History 471

With the end of the semester here, I have definitely learned a lot in this class.  I enjoyed learning about each person’s project.  Each project was unique and interesting.  I think this seminar was a great experience for everyone.  I just wanted to thank everyone for their feedback on my own project, as well as any discussion I had on other materials.  I hope everyone has great success on their exams!

Corrie

I still can’t believe how close we are to the end of the semester!

Anyway, everyone’s been doing great on the presentations so far.  I have really enjoyed the texts, images, and videos everyone has incorporated.  I think such things really make an impact on a presentation!  Excited to see the rest!

Howdy!

Is everyone enjoying the snow?  How weird is our weather?! 

Anyway, I just wanted to remind everyone that my video for my presentation was already posted earlier, (about three posts below I believe) called “Video in Advance.” 

How is everyone enjoying the film?  I think it is important to recognize that there is no plot.  With a film like this, I don’t think there needs to be one.  Director Yang intended for his audience to  pick up on the other themes he has created, therefore he chose to focus less on a plot.

What did everyone think of the security guard that stole money from the girls?  It is amazing how corruption seems to exist everywhere, yet in this setting the crime was matched with punishment. 

 Another major theme that I see is how hard women have to work to make a living.  Tao has 3-4 different jobs, so that she can live in a small dormitory-like room.  Even with Anna (the German) who has to resort to prostitution just to get out of the city, represents the hardness of urban life that these women have chose.