The Classroom: Dictatorship or Democracy? Socrates has famously proclaimed that “the highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others.” Despite Socrates’ immensely successful model of teaching, the modern education system increasingly demands conformity from students. Today, teachers have vast power in the classroom and over students’ futures. Though a teacher’s dictatorial authority… Continue reading Essay
Reading Summary 6
In the chapter “Teaching New Worlds/ New Words” of Bell Hooks’s novel Teaching to Transgress, Hooks illustrates the importance of using diverse forms of language and vernacular. Hooks reflects on the impact of a poem by Adrienne Rich on her life, particularly the line “this is the oppressor’s language yet I need it to talk… Continue reading Reading Summary 6
Reading Summary 5
In his article “Living in a World of Argument,” Stanley Fish makes the case that argument is a vital piece of our society that is present in every aspect. Fish argues that persuasive speech is the only means by which society can progress. According to Fish, “good” persuasion advances a rational purpose. This ultimately triumphs… Continue reading Reading Summary 5
Commonplace Book 10
“A different lover is not a sin Believe capital H-I-M (Hey hey hey) I love my life I love this record and Mi amore vole fe yah (Love needs faith) I’m beautiful in my way ‘Cause God makes no mistakes I’m on the right track, baby I was born this way Don’t hide yourself in… Continue reading Commonplace Book 10
Ethnography Field Note 6
For my sixth and final entry, I will be examining my writing in a data project I constructed for my class, Global Markets and Politics. This project asked us to choose a country and analyze two characteristics of a good society that this country does or does not have. I chose to analyze education and… Continue reading Ethnography Field Note 6
Ethnography Field Note 5
For my fifth entry, I will be examining a composition I wrote for Spanish class. We were asked to write about our views on alcohol consumption among college students. I divided the composition into three main sections. The first section addressed my views on the issue and why I held those opinions. I began by… Continue reading Ethnography Field Note 5
Ethnography Field Note 4
For this entry, I will be examining my writing in the essay we have written for this class: WRIT 015. I began my essay by referencing a famous philosopher and teacher, Socrates. I used his ideas as a hook and starting point of the rest of my essay. I went on to use the research… Continue reading Ethnography Field Note 4
Commonplace Book 9
“Vanity is a factor, but is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself that you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth” (Marissa Meyers, Cinder). This quote comes from Marissa Meyers’s science fiction novel, Cinder. Though… Continue reading Commonplace Book 9
Reading Summary 4
In her essay “Says Who? Teaching and Questioning the Rules of Grammar,” Anne Curzan encourages students to question the teaching of English grammar. According to Curzan, students often think narrowly about the English language, allowing prejudices against different dialects and discouraging individuality. Curzan claims “Standard English has been elevated to the status of being more… Continue reading Reading Summary 4
Reading Summary 3
In her article “Teaching the Politics of Standard English,” Anne Curzan argues that society welcomes prescriptive forms of learning English. While English is meant to adapt and change as language evolves, many regard concepts of Standard English as concrete. Dismissing other dialects of English and refusing to let the language change promotes prejudice and inhibits… Continue reading Reading Summary 3
