October 13, 2014 1. "This is the noble truth of [suffering]: birth is [suffering], aging is [suffering], illness is [suffering], death is [suffering]; sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair are [suffering]; union with what is displeasing is [suffering]; separation from what is pleasing is [suffering]; not to get what one wants is [suffering]; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are [suffering]." 2. "This is the noble truth of the origin of [suffering]: it is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there, that is, craving for [physical] pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination." 3. "This is the noble truth of the cessation of [suffering]: it is the remainderless fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, nonreliance on it." 4. "This is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of [suffering]: it is the Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration." --Adapted from Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu Compare the similarities and differences between Hinduism and Buddhism.

According to verse 33.35 of the Qu’ran, what are the qualities of someone who is favored by God? How do these qualities compare to those in the Christian or Jewish faiths? What does verse 5:32 suggest about the value of human life? How does the Islamic view of human life compare to that of one of the following groups: Christians, Jews, Hindus or Buddhists? October 14, 2014

October 15, 2014 How did the people of Hims (the Syrians) feel about the Muslims? Whose version of the battle is this? Why is this important to note? According to this document, why did Islam spread?

October 16, 2014 How does this graphic represent data visually? Source: This excerpt is from a textbook, The Course of Civilization by Strayer, Gatzke, Harbison (Harcourt, Brace and World, Inc., 1961). How does this graphic represent data visually? Study the map, then conclude why people are so concerned with this outbreak of Ebola.

October 17, 2014 What is the overall message of this political cartoon? Do you agree with the message? Why or why not?