China Building Islands in Land Reclamation Projects

Kerry Urges Country to Settle Disputes Differently

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, listens while U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry talks before a bilateral meeting at the Putra World Trade Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Wednesday, Aug. 5,...   (Associated Press)

http://www.newser.com/article/61c1655f8bdc49c090495b9f3c7577c0/kerry-pushes-china-to-halt-south-china-sea-land-reclamation-projects-urges-dispute-resolution.html

1)  What is the most important number in this article?  Why?  What numbers are are left out?  How do we know who owns land?

2)  Why might a Japanese teenager think about this differently than a Puerto Rican?  Why might a captain of a ship think of this differently?

3)  In what ways is this connected to Twitter?  How is this connected to the Columbian Exchange? The Olympics?  The internet?  

4)  In what ways would this be different 100 years?  5 years from now?

5)  What is the significance of this?  What are the underlying assumptions about diplomacy?  In what ways does this affect me?  If it doesn't affect me, who might be affected?

Extension Activities:

1)  Students can compare and contrast ways in which land has been added to coastlines or created (Battery Park, "The World" in Dubai, etc.) and develop sustainability plans for nations facing issues with rising sea levels or erosion.  .

2)  Students can research shipping lanes and rank the 10 most valuable (money, access, etc.) for getting specific products to their interests (Fashion, electronics, travel, etc.)

3)  Students can research the network of internet cables around the world and evaluate claims of ownership based on proximity to land.

AoK:  Natural Sciences

WoK:  Emotion

Fake iPhone Operation in China Shut Down

Factory Produced nearly $20 Million of Counterfeits

http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2015/07/27/chinese-firm-made-fake-iphones-worth-19-4-million-police-say/


Customer holds iPhone 6 in NYC Adrees Latif/Reuters

1)  What evidence cited in the article is most helpful in forming your opinion?  Should there be patents?  What evidence is needed to help you defend your position?  What are the limits to  borrowing/taking/stealing an idea from a corporation?        

2)  Why might a hip-hop artist think differently about this than an author?  In what  ways might an actor in a Shakespeare play think similarly as the owner of the factory?  How would you feel about this if you were Chinese?    

3)  To what degree is this connected to film?  Sports?  Math?  Is this connected to something I've seen before?    

4)  In what ways would this story be different if it was a factory in Norway?  If the factory was producing fake Beats headphones?    

5)  Is this story significant whether someone has an iPhone or not?  To whom might this be most significant?  What are the long-term consequences of intellectual property infringement?  

Extension Activities

1)  Students can research intellectual property rights and why China is often in the conversation and propose a policy that could benefit both sides.  

2)  Students can write a response to the statement "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" as it relates to this story.

3)  Students can research "patent trolls" and defend their position on Jim Logan and his company taking legal action against popular podcasters.  

AoK:  Ethics

WoK:  Imagination

China furious after saxophonist appears to back Hong Kong protesters

Kenny G Annoys Both Sides in Hong Kong Protests

Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/22/china-furious-kenny-g-hong-kong-protests
by:  Jonathan Kaiman, Emma Graham-Harrison

1)  How do I know what's true and false in this article?  What more information do I need to know to make a valid opinion on this subject?  Is Kenny G's original tweet or follow-up statement more representative of his true feelings about the protests?  How can he please both the protesters and his fans?          

2)  How might a protester in Hong Kong and a protester in Ferguson, MO view this situation similarly?  Differently?  Can someone be against the protests and still be a fan of Kenny G?  Why might Kenny G's relatives and the children of a prominent Chinese government official have differing opinions?

3)  How is this connected to other protests?  Tienanmen Square?  Have other artists had similar situations?  How is this connected to science?  How is a selfie like a protest?  Like a saxophone?    

4)  What if another star had taken a selfie in the same place? Katy Perry?  Paul McCartney?  Jackie Chan?  Would you have taken a selfie in the same spot?    

5)  How is this important?  Should the opinions of musicians matter in political matters?  Other artists?  Who is affected by this?  Whose perspective is most important?  

Extension Activities:

1)  Students can choose an artist and give them advice on playing a private concert for a known/suspected human rights abuser (i.e. Beyonce playing for Mumar Qaddafi).

2)  Students can write a letter of apology on behalf of Kenny G to the HK protesters/Chinese government/fans.

3)  Students can write a "Do's and Don't's" guidebook regarding selfie etiquette in certain situations like protests, celebrations, funerals and other gatherings.