Sex Ed [Monday, Period Five]

[doubleohblonde]

"Good afternoon, class," Bond began without preamble. "Today we're going to be looking at pornography and erotica. Quite literally as you can see from some of the images in your handouts."

"The line between what's considered to be pornographic or erotic is fine, blurry, and depending on the time and place, non-existent," he continued, examining his fingernails. "Both have to do with the depiction of sexually arousing images, whether they're actual visual images as in the case of films or artworks, or written literature. In very broad and general terms erotica is often considered to possess artistic value, or pretensions of being high-brow, whereas pornography tends to be focused on graphic renditions of the act or acts in question, and many people view it as being somewhat tawdry."

"Despite all this, just as often the difference between the two is a subjective 'I know it when I see it' judgement," Bond said, pausing ominously before continuing. "Which is why you'll be discussing with your classmates what you personally consider to be the dividing line between the two."

In case anyone was wondering, he did in fact derive great joy from your suffering.

[ooc: wait for ocd up. Links are VERY MUCH NWS]

[Class Roster|Class Rules|Previous Classes]

Fandom vs. The Real World- 2nd Period- Class #12

[can_be_more]

At the back of the room today, there were mats set up, and the desks had all been rearranged in order to make room for them, but Aeryn wasn't addressing them just yet. "This week I had planned to give some tips on the larger scale invasions," she began when class had settled. "Frankly I know that there's one more day of classes this week and there is nothing I can do within the boundaries of the law that will make you all pay attention to something this important." Yeah, military background. The fact that she had to play nicer than that did drive her crazy sometimes. "Instead we'll talk more about this next week, and I'll take a moment to explain to you Thanksgiving.

( which sadly, does not usually involve slapping )

Sex Thru The Ages, 11/24, Period 3

[captaininthree.livejournal.com]

"Before any of you gets it into your heads that today's class is going to be an easy one," Algren said, arms over his chest as the students filed into the room, "think again. Just because we're leading up to a holiday doesn't mean that we'll be any less academic than we are in other lessons."

Stop laughing. He's trying, here.

"And so I want you all to think long and hard about how Columbus probably brought syphilis back with him to Europe from the New World while you watch this movie. It puts this ridiculous holiday into perspective."

Right, Nathan. You keep telling yourself that.

"Even though Thanksgiving is celebrating the first successful colony in America," Jim added, shooting Nathan an amused look as he pushed in the movie into the tape player--how quaint was that? "But nevermind that now."

"It's a holiday week," Algren sighed. "Try not to think too hard about how in the world a beagle setting a ping-pong table for dinner is supposed to relate to the history of sex, and I'll let you all get away with just one handout about the idiot who thought he was in India. If you're interested."

Look, he didn't care what the holiday was about. He was still well steeped in denial about his priorities in this particular classroom.

Anyone Can Cook, 11/24, Period 4

[thetoughestcook]

"You will be cooking Thursday, so today, an easy class," Colette announced. "We are watching what I am told is a classic American children's cartoon about Thanksgiving with a boy and his dog and popcorn for dinner. And after the cartoon you may work with your group to make final plans for Thanksgiving. I'll expect you all in the school's kitchen by 8 a.m."

A pause. "Do not take this show as a source of menu suggestions."

"I am, of course, around if you have questions."

Library [11.24]

[death-of-hope.livejournal.com]

It was time for the holiday with the food, and Anemone was torn. On one hand, she could have a long weekend at home with Dominic and the Izumo crew. On the other.... food.

Today the library aide was curled up behind her desk, reading books on various Thanksgiving traditions. She totally needed to find some way to convince Those In Power at Home that Thanksgiving ought to be added back into the calendar.

[The OCD left for the short week.]

World Wars in Media, Tuesday

[chosehumanity]

"So today we'll be seeing about Britain during the Second World War," Mitchell announced, rubbing his hands together. "This is the second to last one before we give Hitler a kick in the backside, so pay attention." Hey, that almost made him sound teacherly. "They started with a mostly naval battle - I won't go into the tactical points, since this isn't Tactics 101 - but the Germans managed to get one over on them several times in a row, culminating in the Battle of Britain."

"And no, this class has nothing to do with my nationality. I'm Irish. During World War 2, we stuck our fingers in our ears and danced along the foggy dew while asking directions towards the nearest pub. Government-mandated, even-- barring those who went and joined the English." Like Mitchell, but that was Personal History 101. He clapped his hands together. "Well, and D Day weather. Really, they owe us. Anyway, the Germans thought they could push the advantage by taking control of the British skies. Some of you may have heard of the Blitz: the Germans bombed the shit out of half the big cities on the island for several weeks, quite possibly the closest the country had gotten to losing its territory to anyone in centuries. Of course, the Germans didn't really get anywhere, so Hitler decided to play it psychological."

A completely inappropriate, amused smile tugged on Mitchell's mouth, and he said, "Obviously, he didn't take into the account that the English are already out of their minds. They don't really need any help. The RAF drove back all of their attacks, and in the end, Hitler had to give in and admit to his first loss during the war. In the process, even the Americans had to concede that maybe the Brits weren't completely pants."

He leaned back. "One of you asked me about Churchill a few weeks ago," he said, "For those of you not in the know, Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of the UK during the Second World War. He was known for being a cynical bastard who knew how to talk. Well, not really talk literally, since he had this stutter, but he knew how to make the hair rise on the back of some necks. Oh, and he smoked cigars the size of houses." Amused, yeah. "World War 2 was a war started on the wings of good orators. We heard some of them over the past few weeks; now it's time to give Churchill a try."

He took a deep breath. "And afterwards, you can try and take a stab at part of the point of this course. 'Rhetorical power is neither wholly bestowed, nor wholly acquired, but cultivated', as Churchill once said. Tell me what you think makes for a good speechmaker."