Web assignments

May 2004



ASSIGNMENT 1

Classical mythology and contemporary English


Thanks to the story on Troy, you can now explain what's meant by a 'Trojan Horse', where the expression 'Beware of Greeks bearing gifts' comes from, and what the origin of the phrase 'Achilles' heel' is.

Many expressions, words and phrases used in contemporary English (and other languages) come from Greek and Roman mythology. In this exercise, you'll have to search the Internet for the meaning of English words and phrases. Discuss with your teacher whether you'll do research for all the words or whether each group does some in-depth research for a few of the words.
1. In your group, create a table in which you explain: 2a. Search the Internet for the story behind one of the following scenes from classical mythology that have often been used in art, for instance: b. Classical mythology has inspired artists throughout the ages. Numerous artists have used the myths in their poems, sculptures, books or paintings. Search for two different pictures of paintings depicting the part of Greek or Roman mythology that you've selected. Compare the two pictures; in which way have the artists tried to picture the myth? What differences and similarities can you find? Explain which picture captures the subject of the myth best, in your opinion.

c. Now search for a poem on the same subject and explain in which way this poem reflects the scene you've selected. Which of the paintings would it fit best? Why? What do you like or dislike about the poem? In what way has the poet tried to capture the myth? Discuss these questions in your group and write down your answers in full sentences.





ASSIGNMENT 2

Summer Camps


Both the article on Harlemville and the one on Beyoncé mention summer camps. Probably you are already familiar with the phenomenon from movies and books, but summer camps -either day camps or overnight camps - are a pretty normal way for American children and teenagers to spend a part of their summer holidays.
In the Netherlands most children and teenagers spend their summer vacation going on holiday, either with their parents or on their own. Some kids might go on summer camps, either the day camps that are often organised by either religious organisations or neighbourhood committees, or overnight camps that are often organised by scouting groups or sports clubs. However, in the USA summer camps are more or less part of spending your summer holidays - if you've got the money, of course. Most (residential) camps tend to be pretty expensive; prices per week range from $250 (mostly organised by religious institutions or charity organisations) to $1000 or even $1500 a week.
One of the reasons why summer camps are so common in the USA is that summer holidays are usually quite long - up to three months - and parents usually only have a few weeks ofholidays. Many teachers - who do have long holidays - don't get paid throughout this holiday period, and take up a job as a teacher at an academic summer camp. Many camps aren't just outdoor fun and games camps, but are meant to help students brush up their knowledge on subjects they failed during the school year.

1. Take a quick search on the Internet on summer camps in the USA. What different kinds of camps can you find, and what is their purpose? List five different kinds of camps (including their website address), and note down where these camps are held, what their purpose is, for whom they are (gender and age), what they cost (per week) and how long they are (day camp or overnight camp, plus for how many weeks). Organise your information in a table.

2a. Take a look at http://www.summerstudy.com/colorado/index.cfm . What kind of summer camp is this? Why would people want to join this camp?
b. Also look at http://www.campsunshine.org/ and explain in your own words what kind of camp this is, for whom it is meant, what's different from 'regular' summer camps and what's more or less the same. Use a Venn diagram.

If you enter 'summer camp' and 'USA' into a search engine, you'll get thousands of hits (to be precise; about 167,000 according to Google). If you're an American teenager who feels like going on summer camp, it might be quite difficult to make your choice from this large number.

Suppose your group has decided to function as an intermediary between on the one hand the children and teenagers (or their parents) and on the other hand the summer camp organisers. You have received several requests from young people all over the States and you need to send each of them a list of three camps which suit their requirements best. Explain for each campsite you've found a) why this one might be to his or her wishes, and b) what makes this camp so special.

Most of the children and teenagers probably don't want to travel across the United States to go to their summer camp. In other words, find out in what state they live, and find a summer camp that's either in their state or in one of the adjacent states.

3. Take a look at the information sheet containing data of the potential summer campers. You'll find that each of the children has different needs and preferences. Discuss with your teacher how many cases you'll make a search for. Find fitting summer camps (at least three per child) for each of them and indicate: 4. Write a standard letter you'll use to send to the young people and their parents. The letter will have to be formal and clear, and you should be able to use it for all children and their parents. The letter should have the proper layout, and the body text should contain the following elements: 5a. Suppose you feel you're a bit too old to go on summer camp, but you've always enjoyed going there, and you'd like to help out at a camp yourself now. What does it take to become a counsellor? Track down at least three websites that give you information on joining summer camps as a counsellor, and list the requirements necessary for the job.
b. In what kind of summer camp would you like to work? Day camps, overnight camps, survival or tracking camps, boys- or girls-only camps, camps aimed at mentally or physically disabled children, teenage camps, sports camps? Search a camp you'd like to counsel and see if they need counsellors (most camps have a special section for volunteers). Write the camp director a letter explaining how you found the camp, why you'd like to work at the camp, why you think you're fit for the job -make sure you fit the requirements- and when you are available. This will be an application letter, so make sure you include basic information about yourself and an (e-mail) address on which they can reach you.

More information on the writing of application letters can be found at the following websites, but don't copy and paste from these sites; many of these letters may be too formal for this occasion.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/pw/p_applettr.html
http://www2.jobtrak.com/help_manuals/jobmanual/cover.html
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/eltu/business/homepg.htm






ASSIGNMENT 3

A visit to Dartford


This summer, one of your best friends would like to go the UK, and now that you've showed him the article on Andy Fordham, he has decided he wants to see his pub and spend some time in Dartford. Your friend is pretty hopeless with computers and Internet, so you've offered to help him organise his trip.

1. Getting there 2. Arriving in Dartford 3. Getting around in Dartford 4. Visiting Andy 5. Touring around 6. A postcard home


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