| C1 |
[Oct. 12th, 2006|12:44 pm] |
C1
The grade I feel I deserve in Rhetoric 1302 is a “B+”. In determining this, I first listed as many aspects as I could for which I felt I deserved high grades, and then as many aspects as I could that deserved lower grades. I then compared and contrasted the two lists and ended up with a “B+”.
I saw some characteristics in myself that made me feel I deserved a lower grade. The main one is my lack of proficiency at keeping my blogs up to date. I quite often have so many things going on at once that by the time I get some free time I have forgotten all about it. Another characteristic is my level of attention during class discussions and lectures. I have a problem, ADHD, and my mind wander at times; once it begins to stray away, it is hard for me to pull myself back. I am trying very hard to concentrate in class more, but I still need work. The last thing that made me feel as if I should get a bad grade is the fact that I tend to show up to class a little late every day, and know I need to leave a little earlier. These are the reasons I feel I should receive a lower grade for the midterm.
Along side the negative list is the positive list on why I feel I should receive a higher grade this midterm. First, I have not missed a day of class yet. I have tried to show up every day, even if I am a little late. Next, I try to participate and get involved in as many class discussions as possible. I was Lisa, the newly made man and the expert on feminism, in our expert testimony class discussion. I also ask questions if I have them or am unsure of something. I turn in all of the essay drafts on the day they are due. I know I procrastinate until it comes time for things to be due, but usually, with the exception of blogs, things are in on time. The last reason I feel I should deserve a higher grade is the amount of effort I am putting forward in the essays. I am trying to expand my style and broaden my horizon in terms of the use of literature. These are the reasons I feel I deserve a higher grade.
Combining these factors together, I feel I have not put enough effort in to my blogs to get an “A”, but I have tried to be as attentive, and as timely as I can be with my schedule and my other classes. My writing is not coming as easily to me this year as it has in the past because I have tried to go outside my comfort zone and try new things. Overall, I have put forth the effort I feel is needed to earn a high “B”.
My opinion of the class so far is quite positive. The material is in-depth and comes from a multitude of viewpoints, giving a wide variety of not only subjects but also ways of thinking. For some reason, I still cannot believe I gained so much from the Martin Luther King Jr. piece since I have read it before and have been over the way style leads to an effective argument. Reviewing it this year, not only helped to reinforce what I already knew, but also clarified many things I had questioned the first time around. The conversations about ideology and culture were more than beneficial, for I had never sat down and broken down the structure of society with its many cultures and counter cultures. I particularly enjoyed the piece on transexuality, not for the style in which it was written, but rather for the points it made and the enlightened view it helped me to gain.
The course material is not the only thing I have liked so far. The instructor, Ms. Bowman, is a friendly, helpful teacher with great insight into the subjects she is teaching. She has broken down many confusing topics to make them easier and more fun to comprehend. She has a passion about her that makes me more interested in what she says. She also gets enthusiastic when lecturing which is something seen far less often in today’s instructors than it should be. I also have to give her credit for the stress level she has been under with the school work she is doing and how much time she still spends with each student.
The last feature of the class I truly like is the use of the computer, blog spots and chat rooms. I have never had a course incorporate the use of computers quite the way this one has. With the chat rooms, it is really fun to have conversations with others in the class and not have a bias due to the brief history shared between people; I feel I gained more from that activity than in any class discussion so far. Another conversational method I enjoyed was the mock panel. Any time I can let my imagination run loose and have good insightful arguments with others, I feel as if I gain more than if I am simply told something. Arguing, to me, is tied into the experience aspect of learning; it makes you look at your own beliefs and defend them compared to someone doing the same thing on the opposite side. It helps to gain insight into what you believe and how you might actually be wrong or it helps to reinforce your own beliefs.
Rhetoric 1302 has been a new experience as far as class structure goes, one that I feel has been beneficial. The only down side is the lack of more deep arguments about controversial issues. Other than that, I am not sure I could find anything to improve the class. |
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| Comments: |
I'm glad you are enjoying the class! Your participation has been much appreciated :)
You're still missing a couple of your observations on articles, so we'll go with a B+ for now. If you want to complete some extra credit assignments or make up these entries, you can raise that grade at the end of the semester.
Good job so far! | |
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