'Doin' Time in Persia

Walter Brueggemann in "Out of Babylon" talks about the period in the old testament when King Cyrus of Persia took control of the Babylonian Empire and eventually most of the Middle East. After the death of the Babylonian leader, Nebuchadnezzar in 562 BCE the empire became weak with poor leadership (Brueggemann, 2010).
Old Testament History Link (The Persian period and Return from Exile (538 BCE - 323 BCE)

In 539 BCE Gobryas, a former Babylonian general who had joined allegiance with Persia took the city of Babylon giving King Cyrus control of the Babylonian Empire (Bratcher, 2013). Cyrus welcomed the deported Jews and treated his people well. He was a tolerant ruler and allowed the various cultures in the Persian Empire to keep their traditions and beliefs.
Map of the Persian Empire

"In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout the kingdom: This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are the Lord's people may go there for this task. And may the Lord your God be with you!" (2 Chronicles 36:22-23).

Brueggemann talks about the change from exile-restoration to the understanding of accommodation-resistance. "Above all the change reflects the good sense of those more concerned with sustaining the life of the community than with being heroes" (Brueggemann, 2010, p. 135)

Nehemiah, during King Artaxerxes reign requests permission to return to Judah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. the king agrees to his request.
"And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the King's forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and a house for myself. And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand if God was on me" (Nehemiah 2: 8).

The above indicates that movement and development was taking place. Cultural awareness, funding and rebuilding and travel were happening. During the reign of Darius a tax collection system was developed .
"Moreover, I hereby decree that that you are to help those elders of the Jews as they rebuild this Temple of God. You must pay the full construction costs, without delay, from my taxes collected in the province west of the Euphrates River so that the work will not be interrupted" (Ezra 5: 8).

Today globalisation is defined as the process by which events, activities and decisions in one part of the world can have significant consequences for communities in distant parts of the globe (Hagget, 2001, p. 586).

Globalisation incorporates links to economy, trade and ideas between these communities. It encourages growth of individual country economies, environmental awareness and diversity and cultural understanding (The World Bank, 2004, cited in The Globalisation Issue).

What is Globalisation: Link

Globalisation is clearly evident within the Ancient World and the 21st Century. It is not a new phenomenon, but while great progress is made with globalisation, there can be a cost as power and financial gain become more important than people. It is interesting to note in Ezra 9  the situation has turned to one of enslavement and a change of circumstances. "So now today we are slaves in the land of plenty that you gave our ancestors for their enjoyment! We re slaves here in this good land. The lush produce of this land piles up in the hands of the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They have power over us and our livestock. We serve them at their pleasure, and we are in great misery" (Ezra 9: 36 -37).

There is evidence of similar situations occurring today:

My personal perspective is that the modern world is not taking note of the globalisation problems from the Ancient World. The corporate world is dominating the economy and becoming richer, creating a bigger gap between the wealthy and the poor. An interesting reading on Nehemiah 9: Let us Bow before our Maker highlights the connection between people today and the Israelites of the Ancient World, and as with most stories there is a solution. We need to look inward and pray, fast and turn to God just as the Israelites did.

An interesting site with written material by Professor John W. I. Lee that may be purchased, gives a brief summary of his work. He indicates that The Persian Empire was the world's first global power.
"A diverse, multicultural empire with flourishing businesses and people on the move. it was an empire of information, made possible by a highly advances infrastructure that included roads, canals, bridges, and a courier system" (The Persian Empire, n.d.).
I make mention of this site as it looks like interesting reading about a period of time that so much can be learnt from.

References

BBC (n.d.). BBC_GCSE Bitesize: What is globalisation? Retrieved from

       http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/globalisation/

       globalisation_rev1.shtml

Bible History (n.d.). Map of the Persian Empire [Map]. Retrieved from

       http://www.bible-history.com/maps/maps/map_persian_empire.html

Bratcher, D. (n.d.). The Persian Period and Return from Exile (538-323): OT

       History. Retrieved from

       http://www.cresourcei.org/othpersia.html

Brueggemann, W. (2010). Out of Babylon. Nashville: Abingdon Press

Globalisation TNCs and Sweatshops [Video file]. (2010). Retrieved from

       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miGm045YHzE

Globalization and International Trade. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://www.worldbank.org/depweb/beyond/beyondco/beg_12.pdf

Haggett, P. (2001). Geography: A global synthesis. Harlow [u.a.: Prentice Hall.

The Persian Empire. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=3117

Ray Stedman.org (n.d.). Let us Bow before our Maker | Nehemiah 9: 1-37 | 

       RayStedman.org. Retrieved from

       http://www.raystedman.org/old-testament/nehemiah/let-us-bow-before-our-maker

Tyndale House Publishers (2004). Holy Bible: New Testament : New Living Translation.

       Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers.

       

The Power of Maps

Many people think of a maps in the physical and real sense representing the land, sea, countries, cities, roads and infrastructure. They can also be seen as a picture that represents information, for example, a mind map. It is very clear that maps in one form or another give information and construct meaning to the person reading them.

Definition of Map link

                                                    Map of Australia

                                                          (Lonely Planet, n.d.)

 In the Australian Curriculum students "conduct fieldwork, map and interpret data and spatial distributions, and use spatial technologies" (ACARA, n.d.).

If a map's power comes from how well it represents "reality", then why are maps of non-existent places so common in fiction? How is it that a map works well even when the reality it shows is made up? (Krygier, n.d.).

Many novels have been written around maps that exist only in the imagination, for example, "Treasure Island" (link) written by Robert Louis Stevenson" (Muehrcke & Muehrcke, 1974).

Treasure Island Review

                                                         Map of Treasure Island

                                                          (Treasure Island, n.d.)

Maps in literature are a logical way of satisfying the visual sense and conceptualisation by the reader (Muehrcke & Muehrcke, 1974). Understanding fictional maps requires the reader to go beyond what is seen, using their imagination beyond the physical print. Another example of a popular fictional map is used in Game of Thrones.

Game of Thrones is the first book based of a five part series, "A Song of Ice and Fire", written by George R. R. Martin. It is a complex fantasy story with seven kingdoms and the iron throne, which many families are fighting for. There are many characters and story lines, and much travelling from place to place with the story taking place all over the fictional world.
Game of Thrones Maps
Icons and symbols represent places, kingdoms and geographical features such as mountains and the sea. The map represents relationships between kingdoms, cultures, friends, foes and political ideals.

"To a person who uses his imagination, a map is greater than itself, for it evokes images and emotions not apparent on the piece of paper that is called a map. But a person who does not know how to read a map or who lacks the imagination necessary to leap from the printed map to the reality it depicts will be less aware of  its value (Muehrcke & Muehrcke, (1974).

However Muehrcke and Muehrcke (1974) make note that in certain situations where emotions can affect decisions it may be necessary not to use imagination when reading maps, for example, when the military need to bomb a specific area they need to remain objective. How a map is used and interpreted depends on the reason it is required and how the reader wants to interpret it.

Maps allow for descriptive language and a visual picture of what is on the piece of paper, for example, high mountains or wide valleys. This mental visualisation helps with understanding what the map wants to tell the reader. 

Another feature of maps is that they create the desire for discovery, travel and adventure. This connects with teaching students, connecting the theory of using real life experiences to prepare students for their world outside of school.  Authentic Learning for the 21st Century 

"An Encounter in the Mist" by A. N. L. Munby tells the story of Giles Hampton and his experience in Wales during 1879. As he is lost in foggy, severe weather on an expedition, he has an encounter with a man and his dog. The man hands him a map to assist with guiding him home, and he uses this regularly as a reference. The map, however almost costs Giles his life as he near misses falling off a sheer drop. After he was rescued he was informed of a man dying in the same area four years prior to this in the same place with the same map found on him.
In 1852 there was a landslide in the area making this section of the path Giles took dangerous. The map was engraved as the year 1707 and the man whom Giles saw on his expedition had passed away in 1720. This raises many questions about the spirit Giles saw and the connection to his escape from death.
This is proof that maps change over time depending on events, whether natural or man made. Even though Giles understood the map and followed the directions, he still experienced an unexpected event. This shows that maps do not tell us everything.

An Encounter in the Mist

"An understanding of a map's liabilities leads to an appreciation of its assets, for those things that limit a map in one context are the very aspects that expand its scope in the next. Underlying many of the references to maps in literature is the recognition that the greatest weaknesses of a map are also its greatest strengths" (Muehrcke and Muehrcke, 1974).

Another example of interpretation is the story of Funes told in Labyrinths. The story of Funes talks of his ability to memorise languages, writings and his surroundings, creating his own system of numbering and remembering relevant to him, but difficult for others to understand. Interpretation and understanding is unique to each person.

My personal perspective on maps is that there is a place for the construct of real maps, and the creation of fictional maps. Both require interpretation, and how they are interpreted is dependent on what the reader understands, and what the writer has provided. Fictional maps should be used in education as they develop skills and imagination that interconnect with geography and history.

"His disciples came and asked him, "Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?" He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them" (Matthew 13: 10-12).

References

An Encounter in the Midst. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://go.own.edu/~jbkrygie/krygier_html/geog_222/geog_222_lo/munby.pdf

Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (2012). Retrieved from

       http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Draft_F-12_Australian_Curriculum_

       Geography_Validation_Version_29082012.pdf

Educause Learning Initiative (n.d.). Authentic Learning for the 21st Century.
       Retrieved from 

       http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli3009.pdf

Game of Thrones "Official" show open (HBO) [Video File]. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7L2PVdrb_8

Labyrinths. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://go.owu.edu/~jbkrygie/krygier_html/geog_222/geog_222_lo/borges.pdf

Lonely Planet (n.d.). Map of Australia. Retrieved from

       http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/pacific/australia/

The Guardian (n.d.). Treasure Island, the ever-open dead man's chest: from the archive, 19 November        1983 | From the Guardian | theguardian.com. Retrieved from

       http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2013/nov/19/treasure-island-robert-louis-

       stevenson-star-wars

Treasure Island. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ukoln.ac.uk/sevices/treasure/contents.html

Tyndale House Pulishers (2004). Holy Bible: New Testament : New Living Translation.
       Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers.

       

     

City of God: The Character of a City

Many films represent a city as a character, taking the viewer on a journey that encompasses geographical and historical elements relevant to that area. The film "City of God", based on a true story and directed by Fernando Meirelles is set in Western Rio de Janeiro (South America), Cidade de Deus, meaning City of God in Portugese (Film Geography, 2008).
                                                               World Map

 (Worldatlas, n.d.)

The map below shows where Rio de Janeiro is located within South America:

                                                         Map of Brazil

                                                         (World Guides, n.d.)

Maps construct meaning in what they represent and the purpose intended. A key word in the Australian curriculum is Environment.

"The term environment, means our living and non-living surroundings. The features of an environment can be classified as natural, managed (as with farmland or a planted forest) or constructed. The concept of environment, however, is all about a way of understanding, explaining and thinking  about the world" (ACARA, n.d.).

The rationale and aims of the Australian Curriculum support the importance of understanding the world.

Senior Secondary Curriculum Link

While the film is not suitable as a whole to show secondary students, there are elements that connect to the term environment in the Australian Curriculum. 

The film is told from the perspective of a boy named Rocket and highlights the poverty, crime, gun use, fear, gangs and drug abuse within that area (City of God-Synopsis, 2002). To understand how this destruction has evolved, the history of how the city came to be needs to be identified. 

The "City of God" is described as a slum area or favela (shanty slum). 

Approximately 800 favelas exist in Rio de Janeiro (Poorism, 2009). Favelas were originally brought about in the late nineteenth century when African slaves were released from slavery (Poorism, 2009). They had no work or land, so made homes in self constructed shanty towns.

"Poorism" link

Cidade de Deus was built on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro in the 1960s by the Brazillian Government (Geography film, 2007). "Rio's favelas were constructed in a period of rapid industrialisation to keep the poor isolated from the city's center" (Laurier, 2004). The "City of God" film aims to bring the devastation, inhumanity and poverty to the forefront, so the global community is aware of what is happening in the favelas.

One third of the population in Rio de Janeiro are estimated to be living in favelas , with 34% living below the poverty line in Brazil (Poorism, 2009).

                                                          Image of a Favela

                                                          (Digital Journal, n.d.)

Health related problems due to poor sewerage, over-population, lack of medical resources and lack of government support during this period of late 1960 - 1980s was a massive issue. Lack of formal education made it difficult for people in these communities to find work, so the cycle of poverty kept on going leading to the domination by gangs, drug dealing and violence.
 "The movie is depicting how crime effects the poor population in the slum and how poorness affects the crime vice versa" (Geography film, 2007). The writer indicates that this cycle of poorness will continue as poor families have more children, growing up in the same environment. Today brick and concrete replace wooden shanties, and the government from 1990 has introduced water, electricity and plumbing (Poorism, 2009). It has also been noted that there is now no drug trade in this city and there is a large police presence. The question is then asked, are all favela's in Brazil receiving the same degree of support?

Stabilizing and Greening the Favelas

From a Christian perspective it is important to be aware of the events occurring on a global scale to be able to demonstrate the values spoken of in the Bible. Matthew 22:39 states " Love your neighbour as yourself" (NLT,2004). Loving our neighbour incorporates caring about the needs of those around us and valuing their culture, history and stories. The realisation that poverty is widespread will help students to develop empathy. While it is not possible to help everyone, a difference can be made at some level.
My personal perspective after viewing "City of God" was one of sadness. Children do not choose the environment they are born in. A scene demonstrating the intensity of the situation shows the character having to make a choice between shooting two young boys. The boys sobbing and distressed state reveal the rawness of what is happening in other parts of the world.

Despair

                                                 
                                                  Image from "City of God"

                                                       (Manson, n.d.)

Even though the life in this city appeared desperate and hopeless, their was hope evident in the character Rocket who was able to turn away from the life that so many of the young people fell into, and take on a job working for a newspaper using his photography skills.

Hope

                                                     Image from "City of God"

                                                    (The Metropolis Times, n.d.)

Empathy

An interesting thought: If we are to develop empathy and compassion on a global level, why is it so hard to accept persecuted refugees coming into Australia?

"Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly - not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God (1 Peter 5:2).

References

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (n.d.). The Australian
        Curriculum: Geography: Rationale/Aims. Retrieved from  
        http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/SeniorSecondary/Humanities-and-Social-

       Sciences/Geography/RationaleAims

Child Crying [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/city_of_god.htm

City of God (2002) - Synopsis. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317248/synopsis?ref_=ttpl_pl_syn

Digital Journal (n.d.). Image of a Favela [Photograph]. Retrieved from

       http://www.digitaljournal.com/image/52507

Favela | Define Favela at Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/favela

Film Geography: City of God. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://scottfilmgeog.blogspot.com.au/2008/12/city-of-god.html

Geography film: City of god. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://abouthameed.blogspot.com.au/2007/11/city-of-god.html

Meirelles, F. (Director). (2002). City of God [Motion picture]. Rio de Janeiro:
       Miramax Films.

'Poorism' See the real City of God. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://digitaljournal.com/article/274088

Rio Slums Energy Poverty and Public Health | Sustainable Cities Collective. (n.d.).
       Retrieved from

       http://sustainablecitiescollective.com/kaidbenfield/188166/stabilizing-greening-
       favelas-rios-formidable-challenge

Sincere, but avoiding difficult questions - World Socialist Web Site. (n.d.). Retrieved from

       http://www.wsws.org/en/aricles/2004/03/city-m03.html

The Metropolis Times (n.d.). Boy with camera [Photograph]. Retrieved from

       http://www.themetropolistimes.com/1000-film-2/

Tyndale House Publishers (2004). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill:
       Tyndale House Publishers.

World Atlas (n.d.). World Map [Map]. Retrieved from 

       http://www,worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/samerica/br.htm

World Guides (n.d.). Map of Brazil [Map]. Retrieved from 

       http://www.worldguides.com/latin-america/brazil/rio-de-janeiro-
       state/buzios/buzios_maps.html