Case Study Chapter 10. Racism

Statement of the Problem
Definition: Francine is a transfer student to Tony’s university. They hang out together frequently. Some students who have prejudice of racism always bother them and threaten them. Eventually Francine couldn’t take this life anymore. However, Tony insist of things will work out if they both have faith in their mind.

Analysis: As I said in class, if a common problem solved by two regular persons, then why we put a adjective “common” in it? In the first place, Francine and Tony they have their own right to choose their friends. However the situation is they cannot feel free to do that in their school because they live with some students have prejudice with racism.

Suggestion of possible solutions
A. They should break up.
B. They keep their relationship as low as they can. Also they should hang out with some other students that don’t have prejudice problem.
C. They should talk to their Dean or advisor to solve the problem more officially.

Evaluation of possible solutions
A. They should break up.
Advantages: It’s pretty cruel decision for them but at least it will make sure they wont get hurt if things continue go on.
Disadvantages: Maybe those students will still bother them because they may not let it go.


B. They keep their relationship as low as they can. Also they should hang out with some other students that don’t have prejudice problem.
Advantages: They can keep their relationship and get support from some students with advanced and opening thoughts. If things can work out, it may encourage more and more white people and African-American people have healthy relationships.
Disadvantages: It’s such a risk if they still hang out together. Also it may cause more and more conflicts between students have different sides in racism issue.

C. They should talk to their Dean or advisor to solve the problem more officially.
Advantages: School may solve this problem more officially and maturely. Because what those students did are kind of out of control. So it might be enlarge a serious problem.
Disadvantages: Maybe the school will ignore this problem because it’s not that common on campus. So they may not get any help from school.

Selection of a solution
B. They keep their relationship as low as they can. Also they should hang out with some other students that don’t have prejudice problem.
Justification: People have their own right to choose their friends. At same time, those students has prejudice of racism are so childish and boring. In my opinion, people should have to gain their own right and at the same time protect themselves very well. So I suggest they keep their relationship as low as they can, and then try to have some friends that support their relationship. Also if they always hang out bunch of people it will less obvious than only of them walk on campus together. So I think Suggestion B is not a bad idea for them.

Smoke Signals

Title: Smoke Signals
Director: Chris Eyre
Actors: Adam Beach, Evan Adams, Gary Farmer
Type: Comedy, Drama

Summary and Analysis
Victor and Thomas are the two main actors of this movie. Victor’s father, Arnold saved Thomas from a fire accident. However the fire took Thomas’s parents’ life. Thomas worshipped Arnold because Arnold saved his life. However, Victor doesn’t like his father that much because his father is an alcoholic and always committed domestic violence. Finally, Arnold left his wife and his son and move to Phoenix. One day, Victor decided to go to Arizona to visit his father but he has no money for trip. Thomas said he could afford for the trip but he need Victor take him to Phoenix together. Thus, they started their trip to Phoenix. When they arrived in Phoenix, they met Suzie Song, Arnold’s friend. She told numerous stories about Arnold to Victor and Thomas. Victor realized the reason why Arnold became an alcoholic because of he is the person caused the fire of Thomas’s house. Victor started to understand his father but his father already passed away. They cannot talk, play basketball and stay together anymore...

Relation to Case Study
In Chapter 10, those students who have prejudice of racism irritated Francine and Tony. Their relationship is suffered from this unfair social problem. Even Tony insisted of keep this relationship goes on but it is too childish. In the movie, Victor and Thomas also experienced the racism problem during the trip to Phoenix. For example, their appearances look like a stereotype Native American. Eventually Thomas bought a T-shirt looks like an American, but their long hair and personality cannot hide their identity. So, in case study and the movie, 4 of them have racism problem.

Reaction of the movie
is a good movie for foreign students to know something about Native American. I can also totally comprehend the racism problem happened on them during their adventure trip. Also the relationship between Victor and his father also impressed me. Somehow people focus on the misunderstanding with their friends, but they may ignore the relationship with their parents. Arnold might not be a good husband and father, but he loves Victor. Victor found this issue after his father passed away. People should dissolve their family problem before it is too late.

chapter 12 - Vocabulary

Master
Definition: a person is really good at something.
Example: Michael is a master of basketball.

Counselor
Definition: person who give your advices
Example: His elder sister has been his guide, counselor and friend.

Depression
Definition: is type a mental illness.
Example: The threat of an economic depression hangs over the world.

Chapter 10 - Vocabulary

Prejudice
Definition: any preconceived opinion or feeling for an individual, a group or something.
Example: Hitler has a prejudice against Jewish people.

Hang out
Definition: spend time with friends
Example: Those guys always hang out in the bar.

Self-confidence
Definition: an individual believe his own judgment or ability.
Example: Sometimes he made a mistake because he is too self-confidence.

chapter 9 - Vocabulary

Bucks
Definition: a slang of money
Example: You own me 500 bucks.

Plagiarism
Definition: present other’s idea or words as own.
Example: Plagiarism is a serious mistake in American college.

Principle
Definition: rule or standard for good behavior.
Example: The system works on the principle that heat rises.

chapter 4 - Vocabulary

Attitude
Definition: Feelings and opinions about something or someone.
Example: I have a positive attitude about the result of this game.

Flexible
Definition: able to change easily to change something.
Example: I have a flexible timetable next semester.

On time
Definition: never late
Example: He always is being on time.

Chapter 3 - Vocabulary

Strict
Definition: limiting someone's freedom or their wishExample: My parents is strict with me.
ImposeDefinition: to establish something as a rule to force people accepted
Example: Don't try to impose your wishes on us.

Compromise
Definition: agree to disaggree on same thing
Example: Finally I compromised his point.

Homesick
Definition: feel uncomfortable, depressed when people far away from home.
Example: The mainly reason that he left from school is because he was homesick.

Chapter 1 - Vocabulary

Influence
Definition: change or effect on people's mind or behavior
Example:Please don't influence my decision.

Morale
Definition: an individual’s mental or emotional condition with respect to cheerfulness
Example: They sung songs to keep their morale up.

Volunteer
Definition: a person offers services without anybody asked and for free
Example: Can I have a volunteer to take care of your children?

Animal House

Title of Film: Animal House

Director of Film: John Landis

Actors: Tom Hulce-Larry Kroger, Stephen Furst-Kent Dorfman

Type of Film: Comedy.

Summary and Analysis

The story happened in 1962. Kent Dorfman (Stephen Furst) and Larry Kroger (Tom Hulce) are freshman in collegeBoth of them want to joined some clubs on campus. After they had bad experience from Omega house, they officially joined the fraternity in Delta house. People in Delta house are friendly to them such as Otter. The Delta house are famous for parties and violate school's rules.The Dean Wormer always want to expelled Delta house's members from school. He got help from Omega house's members. They set a cunning trap for Delta house members. They fake a answer for next exam. Eventually, Larry Kroger they all got low grade in the exam adn expelled by Dean Wormer.Finally they stroke and strife the parade.This movie is one of the best comedy for years.

Relation to Case Study

In the case study about Maria and this movie, we see that the common things happpened in Ameican colloge's dorms in these two stories. In case study, Maria cannot endure her roommate Jennifer and finally she move out to her friend's house. In the movie, Larry and Kent they are so exciting for college life and they joined the Delta house. These two issues are very common in American college, unsuitable roommate and wild party house.

Reaction to Film

I am always a big fan about college life or young American movies, such as , <17>. I like these kind of movies firstly because they are funny and hilarious. I think the reason is young people always have crazy minds coming out. The second reason it those movies relect some things real happened in American teenagers' life. is the originator of college comedy theme. It has amazing gross after it played.

Reaction to the debate. Time management

In my opinion, i think riding bike to school is not the best solution to Rejesh. In the first place, it will take more time than the bus. The late of the buss was just a excuse that he don't want take too much responsiblities. He will also be late even he has a bike. Then, if he ride bike to school, he will easily get tired in class. However, I think the most important thing he need to do is change his attitude, he cant live in America but not follow the rules. So I think the attitude is the key point of his issue.

Words

Influence
Definition: change or effect on people's mind or behavior
Example:Please don't influence my decision.

Strict
Definition: limiting someone's freedom or their wishExample: My parents is strict with me.
ImposeDefinition: to establish something as a rule to force people accepted
Example: Don't try to impose your wishes on us

Compromise
Definition: agree to disaggree on same thing
Example: Finally I compromised his point.

Attitude
Definition: Feelings and opinions about something or someone.
Example: I have a positive attitude about the result of this game.

Flexible
Definition: able to change easily to change somethingExample: I have a flexiable timetable next semseter.

On time
Definition: never late
Example: He always being on time.

Bucks
Definition: a slang of money
Example: You own me 500 bucks.

Plagiarism
Definition: copy from other people stufff
Example: Plagiarim is a serious mistakpe in American college.

Principle
Definition: rule or standare for good behaviour.
Example: The system works on the principle that heat rises.

Depression
Definition: is type a mental illness.
Example:The threat of an economic depression hangs over the world.

Counselor
Definition: person who give your advices
Example: His elder sister has been his guide, counsellor and friend.

master
Definition: really good at something
like vollyball.Example:It's not easy to master a foreign language.

Summary of Opening

In the opening of , Larry and Kent want join the fraternity club on campus. They have lots of expectation for their college life. However, people in Omega house are not that friendly to them. Then they turned to Delta house, and people in Delta house are totally lost of control.
In my case, I’d rather to join the Delta house, not because they break all rules and have insane party on campus, I think they are more real and friendly than people in Omega house.

Case Study: Chapter 3. Roommate Relations

I. Statement of the Problem

Definition:

Maria Franchino is excited about her college life in USA. Her roommate, Jennifer Robertson, is an American girl who doesn’t pay attention about other people’s feelings and room’s cleanness. Maria was really wanted be a friend with Jennifer. Somehow, Jennifer hurt Maria’s feelings in some sides. Finally Maria moved out from that room.

Analysis:

In my opinion, living with somebody else should have some basic respect and politeness. Jennifer is not a bad girl, she just ignore Maria’s feelings and not a well-organized person. However, Maria is a very conservative girl who never experience American college life before. In this case, I think Jennifer’s rambling lifestyle and Maria’s cautious personality are the main problem.

II. Suggestion of Possible Solutions

1). Maria should change a dorm.

2). Maria should talk to Jennifer.

3). Maria should keep living with Jennifer.

III. Evaluation of Possible Solutions

1). Maria should change a dorm.

Advantages: I don’t suggest that Maria move into her friend’s house, because she needs to live with Americans to experience college life. Even her friends can take care of her, but same time she lost a very good chance to learn grows up. The right way to solve problem is face it but not avoid it.

Disadvantage: She may have another horrible roommate even worse than Jennifer. That’s the truth happened in college every beginning of semester. When people want to change the room, this is an inevitable thing related to dorm changing.

2). Maria should talk to Jennifer.

Advantage: I gave this suggestion to Maria because I think Jennifer’s personality is easy-going. For instance, she let Maria joined the dinner means she treats Maria as a friend. So I think Maria should try to talk with Jennifer about those things bothered her otherwise she may lose a good friend.

Disadvantage: There are still have some chances that Jennifer don’t listen to Maria, then this friendship is going to end. Jennifer might say some thing to lower her reputation, because according to Maria’s friends said she won’t fell guilty when she did something bother other people.

3). Maria should keep living with Jennifer.

Advantage: in this case, I suggest Maria continually living with Jennifer. Maria should start to clean the room to hint Jennifer that the dorm should be clean. For Jennifer boyfriend, I think Maria should get used to it. It will frequently happen in the future. If she can go over Jennifer’s issues, I think that’s mean she really grows up to a mature college student.

Disadvantage: If things are not going to change, then Maria will still suffer from the pain. Eventually, everything will get worse because Maria already has some prejudice with Jennifer.

IV. Selection of a Solution

I think No.2 is the best solution. As I mentioned above, Jennifer is not a bad person, Maria cannot judge any person before she talked to them. The main problem actually is they have two different or even opposite attitude for life. They should compromise to each other. Talking is the best way to solve this problem.

Case Study: Chapter 9. Igor's Plagiarism

Statement of the Problem
Definition:
Igor Zakarov pays someone money to write his research paper because he has a really busy time at the end of semester. Then his professor considers Igor plagiarized the paper and ask him to write an abstract. Certainly, Igor feels so bad and regret about plagiarism.
Analysis:
Igor Zakarov plagiarizes the research paper because he knew some Russian students had done the plagiarism before and published ideas belongs to everybody in Russia so plagiarism was not treated in the same way in Russia as in U.S. Plus he had a really busy time and he is lazy. Besides George always entices Igor how nice the paper will be. Thus, Igor decides to plagiarize the paper.

Suggestion of possible solutions
A. Telling the truth to professor and do what professor wish.
B. Igor can continually patch up the lie.
C. Igor can ask to retake this course.

Evaluation of possible solutions
A. Telling the truth to professor and do what professor wish.
Advantages: He can talk honestly to his professor and explain the tough situation that he was. Besides, he doesn’t know how bad the plagiarism will causes because his country’s custom is not same as USA. Professor may appreciate, understand and forgive Igor because he can be honest guileless when he made a mistake. Maybe professor will ask him for another research letter instead the last one which he plagiarized.
Disadvantages: Professor feels angrier after he knows the truth. He might deal this problem as the school's rules. Therefore, Igor will be expelled by school as plagiarism. Igor’s mistake will ruin his college life and his future.

B. Igor can continually patch up the lie.
Advantages: Perhaps he can fudge if he keeps lying to his professor. Basic on his good record, if he was lucky, the professor thinks he misunderstood Igor and gives him a high score. The score contributes his final GPA. What’ more, he definitely will absorb some lessons from this dangerous experience. He will revalue the aftermath of plagiarism.
Disadvantages: Professor will easily find that Igor bluffed then he will expel Igor without thinking. Even professor didn't find he plagiarized the paper finally; Igor will think plagiarism is a good way to trough the research paper. And he will absolutely try to plagiarize next time. If he really keep plagiarism, sooner or later there will be hell to pay.

C. Igor can ask to retake this course.
Advantages: Igor should ask for professor to retake this course to express how regret and bad he feels. Professor knows Igor has a great sense of uplift. He will forgive him and give him a chance to retake this course.
Disadvantages: Igor originally wants to graduate earlier, but it will slow his step. He will feel bad because one wrong step ruin his whole plan.

Selection of a solution
A. Telling the truth to professor and do what professor wish.
Justification: Igor should tell his professor the truth. Although it take a expel risk to do this. But he may not have too much choices after he choose plagiarism. Basic on his good record and the tough situation, plus he doesn’t know that plagiarism is such a serious mistake in America. Somehow, professor will understand about him basic on his good record and the attitude that he wants to get a high score even he pick a wrong way to do that. Even the professor report to university that Igor plagiarism, then Igor will not feel guilty because he has already confess the truth to professor. In this case, Professor knows that Igor is not a bad student at all, maybe he just made a mistake temporarily. So Basically, he should tell the professor the truth.

Case Study: Chapter 1. Mei's Solution.

Statement of the problem
A. Definition
Mei Chang, a sophomore from china, having some troubles with her course because her English ability is not good enough for academic. Mei doesn’t participate her English class hence her English teacher, Krammer, warned Mei that she may failed if she still contain this attitude. Mei misunderstood her teacher and give up the course.

B. Analysis
Mei’s attitude about English is too negative especially she gave up the course finally. That is totally inappropriate. She felt bad and she cannot feel what she did is bad.

Suggestions
A. Mei should talk to her professor first she felt English is difficult to her. Drop class is not a good solution.

B. Mei should work harder because she will never get to a better level without practice.

C. She needs to participate the class and find a study partner to practice together.

Evaluations of solution
A. Advantages: communicate more might solve the miscommunication. Let the professor knows her problem, and help her to figure out the problem.

Disadvantages: Force Mei to talk the professor that she not like is a negative motivation. It might influence her more badly.

B. Advantages: Whether she drop the class. The fact is she needs practice her English. Avoide the problem is not the way to success. Thus, participate is not a bad thing for her.

Disadvantages: I can’t find any disadvantages about this solution.

C. Advantages: She can make friends and practice at same time. Solving the problem together is much better than face it alone.

Disadvantages: she might feel bad or less confident if her friend English is better than her.

Section of a Solution
A. Choice: (B) Mei should work harder because she will never get to a better level without practice.

Stand and Deliver

Title of Film:
Director of Film: Ramón Menéndez
Actors: Edward James Olmos (Jaime A. Escalante), Lou Diamond Phillips (Angel Guzman).
Type of Film: Drama.

Summary and Analysis
"Kimo" Jaime Escalante is a math teacher in Garfield high school. The school is located at Los Angeles and full of Hispanic students. Most of them are gangsters which don't care about their school learning at all. At first time, students don't believe Mr.E will change anything of their life due to their neighborhood, family business and so on. Instead of original teaching method, Mr.E adopts some unusual and unique ways to encourages, threatens and stimulates these idle students without clear life goals. In this period, gang students start strike up relationship with their teacher and like mathematics. Finally, 18 students pass the AP Calculus exam and regain their confidences by Mr.E's help. But the ETS considers their amazing scores and same wrongs are basic on cheat. Mr.E has a quarrel with the officers and gets a retake chance for them. The students still all pass the exam. The movie is based on true story.

Relation to Case Study
In the case study about Mei and this movie, we see that communications between students and teachers both happened in two stories. In case study, Mei has miscommunication with her English teacher and feels so sad that she give up the course. Mr.E knows his students then choose the best fit teaching method to communicate with them. Thus, we can learn from these two cases that the communication is extremely important between teacher and student.



Reaction to Film
I like this movie for 2 reasons. First of all is my favorite photographer Estevan Oriol's photos always related about the Hispanish life in California. So at the beginning of the movie, I had a cordial feeling from Angel Guzman's appearance and performance. Secondly, it reminds my math class in my high school. We too have 10 minitues quiz every class. We were suffered from those quizes everyday. Now when I look back, I was really encouraged by that "quiz policy". A good teacher should know how to communicate with his/her students thus it maximal helps students on their study. And I was really happy for them all pass the exam twice. I will recommend this movie to my friends

Lost In Translation

Title of Film:
Director of Film: Sofia Coppola
Actors: Scarlett Johansson (Charlotte) and Bill Murray (Bob Harris).
Type of Film: Romance, Drama.

Summary and Analysis
Bob Harris is a famous star, he visit to Tokyo for a whiskey commercial. He meet Charlotte at the hotel he lives. Charlotte is a young girl who accompanied her husband for working, loneness causes her starts confuse her marriage and her current life. Bob already pass his age, just like Hugh Grant in . Both of them suffer from the insomnia, languages difference and the culture gap between western and eastern. They meet at the bar of the hotel and feel like old friends at the first meet. After more and more continually contact, they make each other's life extremely happy and richly colorful then before. But time flies, Bob finished the commercial shooting and time for him to go back to U.S. The happy life that they finally founded has to be cutted cruelly. Maybe Bob is the exactly Mr. Right for Charlotte. Frustratingly, both of them have to go back to reality that they feel perplexed and depressed. On the street, Bob holds Charlotte and whispers the last words between them. Wise Charlotte keeps saying "Okay Okay..."

Relation to Case Study
In the case and , we can see helpless caused by the culture shocks and the languages gap. Dita feels lonely and helpless for reason of her lack of openness made she cannot make friends and hang out with Americans.
Bob feels helpless as his career plus he appears to a unknown country. As a celebrity, he cannot have a relationship as he wish; also he has to keep his thoughts in his mind. What's more, Charlotte feels confused due to as a Harvard student she still are finding her right place in this world. Finally she founds Harris, but she had to give up the short happiness because the reality cannot allow this relationship keeps go on.

Reaction to Film
I adored even the temple was slow but it really touched my emotion in my deep heart. And another reason I like this movie because of Scarlett Johansson is one of my favorite actress. First the culture shocks really depressed people who are experiencing it. Besides the culture difference, the ending of this movie, a serious relationship had to ended make the atmosphere was full of sadness. In addition, Scarlett Johansson is an amazing actress with wonderful body but in this movie audiences are more focus on her impeccable acting than her good looking.

Summary of Lost in Translation

Bob Harris is a famous star, he visit to Tokyo for a whiskey commercial. He meet Charlotte at the hotel he lives. Charlotte is a young girl who accompanied her husband for working, loneness causes her starts confuse her marriage and her current life. Bob already pass his age, just like Hugh Grant in . Both of them suffer from the insomnia, languages difference and the culture gap between western and eastern. They meet at the bar of the hotel and feel like old friends at the first meet. After more and more continually contact, they make each other's life extremely happy and richly colorful then before. But time flies, Bob finished the commercial shooting and time for him to go back to US. The happy life that they finally founded has to be cut cruelly. Maybe Bob is the exactly Mr. Right for Charlotte. Frustratingly, both of them have to go back to reality that they feel perplexed and depressed. On the street, People walk fast pass by them, Bob holds Charlotte and whispers the last words between them. Wise Charlotte keeps saying "Okay Okay..."

Reaction of the Debate (Dita)

Dita should find some Indonesian student like sophomore or junior and asking them for help is the most efficiency solution to figure out the barriers as soon as possible because of they may have mutual problems at the first time they came to the US. It will take the shortest time to finish the problems because the best solutions come from experiences. Through solve the problem, they may know each other more and following they will have more common things to talk like their home country, their backgrounds. After talk with her Indonesian friends, Dita will open her minds and not feel lonely anymore and feeling confident and comfortable will encourage her to talk to other people to expand her life circle. To sum up, Dita need a fellow to help her to solve the problem and trough the communication to open Dita’s minds and build her confidence.

Case Study: Chapter 12. Dita's problem

The main problem is even Dita’s personality was optimistic, but when she fac­e the barriers she can’t overcome the problems both on physically and psychologically.

Solution 1
She should arranges her time organized thus she won’t felt exhausted, otherwise lacking health condition cannot help her face anything.
A: A good beginning is half way to success. Good body is an excellent backup for everything.
D: if she takes too much time for rest then she may lost time for study because time is limited.

Solution 2
She should find some Indonesian student like sophomore or junior ask them for help. Despite she got low grades. Finding solutions is the most efficiency way to figure out the problem.
A: Townsman has mutual problems since they were freshman, plus they can communicate by their own language.
D: She might still not understand about lecture.

Solution 3
She should change her personality. More exoteric and more realistic leads blend her into American’s young people’s life. Hypothetically, in college, if people have friends in same classes, lots of questions they can solve by brainstorm and they can work together on their assignment or review the textbook. Better grades gives her confident.
A: As I mentioned above
D: She may meet friends with bad hobbies.

If put me in Dita’s shoes, I will find some fellow-townsman for their successful experiences. Same time I will make more domestic friends. If I were she, firstly I have to figure out the academic problems. She must frustrated because according she got scholarship to USA then she only got some low grades in quizzes. She must have lots pressure. And furthermore, I think she should keep talking to her adviser. Adviser can not only help her solve academic problem, but also can lighten the right way of her life. So she should talk to her adviser when she felt bad.