Class Response

This semester was packed full of assignments and due dates but it is finally coming to a close.  At the start of the semester while reviewing the rubric I was contemplating switching out because I was anticipating an overwhelming characteristic of the class.  I was hesitant, but I stayed.  This English class has pushed me in my writing skills and was difficult in my opinion.  English is not a strong subject for me and at times I was overwhelmed with the requirements throughout the semester.

Other classes are not structured as this one is, with interactive lectures, fishbowls and group projects.  Professor Brady is very helpful in addressing the class’ needs as well as individual needs.  Professor Brady really seemed to care in making connections with the students.  The true education of the students was a main focus of her presence.  The high levels of interaction and eye contact really kept me focused during class.

The ideas of perception and how the individual experiences life is unique to every person were presented and taught in an interesting way.  Aspects of the transcendental spirit such as not being obsessed with perfection and understanding natural faults and imperfection will stay in my thoughts in the future.

Even though the workload was challenging and I’ve never put so much time and effort into my writing, it was all to push my limits as a writer and a thinker.  I don’t think I’m at a Chopin or a Hemingway level but maybe someday I will be.  The format, professor and my classmates all contributed to my enjoyment of this class.  I will take my improved writing and analysis skills and apply them when needed in subsequent years of my life.

Perception Lecture Response

           During the reading, interpreting and understanding of the play A Streetcar Named Desire, Professor Brady lectured on the topic of perception.  Perception is the ability to see, hear or become aware of something through the use of the senses.  Each individual has their own unique perception on the world and thus a different experience even though we exist in the same post-modern realm.  The way we perceive ourselves is different from the way others perceive us.  I enjoyed listening to my classmates give there own perception on varying subjects.  Perception has its roots in both sociology, the study of human society, and psychology, the study of the human mind.  Every person has their own personal experiences that change and mold them continuously throughout their life cycle.

Transcendentalism Lecture Response

     Transcendentalism was a word in which I recognized but did not understand.  Professor Brady explained to the whole class about transcendentalism and how it is a belief that the human spirit has happiness and peace when it is close to nature.  It is to be spiritually and mentally free with no obligations and with free will at its disposal.  The idea of transcendentalism is the idea of not being obsessed with perfection and understanding the natural faults and imperfections that occur.  It is the freedom to follow your own path and gives the opportunity to create the most desired version of oneself.

Oppression Lecture Response

   The lecture on oppression and the different forms it can be found in was extremely informative and knowledge full.  Oppression's forms all come to the mal-aid of society and hinder humankind as a whole.  One particular form that I found very interesting and thought provoking was silence.  I very much enjoyed Professor Brady’s example of a dog whose vocal cords were cut rendering the canine unable to bark.  This barking represented the individual’s ability to express and it embedded a very prominent image from the description of oppression.