, guys. Have I ever given any indication that homework is voluntary? Because whilst it might not seem like it to you, I don't just randomly set homework for the fun of it.

I got six pieces in last week. There are eight of you in this class, and there were three pieces set last week. No matter how bad at math you might be, this doesn't add up.

I also realize that I've not asked you to submit a midterm. So, today I'm giving you details of a project. This will be considered your midterm and will comprise of 40% of your grade for this semester.

The project is to comprise a folio presentation comprising an A3 size sheet folded in two to give a four page broadsheet, on some topic relating a culture to its situation in the present day world.

You are to choose the topic and culture that will feature in your broadsheet presentation.  I recommend that you consider some theme that will allow you to discuss contemporary issues and social change in your selected region.  You are to present the material as you think best (i.e. illustrations, maps, text etc.), we encourage you to experiment with different formats to achieve the best effect.

Today, you are going to discuss and develop your project ideas in groups, but you are individually responsible for producing your project portfolio.  I am here to answer any questions, or to help you develop your ideas if required. Basing it on a newspaper article is recommended, but not required, and the article itself should be submitted as well.

Two previous examples:  I've seen have had the student comparing the present state of the Inuit living around Hudson Bay, with regards to their social and economic life, to that which they had experienced in the nineteenth and early twentieth century before mineral exploiters and fishing corporations established themselves in the area. I've also seen one called "Some of the Best Soldiers Wear Lipstick",  where the student in question detailed the changing role of women in the armed forces, going through from when they were caregivers and nurses as early as the seventeenth century, until modern day, when they can fly F-14s in the Air Force.

You'll be working on this all this week. I'll be in the classroom each day if you need me; I'd like you to come and sign in anyway, even if you don't. These projects will be handed in next Monday. Failure to do so without prior consent, or without a medical excuse will result in an automatic detention.

Any questions?"

Student Council Meeting, Monday, November 14, 2005

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe opened up the room and set up tables and refreshments for the meeting this week. She had a lot of things on her mind. She closed the blinds a little and sighed in relief as the sun didn't blind her any longer.

Fandom Hightimes

[courier-gavin.livejournal.com]

the paper is out!

Fencing Club

[alchemic-bean.livejournal.com]

*Edward unlocks the fencing equipment for everyone*

Hamlet was unable to open up the gym for you guys tonight, so you're stuck with me. And my, uh, lack of fencing knowledge.

So! Open sparring tonight. Go wild. And don't forget to hit the sign-in sheet, so you get some credit.

Egyptian Archaeology

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

"Good afternoon, class. Sorry about the lack of class on Friday, but mun forgot I was involved in something.

Now. I never set you a midterm, so I need to rectify that. "

Daniel turns and writes on the board:

Discuss a key site from Egypt dating from between the Old Kingdom and New Kingdom (inclusive): summarise the key evidence, the material found there and why it was important.

Turning back to the class, he smiles. "I'd suggest using Porter & Moss, Topographical Bibliography and the Lexikon der Ägyptologie to give you some initial bibliography. I'm sure the library has excavation reports, and those will probably be in the oversize book shelves.

Now. Your word limit is 3,000 words, and this is going to be worth 40% of your final grade, so I don't want to see anything under 2,000. You have until the start of the Thanksgiving break to hand it in."  He holds up his hand. "Before  you start to whine at me and tell me that it's not long enough; this is your only homework until Thanksgiving, and I'll be giving up the lesson time this week for you to either work quietly in here, or to come and ask me any questions you might have. I'd like for you to come along and sign in during the lessons, however, just to keep my mark book tidy.

Any questions?"

Ethics Class #5, Monday, 2-4pm

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Last week we looked at power and responsibility. The first hour is an extension of that. I want you to divide into two groups. If your name has an odd number of letters, you're in Group A." She waves to one side of the classroom to indicate that the group should congregate there. "If your name has an even number of letters," waving to the other side of the classroom, "you're in Group B. Go."

Ethics office hours, 10am-1:30pm

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara's office door is open, welcoming any students who need to speak to her.

Celtic Literature and Civilisation Lesson 15

[godinakilt.livejournal.com]

[[Sorry about disappearing over the weekend. Sudden attack of RL. It never rains but it pours, ne? I've set up a Class Info post in one of my more OCD moments. Tell me if something's funky about it.]]

As part of his ongoing quest to understand humans, Camulus is reading 'Please Don't Kill the Freshman' and frowning rather worriedly over it. He looks up when the class has filled and begins the lesson.

"Feasgar math, class. Just a few little housekeeping things. conathan and darkchylde_ have missed the last few dozen classes. If this keeps up, they will be assigned detention.

"Before we begin on the Ulster Cycle, I'll be telling you about some of the stories that we have looked at. While they are generally considered to exist in the form in which they were passed on, a caveat to remember is that these are first and foremost an oral tradition, stories that were told at banquets and around fires late at night. The content was thus extremely variable. Certain parts of the tale were exaggerated for certain audiences. Characters were added, dropped, or renamed. Many of the passages you probably curse as you read them are runs - long passages of mainly description or names that the storyteller could simply rhyme off without thinking, so he could think of what to say next.

"Another thing lost in many translations is the lyrical quality which would have made them much more easy on the eye and the ear." Camulus sighed. "Gaelic is such a beautiful language. It lends itself perfectly to assonance, to song, to conversation . . . truly the language of the Garden of Eden gods.

"The final point about these stories you should understand is who finally wrote them down. My people didn't write down their own stories. They had neither the need or the means. It was foreign Christian monks who committed them to paper. As such, numerous references to the Christian God and his son and their Jaffa, er, saints have insinuated themselves into the tales. As well, these were probably transcibed during a performance or recitation in a banquet hall. Not the optimum environment for dictation, leading to vague scenes, contradictions, or full stops as the scribe tired before the beer ran out the bard did.

"So, assignment for this week - due Friday - is to tell me one of the stories we have covered. It can be the same one you did your picture book on, but preferably a different one. It has to be an oral presentation. And you have to tell the story as if you were telling it to a group of friends or other people from your own culture, in a way that they would understand."