In psychology this week we have watched a film on the roots of terrorism. We have examined the role of 19th century colonialism and the residual effects of the abandonment of the former colonies in relation to nation building after World War I. It also examined the role of Nazi Germany during WWII in influencing the development of fascism in the Middle East. The Cold War influences of the Soviet Union were traced and the economic explosion that resulted from the oil boom of the late 1950s & 1960s. We also studied the effects of the rise of the Egyptian Islamic Brotherhood which was the precursor of Al Quaida, the Iranian Revolution and the impact of the Ayatollah Khomieni on the rise of fundamentalist Islam. The background of Osama bin Laden was surveyed as was the role of United States foreign policy and the ensuing events from the Afghan overthrow of the soviets to the first Gulf War to 9/11 and the decade long Afghan war and US involvement in Iraq. The impact on the US economy and politics was also discussed along with the historical intransigence of foreign policy in relation to changing presidential administrations.

Senior Friday: we discussed early college admission dates–Nov.1, college entrance tests and desired scores, what normative testing is, and the FAFSA and where to find information online to expedite admission process.

In Intro to Journalism we have examined the front pages of major daily newspapers from 9/11/01 and 9/11/11. We have brainstormed feature story ideas, journaled students’ memories, and compared coverage in the NY Times to that of other major dailies. We also have reviewed the parts of the newspaper and the history of journalism in America from the publication of the first newspaper in 1690 up to the period of Yellow Journalism. The importance of the First Amendment continues to be examined and emphasized.
J1 Friday: after quiz, I read a selection from Bissinger’s Friday Night Lights.