Staying in touch

June 5, 2008

Many of you said you’d like to keep in touch and asked about letters of recommendation, SAT/ACT tutoring, college applications advice, etc.  I’d love to hear from you.

The best way to reach me is via email at duncan.brook@gmail.com. If you like, you can also use Facebook to stay connected or visit my personal website.  The site is due for an overhaul, but it will house any travel blog/photos I create.

Posted by Duncan Brook | Filed Under African Studies, World Studies 

Spring class photos

May 26, 2008

A period World Studies, Spring 2008
 
 

The spring class photos are up on the photos page.  I uploaded all the pictures that came out well, but there were a few that just didn’t come out (e.g. probably the best one of G period is completely out of focus).  The thumbnails and even the actual photos look sort of small, so if you click through to an individual photo’s page, you’ll see a “View full picture” link that lets you see a huge version.

Posted by Duncan Brook | Filed Under African Studies, World Studies 

Battle at Kruger

May 10, 2008

Just for fun, here’s an amazing video of a three-way battle – over a baby buffalo – between lions, buffalo, and a crocodile.

You can also read the New York Times article about the 8-minute video – it’s being made into an hour-long National Geographic documentary.

Posted by Duncan Brook | Filed Under African Studies 

Even teachers are targeted in Zimbabwe

May 7, 2008

In the buildup towards the [finally announced] presidential runoff election in Zimbabwe, the ZANU-PF crackdown grows more harsh every day.  Here’s a New York Times piece that notes government pressure on teachers and “interfering” foreign aid workers.  Think back to our study of education and compare the Zimbabwean political system with the process of democracy in the U.S. …

Posted by Duncan Brook | Filed Under African Studies 

Darfur fact sheets

May 7, 2008

Here are three PDF fact sheets on the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.

Posted by Duncan Brook | Filed Under African Studies 

Gorillas in the Mist parkland threatened

May 6, 2008

As a follow-up to our study of Dian Fossey’s impact on highland gorilla conservation in central Africa, here’s a 2004 National Geographic article highlighting the ongoing struggle to protect the “Gorillas in the Mist” park areas.

Posted by Duncan Brook | Filed Under African Studies 

Anderson Cooper visits Fossey’s gorillas

May 5, 2008

Part 1: Highland gorillas – Cooper gets up close to the highland gorillas in the Virunga Mountains
Part 2: Baby lowland gorillas – Cooper visits orphaned baby lowland gorillas

These videos come from the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund site.

Update – here is Cooper’s 60 Minutes report from the same trip:

Posted by Duncan Brook | Filed Under African Studies 

Slate audio slideshow: Darfur

May 5, 2008

When we talked about what other topics you’d like to cover in the remaining weeks of the class, you told me you wanted to revisit Darfur. Here’s an excellent audio slideshow from Slate magazine that lays out the basics:

Darfur: Rebellion from the Margins

Posted by Duncan Brook | Filed Under African Studies 

Seniors: final exam review guide

April 28, 2008

Seniors, your final exam is on Wednesday.  Here’s the review guide.  Study hard.

Posted by Duncan Brook | Filed Under African Studies 

Assignments to this point

April 14, 2008

The ubiquity of students with missing work in this class is astounding.  Here are the assignments you owe me up to this point quarter.  Do them.

  • Women & Development outline (293-313)
  • Education outline (of online overview)
  • Women’s paper topic
  • Women paper draft/outline
  • Environmental Problems outline (235-260)
  • Environmental issues article
  • Women’s issues paper

Posted by Duncan Brook | Filed Under African Studies 

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