Sumários
Class 10
16 Março 2016, 12:00 • Nicholas John Csargo
Students were given a brief grammar lesson on onomatopeias and other figurative language. A student then presented on the novel Walden as a cultural artifact. Students discussed Thoreau as an author and the book's message. Afterward students were asked to reflect on what they know about the American dream and read an article that dealt with perceptions of the American Dream abroad.
Class 9
14 Março 2016, 12:00 • Nicholas John Csargo
Students were given back their corrected reports on their first cultural artifact essay and the instructor explained the correction key and how to make corrections. Students then continued their discussion on Portuguese and American perceptions and the articles read during the last class period. After the discussion a student presented on the film Juno as a cultural artifact. The primary social issues dealt with in the film are teenage pregnancy, abortion, adoption, and feminism. This issues were discussed in length at the end of the presentation in regard to how they are viewed in the U.S. and Portugal.
Class 8
9 Março 2016, 12:00 • Nicholas John Csargo
Students were given a brief grammar lesson and review on the use of modals for probability and politeness. After there was a student presentation on the song "One Sun" by Miley Cirus as a cultural artifact. The student provided a brief history of the song and the artist and the lyrics were examined. The songs message dealt with the dangers of pollution and climate change and this was the major focus of the student's presentation. The instructor then provided a brief lesson on the U.S. environmental policy and statistics to date as well as global warming. After a brief discussion on this topic students read two articles, reflecting on what it means to be Portuguese and what it means to be American respectively.
Class 7
7 Março 2016, 12:00 • Nicholas John Csargo
There were two student presentations on cultural artifacts, one on a current event and the other on a television series. The television series cultural artifact focused on the program Modern Family and how it portrayed the emerging hybridity of the American Family. Students then compared and contrasted the families portrayed in the television show and the families in Portugal. Students were then given a presentation by the instructor on the Sitcom as an American Cultural artifact and how it has evolved to accompany evolving American cultural values. Students then view a current event presentation on the expansion of Starbucks in Italy and Portuguese attitudes toward the American company. The instructor then discussed with students the cultural differences of drinking coffee in the U.S. and Portugal.
Class 6
2 Março 2016, 12:00 • Nicholas John Csargo
Students received a brief grammar lesson on easily confused words such as homonyms and words with difficult spellings in English. After there was a student presentation on Barack Obama's New Hampshire Primary speech as a cultural artifact. Students watched, discussed, and analyzed the language and message of the speech. Afterward students were given a presentation on the Obama administration by the instructor and discussed the effect the administration has had and the U.S. president.