Helpful Websites
This is a great news source to refer to for updates on current affairs from an international perspective. The best part about this source is the informational column to the right of each story. If you are unfamiliar with a news thread, this will provide you with precise background information needed to fully understand the story.
You can also sign up for daily emails. An email will be sent every morning with a list of the most important stories of that day. You can tailor your email according to which regions you are interested in. This system is very non-invasive and a great way to stay on top of your current events.
CIA World Factbook
When completing assignments where data is needed about specific countries, CIA World Factbook is an excellent and updated place to turn. Information you will find here includes: flag/map, background, geography, people, government, economy, communications, military, and transitional issues.
Another website to turn to for background data is BBC's Country Profile service. You will generally see more detailed background information here, however less general statistics and information than CIA's World Factbook website.
The Week Magazine
In taking this course, you will become VERY familiar with this magazine! This is the absolute best source for reviewing the week's events quickly. The magazine compiles articles and editorials from national and international columns to explain world events by offering an array of educated opinions.
If you do not subscribe to the magazine, there are plenty of ways to access this information: borrow the classroom copy, look online, or check out the copy in the Bromfield library.
Infotrac
When it comes time to collect articles for research, Infotrac will be an invaluable resource. Through this database, you can access a variety of full-text articles from periodicals, journals, research reports and reference books dating back to 1980.
However, you need a valid Harvard Public Libary Card, and will need to enter your card number to access the database. But don't fear: as a Bromfield student, you are entitled to one. Simply go to the library and fill out the appropriate paperwork.
Trek Earth This forum allows photographers, both professional and amateur, to post pictures from specific places around the world. Use this site to either gain a better pictorial sense of regions we study, or to post your own pictures, (which are subject to helpful critiques from other photographers).
NYT--- Choking on Growth
New York Times has an excellent special about population growth in China. There are articles, videos, and interactive maps. Please look at some videos about the Three Gorges Dam project and the South to North Water Transfer project. MAKE SURE to click through installments and get to part X. PBS is also a grand site for learning about China's environmental woes.
Frontline
PBS's Frontline is a wonderful place for in depth information about current global issues. This website should really come in handy during your natural resources presentation! There are also some excellent video excerpts on here. Snoop around and enjoy.
Print Blank Maps
Although an unconventional website for retrieving blank maps, this site has blank maps of many regions. Copy and paste the images on a word document and enlarge the image. This method will be invaluable when studying for map quizzes!
The Bromfield Writing Guide
Just a friendly reminder to use your comprehensive writing guide for any and all major assignments!
Kennedy Library Forums
The Kennedy Library is located in South Boston, approximately an 1 1/4 hour drive from Harvard. Aside from holding an interesting collection, the Library holds excellent forums about course relevant material with renown speakers. In the past year, Muhammad Yunus, John Prendergast, Don Cheadle, Madeleine Albright, Desmond Tutu, Nancy Pelosi, and Ken Burns have been among the list of distinguished forum speakers. These programs are free of charge, however for more well-known speakers you must register early as seats fill up quickly!
Google Reader
Subscribe to RSS feeds
and manage them through Google Reader. You must sign up for a free google account, however the google reader tool allows you to easily and quickly access and review a large amount of information. You can set up folders (see above left) according to different catergories and organize newsfeeds within.
You can find RSS feeds on most major webpages. Just copy and paste them onto your customized Google Reader. Some RSS feeds I recommend you subscribe to are: BBC news, CNN world, New York Times International, United Nations, Time Magazine top stories, Newsweek magazine top stories, and National Geographic.
Another option is to create a customized igoogle home page. Simply click the igoogle button on the top bar of google.com once you have logged into your google account. By clicking the 'add stuff' button, you can add widgets to this customized page. My recommendations are: Top Stories, BBC News front page, and CNN.com. Have some fun by adding Jon Steward's quote of the day, google's hot trends, or the daily Shakespearean insult!
Global Voices Online
Are you listening? This is a wonderful website that allows you to read international blogs from regions we are studying. Make sure to check out the 'special coverage' section for local opinion on current events!
Ideal Bite
Sign up for this daily email, and Ideal Bite will send you updates on how you can live a sassy, green life. Tips include: recipes, travel ideas, apparel interests, technology tips, and much more.