CURIOSITY AND WHY OUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT

I have no special talents,” said Albert Einstein. “I am only passionately curious.” Everybody is born curious but only a few remain eager to explore, to discover and to learn and we owe a lot to these people. Why is curiosity so important and why do our futures depend on it? Do your research and write your essay.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Video to watch and make notes on

·         “Curiosity and why our future depends on it” https://www.thersa.org/discover/videos/event-videos/2014/06/curiosity--why-our-future-depends-on-it/ 

Reading material to annotate:

·         “The power of curiosity” https://experiencelife.com/article/the-power-of-curiosity/ 

·         “Curiosity: the fuel of development” http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/bruceperry/curiosity.htm 

·         “Curiosity is as important as intelligence” https://hbr.org/2014/08/curiosity-is-as-important-as-intelligence/

·         “Curiosity” http://www.mypersonalbrilliance.com/curiosity/ 

·         “Curiosity and conscientiousness more important than intelligence” https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201112/curiosity-and-conscientiousness-more-important-intelligence

Videos to watch and make notes on:

“Seth Godin on the importance of curiosity” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoOcA5FL9EE

WHAT IS SUCCESS?

This is a relatively simple research related writing task. Do your research in the order suggested and use your notes to write your essay.

Two completely different opinions: view and discuss

·         “What success means to me” https://prezi.com/sypcuqfuvwd7/what-success-means-to-me/

·         “What success means to me”  https://prezi.com/sqrhryeqw3ko/what-success-means-to-me/  

Videos to watch and discuss

·         “What’s your definition of success?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulShj4keKNw

·         “What does success mean to you?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9MURuUOYoI

Read the following and make some notes.

Remember: look up only the key words; guess some words from the context; leave the rest

·         “What does success mean to you?” https://hbr.org/2014/02/what-does-success-mean-to-you

·         “What does personal success mean to you?” http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/what-does-success-mean-to-you/

·         “The real meaning of success”  http://www.lifehack.org/articles/work/the-true-meaning-of-success.html

Video to watch:

·         “Zig Zagler how to define success” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwWpX335BPQ

WHY DO WE BLAME OTHERS AND WHY SHOULD WE GIVE IT UP?

Most people are quick to blame others for even the small mishaps in their lives even if it is completely illogical. Yet assigning blame rather than taking responsibility and taking charge is a mistake. Do your research and write an essay in which you explain the reasons. Do your research in the order suggested.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Animated video to watch and make notes on:

·         “Brené Brown on blame” https://www.thersa.org/discover/videos/rsa-shorts/2015/02/brene-brown-on-blame/

Reading material to make notes on:

·         “Stop blaming other people (and why it will help you) http://www.uncommonhelp.me/articles/stop-blaming-other-people/  

·         “How to stop playing the blame game” http://tinybuddha.com/blog/how-to-stop-playing-the-blame-game/

·         “Stop blaming yourself for everything in 3 easy steps”  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shannon-kaiser/stop-blaming-yourself-for_b_5692105.html

Power point:

·         “Stopping the blame game” https://prezi.com/kpwy-donregj/stopping-the-blame-game/

Videos to watch and make notes on:

·          “Stop it with the blame game” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFsVVWVL_a0

·         “Motivation 1: don’t play the blame game” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CzDbejCtfE

“Prosperity video: blaming others & power”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv-gYOxReiA

EMPATHY VERSUS SYMPATHY; COMPARISON AND CONTRAST ESSAY

Both empathy and sympathy help forge strong bonds between people and are very positive feelings. They bring comfort and peace and involve compassion but there are some differences between them. Do your research and write an essay in which you compare and contrast these two feelings. Do your research in the order suggested.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Definition:

·         “Empathy versus sympathy” http://grammarist.com/usage/empathy-sympathy/  

Animated video to watch and make notes on:

·         “Brené Brown on empathy” https://www.thersa.org/discover/videos/rsa-shorts/2013/12/Brene-Brown-on-Empathy/  

Power point:

·         Empathy versus sympathy” https://prezi.com/cuvtmbvewry4/empathy-vs-sympathy/ (This presentation comes with an embedded video)

Reading material to make notes on:

·         “Empathy versus Sympathy” http://www.diffen.com/difference/Empathy_vs_Sympathy

·         “Comparison of empathy and sympathy”  http://www.empathy-and-listening-skills.info/ 
       
       Podcast to take notes from
       https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2017/feb/05/a-neuroscientist-explains-the-need-for-empathetic-citizens-podcast

TELL THE STORY OF THE KILLING FIELDS OF CAMBODIA

The Holocaust was not the only genocide in the 20^th century; about thirty years later, there was another genocide that took place in Asia: the Cambodian genocide. Do your research and write an essay detailing this infamous event in history. You will find the bulk of the historical information in the videos and the power point this time round.

Familiarize yourself with the issue:

·         “The killing fields of Cambodia” https://prezi.com/bpcuf4z2gcqa/the-killing-fields-of-cambodia/  

Reading material to make notes on:

·         “Why the world should not forget the Khmer Rouge and the killing fields of Cambodia” http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/08/07/why-the-world-should-not-forget-khmer-rouge-and-the-killing-fields-of-cambodia/

·         “A chilling look at Cambodia’s killing fields” http://www.mtvu.com/shows/a-chilling-look-at-cambodias-infamous-killing-fields/  

Videos to watch and make notes on:

·         “July 26, 2010, Cambodia war crimes trial verdict” http://video.pbs.org/video/1552282111/

·         “Khmer Rouge – the army of children – dictator Pol Pot”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaNwO0OIs0I

TELL THE STORY OF THE DREYFUS AFFAIR

Do your research and tell the story of one of the most famous spy stories and also one of the most famous miscarriages of justice.

Chronology:

·         “Chronology of the Dreyfus affair” http://faculty.georgetown.edu/guieuj/DreyfusCase/Chronology%20of%20the%20Dreyfus%20Affair.htm  

Documentary to watch and make notes on:

·         “Alfred Dreyfus documentary” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcKnFK3HBvs

·         “The Dreyfus affair” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj50poxmYVw

Reading material to make notes on:

·         “The Dreyfus affair” http://www.myjewishlearning.com/history/Modern_History/1700-1914/Modern_Anti-Semitism/Dreyfus_Affair.shtml

·         “Dreyfus affair” http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/171538/Dreyfus-affair

·         “The Dreyfus affair begins in France” http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dreyfus-affair-begins-in-france

WHAT MAKES HUMANS CAPABLE OF SUCH INCREDIBLE CRUELTY TOWARDS EACH OTHER?

There is no other species that is capable of such extreme cruelty towards each other, who fight each other and wage war. Looking back in history is often proof enough so what makes humans capable of such cruelty? Are they born that way or are there other factors that come into play like Philip Zimbardo and Milgram suggest? Or is Socrates right and is there a completely different explanation? Do your research and determine your position then write your essay.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Start thinking

• “Humanity of animals and evil of humans” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBvCNXHAOG8

 Material to make notes on:

• “BBC Future – Are we naturally good or bad?” http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130114-are-we-naturally-good-or-bad

·         “10 Reasons humans are naturally evil” http://listverse.com/2013/05/23/10-reasons-humans-are-naturally-evil/

·         “Everyone is a potential torturer” http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6727-everyone-is-a-potential-torturer.html#.VM-iU9KL0mg

·         “The Stanford Prison Experiment” www.prisoanexp.org

·         “Milgram’s obedience experiments” http://psychology.about.com/od/historyofpsychology/a/milgram.htm

·         “Are humans born evil? http://www.debate.org/opinions/are-humans-born-evil

·         “A Socratic perspective on the nature of human evil” http://www.socraticmethod.net/socratic_essay_nature_of_human_evil.htm

Videos to watch and make notes on:

·         “Psychology: electric shock experiment (Milgram experiment)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b7YFtiE5EA

·         “Are kids born good or evil? An experiment to discover the answer” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLYRDsJADgg

·         “Are humans naturally violent?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_QE1RWykJI