Pitt-Rivers

Reading quiz for "At the Pitt-Rivers."

We began our discussion with the observation that the narrator is prejudiced and that he stereotypes. We discussed the meaning of these terms. Prejudice means to judge before you know someone. Stereotype means a stable characterization - a characterization or generalization that does not easily go away. Stereotypes are natural to human beings. We tend to categorize our world so that it is easier to understand. Stereotypes can sometimes help facilitate social interactions. However, they can cause problems when they become too inflexible or when we rely on them too much and do not see people as individuals. Prejudice is almost always bad, since it entails making an often unfair judgment before we get to know someone as an individual.

Zoo Island - textual examination

Today we examined the text that introduces Don Simon - pages 20-22.

• We explored the iront that the self-exiled outcast was the one member of the farm to fully grasp the importance of the census.
• We explored the possible reasons that Don Simon answered the census questions vaguely.
• We began to explore why Don Simon exiled himself and became an outcast.

More to come on Friday.

Vocabulary

We discussed and completed a worksheet for one of the five vocabulary terms you chose from "Zoo Island." We explored the root of the word, the prefix, and the suffix. We then explored possibly related words for each - words that seem to share the same root, prefix or suffix and carry the same or similar meaning of it.

Zoo Island Note Source

Self-respect & Dignity

• P 17: “Whities” looking at them as if they are animals – father complains about it …”as if we’re a bunch of monkies”


• P17: “Don’t swear in front of the kids, pa” – “I’ll bust them in the mouth”


• P17: “Let it go.  It’s nothing to make a fuss over” – anger is beneath their dignity


• P18: “They don’t take us for a bunch of lazy bones.”


• P18: Father boasts about being able to pick thistles without gloves


• P19:  Give the kids credit for always thinking & inquiring


• P 18: Set up a mailing system so they are all equal


• P19: By having their names on a piece of paper, they will be part of something & be worth something


• P21: Don Simon doesn’t give detailed answers – shows dignified restraint


• P19: Don’t seem to care that the town has more luxuries than they have.


• P20: When Don Simon talks, people listen


• P19: The people who refuse to answer the census questions – their dignity may have been endangered by the questions – the children respected their desire not to answer.


• P20: “Don’t be afraid.  Just go out there and ask them” – the children can stand up for themselves, have confidence


• P22: Don Simon names the island – he respects Jose’s idea and Jose respects Don Simon by naming the island.


• P22: Says “thanks” to Don Simon for his cooperation


• P22: Jose goes out to the sign every morning: feels part of the community.


• P22: Don Simon: “…you know you’re not only here but that you’re alive”

Participation Self-evaluation

We went over the definitions of the intellectual virtues and filled out the goal setting part of the participation self-evaluation form.

Theories

Today we focused on the theory that "Zoo Island" means that the members are "stuck" in their social situation. The theory that the farm was cluttered and busy needed to be amended because we discovered that the business and the clutter didn't really contribute to the social intertia of the people. It was changed to "Buried by lack of 'luxuries.'"

Main lesson of the day - it is ok to present an honest theory and have it proven wrong when we look more carefully at the text. Intellectual fortitude encourages us to present a theory and intellectual humility calls on us to admit when our theory has been disproven. The process leads to more careful thinking and to better understanding of the text.

You guys are doing a GREAT job with this process! Stay with it!

Note Source Assignment

Mark or list places where someone shows self-respect

Zoo Island

Today we discussed the minor premises for the theories you came up with for "Zoo Island." We then voted on the most relevant and important theories for the interpretation of the story. Tomorrow we will focus on the most important theories, develop the minor premises for them and dig for textual evidence to support each minor premise.

What Makes a Community?

What – besides living in the same place – makes a group of people think of themselves as a “community”?

• Work together


• Share ideas


• Know each other


• Similarities: ethnicity, race, work


• Public discussion / social discussion about the group


• On each other’s side


• Look out for each other


• Help each other when in need


• Mutual support


• Believing the same things (shared religion)


• Overcoming great problems together


• Social interaction & perception


• Common cause – working together for the same goal


• Rules (formal or informal)


• Governance (formal or informal)