HUST "Wish List": Films, Books, & More

Throughout the semester, we've been accumulating (at least hypothetically) a list of popular culture references that touch on familiar themes from Colloquium III. You might want to return to the list at some point when your Netflix list has run dry or when you're ready for some leisurely reading. Finally, per our conversation today, Jane Austen has, indeed, been "Facebooked."

Films: (in order of chronological relevance)

• Apocalypto
• Elizabeth
• Shakespeare in Love
• New World
• Stage Beauty
• The Last of the Mohicans
• 1776
• Amazing Grace
• Glory

Television Series:

• Colonial House (yes, you can get this on Netflix!)
  
• John Adams
• Roots

Literature:

• Persuasion, Jane Austen
• "The Yellow Wallpaper," Charlotte Perkins Gilman (link to Cornell's the Making of America website; original publication images)
  
• The Awakening, Kate Chopin
  
• The House of Mirth, Edith Warton
• Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
• Long Journey From Home

Prof's Picks:

• Marie Antoinette
• The Libertine
• Beloved, Toni Morrison
• Mistress Bradstreet: The Untold Life of America's First Poet, Charlotte Gordon (I got it for 5.99 at Notre Dame Bookstore Clearance!)
• Will in the World, Stephen Greenblatt (on Shakespeare)
  

Happy Birthday John Milton

Today is John Milton's birthday. In lieu of singing him a song, go ahead and check out today's article in the London paper, The Guardian, on Milton and his lasting contributions to our literary and political worlds. Or, if it's more your style, test your Miltonic trivia with this quiz: "How well do you know Milton?"

Extra Credit Blog

After this Friday, all "official" blog entries will be completed. However, if you'd like to offer one last post reflecting on our course this term, it can serve as an "extra credit" blog. I will use the grade for this reflection post to replace your lowest blog grade so far (for some, maybe it's a 3...for others, it might be a zero because it slipped your mind one week). Either way, it would be great to hear everyone's thoughts, suggestions, and reflections.

Drafting the Declaration of Independence

Today in class we'll discuss, among other things, the various versions or drafts that the infamous Declaration underwent, including Jefferson's drafts and the final draft that we know today. With so many different versions, a helpful way to make sense of these changes is to read a hypertext version from Duke University in which areas of difference are highlighted (taking you to an explanation of the additions, alterations, or deletions).

SMC Monologues

You may have seen this announcement in your email box today, but I wanted to bring particular attention to this interesting opportunity to express and explore your own identity and relationship to Saint Mary's in writing:

What inspires you?
What do you have to say?

The SMC Monologues
Needs YOU!!!

5^th Annual SMC Monologues!

What is The SMC Monologues, you ask?
Modeled after Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues, our SMC Monologues is a production of anonymous stories written by the SMC community for the SMC community.

We are currently calling for submissions from YOU!

You are encouraged to write about how "you are Saint Mary’s," a womanly exploration of yourself, body image, spirituality, religion, experience of love, experience of abuse, and, of course, your influential heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, platonic, and familial relationships and experiences. No topic is off-limits or irrelevant!

Questions to consider:
What does it mean to be a Saint Mary’s woman?
How are my identity and relationships shaped by my sexuality?
What experiences have shaped the woman I am?
How do I express my sexuality?

Don’t be nervous about your more revealing stories because this is ANONYMOUS!

If interested, send your submissions to Becki at rfaunc01@saintmarys.edu, Professor Catherine Pittman at cpittman@saintmarys.edu, or Professor Lily Hoang at lhoang@saintmarys.edu

If that’s not anonymous enough for you, there is a drop-off box in the library located near the photocopier on the first floor.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY JANUARY 20^TH
but please submit early!!

All submissions will be read but we cannot guarantee all submissions will be included in the final production in February. If you’d rather not write but are interested in participating in the production, keep your eyes open for more ways to be involved in the near future!

Kristallnacht week events by White Rose Society

To commemorate Kristallnacht and those who've suffered from the atrocities of genocide, the following events have been planned by the student group, the White Rose Society, in conjunction with SMC faculty. If you choose to attend any events, please blog about your reactions for an extra credit opportunity.

On the night of November 9, 1938, thousands of Jewish businesses and synagogues were destroyed in one of the first major acts of anti-semitism in Nazi Germany. Kristallnacht, or "the night of broken glass" marked the beginning of the events that came to define the Holocaust. As we near the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, please honor victims by taking the time to learn about the nature of genocide and the political and social environments that facilitate such atrocities.

Monday November 10th, Student Center Lounge at Noon: "Holocaust Memories." A student produced personal interview with a Holocaust survivor.

Tuesday November 11th, Vander Vennett Theater at 7:00 pm: "Cabaret." Prof. David Stefanic will introduce the film and lead a discussion afterwards.

Wednesday, November 12th, Student Center Lounge at Noon: "Holocaust Memories." A student produced personal interview with a Holocaust survivor.

Thursday November 13th, Vander Vennett Theater at 7:00 pm: "Hotel Rwanda." Professor Edith Miguda will introduce the film and lead a discussion afterwards.

During the week: in the atrium of the Student Center, the White Rose Society will be distributing roses in memory of the victims of the Holocaust and more recent genocide, and will provide information about the crisis in Darfur.

"I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart."
-- Anne Frank

Candide Discussion Questions

For the remainder of the term, blog posts will be due on Friday of each week. Please feel free to develop conversation points raised in class or to introduce and explore new topics or reactions of your own. As always, I'm looking to see that you've offered detailed, thoughtful reflections on some aspect of the text/discussion/historical period that we're focusing on. To aid you in your reading (or blog posting), I've offered a few guiding questions below.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

• Do you think Voltaire would agree or disagree with Pope's determination that "Whatever is, is right"?
• How would you characterize the tone of the narrator in this tale?
• Based on your reading so far, what is Voltaire's Enlightenment agenda, and how does it compare to Pope?