I-Search #5 - When you have completed I-Search #5 using the keywords identified in I-Search #4, meet with Ms. Dooley/Daly to identify your Essential Question. Write a short description of your Topic and your Essential Question. After everyone has entered their topic description and Essential Question you must read them and make a comment suggesting a couple more possible questions each might ask. Respond to SICKMUTT and GAVIN on this post.
posted by sabercat | 9/29/2006 01:39:00 PM
8 Comments:
Topic: 1916 shark attacks off the New Jersey coast
Essential Question: What are the documented and presumed causes, and the ensuing effects of the shark attacks along the New Jersey coastline during the summer of 1916?
Topic Description: In July 1916, as Nazi U-boats patrolled the Atlantic and war with Germany loomed, as the tri-state area was gripped with infantile paralysis and people migrated to the beaches to enjoy the healthy and restive atmosphere of the healing ocean, and as Victorian ways gave way to the unbridled and exuberant passions of the early twentieth century, unprovoked shark attacks occurred along the Jersey shore – the Nation’s playground. In the excessive and unusual summer heat, people flocked to the beach resorts to enjoy the rejuvenating atmosphere. For 12 days, beach-goers were met with unimaginable terror from “Sea Beasts” never before encountered. Several bathers died or were maimed as a result of shark attacks. These attacks launched the greatest “shark hunt” in recent history. (On a side note … these shark attacks of 1916 were the basis for the story line used in the movie, Jaws.)
Gavin - Here are a few questions I thought of as I read your essential question and the topic description. I'll probably have a few more as I think abour your topic. Anyway, here are my "two cents."
What was the impetous for the vampire folklore in the Slavic regions?
What caused the shift in the depiction of the "evil and horrific" Transylvanian vampire to the "romantic and caring" vampire of modern-day legend?
Was the original notion of a "vampire" based on some type of medical malady or erractic behavior on the part of an individual(s), or of some type of animal?
How do the vampire stories differ around the world?
What is the relationship of the true Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus) to the vampire folklore?
To Sickmutt,
How have these shark attacks on people contributed to the health of the shark population in the oceans?
Are shark attacks unusual? Shouldn't they be considered a normal consequence of human shark contact?
Gavin,
Is vampire folklore a search for meaning like mythology and religion? And if it is, what does it's evolution say about the belief systems of modern man?
Sabercat - I'm not sure about the meaning of your question regarding how these shark attacks contributed to the health of the shark population in the oceans? Remember, these attacks occurred in 1916, and are presumed to have been by a lone rogue shark.
Gavin
This is way out there but what about zombies and vampires? I like zombie movies and I've seen vampires and werewolves paired up but never zombies thrown in the mix? Did vampire lore come before werewolves, mummies and zombies stories?
sickmutt
I'm always interested in whether a significant event or person leaves a lasting impression...are there tourist attractions still around that are related to these 1916 shark attacks? Do local newspapers remember this era and write stories about it? Are there survivors or witnesses left who have told their story?
Ms. Daly - Yes, there are a few "makeshift" displays in some of the older beach communities regarding the events, along with "shark stories." I'm trying to link up with some first-hand accounts, but that is proving to be difficult as anyone who would remember would be in his/her mid-90's. I have found a few period newspaper accounts and I'm finding more information each time I go on the web and look.
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