Wednesday, Nov. 14. Unit 7, Culture. "Adventures in India."
Preparation: Write your answers to the questions on p. 49 and do the vocabulary exercise at the bottom of the page. Look up the English meanings of any words you don’t know and write them on your paper. Do Before you read, Reading (scanning), p. 51. Then do ex. A, p. 51, after you read p. 50.
In class: We’ll go over your answers and we’ll do ex. B and C, p. 51, together.
Friday, Nov. 16. "Body language in the United States."
Preparation: Do Before you read, Reading (scanning), p. 53. Then do ex. A and B, p. 53, after you read the text on p. 52. Try to observe the body language (gestures) of some American students in your other classes or in the dorm, cafeteria, etc. Do you notice anything different from body language in Japan?In class: We’ll finish p. 51 and go over your answers on p. 53. If time permits we'll do ex. C, p. 53, together.
Lab Assignment for this week: Attend the Finlandia play At the Hawk’s Well this weekend. It will be presented Friday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2:00 p.m., at the Finnish American Heritage Center. The play is free for Finlandia students with your I.D. You can attend it at any of these times.
This play, written by Irish poet William Butler Yeats, is an experimental play patterned after Japanese "Noh" drama. The minimalist play features one main and one companion character, the use of masks and faces painted to resemble masks, chant-like singing, and minimalist scenery.
Set during the early medieval period, the story concerns a young keeper and an old keeper of a well from which springs the water of eternal life. The keepers are tricked by the Guardian of the Well into missing the water when it finally flows. Instead of continuing to wait, the young one goes to do battle, while the old one stays by the well.
After you see the play, write a paragraph about one of the well keepers in the play. Describe the aspects of "Noh" drama as seen in this character (Does he or she wear a mask or face paint to resemble a mask? If you know something about "Noh" drama, you may compare this play to any you have seen.) Describe the body language of the actor or actress playing the role of this character. How or why is it effective? (How do the gestures help tell the story?) You may wish to take a few notes during the play or jot them down right after you see it.
Monday, Nov. 19. "Cross-cultural differences."
Preparation: Do the Before you read, p. 55, and the Reading (scanning). Then read the whole text on p. 54 and do ex. A and B on p. 55.
In class: We’ll go over your answers and do ex. C, p. 55, together. We’ll also discuss the play. Hand in your paragraph on the play (lab assignment).
Thanksgiving Break!! Have fun!
Monday, Nov. 26.
Preparation: Do the Wrap-up, ex. A and B, p. 56, and bring your vocabulary notebook up to date for Unit 7.
In class: We’ll go over the Wrap-up and review vocabulary of Unit 7.
Wednesday, Nov. 28. Vocabulary review and Quiz on Unit 7.
Bring your vocabulary notebook to class.
