kite_runner-assignment

//Kite Runner Research Assignment //

To help you better understand the cultural context of //The Kite Runner//, you will be conducting research for background information on a variety of topics.

You will create a Google site to post your findings and will include images, text. You can also include a podcast or video that you find on the Internet or that you create yourself. This site will be shared with the ASW community and will be available for students, parents, and faculty to view.

Be sure to see the list of guiding questions for your topic to help you begin your research.

Your Google site should be completed by **February _ 2014**


 * Site Requirements: **
 * Clear title
 * Relevant images that enhance the viewers understanding of the topic
 * Text. This can include summary of your topic as well as analysis of the significance of your findings. Be sure to include a relevant connection to //Kite Runner//.
 * Video or Podcast. You should include a video recording or a podcast about your topic. This can include creating a video of images while recording a voice-over that will engage the audience and enhance the understanding of your topic.
 * Sources: You should use academic resources when applicable. Do not rely solely on Google searches. At least one of your sources must come from a database that the library subscribes to. If you encounter difficulties with this, please come and see me.
 * Works Cited. **All** sources must be cited in MLA format. This includes your images. Use EasyBib.

 **Research Timeline**:
 *  Visiting Library (for half the period)
 * In-class time to work on Google Site
 * Google site due. Be sure to share with all your classmates and with me.


 * Guiding Questions by topic: **


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">1. Afghanistan’s 20th & 21st Century History **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What have been some important wars that have shaped Afghanistan?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What have been some of the reasons why Afghanistan has been occupied?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">How have these wars and occupations shaped Afghanistan today?


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">2. Women of Afghanistan **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">How have women been treated in Afghanistan over the years?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What was life like for women under the rule of the Taliban? What was it like before the Taliban took over?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What are the expectations for women (i.e., job, marriage, children, etc.) in Afghanistan?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">Be sure to find news articles or feature stories about the women of Afghanistan. There have been several recently, so be sure to do some investigation using //New York Times//, NPR.org, or CNN.


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">3. Afghan Life, Customs, and Religion **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">What are some of the customs and taboos of the culture?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">What takes place during a betrothal negotiation?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">How are births, deaths, weddings, family meals, Afghan New Year, and other holidays or customs celebrated?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What are some of the major religions that are practiced in Afghanistan?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What are some of the beliefs of these religions?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What are the similarities and differences between the religions?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">Are there any conflicts between the various religious sects?


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">4. The Taliban **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">How did the Taliban rise to power after the Soviet occupation ended?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What led to the Taliban being forced out of power?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What is happening today in Afghanistan with the conflict with the Taliban?


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">5. The author: Khaled Hosseini **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What is Hosseini’s background? When did he decide to become a writer?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What inspired Hosseini to write //Kite Runner//?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What is Hosseini’s writing process?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What was Hosseini’s purpose in writing the novel?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; vertical-align: baseline;">What has Hosseini written since the publication of //Kite Runner?//


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">6. Shahnameh (the epic of Kings) and the story of Rostam and Sohrab **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Read the story at the following link: []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Summarize the story
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">What are the important details about the characters of Rostam and Sohrab? What are their character traits?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">What is the moral of the story? What does the reader learn by reading this story?


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">7. Kite Running or Kite Fighting **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">When and where did it begin? What are the origins of this tradition?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">What happens in a kite-fighting tournament? How do the participants prepare?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">How does this event connect to the title of the novel we are about to read, //The Kite Runner//?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Spoiler Alert: Some websites that you might use for research discuss the novel and give away a lot of details about the plot. Make sure you look carefully at the source you are using if you don’t want too much to be given away.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">8. Humanitarian Efforts in Afghanistan Today **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">What are some of the relief efforts being made today in Afghanistan?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">What sorts of issues do Afghans face as a result of war, poverty, and a weakened infrastructure?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">What are some of the organizations that are trying to help? What do they do? In what ways have their efforts helped?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">What could people do to help get involved?