Layered Assessment

Iran Group: Helpful Links

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL34021.pdf

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/world/middleeast/11tehran.html

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/publications/2008/Mapping_Irans_Online_Public/interactive_blogosphere_map
- For this site, it is particularly interesting to jump between the blocked and unblocked sites; the “Iran Background” tab also has some helpful info

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/01/AR2011010101345.html

Afghanistan Group: Helpful Links

http://www.ctv.ca/special/sept11/interactive/muslim/timeline_afghanistan.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/flash/0,,616624,00.html

http://earthpulse.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse/earthpulse-map

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/663b649e-b7e6-11de-8ca9-00144feab49a.html#axzz1LiOBTLiF

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/afghanistan-pakistan/timeline.html?hpid=artslot

http://pashtoonkhwa.com/files/articles/Miakhel%20-%20Importance%20of%20Tribal%20Structures%20in%20Afghanistan.pdf

Bribery

The following is an excerpt from Fareed Zakaria's recent article on fighting corruption, "How to beat bribery." Check out his article for a map that would be helpful for your PBL.
"Another innovative idea came out of Africa. The Sudanese-born billionaire Mo Ibrahim often wondered why his continent had the richest resources, the richest natural resources, and yet the poorest people. Identifying corrupt leaders is the problem. Ibrahim tried to change those leaders' incentives. He instituted the annual Ibrahim Prize. It awards $5 million to an African leader who is not corrupt and leads office peacefully. The winner then goes on to get an additional $200,000 annually for life.
A great incentive, right? The problem is they couldn't find a winner for 2009 or 2010."
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/16/fareed-zakaria-how-to-beat-bribery/?hpt=T2

Ahmadinejad's cleric charged with sorcery

See the link below for interesting article highlighting the most recent conflict between Iranian President Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2011/05/09/Ahmadinejads-cleric-charged-with-sorcery/UPI-59751304964618/

Layer 3: Iranian Revolution Questions

If you choose to complete the Iranian Revolution questions for one Layer 3 assignment, respond to the following questions 2-3 paragraphs. You should post your response, and unless you are the first to reply, you must respond to at least one of your classmate's answers.

1. How is the Iranian Revolution similar to the Arab Spring? In what key ways is it different?

2. How did both WWII and the Cold War contribute to the Iranian Revolution?

3. How did the Iranian hostage crises alter Iran's relationship with the West?

4. As a consequence of the Iranian Revolution, Iran became less modernized and progressive than it had been under the Shah. Women in particular felt this shift, as conservative mullahs encouraged a government-sponsored dress code requiring women to cover their hair and much of their bodies. Does part of you sympathize with this desire to curb overt sexuality and retain a society separate from Western influences? Or, is the Western perception of femininity and sexuality best for all cultures? Explain.

Adams Scholarship

See link below for more info on the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/adams.html