In this semester-long course, we will be focusing on two essential questions:
1. How do we develop compassion through others?
2. What are the responsibilities of power? 

As we venture through discovering the answers to these questions, we have discussions inside the classroom and outside the class. There will be PowerPoints in class. We will do worksheets on writing in class together.  Every week there will be a discussion. The weeks that there is a movie, the discussion will be focused on the movie for the week. The weeks we do worksheets and writing help, there will be a discussion every day, leading them to break down their paper and getting feedback. Discussions can be answered with a video clip, audio, or written(if a learner does a video, they will need to provide an outline of their talking points). Discussions will be our main way of interaction between myself and learners or learners and learners outside of the class time.

My teaching style is discussion and interaction. I do like to discuss and talk with the learners. If your learner is shy, please let me know.

No background knowledge is needed for this class. 

Class Schedule:

Week #1 – Introduction. Compassion. Writing. Character. 
Homework – Watch “To Kill a Mockingbird”; Discussion about the specific period and how it affects the story; Paper – Looking at a character in-depth. 

Week #2 – What is an Essay? In-class worksheets.
Homework – Continue to work on paper. Start project.

Week #3 – Review. Perspective. Empathy
Homework – Watch “Freaky Friday”; Discussion on how perspective created compassion. Paper- Looking into the plot in-depth.

Week #4 – Writing Structure. In-class worksheets.
Homework – Continue to work on paper and project.

Week #5 – Review.  
Homework – Watch “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Paper – Research the time and life of Anne Frank. Discussion- How have times changed?

Week #6 – Connections between paragraphs. In-class worksheets.
Homework – Continue to work on paper and project.

Week #7 – Review.
Homework – Watch “Inside Out.” Paper – The importance of Empathy and compassion. Discussion – How emotions affect empathy and compassion.

Week #8 – A way with words. In-class worksheets.
Homework – Continue to work on paper and project.

Week #9 – Review. Responsibilities of Power. Power for good.
Homework – Watch “Dr. Strange.” Paper – How the character used their power for good. Discussion – Why does Dr. Strange use his power for good? 

Week #10 – Odds, Ends and Means with Punctuation In-class worksheets.
Homework – Continue to work on paper and project.

Week #11 – Review. Popular vs. Right power.
Homework – Watch “Captain America: Civil War.” Paper -Power struggle. (research and compare to real-life events). Discussion – Why is there a power struggle?

Week #12 – Writing the term paper. In-class worksheets.
Homework – Continue to work on paper and project.

Week #13 – Review.
Homework – Watch “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Paper – Doing things for the better of all. Discussion – Why does a character think he is doing what he does for the better of all?

Week #14 – Work on the project in class.

Week #15 – Review.
Homework - Watch “The Last Emperor.” Paper – The illusion of power.
Discussion – Why would the character want the illusion of power?

Week #16 – Share PowerPoint Project. Say goodbyes.