Monday, May 7, 2012

My Reflection Over the Past Semester


 
               Switching into Mrs. Brady’s English 102 class may have been the best decision I made so far in college. At first, I was assigned to another professor but my friend Steven, recommended her class. After the first week of classes, I switched into Mrs. Brady’s class and since then I have been extremely satisfied. There has never been a day where I didn’t want to attend class. English 102 has helped me become a better writer as well as become a better thinker. Most people only look at certain things one way but Mrs. Brady showed us the in depth meaning of other things people don’t usually tend to think about. Every lecture I learned helped me by allowing myself to apply them to my life outside the classroom.

                 From time to time, I tend to catch myself thinking deeply about things other people don’t usually focus all their attention to. Initially, I was intimidated by the other students in the class because they were all older and transferred from other universities meanwhile this was only my freshman year. Little did I know, by having those other students in my class, it helped me open my eyes to see their different point of views. In one of Mrs. Brady’s lectures, she taught us about the human condition and desire. Most people don’t think about why they crave some things and want things more than others. By having another point of view, it allowed me to become a better thinker by thinking outside the box.

                Furthermore, I have not only grown as a thinker but as well as a writer. Every few weeks my class was to type up an assignment based on a quote, short story, theme or poem. As the published assignments progressed, my writing improved. The published writing assignments were the only things that made me push myself even harder to perfect my writing because by posting it online, any one on the internet was able to view it. I wouldn’t be able to choose one thing I liked the most about my class because there were quite a few things. I enjoyed the fishbowls which were when the class moved their desks into a circle that way the class would be able to talk to one another and comment on one’s thoughts. Another thing I enjoyed about the class was the group work. Most professors didn’t attempt to get the class to form into the groups but by Mrs. Brady doing that, it allowed me to talk to my peers and make new friends that I may have in future classes.

               There are many things I will take away from this one class. Each lecture that was given was based on a short story or poem we read in class but the good thing about it was that each lecture applied to another. Similar themes were introduced that helped me learn about them more. Themes from desire, oppression, fantasy vs. reality, illusions, the human condition, etc. all apply to my life outside the classroom. Not only did my class discuss the meaning of the themes but as well went in depth with them by dissecting parts of it and creating questions as to why some people may feel the way they do. Overall, I really enjoyed this class and would definitely recommend Mrs. Brady as anyone’s choice for English 102. Even though I plan on having a major in the business department field, all these writing techniques and thinking progress will help me in the future with my career.

Thank you for a wonderful semester Mrs. Brady! I am seriously satisfied with the decision I made in switching into your class, I'm so glad I did! All the lectures you taught us really opened my eyes in becoming a better thinker than I was before and I will definitely look at things differently now.

Desire Lecture



Desire: an extreme and extraordinary emotion and want
                             

Extraordinary emotion
Extreme want

Psychological- introduced by the environment
Unique attraction based on a look or need
Money relief: magazines, newspapers, television
To feel loved –subconscious wanting someone else
Controlled
Uncontrollable
Socially constructed
Recognition –justification , relief
Rich vs. worth
Voice –expression

               One of my absolute favorite lectures was the Desire Lecture.  Mrs. Brady first asked my class what our thoughts about desire were and showed us that there was another point of view.  At first I only thought it was an extreme want people usually crave but not necessarily need.  The play that allowed me to grasp the concept more was A Streetcar Named Desire.  This play showed how some characters desired things more than others and how that extraordinary emotion people may get can be too powerful for the human soul from time to time. 

To Live With Freedom Lecture


               Poetry was one of the last things we learned in class but Mrs. Brady definitely saved the best for last.  One of the poems she made us take apart was Identity by Julio Noboa Polanco.  The poem taught us that to live with freedom is better and more enjoyable than being conformed.  Mrs. Brady taught us to really appreciate poetry in every way.  It’s such an impressive thing, for a poet to express their emotions through words but also to get the audience to feel what they feel as they’re reciting it.  For a person to communicate freedom in a creative way is a talent. 

Freedom of ...
- creativity
- the soul
- life
- the human spirit
- restraints

- expression

Making Life-Changing Decisions Lecture



               On March 22,2012, the class was held outdoors.  I really enjoyed the class lecture being held outdoors.  It was nice experience learning outside the regular classroom walls.  It was a beautiful day so why not enjoy it.  The lesson we learned was the various themes in “Hills Like White Elephants”.  Themes such as appeasement, unrealistic happiness, making life-changing decisions, and life at a crossroads were shown in the short story.  The one that really popped out at me was the theme making life-changing decisions.  Mrs. Brady introduced the theme by first talking about abortions and hearing the student’s opinions first.  Later on she explained how the woman in the story had to choose between her unborn baby and the man she loved.  Choosing a decision that may change one’s life is difficult to make because one may never know the outcome until a choice is made.  Sometimes people just have to choose wisely and just risk it all and make the best out of the possible outcome.