Engl 101
Fall 2006

The Battle of Algiers
In-class Writing

Read the articles below and then write a response to your viewing of the Battle of Algiers last Thursday.  Discuss what you liked and didn't like about the film and what implications it might have for U.S. policy in the world today.  Then add four questions you would like to ask at our visit to the Pentagon on Friday.  Include at least two questions about the film's portrayal of the Algerian war and the possible lessons for U.S. policy today.  I would prefer that you print your writing at the end of class and give me a paper copy but if you have to, email your completed essay and questions to kthomps4NOSPAMgmu.edu 

1. The Pentagon's Film Festival: A primer for The Battle of Algiers by Charles Paul Freund at: 
   http://www.slate.com/id/2087628/
    
2. Winning and Losing by Philip Gourevitch at: 
   http://www.newyorker.com/talk/content/?031222ta_talk_gourevitch
    
3. Think Strategy, Not Numbers by David Ignatius at: 
   http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45136-2003Aug25.html
    
4. The Battle of Algiers by Kevin Beary at: 
   http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig3/beary4.html
    

If you have trouble accessing the articles directly, I have temporarily put PDF copies online at
http://mason.gmu.edu/~algiers/algiers-newyorker.pdf
http://mason.gmu.edu/~kthomps4/algiers/algiers-slate.pdf
http://mason.gmu.edu/~kthomps4/algiers/algiers-wpost.pdf
http://mason.gmu.edu/~kthomps4/algiers/algiers-rockwell.pdf