Journal Blog #2: Who is your perfect example of a leader?

In class, we have read about Aung San Suu Kyi, the freedom fighter of Burma. Her life and leadership is inspiring, and at least for me, makes me want to be a better person in my life. The sacrifice that she makes for her country, and the principles that she symbolizes are things that make me reflect on what I can do better  not only for myself in my life but for others as well.

Others may think about a parent when they think of a leader. Maybe a coach or a teacher of some kind. In this journal blog, I'd like you to describe your perfect example of a leader and explain why.

Make sure you include your ID# with you post. I look forward to reading your thoughts. Aj. M

Journal Blog #1: Becoming a leader.

Welcome to the course and to the ERS journal blog. Over the term, you will be asked to share your reflections on topics we're discussing in class on the blog. I will write my own contributions to the blog, and I'll work to respond to your comments as we go.

For this term, our theme is Leadership. For this first journal blog, I would like to get your view on how a person becomes a leader. We can look at many examples of people becoming a leader by many ways: by accident, by necessity, by ambition, or by luck. A CEO may build his or her company from scratch and show great leadership in doing it. However, the son or daughter of the CEO may inherit that same company later and not know how to lead it. Are people born leaders? Can anyone become a leader? Are some people just not capable to be a leader? Feel free to respond to any of these ideas.

I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts. Make sure that you include your ID# in your post.

Aj. M

Journal Blog #5: What happens next?

You have created your Introductions. You have introduced the topic, given some examples for the reader, and made the clear thesis statement....   so what happens next?

What are the supporting ideas that you will use to write the Body of your essay. Make sure the ideas are relevant and clearly relate to your thesis statement. In this journal blog, please say what your thesis statement is again, and describe some of the ideas you plan to use to support it.

I'm looking forward to reading your work.

Don't forget to include your Section # and ID# in your post.  Aj. M

Journal Blog #4: What is your area of interest?

For this final essay, you need to start narrowing your topic. Our theme for the term is Art. It is very possible that you're not interested in Art, and that's ok. However, can you make some kind of link from our theme of Art to an area that is interesting to you.

In this term, we have read a variety of texts about different aspects related to Art, some of which have to do with the Law, with Technology, and with Business. There are many ways to think about Art, and I think we can develop a topic together from your area of interest. Think about your major and think about how you can relate your field of interest to our theme in order to get to a fully narrowed topic.

Share your ideas here, and I will work to help you figure out your topic.

Make sure to include your Section # and ID # in your post.

Blog #3: What is your favourite type of art?

For me, I appreciate all art, but I guess music is what moves me the most. I enjoy visiting a gallery now and again, but after a while one painting or one sculpture just starts to look like the next and the next...  I love literature as well, but I'm not always in the mood for it. Film is fantastic, but there's too much of it. However, if you ever ask me to go out to a pub, theatre, or arena to see a good musician, hear a great drum solo, or watch a professional pick a guitar, I'll never refuse. Watching and listening to good musicians always brings pleasure to me, and it moves me to do other artistic things.

What about you? Please include your Section # and ID in your posting.  Aj. M

Journal Blog 2: Copying a crime?

Here at MUIC and most universities are really tough on plagiarism. And they should be. Not only because copying someone's words and using them as if they are your own is dishonest, but also because people should be challenged and encouraged to produce their own ideas and contributions to the world.

But sometimes there is a grey area as Gladwell describes. The story you might overhear from a friend. The tune a guitar player strummed on the street. The poem on a napkin you found at a table...  are those ideas us for grabs? If you write about a piece of gossip you heard: is it an idea? Or is it "intellectual property?"

The journal blog topic for this week: Is it a crime to use, reproduce, mix, and mash art as your own?

Include your Student ID and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #1: Art

The theme for this term's edition of ERS is Art. One can be artistic, but then if not, one can also be artful. One does not need to know much about art to appreciate it or be moved by it.

We often think about Art as a painting on a wall of landscapes and ponds and people, or we may think about great sculptures of ancient Greece or Italy. But in fact, Art is all around us, whether it is a cleverly designed billboard at the BTS, a thought provoking poem on the wall of a bathroom stall, or an App on your iPhone about almost nothing at all.

For this first Journal Blog, I want you describe what comes to your mind when you consider the word, Art. Do you think about those classical pieces of art or does it mean something else. I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Please include your ID# and Section # in your comment post. (Names are not necessary.)  Aj. M

Blog Journal #4: What happens next?

We have finished the Introductions for our final essays. That is the first step. The Introductions should contain a clear Thesis Statement. It is that one sentence that tells the reader what the essay is about...

So, what happens next?

In this journal, describe some of the supporting paragraph ideas that will follow your Introduction. Make sure that your ideas do not change or forget the point stated in your Thesis Statement. In this journal, you do not need to explain a lot of details, but what are the supporting ideas for your essay.

Remember to include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #3: What is your life span?

I sometimes wonder about this as I'm now older than before. I drink a lot of coffee, so my heart is under a lot of pressure these days. But I eat well and exercise a lot, and have a relatively unstressful life, other than Bangkok traffic and my crazy dog.

I also think technology is changing a lot, and I wonder if the future will be like the Matrix and a computer chip will be implanted in my spine, so my body just keeps working forever. We read that healthy eating, relaxing culture, and good genes help us to live longer, but maybe in the end, technology will save us (or destroy us?). I'd like to hear from you.

Make sure to post your ID and Section # with your post. Aj. M

Journal #2

After looking at the reading for this week, Changing ethics in medical practice: a Thai perspective, please comment on what you understand to be the overall meaning of it. What is the changing ethics that the title refers to?

I'm also interested to know if the Thai perspective described in this short essay reflects what you think. If you are non-Thai, you may also describe your own perspective on this issue in your experience as it relates to this text.

I'm looking forward to your comments. Aj. M