Week 1: Introduction

1. What is your first name only? - Mark

2. Why are you taking this class and what do you hope to learn? - I am taking this class because I want to expand my knowledge about the interactions between various cultures, past and present. I want to know why some individuals approach art, religion, and other aspects of life differently than the western world.

3. How far do you live from SRJC main campus? - 35.0 miles

4. Briefly, what do you think of when you think:

• Santa Rosa? - Santa Rosa is a mostly liberal city with trend setting ideas. It represents a fusion between the Bay Area and the rest of Northern California. Santa Rosa is a city rich in culture, tradition and originality.
  
• California? - I'll try to not present a biased view, but when discussing California it is very difficult not to. California is the greatest state in the US. It has the seventh largest economy in the world and could thrive as an independent state if it split from the rest of the US. California is a place where innovative thinkers open the doors to new ways of approaching humanity and improving our lives. California is home to some of the top public and private universities in the nation and world, so it's no secret Californians like to unleash their knowledge to the world. California is an extemely diverse state which creates a pool of new thoughts and ideas. Between San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego, there is a melting pot of cultures from every corner of the world.
  
• USA? - The United States is a great place to live. Everyone in the US is entitled to the liberty and freedom our founding brothers fought for. With authoritative regimes threatening our humanity I am thankful to live in a country where I can pursue my passions without restrictions. Since the time when the first colonies were established to present day America there has been one constant pattern, we go to extreme lengths to protect our natural rights. Some of the most influential figures have emerged in the US such as, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein and they have all affected the way people view our culture.
• North America? - North America is the third largest continent and where some very important regions are located. The United States of America, Canada, and Mexico all play significant roles in international politics. All of these areas produce significant amounts of crops and manufacture a large number of products. North America's topography features many mountains, valleys, deserts etc...
• The World? - The world is where humans and animals exchange ideas. It is a complex place where amazing buildings and inventions are created. The world can be explained through human expression.
  

5. Have you created a blog or webpage in the past? - Yes, for a previous class.

6. Regarding computers, are you on a mac or a pc? - PC

Week 1: Videos

Barack Obama addresses the histories, cultures and nations of the Muslim world, Americaand Europe (Jews, Holocaust, and Nazi Germany). President Obama does a great job discussing these regions histories and relationships with each other. He speaks about the great accomplishments of various Muslim-Americans. Obama states that Islam is a part of Americaand together we all share the same aspirations, he believes we are the, "hope of humanity." President Obama is adamant about not turning his back on Palestinians as they strive for an independent state, separate from Israel. Violence never succeeds, but peace does is the message Obama stresses. From Obama's speech I learned about how much Muslims have contributed in the areas of math, science and literature to the world. Out of Muslim innovation emerged the Renaissance and enlightenment. "E pluribus unum," in English mean, "out of many, one." President Obama believes our progress should be shared rather than formed through partnerships. Whatever is said in private, Obama will say to the public, dialogue is no longer secretive. We must listen and learn from each other. President Obama speaks extensively about once aspect of culture, religion. He states that, religions should not subrogate each other and place one's aspirations in front of others. Muslims are scattered throughout the US with mosques in every state. He says that Islam has contributed significantly to music, art, and literature. Islam and America will never be at war with each other according to President Obama.

In the second video, Oprah Winfrey is giving a commencement speech at Duke University. Her speech discusses how important it is to give back to others and she gives many personal examples such as a woman with an unusual pregnancy and a wounded soldier. His speech stresses how much help and encouragement can improve people's lives. The part of the speech that I found the most interesting was when Winfrey discussed John Jay Hooker's wife told her how beautiful she was. It was unique because she was a white woman from the south and she recognized that Winfrey, a black woman, felt out of place among white southerners’. Those are some of the words of encouragement and courage Winfrey presents in her Duke Commencement speech. Oprah Winfrey affects culture through arts and film. Film is a form of art so they both compliment each other. Winfrey has been in numerous films which depict significant historical events in African-American history and hosts a weekly television show, which partially deals with crucial issues affecting Americans and the world. She affects the way people, mainly woman, view themsleves and critical issues.