Weekday Update

A Word of Warning About the World History Final

Laura Astorian — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:15:47 +0000

I am putting this in writing so no one who does poorly can complain that I didn’t warn them, or didn’t cover the material, or whatever other excuse you can think of. This final exam is difficult. Anything that came out of my mouth this semester is on it, anything that was on any PowerPoint slide is on it. It involves complex thought and critical thinking skills to get through some of the choices on the multiple choice answers. If you chose to not pay attention in class and if you chose not to do the study guide or the Biography of the Millennium exercise either for study or extra points purposes, then I do not want to hear (or read on Twitter — yes, I do know how to use the search function) of people complaining that they did not do well on this test.

This is more than an exam — it’s a test of personal accountability. If I speak of something, it’s fair game. To be fair, I went through the exam and if there was something that I was unsure of, I gave you the answer for it. Between five or so answers, plus ten points for the very, very comprehensive study guide, plus five points for the Biography of the Millennium video worksheet, that’s a sizable amount of extra credit.

People who pay attention to my lectures tend to do well on my final exams. People who do not, well, they don’t. If you made the choice to flake off and not pay attention and instead chose to talk to your friends or fiddle with your phone under the desk, then you also probably made the choice to fail something that’s worth 15% of your grade. I have several As and Bs every semester — more than any other letter grade — so if you wind up finishing this class with a grade that you don’t like, don’t blame me. Look in the mirror and think about how much effort you put into this course. Grades are not given, they’re earned.

World History Final Exam Review

Laura Astorian — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:00:43 +0000

We’re almost done! Here’s the review. Remember, if completed it’s either 15 points averaged into your test grades or 10 bonus points on your final exam if you’re not exempting. The answers are attached for you to check your work with. If you just write them as the answers to the questions on the packet, A) I will be able to tell and B) it does you no good. Ten extra credit points added onto a failing grade just means a higher failing grade.

Please DO NOT do the following questions as we didn’t have time to cover the material this semester: #s 5, 16-19, 21, 22, 43-45, 50-52, 68, 74,75,82,84,85, 88-91

AP Psych Final Exam Review

Laura Astorian — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:00:12 +0000

It’s a bit hefty, but useful. Here’s the exam review for the comprehensive final. You guys better not’ve flushed your brains after the exam.

Missing Assignments

Laura Astorian — Wed, 02 May 2012 01:14:41 +0000

I’m entering zeroes for missing assignments. As we get closer to the end of the semester, you’ve had plenty of time to get things in. Making sure you make up homework, tests, etc. is your responsibility. I have 87 of you guys, and I am not hunting you down about your missing homework.

This will also give you an idea of what your grade is going into the final exams.

Do What You’re Told!

Laura Astorian — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:19:12 +0000

Attached is the video we watched in class, the worksheet, and the 40 Studies assignment.

AP Psych Extra Credit Opportunity

Laura Astorian — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:21:25 +0000

The end of the semester is always filled with Hitler it seems, both in World History and in AP Psych. As one last hurrah chance for you to get extra credit, I would like you to watch the movie Downfall, and get me a two page paper explaining what you saw in the movie using vocab from Chapter 18 of your textbook.

Zimbardo on evil.

Laura Astorian — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:00:28 +0000

Here’s Zim’s talk on Ted.com regarding the problems at Abu Ghraib prison and generally why good people can go bad – and how it can really happen to anyone.

Speaking of people going bad, don’t forget your extra credit – 10 pts. on your final for watching Downfall and writing a 1 page paper analyzing the actions of the individuals using concepts from Chapter 18.

Escape from Auschwitz

Laura Astorian — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:29:45 +0000

You really can’t make stuff like this up. Stealing the commandant’s car and driving out of the front gates of Auschwitz? That’s the stuff of movies right there.

Also, not everyone was blind as to what Hitler was about. Check out these predictions from a 1932 issue of The Atlantic – pretty spot on.

Adolf Hitler’s Lost Grandson?

Laura Astorian — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:23:32 +0000

Something that’s often said about Adolf Hitler (who we will start discussing in class this week) is “oh, thank goodness he didn’t ever reproduce.”

Oops.

Turns out he apparently had an affair with a French woman during WWI, who wound up having a child that Hitler never outwardly acknowledged (though the SS did give her bundles of money during the war). Later on, that man had children, and broke the news to them that their grandfather was Adolf Hitler. Philippe Loret, who is a French plumber, has come out with his family’s story.

It hasn’t been substantiated yet, but the resemblance is uncanny, isn’t it?

He should probably lose the mustache.

The Surfing Savant

Laura Astorian — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 05:00:08 +0000

We discussed savant syndrome Friday in class; the talents aren’t necessarily all academic and artistic. Rolling Stone, in April 2010, published an article about the Surfing Savant, Clay Marzo. It’s worth a read; it highlights his emotional troubles perfectly while emphasizing his unique abilities.