Introduction to Anthropology

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel is looking tanned, and he smiles easily at his class as they file in.

"Good morning. Thank you for those of you who handed in your projects... I'll be handing out grades next week I expect. Those who didn't... Samuel Anders, Chihaya, Harry Potter and Willow Rosenberg all have detention on Saturday. If I don't get your projects in by Wednesday, then you'll be in detention again next Saturday, which I'm sure you really won't want.

Now, I hope that you all had a good Thanksgiving? All of you who celebrate it, that is.

Today, we're looking at population genetics. This the study of the distribution of and change in allele frequencies under the influence of the five evolutionary forces: natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, migration and nonrandom mating. It also takes account of population subdivision and population structure in space. As such, it attempts to explain such phenomena as adaptation and speciation. Population genetics was a vital ingredient in the modern evolutionary synthesis, its primary founders were Sewall Wright, J. B. S. Haldane and Ronald Fisher, who also laid the foundations for the related discipline of quantitative genetics.

We're going to take several lessons with this, so I can make sure you all know what we're talking about. I trust you all know what an allele is? Raise your hand if you're not exactly sure - please, don't be embarrassed.

First... the five evolutionary forces. Natural selection is the process by which variants displaying favorable or deleterious traits end up producing more or fewer progeny relative to other individuals of the same population.

Who can tell me more about it?"

Egyptian Archaeology

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel is cupping a large cup of coffee protectively, starting to look a bit tired.

"I hope you had a good Thanksgiving," he begins. "Well, at least those of you who celebrate it that is. Thank you for the essays... Mr Connor? You will be in dentention on Saturday for failing to hand yours in. And does anyone know if Delirium of Endless is still registered at this school, and for this class? If she is, she's also in detention. I'll be handing out grades next week, I expect."

He pauses and takes a mouthful of his coffee.

"Now, I don't know how many of you are aware that I was in Egypt over Thanksgiving. I actually paid a flying visit to Sais - Sa el Hagar - which is an AHRB funded project, in collaboration with the Egypt Exploration Society and Supreme Council for Antiquities (Egypt) and the University of Durham, in North-East England. It's a five year project which started in 2002 and is undertaking an integrated programme of drill auguring, object recording, magnetometer survey, excavation and off-site research.

The project also includes work for the West Delta Survey project. Its aims are to survey the archaeological sites of the Central and West delta in order to map them and study settlement distribution, growth, diminution and abandonment reflected over the whole period of Egyptian history (Predynastic to present).

The 1997-1998 EES survey established that there are two main archaeological areas at Sais. The first of these is a Northern Enclosure about 1km to the north of the village, comprising the last vestiges of an enclosure wall about 750 by 700m in area and containing two protected areas of antiquities called Kom Rebwa. These low mounds seemed to be the remains of mud brick buildings recorded as still standing in the 19th century. The second area lies just to the north of the village and is the 'Great Pit' containing a few granite blocks, limestone monumental remains and excavated mud brick structures.

Following successful completion of the topographical survey and an encouraging trial with a magnetometer, it was decided to obtain environmental and other data by beginning a series of drill cores across the site. In 1999 and 2000 this work resulted in 53 cores being taken at the site, as a result of which some small scale excavations were begun in 2000.

Full analysis of the results of the survey have not been completed, but the preliminary findings suggest future avenues of enquiry. The modern course of the Rosetta Branch of the River Nile lies about 2km away from the village of Sa el-Hagar and the site. It forms a huge westward bend away from the town, but inside the bend are clear levees or artificial dykes closer to the settled areas. They suggested that the river has moved westward over time and, in fact, is still doing so. The drill cores clearly showed that the river channel had changed and that it might once have run almost beside the site. Further, the drills also picked up evidence for a possible buried sand island (or gezira) lying on the western side of the village. The gezira seems to be lying at an oblique angle north-west to south under the present village and out to the western side of the archaeological areas. In Predynastic times, gezira were the focus for settlement in the delta, as they provided high ground above the level of the annual inundation. Over time many of the islands were buried by alluvial mud, but this area could have been the first settled part of the site. One of the drill cores from the west side of the Great Pit brought up pottery from 7m below the ground surface (approximately 8m below sea level), of which some was black topped and some was burnished, suggesting a possible prehistoric date. In 2000 we dug a small test trench in this area to ascertain whether it was possible to retrieve material from beneath the water table, as has been done elsewhere in Egypt. In the end we were thwarted at a depth of 3m by the sandy matrix and by a broken water pump. However the sand also contained pottery, lithics and bone which is Pre-Early Dynastic in date (c. 3100 BC). This suggests that the original pottery from the drill augur is older and possibly of Buto-Maadi culture date around 3500 BC. However the contexts in which both sets of material were found are not clear. The excavated material may have come from a river deposit against a shore or beach at the side of the gezira, and in this case may not have originated at Sais. There are clearly important questions still to be answered and as this area is earmarked for building development, further excavation is planned here in 2001.

The drill core survey picked up human cultural material in the form of pottery and burnt brick from various places around the site itself, suggesting that there are other archaeological zones beyond the limits of our original survey. A magnetometer sweep in a field between the Pit and Enclosure in 1998 had indeed picked up substantial walls of a large building. The drill core survey confirmed that they were of limestone and that the soil contained stone fragments from the destruction of a monumental building some 3m below the surface. In one of the areas to the west it is possible that there may be a harbour for the city and to the north-east of the site there is a small village called Kawady which seems to have been the site of a satellite necropolis from the Late period onwards.

In the North Enclosure, drill results from the 'walls' themselves could be interpreted as the last remaining 3m of foundation wall from the main enclosure. This area had many of its mud-brick buildings removed over the last two hundred years, for use as fertiliser on reclaimed agricultural land. However the drill cores showed substantial layers of destroyed pottery and stone up to 3m thick and often down to depths of about 7m below the modern ground surface. In field walking and the drill cores a few small sherds of Greek black gloss ware and one of East Greek pottery were also found, suggesting that comparisons with the relatively nearby Greek colony of Naukratis might be possible one day.

The drills also produced samples of soil for analysis which should give information about the plants which grew in the area in the past. Most interesting was a thick black, organic layer lying about 8-10m below the lowest ground surface (at sea level). In some places this layer was up to 80cm thick and may represent a thick peat level, perhaps the remains of the marshy reed beds of the prehistoric delta.


I've decided that we'll be looking at Sais over the next few lessons as an example of an ongoing excavation. Whilst it's unfortunately impossible at this time for me to actually take you to Egypt to dig, I understand that there's technology in the school which will allow me to simulate an excavation, so I'm going to be looking into that.

Any questions or comments about Sais?

Shop Class: 11/29

[manofthemullet.livejournal.com]

When the students enter the room, they'll find that it has been turned into a scrap yard again. A standard metal workshop is available as well.

"Today we'll be making a human powered vehicle based on what you find here in the junk yard."

The Rules:
Vehicle must be able to hold four people
Must be able to turn and run on a racing track.
No engines
No welding bicycles together, though bike parts can be used.
Must be safe (Mac will judge)
Helmets must be worn while operating the vehicle.

"Get Started!"

Office Hours (Nov. 29)

[jquayle.livejournal.com]

After his tense and awkward meeting with CJ and her son, Jack, Justin was holed up in his office also doing work for Red on a brochure of his gardens. If anyone wanted to talk to him, he'll be here for a while.


[[OOC: As for his mun, she'll be changing classes in about..erm, 8 mins and will be back in about 50. Arg. Stupid High school!]]

History Classes (11-29-05)

[fandom-sub.livejournal.com]

Dewey is writing a letter to Jerry Garcia, with a list of all the bitchin' instruments and sound gear he wants for Christmas.

East Asian History

"The Great Wall of China and Pink Floyd's The Wall. Compare and Contrast."

History of the Ancient World

"Dude. Did Gladiator blow or what? I was most definitely not entertained."

Journalism Class - Tuesday November 29

[jerusalem-s.livejournal.com]

The pumpkin pies have been removed, the cat is looking suspiciously fat and happy and is sprawled across one end of Spider's desk with an ashtray and apparent custody of Spider's cigarettes. There's some question as to how she might be able to light them, having no lighter or opposable thumbs, but that doesn't seem to have occurred to her yet.

Spider is sprawled behind the desk, grinning a bit and prodding at his laptop. "Today's assignment is a simple and hopefully enjoyable one. You are to go to this site, read the archive and write me a short article on the content." He gestures toward the computer terminals set up at the back of the classroom where the newspaper staff generally meets. "If you don't have your own laptop, feel free to use the terminals.

"In other announcements, the curriculum for Journalism is changing next term. I'm offering Journalism 201 and Advanced Journalism right now. Photojournalism will continue as an independant study and I'm still considering whether or not to offer Journalism 101 a second time. I'm also going to utilize a little more of the Journalism Department in hopes of making this a more interactive environment and allowing my students a few more amenities for their research and presentations." Spider grimaced. "The Dean is a slave-driver."

The Library Is Open (11/29/05)

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

The Library Salamander has decided his name is "Dante". This was decided by incinerating all the other options.

The librarian is working on paperwork today. Annoy at own risk.

Ash's Art Appreciation, Studio Session #21, maybe?

[names-ash.livejournal.com]

Ash sits at his desk. Today, he is not worried about Leonardo Da Zombie.

Today, he is worried about Leonaro DiCaprio. This is because is staring confusedly at the pages of an issue of Cosmo. He's not entirely sure what the hell he is reading. He had bought it due to the words "20 Sexifiers" and "Introducing...Our New Sex Position" he had seen on the cover.

Completely missing any indication that he was, in fact, not part of the target audience.

But that doesn't really matter to the students, who have easels, paints, and brushes. The instructions are on the board as always:

"Paint something that scares you."

[ooc: I'd like to credit rory__gilmore's mun journal for the Cosmo headlines. And just to make Marty's wish come true while Ash is still around. :-D]

Home Ec - November 29

[mrsvandekamp.livejournal.com]

Welcome, class. There are homemade donuts at the front of the classroom for you to enjoy.

Today, we will start a project on quilting.

Lecture on Quilting Myths (Because there are, in fact, quilting myths)

Instructions for Beginners

In class, today, I'd like you to prepare a square for our class quilt that I will put together for everyone. It may be of anything as long as it is appropriate. Please pass it in by the end of class. For Thursday, I'd like you to find a friend and, with your help, have them prepapre a square as well, so that the quilt represents the whole community!

[Any decent quality photo file works for both as the "square". Shouldn't be too much trouble for anyone to find a picture online, and find one other person in the game to also pick a picture for Thursday. As long as it is mostly work safe, it's fine. Thanks!]

Biology

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

*On the tables in front of the students, there is an assortment of supplies. Glass tubes, clear plastic tubing, red dye, gelatin, water, and various other odds and ends.*

*In the front of the classroom is a perky teacher, leaning a model against the chalkboard.*

Today, you guys will be making me a model of the human circulatory system. You may work together in small groups. I will be watching to be certain every person contributes.

Enjoy. *She is smiling almost gleefully.*

Language Classes, 11/29

[game-of-you.livejournal.com]

Dream appears relatively cheerful today. The room seems a little bigger and sunnier, and the juice and pastries he set out might be especially delicious.

Languages of Europe: We have a quiz on conjugation of regular -er verbs today. In addition, we're going to discuss regular -ir verbs. The verb form that ends in -ir is called the infinitive (in English, the infinitive is the verb preceded by the word "to"). -ir is the infinitive ending. The verb without the -ir is called the stem or radical.

To conjugate an -ir verb, remove the infinitive ending and then add the appropriate endings, as follows:
je -is; tu -is; il -it; nous -issons; vous -issez; ils -issent. For example, choisir -- to choose -- is conjugated je choisis, tu choisis, il choisit, nous choisissons, vous choisissez, ils choisissent.

Cat: We have a special guest today, groovy_cat. Cat, let me know when you wish to lead your talk. I understand you have some experience with a cat God that might interest my students?

The Doctor's School Office Hours: Tuesday

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor reads fast. He's finished Thomas Hobbes, and is now working his way through Rousseau's The Social Contract in the original French, which is definitely less funny. If there's a reason he's going through the pantheon of Enlightenment political philosophy, it's not for you to know.

He idly bounces what looks like a superball off the floor, occasionally setting it down for a sip of coffee.

bounce.
bounce.
thud.

The latter would be his head, hitting the desk.]



((And for some reason I'm not getting notifications. Drop an OOC line here if you need me.))

Study Hall, 11/29

[game-of-you.livejournal.com]

The room is open, and Dream sits in his usual chair. He is trying to seem less intimidating. Really.

Come. Study. Learn.

Open Sociology Lab : November 29

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

Grissom opens the lab and grins like a loon setting up today's forensics display.

The Cyranose 320, a portable electronic nose.

He puts out extra scent pads, in case any students would like something analyzed.

It's pretty much Geek Christmas in the lab today.

[It's the actual e-nose they used on CSI. I am such a geek. And the open labs are always for any and all students and faculty who want Grissom's bizarre analysis of something, to play with the toys/use them for nefarious purposes, or to just swing by for a conversation, etc.]

Introduction to Western Literature, Lesson Six

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Tuesday, November 29, 1:00PM FST

[Professor Chaucer appears to be a damn good mood today. He's sitting behind his desk with his feet up, writing in a leather bound journal, and has a welcoming grin for each student as they enter. Anyone who looks closely might also notice that he's wearing some sort of ring on one hand.]

( Introduction to Western Literature, Lesson Six )

The following students have at least two unexcused absences. I will allow you to slide on one unexcused absence -- makeup work will have to be completed in order to get a grade for any other missed classes.

___lily_evans_: three absences
miss_thomasina: two absences
studentwillow: four absences

Some of you have already spoken to me about your makeup work. Once makeup work has been turned in, I'll remove you from the list. If you haven't been to see me about your absences, stop into my office hours or catch me after class.

Professor Chaucer's Office Hours for Tuesday

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

The professor is sitting with his feet up on his desk, reading a book. If one looked closely at it, they might find that it's a copy of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

[Professor Chaucer likes coffee. How come no one ever brings him coffee?]

Criminal Justice Class 22

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory sat at Tick's desk, nervously eyeing the students and occasionally fiddling with the collar of her turtleneck. She looked exceptionally tired.

"Um, okay. Professor Tick's not here, so I'm your sub. Please sign in here," she said, pointing to a clipboard on the desk.

She stood and walked out in front of the desk, wringing her hands. "Last time you met, I know you talked about redemption and reform. Neither of those can happen without forgiveness."

She faced the students, and looked at them each in turn.

"What is the evidence that you require to forgive someone? What do they need to do to prove that they're worthy? And moreover, since one person's acceptance of an apology can be seen as completely fair and just, while another feels that the perpetrator deserves a larger punishment, how does the idea of forgiveness fit into society and most especially, the judical system? If the law enforcement officials choose to forgive a person of their wrongdoings, are others expected to follow suit? And what if they don't?"

"Discuss. Oh, and your extra credit is: bring me either surfboard wax, or a book you think I've never read. If I have? No extra credit. Surfboard wax is probably easier."

[ooc: Several things - first off, I apologize that this is posted so much later than you're used to seeing. Secondly, still not getting email notifications, so I might be slow replying. And third - I did find a list online of every book Rory's been mentioned reading in canon. I shan't simply make things up.]

Abnormal Psychology (Tuesday, 11/29/2005, 1:00 p.m.)

[romanywitch]

OOC: I have just started grading. For the sake of my sanity, this post is now CLOSED. A new psych post for Thursday's class will be going up shortly.

Jenny is sitting at the desk, laptop in front of her and sign-in sheet in front of the desk.

"Okay, guys, sign in, sit down, and take a look. Since your 100 word proposal was due today, I expect you guys aren't going to have any problems using them in the discussion. Be sure to let me know who you're partnered up with when you turn in your proposal." She gestures over at a series of bins. "Make-up homework goes in the OCD threads I'll be creating shortly there, guys."

On a projection screen in the front of the classroom is this image.

"Read through your handout on the Asch Conformity Experiment and the scientific method, and then start talking about a few things:

"First, how well does your experiment proposal translate into a hypothesis? Jack, Paige, your initial proposal included a hypothesis, so you're both a step ahead of the game. If it translates well, tell me why. If it doesn't, tell me why not." ETA: This goes in the Scientific Method discussion thread.

"Second, what's your prediction of the results of your experiments, guys?" ETA: This goes in the Scientific Method discussion thread.

"Third, check out the study in the handout. What do you think you would have done in the situation? Be honest with me. Not everyone here is a rugged nonconformist. And whatever answer you would have given? Tell me why in a 100 word essay. Turn it in in the right comment thread where the homework bin is or you won't get credit for it." ETA: Any discussion on this experiment goes in the Asch Conformity Experiment discussion thread. Your essay goes in the Current Homework thread.

"Now, I'm creating an additional comment thread sending out an e-mail to the class list for group discussion. This is partly for those of you that are going to be missing a class due to a scheduling conflict. This isn't intended for those of you who should be here to make up something--unless you come see me about getting an excused absence. Anyone who wants to earn some extra-credit, though, it'd be nice if you guys could do some discussion with the ones that are going to miss being in the class. Right? Any questions? I'll also be holding regular office hours. You can always turn in missing homework in my office if you'd rather."

"And guys?" Jenny looks over the class. "Don't make me hand out detentions for missing proposals. You've had two weeks to find a partner and come up with an idea and 100 words to explain it. Get them in to me by the end of class."

( Handout: The Scientific Method )

OOC: Those with IC schedule conflicts (so far, the only ones I'm aware of are Callisto on Thursdays and Jessica on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and excused absences can post in the comment labeled 'e-mail' and it will count towards their attendance/participation grade. Please see me in Jenny's office hours--preferably with an IC note from the clinic--to get an excused absence.

Useful Links:
Jenny's Voice Mail
Jenny's E-Mail

Office Hours - Tuesday 29.11

[charlieeppes.livejournal.com]

Charlie is in his office. There's paper everywhere, and apples.

Into the Black Meeting [Early evening]

[emo-padawan.livejournal.com]

Anakin opened up the door to the Flight Club shed and waited for the rest of the club members to arrive.

He turned to them and said, "Hope you all had a good time over the holidays. I've put in a call to Fly By Night in town to see if the owner'd be interested in getting us some time up in some real Earth airplanes. With that in mind, I've changed the simulator to fly like a Cessna 172, a typical aircraft on this world. It's very easy and user friendly."

He yanked at his braid. "If you'd like to fly the real thing, please put your name down on the list and I'll get back to you as soon as they get back to me about the number of students he can take at any one time."

He clasped his hands together. "That's all I've got today. Have fun. Try not to break anything."

PA Announcement, Tuesday afternoon

[game-of-you.livejournal.com]

Most of the beings in the school and dorms will hear a series of high-pitched scraping sounds over the PA.

To the hamster that was Beka, however, it might sound like: To the blonde hamster who bit Cameron Mitchell: Please report to Mr. Jerusalem's office. You are needed.

Then, in a menacing feline yowl, Any cats are strongly advised not to interfere with this animal.

The PA then clicks off.

Junior Achievers Meeting

[master-of-fear.livejournal.com]

Jonathan isn't entirely sure how exactly he supposed to do this so he just does what he remembers Angelus doing. Maybe he and the others should have talked about how to do this.

He puts up a sign outside Dr. Carter's Classroom that reads:

Junior Achievers Meeting

Open Meeting, All are Welcome

1) Elect a New President

2) Old Business
a. Thanks to the Fashion Show People

3) New Business
a. Holiday Plans?


Brownies Provided


((Eeep! umm, give me time to set up the threads and ZOMG! I never want to do this again. The time is now my friends.))

Tuesday: Ted 'Theodore' Logan's Office Hours

[wyld-stallyn.livejournal.com]

Ted is in his office.

Yes, Ted actually has an office.

No, there are no longer aliens in his office.

No, there is not a giraffe in his office (the giraffe is at home).

He has his feet up on the desk and is staring at the ceiling. There seems to be something interesting up there. Or not.

The door is open if any students (whether they are in his class or not) want to stop by. Watch out for the cheese on the floor, though. There's a lot of it.


[OOC: Posted early to account for time zones. Yes. I may be asleep (in about 6 hours' time) or on a plane (with the snakes) when you stop by, but I will reply as soon as I'm back online.]

Arthurian Traditions Lesson F.I.I.K.

[godinakilt.livejournal.com]

The classroom is empty. There is a sign hanging from the moosehead and there is a folded piece of paper in the moose's mouth. The sign reads:

WORK PERIOD FOR YOUR PROJECT.
I WANT A REPORT ON YOUR PROGRESS NEXT CLASS.

ANGEL, YOU WILL FIND YOUR
ESSAY TOPIC IN MOOSEJAW.

I MADE A FUNNY.

The folded paper simply reads, "Women. Discuss."

Speech Comm

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

201--Speech

We never did finish last week, so I'd like you to continue on your Boys Are Stupid speeches, but in an effort for gender equity, please also add on "and Girls have Cooties"...be sure to identify exactly what those cooties are and do.

*********************

301--Non-Verbal

So yesterday you all realize I was acting, right? Today we're going to continue the discussion of misleading body language. Have you ever misinterpreted a situation based on body language or tone that was either intentional or subconcious on the part of the sender? Misinterpretation is the word of the day, folks. Hit it, gang.

Journalism Classroom: Yearbook Meeting (8 PM, FHT)

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory stood at the front of the room, and waited until a fair amount of people arrived before ( addressing them. )

[ooc: Cut because, omg, so long]

Human geography #7

[notjustacabbie.livejournal.com]

The geography of cyberspace. Does cyberspace have a geography? What do we know about the nature, shape, size, distribution and geography of the Internet, the world wide web and cyberspace?

"Cyberspace" or the information world created by the Internet, World Wide Web (WWW), Virtual Reality (VR) and other information and immersive technologies is having a profound impact on culture, society and economics. It is also having a profound impact on the way we view and use geography. Cyberspace can collapse space and time, making geography meaningless for activities such as shopping, correspondence and social interaction.

At the same time, cyberspace can also enhance geography by increasing our knowledge of places and improving the competitive advantage of wired cities and regions. At the extreme, cyberspace can actually replace real geography by creating virtual worlds through increasingly powerful VR environments. This course examines the complex interactions between cybergeography and real geography and the potential impacts on society and the global economy.

( Discussion/homework )

Greco-Roman Archaeology

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel is looking slightly ruffled this morning. "Welcome back, I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving break. Thank you for your essays... I will get the grades back to you hopefully next week.

Now, today,

Like the Roman government, the early Roman religion grew up with the union of the various settlements into one community. When the different tribes came together into the Roman city, they selected Jupiter and Mars as their common gods to be worshiped upon the Capitoline hill, together with Quirinus on the Quirinal. As the fire was kept burning on the family hearth, so the sacred fire of the city was kept burning in the temple of Vesta. The Roman people were filled with religious ideas. All power, from that of the household father to that of the king, was believed to come from above. In peace and in war they lived in the presence of the gods, and sought to remember them by worship and festivals.

So. Roman deities and religion. What can you tell me?"

Linguistics

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel is simply sitting at the front of his classroom, waiting for his class to arrive.