About This Class

Going into this class, English 214 with instructor Caitlin Fielder I am not going to lie I was kind of skeptical. For two reasons mainly: 1) I struggled in English 114 and 2) I didn’t like the idea of self-grading. I figured we were in school to be evaluated and constructively criticized by a teacher and not my fellow class mates that know as much as much as me.

            But I am happy to admit that I was wrong about both concerns. I’m not saying this class is easier on the contrary, the topics and very complex and abstract. But I was wrong because although still difficult the class call for writing in different discourses. A concept I had not realized existed until this class, it is refreshing to be writing in ways that call for new forms of thought and structures.

Secondly, I wouldn’t yet consider myself a fan of peer grading but I have definitely seen and learned that it has benefits. I think Peer grading is good especially good for a class like this, one with abstract topics because by grading my class mates I am able to see how they have interpreted the readings and it helps develop my insight with the different perspectives.

Different perspectives are also good because you are able to compare the level that you are writing compared to your peers in the same class as you. That aspect I unquestionably appreciate because it helps me see where I am personally in retrospect of the course. I am able to see where my grade is coming from versus just being told.

As I mentioned before the topics we touch in class are incredibly complex because they are abstract and extremely controversial. One person could agree while one completely cannot even fathom the idea yet most of the time the majority of the class is somewhere in between. I feel that this is the case because they ideas that are being presented to us in the reading have been ideas that we have never really known or been opened our eyes too.

We have looked at invisible narratives, metaphors and reading about what our rights should be in our English classes.

My favorite has been invisible narratives! I have really enjoyed the lectures by the professor due to her enthusiasm and passion evident in her lectures, makes the idea of invisible narratives that much more captivating while she has you leaving the room pondering everything she just said.

Learning about invisible narratives I feel has opened my eyes to a certain degree because although they might explain things I already saw like, a man catcalling a woman as disrespectful, but now I can see the back story to it. How we as a society have accepted it and now almost even expect it. WHY this is so, the stereotypes and sexism behind a simple catcall. How woman are satisfying a mans needs and he is telling her he approves. How we have margined an idea of beauty in such a superficial way that men as well as society have come to thinks as acceptable. Or how a woman being comfortable in her own skin is portrayed instantly as a sex object.

This small glimpse of just one simple action has so many layers to it which is what makes it complex. It is not straightforward. And people could easily agree or disagree. This makes the discussion in class fun to follow.

All in all, I have enjoyed the experience of this class. If I had to boil it down to one reason it would be because it has been different to any other English class I have taken. It has made me think about things in our daily lives in a way I have never had to and because I feel that, that is what college is all about; new perspectives.