Web Exploration Classwork #1 – Masnet / Isna

1. Cults – Writing Assignment #3 Write a well organized and well proofread essay that addresses the following points - Due Friday May 29 • Choose 1 of the four Cults that you investigated in class on Friday (Davidians, Heaven’s Gate, Solar Temple, Jonestown) • Summarize in some detail the key people, beliefs, and ideas of the cult, along with the incident that made the cult famous / infamous. = 30 pts • Explain why you believe that this group should or should not have been allowed unrestricted freedom to practice their beliefs. (Use at least 2 specific examples.) = 20 pts • Do you think that the actions taken by this group justify increased governmental awareness / limitations regarding new religious movements? Why or why not? = 20 pts • Organization / Proofreading = 30 pts

2. Web Exploration Classwork #1 – Masnet / Isna Visit http://www.masnet.org or • http://www.isna.net/ - or any comparable site that you may find • Make notes on the overall design of the site, what message do the ads / graphics etc convey about the intended audience. • Select an article from the “views” section from masnet.org: • Read it, be prepared to explain the main ideas and attitudes that the article represents. Turn in a written summary of your findings at the end of class. (May be bulleted list – but is should be a detailed one.

3. Friday 5-22 CULTS!Classwork Assignment #2Red parts due by end of class todayBlue part should be prepared for class on Monday • Use wikipedia rickross.com or a comparable source to look up and summarize the basics on: • The Branch Davidians and the Waco Incident • The Solar Temple Cult • The Heaven’s Gate Cult • Jonestown • Info on the above should include: • Where / When did these groups achieve popularity / notoriety? • What were their basic beliefs? What mainstream religion are they most similar / related to? • What event does the general public associate with the group? • Is this group viewed positively / negatively by outsiders and why? • Visit www.rickross.com • Read the “about us” link and summarize who this group is and what is their mission. • What expectations do you have for the website based on the mission statement? • Return to the home page and follow the link for one of the “top ten” groups listed there. (You will be assigned a # 2 – 10 so that everyone does a different group) • Read 2-3 of the sub-stories in the section and be prepared to explain to the class (on Tuesday) what the group was all about and why it appears on a site like this.

4. Writing Assignment #1 • Next writing assignment – Due Wed 5-6 • Based on your readings and class discussions, what beliefs and social trends shape the lives of Muslims living in America today? (30 pts) • Use at least 2 specific examples from the readings from hw and from class. (30 pts) • Assignment should be well organized, well edited, typed, at least 250 words. (40 Pts)

5. Writing Assignment #2 Due Mon 5-18 • Select at least one of the articles found in the “Views” section of www.masnet.org • You can also use articles from http://muslimmatters.org/about/ or http://www.isna.net/ • Explain how the article either supports or contradicts some of the findings from the Pew Foundation study: “Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream” http://pewforum.org/surveys/muslim-american • Grading: • 30 Pts – Typed, On time, organization, proofreading • 30 Pts – Description / Explanation of the article that you read for the assignment • 20 Pts – Specific comparisons made between the article and at least one finding form the Pew Foundation study. • 20 Pts – Logical conclusion about whether or not the article supports or contradicts the study based on specific factual evidence.

6. Beyond the numbers: How do American Muslims view themselves? Visit http://www.masnet.org or • http://www.isna.net/ • Make notes on the overall design of the site, what message do the ads / graphics etc convey about the intended audience. • Select an article from the “views” section from masnet.org: • Read it, be prepared to explain the main ideas and attitudes that the article represents.

7. Vids http://muslimmatters.org/category/multimedia/video/ • “Dear New Muslim” http://muslimmatters.org/2009/04/23/dear-new-muslim-musa-maguire/ • MAS Boston “RIDE” Program http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=741565905182349419&q=%22Muslim+American+Society%22&hl=en • “Knowing God” Sermon http://muslimmatters.org/2009/04/24/knowing-god-reason-revelation-and-intuition-yasir-qadhi/ • Mahdi Bray http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3gFAZvBJKY • How Muslims are Treated in the USA - ABC Primetime http://muslimmatters.org/2008/03/28/how-muslims-are-treated-in-the-usa-abc-primetime/ • Islam is the Cure for Racism http://muslimmatters.org/2008/07/25/islam-is-the-cure-for-racism/