The Happiness Project
We began the happiness project reading brave new world and analyzing what society would be if we used SOMA (happy drug) and had so much government control that we were almost identical. Brave new world was comical response to government and happiness. After Brave new world, we led a seminar reflecting the ideas presented in the book and relating them back to our nation/society. Individuals in both of Sara's classes looked at certain articles and learned new proposals of happiness. Based on what we researched, we wrote an essay about meaning and happiness and later created an art piece.
Artist Statement
The introduction to our happiness project was rather exciting due to the certainty that we have never truly applied an art piece that was as amenable as this one in humanities. After learning numerous ideas and statistics about happiness I began looking at my own happiness and how it is effecting our society. The article There's more to life than being happy sparked discussion and thought. In the article they examine the idea of meaning over happiness. I concluded that I would rather find happiness in giving rather than receiving to enable the spread of happiness in our community. My art piece represents happiness being in your hands but more particularly how you choose to perceive the happiness. The portrait shots around the hands portray how one individual can initiate happiness in multiple people's lives. Meaning has truly given me the incentive to worry about others happiness and using communal outreach to make my life genuinely happy.
The introduction to our happiness project was rather exciting due to the certainty that we have never truly applied an art piece that was as amenable as this one in humanities. After learning numerous ideas and statistics about happiness I began looking at my own happiness and how it is effecting our society. The article There's more to life than being happy sparked discussion and thought. In the article they examine the idea of meaning over happiness. I concluded that I would rather find happiness in giving rather than receiving to enable the spread of happiness in our community. My art piece represents happiness being in your hands but more particularly how you choose to perceive the happiness. The portrait shots around the hands portray how one individual can initiate happiness in multiple people's lives. Meaning has truly given me the incentive to worry about others happiness and using communal outreach to make my life genuinely happy.
Model UN Project/Conference
This project was a demonstration over a UN conference to pass a resolution for an ongoing global issue that continues to spark hostilities and disagreements. We focused on two issues, the North Korea nuclear arsenal and the Israeli-Palestinian feud. As a class, we practiced our speech and debating skills through a plausible subject. I was a designated representative of Israel; meaning I defending the perspective of this country and delegated a resolution. This project was not only meaningful but helpful in the development of our education and perspective on international affairs.
North Korea Nuclear Weapons Conflict
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Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
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Project Overview:
What would you tell another student if they asked why the MUN project was important?
During the MUN project, students gain knowledge over global issues while practicing debate, speech, and perspective skills. Before we had began this process, I was in the dark about global conflicts and hostilities between countries. For instance, I had no opinion or panorama towards the ongoing feud. The Israeli-Palestinian issue, though difficult to perceive, is exceedingly significant to retain. When studying the issue, you start to learn different perspectives on the conflicts and why they are so important in our global community. Classes also assimilate debating skills through countries aspects. Without this project, i would not have the skills and knowledge to build a strong argument to present to my peers. I would not be able to tell you a reliable resolution or any history towards the matter.
Think of this project overall- which habit of mind were you most proud of using during the conference?
The HOHAM I demonstrated thoroughly throughout this project has to be perspective. Representing Israel in the situation we were in, though logistically easy to grasp, was extremely hard to defend. Not many countries supported my point of view. In the speech I made, I spoke clearly and persuaded countries and individuals to support Israel because a two state solution was never feasible. I presented my countries aspect of the issue through effective communication and by using evidence that proved my resolution to be the correct choice. Perspective was most likely the most remarkable HOHAM during this project because everyone had to make their statements and distribute them to there peers. Sometimes I have a difficult time exhibiting my perspective and announcing my feelings towards a problem. This project enabled me to force my frame of preference.
What was the greatest challenge you faced in the project and how did you work through it?
The most demanding part of this project was embodying Israel. Most countries are very close minded and refuse to believe that Israel is innocent in the condition. Although i had the US as strong supportive ally, I still found myself arguing with surrounding countries numerous amount of times. During the conference, only 4 countries supported my resolution. They were unwilling to deny the two state solution that continuously fails. Though my solution was un equitable and emotionally unfair, it provided a reasonable solution towards the ongoing vendetta. Im pleased that I presented my challenge in a professional manner thus the exhausting work I put into creating a plausible solution that swayed my personal opinion towards the conflict.
What was the most interesting speech, resolution, amendment, or comment by one of the delegates?
Throughout the conference there were countless intellectual statements and justifications. Izzy Simpson approached me during the conference and proposed that Israel should be the dominant decider in one part of her resolution. She recommended that I come up with the amount of money that Palestinians will owe to become a citizen in Israel. Im delighted that she encorporated me in the decision because it affects Israel immensely. Although I didn't necessarily agree with her approach of the situation, Izzy demonstrated a clear understanding and wanted to put forth her best efforts to equally please both countries. Within the conference, we intimated several amendments and implied that without a fix, Israel and Palestine will most likely end up in a full out war.
What would you tell another student if they asked why the MUN project was important?
During the MUN project, students gain knowledge over global issues while practicing debate, speech, and perspective skills. Before we had began this process, I was in the dark about global conflicts and hostilities between countries. For instance, I had no opinion or panorama towards the ongoing feud. The Israeli-Palestinian issue, though difficult to perceive, is exceedingly significant to retain. When studying the issue, you start to learn different perspectives on the conflicts and why they are so important in our global community. Classes also assimilate debating skills through countries aspects. Without this project, i would not have the skills and knowledge to build a strong argument to present to my peers. I would not be able to tell you a reliable resolution or any history towards the matter.
Think of this project overall- which habit of mind were you most proud of using during the conference?
The HOHAM I demonstrated thoroughly throughout this project has to be perspective. Representing Israel in the situation we were in, though logistically easy to grasp, was extremely hard to defend. Not many countries supported my point of view. In the speech I made, I spoke clearly and persuaded countries and individuals to support Israel because a two state solution was never feasible. I presented my countries aspect of the issue through effective communication and by using evidence that proved my resolution to be the correct choice. Perspective was most likely the most remarkable HOHAM during this project because everyone had to make their statements and distribute them to there peers. Sometimes I have a difficult time exhibiting my perspective and announcing my feelings towards a problem. This project enabled me to force my frame of preference.
What was the greatest challenge you faced in the project and how did you work through it?
The most demanding part of this project was embodying Israel. Most countries are very close minded and refuse to believe that Israel is innocent in the condition. Although i had the US as strong supportive ally, I still found myself arguing with surrounding countries numerous amount of times. During the conference, only 4 countries supported my resolution. They were unwilling to deny the two state solution that continuously fails. Though my solution was un equitable and emotionally unfair, it provided a reasonable solution towards the ongoing vendetta. Im pleased that I presented my challenge in a professional manner thus the exhausting work I put into creating a plausible solution that swayed my personal opinion towards the conflict.
What was the most interesting speech, resolution, amendment, or comment by one of the delegates?
Throughout the conference there were countless intellectual statements and justifications. Izzy Simpson approached me during the conference and proposed that Israel should be the dominant decider in one part of her resolution. She recommended that I come up with the amount of money that Palestinians will owe to become a citizen in Israel. Im delighted that she encorporated me in the decision because it affects Israel immensely. Although I didn't necessarily agree with her approach of the situation, Izzy demonstrated a clear understanding and wanted to put forth her best efforts to equally please both countries. Within the conference, we intimated several amendments and implied that without a fix, Israel and Palestine will most likely end up in a full out war.