| |
Web assignments
November 2002
ASSIGNMENT 1
Bullfighting
Comprehension
Note taking
Discussion
Writing practice
Individual work
Group work (optional)
50 minutes
In the November issue of Alquin magazine you read about Nuria Sanchez and her efforts to become a successful bullfighter. The article describes the difficulties faced by Nuria because she is a woman: the purpose of the following activities is for you to learn more about the history of bullfighting and the controversy surrounding it. You will also formulate an opinion about bullfighting that you will defend in a letter to the Spanish and Mexican embassies or an animal rights organisation.
PART A
Scan through the following websites:
http://www.andalucia.com/bullfight/home.htm
http://www.idealspain.com/Pages/Information/Bullfighting.htm
Once you have a general idea about the sort of information contained in these sites, answer the following questions. Having scanned through the websites already it should be easy for you to locate the information you need:
1. What is the Spanish word for 'bullfight'?
2. Why are there different prices for seats?
3. What is a puntilla?
4. When is bullfighting season?
5. When was bullfighting transformed from horseback to foot?
6. When will the audience wave white handkerchiefs?
7. What happens to the bulls' carcass after the bullfight?
8. Which is the most important bullring in Andalucia?
9. What is rejoneo?
10. When did the first bullfight take place?
PART B
By now you have read a lot about the reasons why so many people love bullfighting. Now it's time to find out a little more about the other side of the story: the reasons why so many people hate bullfighting. Visit the following site, from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals organisation (PETA) and read the article on bullfighting. Make notes as you read about the main reasons why the PETA organisation is against bullfighting.
http://www.peta.org/mc/facts/fsent6.html
Once you have finished reading article, use your notes to write a brief summary of the reasons why the PETA organisation is against bullfighting. Use around 200 words.
PART C
How do you feel about bullfighting? Is it a glorious sport with vital cultural significance, or is it no more than a celebration of animal cruelty?
1. If you are working in class, form small groups and discuss your opinion. Be prepared to defend your opinion with convincing arguments.
2. The PETA organisation invites readers to write a letter to the Spanish and Mexican embassies to explain that you will never visit these countries as long as bullfighting continues. If you are against bullfighting you need to write a letter to one or both of the embassies explaining the reasons why you are against bullfighting.
If you are in favour of bullfighting you need to write a letter to PETA explaining the reasons why you support it.
Use the information from the different websites you visited as a basis for your letter. Structure your letter like an essay: with an introduction, supporting paragraphs and a conclusion. Use at least 200 words. Once you have finished you can send it to the Spanish and Mexican embassies or to the PETA organisation. You can also put a copy of your letter into your writing file.
ASSIGNMENT 2
Rap in 2002
Comprehension
Note taking
Writing activity
Individual work
40 minutes
In the November issue of Alquin you read a lot about Gangsta Rap in the 1990's and current attempts to "clean up" rap. The purpose of this activity is to find out whether or not Gangsta Rap is a thing of the past and to describe rap music in 2002.
1. Start off by finding out what has happened to Marion 'Suge' Knight since the death of his protégé Tupac Shakur in 1996. Visit the website of "tha row" records (formerly Death row records) at http://www.tharow.com/ and answer the following question:
In your opinion, is Suge Knight still living a "thug life"? Explain your answer by referring to the information contained in the website.
2. Now visit some official websites of some other rap artists such as:
Eminem: http://www.eminem.com/
P. Diddy: http://www.p-diddy.com/
Ja Rule: http://www.defjam.com/jarule/
You can look around for information about other rap artists, as long as they are currently making music. Find out what these artists are producing and the kind of message they are giving their fans.
3. Based on what you have read and what you already knew, write a composition called Rap in 2002. You need to explain what the lyrics are generally about, what rap means to the fans and the kind of image it now has. You can describe any changes in the industry since the 1990s. Include any criticisms of rap, and your own opinion on the music. Use at least 200 words.
ASSIGNMENT 3
Film sites
ICT
Note taking
Comparing texts
Discussion
Individual/Group work
40 minutes
In the November issue of Alquin you read about three films with different genres: Windtalkers, Goldmember and Rabbit Proof Fence. The purpose of this activity is to compare the official websites of the three films, to find out how information is presented to the public in a way that makes people want to go and see the film.
Visit the following sites (spend around 10 minutes on each website) and make notes about the information that is provided for each film:
http://www.austinpowers.com/
http://www.rabbitprooffence.com.au/
http://www.mgm.com/windtalkers/
Your notes should include the amount and type of information given about the story, the cast and the crew. Your notes should also include your own opinion in the usability of the website, the use of stills from the film and any other particular quality or flaw that you found important. Decide which of the three websites you like the best and make a list of reasons supporting your opinion.
When you have finished discuss your findings in a small group. You should all take turns explaining what you liked and disliked about the different websites and also explaining which of the three you like the best.
Web assignments archive