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Crucible-related Readings WE WILL DO THIS ACTIVITY IN CLASS. Objective: In times of instability and uncertainty in the world, certain groups – due to religion, gender, or age – become systematic victims of persecution and oppression. Each of the articles you will read today is about the practice of “witch” hunting in today’s world. As you read, you will research these modern-day practices and relate them to two important themes in The Crucible: fear and greed. Questions you will explore in depth: How do fear and greed motivate modern-day witch hunts? How do they motivate the witch hunt of The Crucible? What are the differences and similarities between the fears and desires of each? For example, how does Anne Putnam’s fear of child mortality compare with the fear of crop failure in Africa? Directions: Read four articles, and take notes on each. NOTE: You should read two articles from one set - I, II, or III - this will be your focus set. Your notes should contain the following eight pieces of information: 1. title of article, 2. author of article, 3. date of article, 4. name of periodical, 5. main point (thesis) of article, 6. intended audience of article, 7. all the causes for persecution mentioned in the article (for example, fear of disease, poverty, desire for profit or land), and 8. one fact from the article you found interesting. Then, carefully re-read the set of articles (I, II, or III) you chose to focus on, and write one paragraph (at least ¾ of a page) comparing that modern-day witch hunt to the witch hunt of The Crucible. Pay particular attention to the role of fear and greed in both. Links to Articles:
Read an editorial on the Homeland Security Hearings on the American Muslim community: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/10/AR2011031004680.html And an article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/07/islam-terror-hearings-mccarthy-witchhunt And another here: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/frame_game/2011/03/muslim_mccarthyism.html Read a column comparing Salem’s witch-hunt to recent persecution of Muslims here: And here: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/30/opinion/tarin-bachmann-muslims/index.html II The Persecution of Women and Children in Africa Read an article on children accused of witchcraft in the Democratic Republic of Congo: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/575178.stm
And in Nigeria: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/dec/09/tracymcveigh.theobserver
Read about the persecution of women in Ghana:
And in Kenya: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8119201.stm
Read an editorial about witch hunts in Africa: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/jul/29/religion-witchcraft-sorcery-africa-unicef
III. The Persecution of Women in India Read an article about women accused of witchcraft in India here:
And here: http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/04/witchcraft-assam
And here: Guardian Article
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“The Destruction of the Amazon, Explained” TheWeek.com
“A California high school found students’ cellphones too distracting, so they’re locking the devices up” by Safia Samee Ali for NBCNews.com
“The Graying of America” TheWeek.com