Skip to main content

Week #8: Culture Pre-Reading for "Rival" - SPA II Honors

For the remainder of the semester, we will be reading a second story, titled Rival. This story will be set in medieval Spain, prior to the Age of Discovery. During this time, Spain endured rule by the Islamic Moors in a kingdom they called Al-Andalus. This, however, doesn't tell the whole story. Historians have studied this time and have differing takes on the Islamic rule. There are many that tout this time period as proof that religions, even those drastically different such as Christianity and Islam, can live in tolerance side-by-side. Surely, there were times during the Islamic rule that there was a certain level of tolerance for Christians, although there were restrictions placed on them to a degree. The time of Al-Andalus also greatly impacted the architecture, arts, sciences, and learning in Spain as well as in Europe at large as new thoughts and philosophies were introduced to Europe for the first time.
That said, the time of Al-Andalus was not without it's own turmoil, even within the ruling Moors. There was also constant pressure from the Christian realms around, including the Christian kingdom of Asturias (later the kingdom of Leon). This group originated from the Christians who fled from the incoming Moors in (711-720 AD). This is going to set the stage for the dramatic Reconquista of Spain by the Christians. While our Christian heritage will make us root for this group, it is important to remember that this time was also the time was filled with a "Crusader" mindset. The methods and practice of the Church in how they reconquered Spain could and should be called into question. This week, I would like for you to watch the first part of a documentary on the Reconquista of Spain. The 1st part sets the stage for the Reconquista, during which Rival will be set. I would jot down a few notes because after you finish watching the video, you should use the link below the video to complete a FlipGrid response (details in the FlipGrid assignment) OR you can use code d3de0682 on the mobile app (which doesn't need Flash Player and works great). We will need to be able to use FlipGrid for future assignments with Rival so it is good to work the kinks out now if there are any.
Below you will find the link to the FlipGrid response assignment. You can use this link OR use the mobile code d3de0682 on the smartphone app, which works great.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week #2 - El Escape Cubano: Chapters 1 & 2

Chapter 1 - Conmigo Please watch the video below while following along with the text in the video and the audio. The glossary for the book is available on the Google Classroom assignment if you'd like to pause and reference it. In this chapter, we will meet our main character, Miguel, and also be introduced to a problem that he will face. Chapter 2 - Amigo After watching the video for chapter 1, continue to the video for chapter 2. In this video, Miguel will go to his friend Fabio's house because he has an idea.
3 comments
Read more

Week #3: El Escape Cubano - Chapters 3 & 4

Our story continues where it left off last time. Miguel went home with his father after meeting with his friend Fabio. However, he was never able to talk with Fabio about his father´s planned escape. This is where we pick up with chapter 3. The plot continues straight into chapter 4 where Miguel will face a future that he had no desire for and without someone he loves very dearly. Now that you have read/listened to these 2 chapters, please comment on the bottom with a short 3-5 sentence summary of the chapters as well as with your personal reaction to the situation that Miguel faces and how this is emblematic of the conflict/problem faced by those who chose to flee Cuba.
2 comments
Read more

Week #4: El Escape Cubano - Chapters 5 & 6

Capítulo 5 - Enojado We rejoin Miguel on the raft with his father as well as the family of Fabio, including Gloria, the girl who Miguel has a ¨crush¨ on. They have just left Cuba on the raft and are headed towards Florida. Capítulo 6 - Llueve The story continues in chapter 6. Miguel is very angry at his father (possibly with cause? - albeit his father has a defense for his actions which might justify it?). As the title indicates, rain is on the way. Remember ¨llueve¨ is from the verb ¨llover¨, meaning ¨to rain¨. Now that you have read & followed-along to chapters 5 and 6, please give some thought to the story in a comment addressing the following: a short 3-5 sentence summary of the chapters as well as a short prediction of what might happen next, given how chapter 6 ends. Please include your name (Ethan M. - for example) after your comment in-case it is published as an ¨unknown¨ author. 
2 comments
Read more