Monday, November 19, First Period

There are gingersnaps and pie along with the usual breakfast pastries and evil tea and other hot beverages. If Aziraphale seems to be keeping a closer than usual eye on Nadia, there's probably no reason for that.

LECTURE: "Today we'll discuss the public perception of prophecy and seers. Throughout history, those gifted -- or cursed, depending on how you see it -- with the ability to foretell the future have been generally viewed in one of three ways: as a true and benevolent prophet, as a practitioner of dark sorcery, or as a con artist. Sometimes that perception was based on societal beliefs, sometimes on religion, sometimes on one's personal belief or disbelief in mysticism.

I'd like each of you to share with the class two things: first, tell us how the concept of 'telling the future' is seen by the society in which you grew up. Then tell us how you personally view the concept, and whether your experiences since leaving home have affected your beliefs. When our discussion is finished, you can have the remainder of the class to work with your project groups."

HOMEWORK: "Now that each project group has handed in the prophecies they wrote, I'm going to assign each of those projects to a different group. The second half of your class project is to take that prophecy and produce an interpretation. Remember, the important part isn't whether or not you get the same interpretation as the original group intended, but that you demonstrate what you've learned in class. These projects are due on December 18th, when you'll be presenting them to the class.

Two important notes: First -- Due to the loss of two of your classmates, I've had to reassign two students to new groups. Mr Joxer, you'll be working with Mr Carson, the Misters Winchester, and Miss Summers. Miss Rutledge, you'll be working with Mr Sandburg, Miss Halliwell, Mr Belthazor, and Miss Brown. Second -- Mr Blank, Mr Connor, Miss Belacqua, and Mr Weiss: I haven't received your final project. Please turn it in by the end of class today, or your group will receive a zero for this assignment.**"

PROJECTS:
Group One (Blair, Phoebe, Belthazor, Lavender): Group Two's project
Group Two (Anders, Nadia, Walter, Pippi): Group Four's project**
Group Three (Bridge, Dean, Dawn, Sam, Joxer): Group One's project
Group Four (Marty, John Connor, Lyra, Eric): Group Three's project

**Note: If Group Four's project is handed in today, I'll add a link for Group Two to use. If no project is handed in, I'll assign one of the other projects and we'll have two groups working independently on the same prophecy. Group Four has handed in their project, so everyone has their assignment now.

"One other note, and then you may use the rest of class to work on your projects: Mr Carson, Miss Belacqua, and Miss Santos, please see me after class or at my office hours. And everyone, remember that there'll be no lab this Friday, due to the holiday. I hope you all have a very enjoyable Thanksgiving if you celebrate, or long weekend if you don't."

Absences:
Bridge Carson: one class, one lab excused
Lyra Belacqua: one lab

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[ooc: Please wait for OCD is up, play away!]