June 30, 2008, Day 9
F-H Group Project - Bulgaria
Do you Know?
By Carol Mohrlock
Do you know the time period of the Great Migrations?
Do you know the 3 important things that came out of the Medieval Period?
Do you know the main goal of the Ottoman Empire?
Do you know why the lights went out in the dorm at AUB?
If these questions interest you read today’s blog entry to find the answers to these and much more.
Day nine at American University in Bulgaria was filled with LOADS of content about the Medieval Kingdoms and the Ottoman Rule. Today the Fulbright-Hays participants had two sessions with Dr. Evelina Kelbecheva.
After the lectures, we reviewed some of our learning through a Kagan Cooperative learning activity called Numbered Heads Together which Carol shared with the group. Then we drew closure to our academic day by reflecting on some of the comments we wrote in our week one evaluation.
While our school day ended around 5:30 PM we ended up having a bit of excitement around 9:00 PM. While many of us were using the computer lab to correspond on email, work journals, or sketch out our projects the dormitory alarms started going off and all of the sudden the power went out.
We all gathered on the patio and began conversations with our new friends. Two groups of students (one from Bulgaria and another from Albania) are enrolled in summer classes at AUB. Just as we gathered on the patio, our dear friends Heather, Anne, Pat, Julie and Shirley arrived back at the dormitory with several LARGE bottles of refreshments. We enjoyed learning more about the Balkan region from these students and they shared that they enjoyed having an opportunity to practice their English.
So, let me give you brief outline of some of the key points from our lectures today.
Key Points from 6-30-08
Great Migrations (400-600 AD/CE)
This was the end of the Classical period (Greek & Roman)
Huge influx of people came from the east via the Balkan Pen.
These people left Central Asia due to climate change, food issues, for resources that were in this region.
Among the people that moved west were the Bulgars
Three Important Things from the Medieval Period
Creation of the Bulgarian State
Created in 681
Created by Bulgars and Slavs
Creation of the Cyrillic Alphabet
Created by Cyril and Methodius who were brothers
This alphabet was created in 855 AD/CE
Adoption of Christianity in Bulgaria (862 AD/CE)
The Ottoman Empire (1396-1876)
The goal of this empire was for expansion and territorial gain
Army consisted of over one million men
It was an area where Muslims, Jews and Christians all lived
Trade was very strong in this area
The content has been fascinating. The discussions among participants have been thought provoking and the learning is endless. Of course I believe we owe a very LARGE thank you to Pamela and Margaret for making this Fulbright-Hays experience to Bulgaria possible!!! It is a TRUE GIFT!
Oh yes, I believe the only piece of information you may not have is the answer to the last question. I am not exactly sure but somewhere along the lines there was a power shortage so the lights and power were out at the dormitory and that’s when the block party began.
Carol
F-H Group Project - Bulgaria
Do you Know?
By Carol Mohrlock
Do you know the time period of the Great Migrations?
Do you know the 3 important things that came out of the Medieval Period?
Do you know the main goal of the Ottoman Empire?
Do you know why the lights went out in the dorm at AUB?
If these questions interest you read today’s blog entry to find the answers to these and much more.
Day nine at American University in Bulgaria was filled with LOADS of content about the Medieval Kingdoms and the Ottoman Rule. Today the Fulbright-Hays participants had two sessions with Dr. Evelina Kelbecheva.
After the lectures, we reviewed some of our learning through a Kagan Cooperative learning activity called Numbered Heads Together which Carol shared with the group. Then we drew closure to our academic day by reflecting on some of the comments we wrote in our week one evaluation.
While our school day ended around 5:30 PM we ended up having a bit of excitement around 9:00 PM. While many of us were using the computer lab to correspond on email, work journals, or sketch out our projects the dormitory alarms started going off and all of the sudden the power went out.
We all gathered on the patio and began conversations with our new friends. Two groups of students (one from Bulgaria and another from Albania) are enrolled in summer classes at AUB. Just as we gathered on the patio, our dear friends Heather, Anne, Pat, Julie and Shirley arrived back at the dormitory with several LARGE bottles of refreshments. We enjoyed learning more about the Balkan region from these students and they shared that they enjoyed having an opportunity to practice their English.
So, let me give you brief outline of some of the key points from our lectures today.
Key Points from 6-30-08
Great Migrations (400-600 AD/CE)
This was the end of the Classical period (Greek & Roman)
Huge influx of people came from the east via the Balkan Pen.
These people left Central Asia due to climate change, food issues, for resources that were in this region.
Among the people that moved west were the Bulgars
Three Important Things from the Medieval Period
Creation of the Bulgarian State
Created in 681
Created by Bulgars and Slavs
Creation of the Cyrillic Alphabet
Created by Cyril and Methodius who were brothers
This alphabet was created in 855 AD/CE
Adoption of Christianity in Bulgaria (862 AD/CE)
The Ottoman Empire (1396-1876)
The goal of this empire was for expansion and territorial gain
Army consisted of over one million men
It was an area where Muslims, Jews and Christians all lived
Trade was very strong in this area
The content has been fascinating. The discussions among participants have been thought provoking and the learning is endless. Of course I believe we owe a very LARGE thank you to Pamela and Margaret for making this Fulbright-Hays experience to Bulgaria possible!!! It is a TRUE GIFT!
Oh yes, I believe the only piece of information you may not have is the answer to the last question. I am not exactly sure but somewhere along the lines there was a power shortage so the lights and power were out at the dormitory and that’s when the block party began.
Carol
1 comment:
Carol--
Sounds like you're making in-country frineds quickly. I get a good glimmer of how much you're learning about the country and larger context. Your good humor comes through, too--I love that set-up of questions for us readers/learners, at the beginning (advance organizers? I recall reading about that) I'm printing for your mom for later. We had a big storm here with power outages lasting through part of today for much of A2. It's on again now and most getting back. Typical in summer, eh? Not quite out of town yet. Keeping you happily in mind. Take care. Love, Lynn
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