Michelle Obama in Phoenix, Arizona: "Who We Are"

On 20 Oct., 2016, Michelle Obama made a speech at a "Hillary for America" (HFA) meeting. You can follow the whole script at this address at whitehouse.gov, which is the official website of the US presidency: Remarks by the First Lady at HFA rally in Phoenix, AZ.

Please print out this five-page worksheet and fill it in. It'll take 30 to 35 minutes to do.

Worksheet on Michelle Obama's Phoenix address

Wikipedia is the best part of the Internet

Robert Gebelhoff states the secret of Wikipedia's success:

Wikipedia specifically declares in its “Five Pillars” that the website is not meant to be an “experiment in democracy.” Still, the essential democratic characteristic of the site — giving the masses equal voice, even at the risk of silly and ugly arguments — is what makes it successful.

The Washington Post, "Science shows: Wikipedia is the best part of the Internet" (19 Oct. 2016)

US Election 2016: 3rd TV debate

Two unusual details:

- Trump won't commit to accepting outcome of election (BBC)

- Trump: We need to get out the "Bad Hombres" (CNN)

Trump saving us from #badhombres #debates pic.twitter.com/HtYDcVeoHY

— LeahLaO (@LeahLochoa) October 20, 2016

Michelle Obama: "Going to Get a Little Serious..."

Michelle Obama's speech in New Hampshire, where she spoke about the behaviour of presidential candidate Donald Trump - without actually addressing him -, has become one of the most famous speeches of the whole election campaign. One of the reasons is that she has given the many women a voice who feel threatened by the kind of behaviour and talk that Trump has shown over the past decades. In very moving and understandable words she expresses her feelings about this case.
You can watch her speech and read along in the script below.

Michelle Obama: "Setting an example for our kids, and for our entire world"

If you admire the present First Lady's words, actions and style, you may want to have a look at this collection of four tributes to Michelle Obama in the New York Times:

To the First Lady, With Love: Four thank-you notes to Michelle Obama, who has spent the past eight years quietly and confidently changing the course of American history

Nobel Prize for Literature 2016: Bob Dylan

As you have certainly heard and read over the past few days, the Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Bob Dylan this year. The Guardian writes about the committee's reasons and provides some information on the artist's vita.

Bob Dylan wins Nobel prize in literature

One of his most famous songs is "The Times They Are A Changin'" - you can listen to it here:

And here are the lyrics:

Bob Dylan, "The Times They Are A-Changing"

More articles on Dylan and his prize:

• The New Yorker: "Our Favorite Dylan Lyrics"

• CBCnews: "A look at Bob Dylan's most iconic lyrics"

• The Guardian: "Are these the lyrics that won Bob Dylan a Nobel prize?"

• The Independent: "Bob Dylan: The most powerful and poignant lyrics from the Nobel Prize for Literature winner"


Task: Write a text of ca. 200 words about your impression of Bob Dylan's work. Include whether you had been familiar with his name or (one or two of) his songs before the prize.

2016 presidential elections: 2nd TV debate Clinton/Trump

If you have time, watch the second TV debate between Clinton and Trump - the link leads you to the beginning of the debate. If you have even more time, you can also watch the initial analysis of the situation by some journalists, and the analysis following immediately after the 90 minutes between Clinton and Trump.

The Second Presidential Debate: Hillary Clinton And Donald Trump (Full Debate) | NBC News


Interesting article in The Atlantic:

Donald Trump's Promise to Jail Clinton Threatens Democracy


And here is an analysis of the TV debate by British newspaper The Telegraph:

Who won (and lost) the second presidential TV debate, Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton?

Language:

With this particular debate, you may want to know what "locker room talk" is. Well, it is what people (or at least, Donald Trump) think men talk about in a locker room.

"locker room" in Oxford Learner's Dictionaries

However, quite a few athletes (who ought to know locker rooms pretty well) strongly dislike Trump's statement, as reported on CNN:

Not 'locker room' talk: Athletes push back against Trump's remark

... and as expressed on Twitter:

As an athlete, I've been in locker rooms my entire adult life and uh, that's not locker room talk.

— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) October 10, 2016

Finally, here's a cartoon on Trump's attitude to women:

David Fitzsimmons, "Trump on Women"

Mindfulness - what is it, and why does it matter?

Please watch this video of a TED talk (just under 15 minutes). It's worth it (of course). Don't worry, there are subtitles.
After watching it, write about what you found fascinating about it. Or why you didn't like it. Write about 200 words.

Modern drama - but which one?

Here are movie trailers of three dramas that we might read in class soon (well, one of them).

Poll: Instead of putting a link here, I've sent all course participants an e-mail containing the link for the prefr poll. Please check your mail if you haven't seen it yet. Thank you.

• Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman 
  (unfortunately the trailer for this movie is only available in German, but it'll give you an idea)
  
  
• Oscar Wilde: The Importance of Being Earnest
  
  
• Tennessee Williams: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof