PREPARING FOR THE SAC

ENCOUNTERING CONFLICT FILES

Researching the Context and developing knowledge and ideas that you might use in your writing responses is crucial towards preparing for success in your Creating and Presenting SACs and the exam. Use the class handout to help begin your brainstorming and expansion of your conflict knowledge by researching texts, images, music and film.

TASK:
To create Conflict Files develop four possibilities for writing pieces from your research:

• Choose four prompts
• Choose a text, image, song and film
• Write about the links you can identify between your choices and the prompts
• Write about the links you can identify between your choices and the set text
• Write about the links you can identify between your choices and the Context
• Come up with an idea for a writing piece and explain it in terms of FLAP+C
• Present three quotes that you believe could work to enhance the writing piece

PRESENTATION:

Publish your Conflict Files in the appropriate section of our Encountering Conflict Blog.

Crucible - Encountering Conflict Files - Blog Posts

Child witches in Africa

        


View the documentary and picture gallery at http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/video/2007/dec/09/video and http://www.guardian.co.uk/observer/gallery/2007/dec/09/witches?picture=331488389. The tyranny of the Salem Witch Trials is as relevant today as it was in the 17th Century. Leave comments about what have you viewed. What does it make you think and feel? How does it expand your ideas about what it is to encounter conflict? As you study conflict and encounter stories such as these, does it have an impact on you? What does it make you think about the world?

Encountering Conflict 2012

THE CRUCIBLE AND THE RUGMAKER OF MAZAR-E-SHARIF

 

Reading and knowing your set texts well is vitally important to doing the best you can in SACs and the exam.

60 Minutes - Dammed

In The Secret River the struggles the Aboriginal people faced as the Europeans took control of their land is documented. It is a struggle many groups of people throughout the world have encountered. Inhumanity, racism, discrimination, ignorance, greed, survival, economics, dominance and various other factors have contributed to the poor treatment of native populations throughout history. It is a story that continues for generations as the impacts reverbrate significantly ever after. Much has been and is being done in many countries to acknowledge the suffering and hardship that has occurred due to the invasion of indigenous communities and their lands. What has happened cannot be undone, but it can be acknowledged and humanity can move forward. In terms of the context, Encountering Conflict, it might make one wonder how modern society, if put in the position of coming upon an established tribe of indigenous people, would handle the situation. Unfortunately, one does not need to research much to find the same devastating conquer and destroy story of the past at play today.

Allison Langdon's 60 Minutes story 'Dammed' tells of the Kayapo Indians fight for survival in Brazil. They face an uncertain future as the Brazilian government prepares to turn their home into a hydro dam. The story makes compelling viewing as Langdon investigates the situation, leading to the revelation that the vulnerable Kayapo are knowingly being dismissed and treated as lesser, just as the Australian Aboriginal and other native populations have been in the past. Thankfully some hope for change is instigated by Langdon's story, alongside the campaigning of Christina G Mittermeier, James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver. The Kayapo have a voice that is being heard the world over. Hopefully, they will have an outcome where they are listened to and respected.

(A variety of writing pieces could be inspired this topic, leave any ideas that come to mind as a comment. View the story at http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8270648).


Amazon dammed - Images by Cristina Mittermeier

You S/N Task - Exploring the Context

Aim to create four posts for The Secret River . You need to complete a post for the Picture Panic, Text Tremors, Film Flogging and Music Matters areas of the blog.

The posts will discuss articles of your choice. Your discussion should consider the article in relation to the context of Encountering Conflict and highlight any connections between The Secret River and the article. Include an idea for a piece of writing the material might inspire - note the form and audience for the piece.

So, have a go. Don't panic about doing it right or wrong, in this case it's about the discussion we can generate and the ideas that will put us in a strong position from which to tackle the SACs and exam.  If you see something put up by someone else that gets you thinking leave them a comment. If you come across something that inspires you in regards to The Rugmaker put a post up about that too. Good Luck.

2011 STARTS HERE!

Culture Shock

Culture Shock is a theme that features prominently in The Secret River and The Rugmaker. It is a topic that you could focus on in a piece of writing you create. The following documentary gives you the opportunity to hear the voices of young people who have have left their home country to create new lives in Australia. They are certainly inspiring.

Culture Shock from Change Media on Vimeo.