Writing Assignment

·      Write about your plans and hopes for the new year

·      Write about what you learned in this class

·      Write about what you liked and didn’t like

Debate Class

"Should we have to learn every subject together or pick our classes like in college"
Group 1 (Synder, Gabrielle)     Group 2 (Amy, Rita)
Group 3 (Joyce, Lina)              Group 4 (Janet, Julia, Jenny)

"Should we use the death penalty as a form of legal punishment
Emma, Kitty, & Wyonna VS  Winnie, Monica, & Amy

"Should Taiwanese people pay so much attention to silly things like pandas and giant rubber ducks?"
Cindy & Stacy    VS   Jennifer & Sunny

BE PREPARED
1) What you think about and why? (2 minutes each)
2) Questions for the other side (2 minutes)
3) Answers for questions (2 minutes each)
4) Final statement (1 minute each)

Addressing the issue of: "The Increasing Number of Foreign Spouses and How to Protect Them and Incorporate Them into Society"

Participating nations:
1 USA - Jenny
2 UK - Kitty
3 China - Emma
4 Russia - Jennifer
5 India - Wyonna
6 Pakistan - Cindy
7 Afghanistan - Amy
8 Iran - Rita
9 Taiwan - Amy
10 Iraq - Winnie
11 Kenya - Janet
12 Egypt - Sunny
13 Venezuela - Monica
14 Mexico - Stacy
15 Indonesia - Julia
16 France - Lina
17 Australia - Joyce
18 Brazil - Gabrielle
19 South Africa - Synder

Research the issue and your country's position on the issue.
Do women leave your country to become brides in other nations?
How are their civil rights protected in the other nation?
Do women from other countries come to your country to become brides?
How do you protect their civil rights and help them integrate into your society?
What problems do these women face in their host countries and how can they be protected?

Security Summit on Modern Warfare

Purpose: Addressing the use of drones in warfare

Participating nations:
1 USA - Jenny
2 UK - Kitty
3 China - Emma
4 Russia - Jennifer
5 India - Wyonna
6 Pakistan - Cindy
7 Afghanistan - Amy
8 Iran - Rita
9 Taiwan - Amy
10 Iraq - Winnie
11 Kenya - Janet
12 Egypt - Sunny
13 Venezuela - Monica
14 Mexico - Stacy
15 Indonesia - Julia
16 France - Lina
17 Australia - Joyce
18 Brazil - Gabrielle
19 South Africa - Synder


Does your country use drones?

Has your country been the victim of drone attacks?

What is your country's position on drones?

Should drones be allowed? What are some possible alternatives?

1) Read the article posted earlier

2) Research your country
             a) Use of drones
             b) Attacks by drones

3) Research the use of UAV's (drones)
              a) What are they? Who uses them? Why? What are the costs?

4) Prepare a short speech (30 sec to 1 min) about your country's position on the use of drones

Each country will present their short speech on the use of drones
Then there will be a discussion and we must come to an agreement about the use of drones

Living Under Drones

Here is an article about drone warfare:
http://www.livingunderdrones.org/

Read the article and browse around the website. Also, find information that supports the use of drone warfare. Compare the two opinions.

The ADIZ and China

China Makes Waves with the New ADIZ

Read this article to understand the conflict in East Asia.

And it's possible extension to the South China Sea

East Asia Cooperation Summit

Purpose: “Ease tensions in East Asia, specifically concerning the new ADIZ proposed by China”

1) Read the article posted earlier

2) Research your country

                a) Territorial claims (maritime claims)

                b) your country’s position on the new ADIZ

3) Research the ADIZ

                a) What is it? Who wants it? What does it mean? What will happen? How will China enforce it?

4) Prepare a short speech (30 sec to 1 min) about your country's position on the ADIZ

                - What does your country think about the ADIZ?

                - What does your country think should be done about the ADIZ?

                - What is your country worried about regarding the ADIZ?

Each country will present their short speech on the ADIZ. 

Then there will be a discussion and we must come to an agreement about the ADIZ

Gender Equality Around the World

Here is an excellent article about Sweden, perhaps one of the best places to be a woman:
http://sweden.se/society/gender-equality-in-sweden/#start

Here is another article about Saudi Arabia, perhaps the opposite of Sweden:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/12/us-arab-women-saudi-idUSBRE9AB00B20131112

Here's an article about gender equality in Asia:
http://business.inquirer.net/149083/ph-best-performer-in-asia-pacific-in-gender-equality-wef

Contraception Ignorance in Taiwan

Web site set up to help combat contraception ignorance in Taiwan
了解避孕知識別害羞　婦科醫師線上解答

Chen Ching-hui, a doctor in Taipei Medical University Hospital’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is talking about unexpected pregnancies among teenagers in Taiwan. Every year obstetricians and gynecologists in Taiwan prescribe tens of thousands of abortion pills to pregnant teenagers. Sighing with emotion, Chen says that every year on Sept. 26, World Contraception Day is supposed to remind everyone about the importance of contraception.

Chen says that in European countries such as Germany and France more than 50 percent of teenagers are having sex, while that number is only 20 to 30 percent in Taiwan. Despite that, the rate of abortion in Taiwan is seven times that of Germany and France, which shows just how ineffective sex education in Taiwan. Teenagers in Taiwan lack knowledge about contraception and have nowhere to turn. Becoming pregnant unexpectedly without ways to financially support themselves, young mothers have no means to take care of the child and have a difficult time staying in school or getting a job.

Taiwanese teenagers get most of their knowledge about contraception from the Internet, and mistakenly assume that safe period calculation methods or coitus interruptus is sufficient protection, or that taking birth control pills will cause cancer, or make them barren or gain weight. All of these ideas are unsafe, Chen says. The condom-pill method — the male wears condoms and the female takes birth control — is currently considered to be the most effective contraceptive method among doctors, preventing both the transmission of venereal diseases and avoiding pregnancy.

To actively combat this issue and help teenagers answer all their perplexing questions regarding sex and contraception, the Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology recently started a Web site specifically aimed at providing counseling online for teenagers seeking information about contraception (www.8181.org.tw). The site provides accurate sex education info and a platform where medical professionals can offer replies to messages, as well as a navigable guide on contraception and useful medical and pharmaceutical organizations.

A printed version of the guide is available at most medical providers, and there is a free 24-hour hotline that provides professional counseling (0800-25-8181).

(Liberty Times, Translated by Kyle Jeffcoat)

台北醫學大學附設醫院婦產科主治醫師陳菁徽表示，青少女經期較不規則，容易忽略自身狀況，意外懷孕的案例很多，台灣婦產科醫師每年開出好幾萬顆墮胎藥。陳菁徽感嘆，婦產科醫師的天職是不該鼓勵人墮胎的，每年的九月二十六日是世界避孕日，就是提醒大家正視意外懷孕這個議題。

陳菁徽指出，歐洲國家如德國、法國，未成年性行為比例超過五成，台灣只有二、三成，但是台灣的墮胎率卻是德、法的七倍，這顯示台灣性教育落實不足，青少年避孕知識不足、求助無門，意外懷孕後，又因沒有經濟能力，導致孩子扶養、小媽媽就學與就業都陷入困境。

台灣青少年的避孕知識大多來自網路，常誤以算安全期、體外射精就可以了，又誤以為吃避孕藥會致癌、不孕、發胖。陳菁徽表示，這些都是不保險，甚至錯誤的觀念和方法。目前醫界認為最有效的避孕方法就是「保避（保庇）」，也就是以男性戴保險套杜絕性病傳染，女性服用避孕藥防止懷孕。

為了主動出擊、協助青少年男女解答心中對於兩性與避孕的疑惑，婦產科醫學會即日啟用「青少女（年）避孕指引諮詢家」網站（www.8181.org.tw），提供正確兩性教育、線上留言有醫師專業回覆，另可查詢避孕指引和醫藥機構。

紙本的「青少女（年）避孕指引」則可在各衛教通路索取，還有二十四小時免付費諮詢電話（0800-25-8181）提供專業諮詢。

（自由時報記者邱宜君）

AIDS now among top-ten causes of death for youth

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- AIDS is now among the top-10 causes of death among young people in 2012 for the first time in the nation's history, according to CNA News World magazine.

The number of HIV/AIDS patients in Taiwan has been steadily rising, with the fastest rates found in the 15-24 age group,

From 1998 to 2012, the 15-24 age group has seen a 180-percent annual increase in HIV/AIDS cases, the latest issue of the magazine reported.

The magazine cited Ministry of Health and Welfare figures as showing that as of the end of 2012, the accumulated number of HIV/AIDS patients in that demographic totaled 4,716, almost one-fifth of all patients (24,239).

Goals and Dreams

What are your goals for yourself in your life? What do you want to accomplish?

What would be your dream job/career? Where would you like to be in 10-15 years?

What might stop you from achieving your goals? How can you be better prepared for the challenges you’ll face?

Would you stop or slow down your career for a family? Would you try to balance work and family?

Who is your role model? Who can you look to for advice?

Write on this for your next journal assignment

Second Presentation Schedule

10/29 - Monica & Winnie - "Social Status of Women in Taiwan"

11/5 - Synder & Gabrielle - "Maternity Leave", Stacy & Cindy - "Sexual Harassment in Taiwan"

11/12 -Rita & Amy - "Political Representation of Women in Taiwan", Jennifer & Sunny - " Education Rights for Taiwanese Women"

11/19 - Jenny & Emma "Sexual Discrimination Through the Internet", Lina & Joyce - "Domestic Violence in Taiwan"

11/26 - Julia & Janet - "Equal Employment Opportunities in Taiwan", Wyonna & Kitty & Amy - "Marriage Rights in Taiwanese Society" 

Advancing Women's Rights in Taiwan

By: Grace Kuo, writing for "Taiwan Today"

“A married daughter is like water thrown out,” is an old Chinese proverb. The saying, meaning women are outsiders to their family once they are married, demonstrates the low status of females in society.

Women were expected to strictly follow the Confucian “three obediences and four virtues,” or obedience to the father before marriage, husband afterward and son in widowhood, and propriety in behavior, speech, demeanor and employment.

However, women’s status in Taiwan has advanced over the past years thanks to the efforts of feminist advocates. Notable achievements include the passage of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act in 1998, the first such law in Asia, and the Gender Equality in Employment Act in 2002. 

According to Yu Chien-ming, a modern history research fellow at the Taipei-based Academia Sinica, feminist ideas were introduced to Taiwan during the 1970s by students returning from the U.S. “They ran magazines advocating women’s rights during the martial law period, set up women’s organizations after the law was lifted [in 1987], and brought issues such as sexual harassment and gender equality in employment into the spotlight,” Yu said.

Sexual harassment and gender discrimination in employment were a big problem in the 1980s. A survey conducted by the Awakening Foundation in 1984 showed that 80 percent of women had experienced sexual harassment, mostly taking place on public buses, according to Lee Yuan-chen, a former director of the foundation. In the 1990s, cases in which female students were victims of sexual harassment by male students and professors occurred in universities nationwide, prompting feminist study clubs in schools to campaign for measures to prevent such treatment.

Nonetheless, Taiwanese society did not really confront the harassment and violence experienced by women until 1994, when Deng Ru-wen, a long-term victim of domestic violence, killed her husband. “She had tried to seek help from the police, but in vain, because of the common notion at the time that the law does not intervene in the domestic sphere,” Yu said.

Through the intercession of women’s organizations, Deng was sentenced to only three years in jail and obtained custody of her children after serving her time, Yu noted. Moreover, the high profile case spurred passage of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act.

This act, amended in April 2009, allows victims of domestic violence to apply for court orders to protect them from abuse, stalking or other threatening actions by family members.

In addition to sexual harassment and violence, discrimination against women in the work place was rampant in the 1980s as demonstrated in clauses implemented by banks, airline companies and government-affiliated cultural centers, requiring that women be single and not become pregnant.

“These clauses obliged women to quit their jobs once they were married or pregnant,” Yu said. “They were introduced because employers worried females would not be able to concentrate on their work once they gave birth.”

In 1987, protests by employees with the Taipei-based National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall led women’s groups to realize there were no laws preventing employers from enforcing these rules, Yu recalled. In 1989, the Awakening Foundation completed a draft act on gender equality in employment, which was sent to the Legislature in 1990, but later rejected by the Cabinet.

Only after the Cabinet came up with its own version in 1999 and the Legislature passed it in 2002 were women’s employment rights safeguarded.

“Objections from interest groups, especially businesses, were the main reason the act took 12 years to pass, as companies were afraid their competitiveness would be weakened if women had too many rights,” said Ku Yen-lin, a consultant for the Awakening Foundation and a member of Taipei City’s Commission on Women’s Rights Promotion.

“We must constantly call attention to women’s rights, or the government will not take the issue seriously.”

Despite the fact that the ROC was the first nation in the world to reserve legislative seats for women, women have had difficulties competing with men due to the traditionally greater respect for males, and the unequal educational opportunities for women, according to Hu Ai-jo, a professor at the National Defense University.

Looking back at the 30-plus years women have been fighting for their rights in Taiwan, Yu said one of the greatest improvements is that women now exhibit higher levels of feminist consciousness. However, traditional notions are never easy to change, and women must keep up the good fight in this, as Ku described it, “revolution not yet successful.” 

Original article from "Taiwan Today" by Grace Kuo

Another good website about women's history in Taiwan

Green groups want emissions caps in central and southern Taiwan

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2013/09/21/2003572620

Poor air quality has plagued central and southern Taiwan for many years. Citizen of the Earth, Taiwan and lawmakers held a joint press conference on Sept. 12 at which they criticized the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), saying that the ministry has not adhered to the Air Pollution Control Act by not joining up with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to announce that the air pollution emissions in central and southern Taiwan is controlled through a total quantity control system. They also said that this was one of the main causes of the air pollution problem in the region.

Citizen of the Earth, Taiwan deputy secretary-general Wang Min-ling says that the act was promulgated in 1975, and even though an amendment which included a total quantity control system was added in 1999, it stipulates that the EPA and the MOEA must announce the measures together. Central and southern Taiwan has many factories that are causing serious pollution, and once a total quantity control system is enforced they would have to reduce the amount of pollution they are emitting. Wang said that the MOEA’s passive attitude has allowed the region’s air pollution problem to grow increasingly serious over the years.

The pollution standards index (PSI) is based on the density of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and ground-level ozone in the air on a particular day, all calculated as subsets, while the largest subset value is the given PSI for that day.

Wang says that from January to August this year the pollution index in the center and south was poor as much as 73.91 percent of the time. Looking at last year, Greater Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin and Pingtung counties had good air to breathe less than 50 percent of the year, while Chiayi County, Greater Tainan and Greater Kaohsiung were all below 30 percent, meaning they only had good air to breathe on three out of every 10 days, posing a serious threat to people’s health in the region.

Lawmakers Lin Chia-lung and Chao Tien-lin say that during the next legislative session they will work hard to push amendments to the act, abolishing the section of the act which states that emissions caps must be enforced in conjunction with the MOEA.

The MOEA’s Industrial Development Bureau said on Sep. 12 that the EPA currently exercises partial control over emissions, and that the MOEA is not opposed to adhering to the act and enforcing emission cap regulations, but says that the government agencies involved must equally weigh all factors concerning the environment and economic development. If total control over emissions went into effect, the toll on industry development and society as a whole would be formidable, the MOEA says.

(Liberty Times, Translated by Kyle Jeffcoat)

中南部空氣品質長年不佳，地球公民基金會跟立委九月十二日召開記者會批評，經濟部不依照空污法會同環保署公告中南部空氣污染物採取「總量管制」措施，管制污染物排放總量，是造成中南部空氣污染的元凶之一。

地球公民基金會副執行長王敏玲表示，空污法於一九七五年公布，一九九九年修正時雖將「總量管制」條文入法，但規定環保署需要會同經濟部才能公告實施。中南部重大污染工廠林立，一旦實施「總量管制」，污染工廠必須污染減量，經濟部態度消極，導致中南部長年空氣污染嚴重。

空氣污染指標（PSI）係依據當日空氣中懸浮微粒、二氧化硫、二氧化氮、一氧化碳及臭氧濃度，分別換算出副指標值，當天各種指標值最大值即為PSI。

王敏玲表示，今年一至八月空氣污染指標不良的累積日數，發生在中南部比率高達百分之七十三點九一。以去年一整年來看，台中市、彰化縣、南投縣、雲林縣、屏東縣，呼吸到好空氣的比率不到五成，嘉義縣市、台南市、高雄市呼吸到好空氣的品質更不到三成，亦即十天只有三天可以呼吸到好空氣，對中南部民眾健康造成嚴重威脅。

立委林佳龍、趙天麟表示將在下一會期全力推動修法，取消空污法「總量管制必須經濟部會同發布」相關規定。

經濟部工業局九月十二日表示，目前環保署對空氣污染已有逐量、逐項管制，經濟部並不反對配合空污法進行空污總量管制，但相關單位必須考量兼顧環保和經濟發展，一旦強制實施空污總量管制，對產業發展和整體社會代價恐會很大

Presentation Schedule

First presentation – “Child Marriages in India” – (Emma, Winnie, Monica) September 17^th

Second presentation – “Muslims and Hindus in India” – (Wyonna, Kitty, Amy) September 24^th

Third presentation – “LGBT Rights Internationally” – (Cindy, Stacy, Sunny) October 1^st

Fourth presentation – “Problems with Nuclear Power” – (Rita, Amy, Sunny, Gabrielle) October 8^th

MIDTERM

Fifth – “Abortion Rights” – (Joyce, Jennifer, Lina)October 15^th

Sixth – “Continuing the Worldwide Trend Toward Abolishing the Death Penalty” – (Janet, Julia, Jenny) October 22^nd

The World Is Watching Syria

Countries around the world are trying to figure out what, if anything, to do about the situation in Syria.

The Middle Eastern country has been waging a civil war since 2011.

That’s when Syrians began to protest against the country’s 13-year-president, Bashar al-Assad.

Instead of listening to the people’s call for better living conditions, al-Assad and his supporters fought violently against the protesters.

The two groups have been fighting ever since.

On Aug. 21 many people were hurt or killed in an attack by al-Assad and his government forces; the deaths appear to have been due to “chemical weapons.” There are reports that put the number of people killed by the chemicals at more than 1,400.

Many countries, including the U.S. and Canada, are condemning (putting down) Syria’s government because it used the deadly chemicals against thousands of its own people.

The United Nations has also condemned Syria’s use of chemical weapons. Chemical weapons are not considered acceptable by most countries in the world.

The United States wants to do something more than just use words to punish al-Assad; they are still trying to figure out what action they may take against Syria’s government and al-Assad.

In the meantime, there are many questions surrounding the situation in Syria.

For one thing, Assad denies using chemical weapons. Doctors who treated the people who had been attacked, however, say a chemical weapon was definitely used. Proving that it was al-Assad, however, “is not a slam-dunk,” according to some members of the military quoted in the New York Timesnewspaper. The United Nations recently sent weapons inspectors into the country; they will write a report on what they found.

Other issues include what, specifically, should be done to punish al-Assad and prevent further attacks; and whether countries such as Canada should help the U.S. do something. Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, said Canada supports the U.S. but will not send troops to Syria.

The situation in Syria is complicated and difficult, but the world is reluctant to turn a blind eye to what is happening there.

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONSBy Jonathan Tilly

Writing/Discussion PromptIf it is revealed that al-Assad used chemical weapons during this conflict, how should the world respond? What should Canada’s response be?

http://teachingkidsnews.com/2013/09/02/1-world-looking-syria/