Walls that Divide
First Assignment
Philosophy - Mr. Anderson
Fall Semester 2009
Research Paper Due Fri. September 25th, 2009
See - Judge - Act
Using the model of "See- Judge Act" which originated with Brazilian popular
educator Pablo Freire, write a 750 word research paper on the contemporary
issue of whether Peace is Possible in Palestine. You may choose any related
topic, such as: the present war in Gaza, the recent history of religious war
& intolerance, the Middle East; Apartheid in Israel; the Wall; the
history of the conflict; the present conflict between Fatah and Hamas
parties; pacifist alternatives; etc ...
The paper should include three sources and must have proper footnote and
bibliography citations. Your job is to research the issue well enough to
describe it in three ways.
First, what is the issue? How do we see or experience it? What does it
feel like? What is really going on?
Second, how should we judge or understand this issue? What are its causes?
How can we make sense of it? how did we get to this point?
Third and finally, what must we do in response to this issue? How should we
act or react to this reality? Use the class website to get additional
information with the links provided for Peace in Palestine at the
bottom of my web page at.
http://teacherweb.com/ON/RFHCSS/KevinAnderson/
Make sure you write a 750 word essay using a minimum of three sources and be
sure to include direct quotes from your source. Use quotes from all three
sources and be sure to include the complete reference to your sources in the
paper.
Your paper must follow the 3 step methodology outlined by Freire of
See, Judge, Act.
Apartheid vrs. Peace
Go to this link on the Wall and select from various articles
dealing with Palestine/Israel which explore the injustice of the
wall and the need for a peaceful resolution to the injustices
that exist in Israel/Palestine.
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/
Rosemary Reuther describes the problems with the 9 meter high
wall and the reasons for the development of an Apartheid State in
Israel.
http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives/112902/112902l.htm
This article, by Leila Farsakh, explores whether Israel is an
apartheid state and shows how it is similar and different to
South Africa.
http://mondediplo.com/2003/11/04apartheid
Jeff Halper who we met in Israel also discusses the Apartheid
State.
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=10150
Another article by Jeff Halper who we met in Israel which
discusses the Apartheid State.
http://www.counterpunch.org/halper05252006.html
Great Interview with Noam Chomsky about Palestine, the war in
Lebanon, the history and the situation that exists in the Middle
East.
http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2006-08/08chomsky.cfm
"A Pretext to War In Lebanon" Did President Bush push
Israel into the war with Lebanaon and Gaza this summer?
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/080806.html
"Israeli leaders Fault Bush for War" tells more about
how Bush may be responsible for ongoing conflicts and strife.
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/081206.html
Carolyn is an eloquent Jewish woman we met who iss living in
solidarity with Palestinians in the West Bank; for the last 14
years she has worked with IWPS, "International Women's Peace
Service"; and here she writes on her blog about "Love and Fear"
in Palestine. It is a very moving reflection.
http://www.iwps-pal.org/en/articles/article.php?id=943
"The Cult of the Offensive" is about both USA and
Israel and how Bush and Olmert are both making 'offensive'
military decisions that are now creating more instability and
resistance in the middle east.
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/082306b.html
Video: No Peace without Justice - A Jewish mother speaks out for
Justice and Peace in Israel and Palestine.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qDSurlDVp1o
Video: Is Peace Possible in Israel; various women speak out for
Justice and Peace in Israel and Palestine.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mc_BKl6Nvvc
Video: Apartheid in Israel; great information on the racism and
inequality in Israel with views of the wall.
http://www.actv.co.il/portal/eportal.asp?movind=321&show=1
Video Documentary: Israel's New War - A feature documentary on
growing militancy of some Jews in Israel. You can watch chapter
by chapter.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/israel/view/
Video: "The Shock Doctrine" is a film by Alfonso Cuaron
and Naomi Klein which is a really good introduction to her new
book called "THE SHOCK DOCTRINE".
http://books.guardian.co.uk/video/2007/sep/07/naomiklein
Other Resources
More info and links can be found at Palestine Peace and NGO links at the
bottom of class web page. These are organizations staffed by Israelis and
Palestinians, (Jews, Christians and Muslims and others) who are all working
for peace and justice in the region. There are also alternative news
sources that are updated daily giving us perspectives and stories from
Palestinians and oppressed groups that are often missing from main stream
media sources in Canada and the USA.