Critical Thinking, Personal Experience, and Dialogue on Facebook

   My recent blog on Sexual Assault Awareness Month, if you read it, highlighted some of the ways that our own experiences can shape our perspectives, but opinion alone should not always the sole element that defines our perspective. One must understand the perspective of others. It is always hard to wrestle with different notions that confront our own gender/religious/social world view. Here are some things to think about when we debate and/or use our Critical Thinking abilities in dialogue with others.

Textbook analysis at UT Tyler

As an English Graduate student a large part of what I want my future to include is teaching. I am a self-admitted loud mouth who always has something to say about everything and this includes wanting people to have the best future possible. In my case I take 'best future possible' to mean 'you can understand why rhetoric and writing are important and you can use this skill to go where you want to go in life.' Every student has different needs and so, as a wanna-be-teacher, my interest often turns to subjects like 'teaching with unorthodox materials,' ie: graphic novels, movies, images, etc...

Take Advantage!

Whenever I get the chance, I am going to be buying some new music, the soundtrack to this legit musical called 1789:  Les Amants de la Bastille [The Lovers of Bastille], a French production based on the events of Bastille Day, the French independence day.  Were it not for French courses that I took a few years ago, I would not be able to appreciate and understand the music.  (Now I just have to get over to France so that I can actually see the musical. :D)

Every year, there are an increasing number of ways to experience different cultures, both in class and outside of class at UT Tyler.  Here are just a few of these opportunities:

• Language courses:  By learning a new language, you learn about another culture.  On top of that, you get something awesome to put on your resume; as companies continue to expand around the globe, they want bilingual employees.  Here at UT Tyler, you can study Chinese, French, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish, just to name a few.
• Culture classes:  There are several courses with a multicultural focus, including courses in art, English, history, political science, and sociology. Of course, the best way to learn about other cultures is to experience the culture at it's heart, which is possible through UT Tyler's travel-study courses.
• Multicultural Events: The Cowan Center offers numerous events that students may attend for free.  The GATE program schedules a variety of programs with a global focus throughout the year;  the Jazz Band and the Choir offer periodic performances as well.   Many of our own students get to have their artwork displayed at the Meadows Gallery, which is open to students free of charge.  If those do not pique your interest, then there are also lots of student organizations to participate in to broaden your horizons.

As you can see, there are lots of opportunities to explore the world around you right on your own university; try to take advantage of these opportunities if you can! :)

I Want to Talk to Everyone

I was in an independent study course last semester for French; I wanted to take a realllllyyy cool American novel class and they were in the same time slot. No big deal. Other students prefer class on their own, and I thought I would be no different.

I hated every moment of not being in an actual classroom setting.

It was a difficult way to figure out that I am an "auditory learner", which means listening and speaking are my most efficient methods of study. After being exposed to German in high school, I had two semesters of French in college. Through my various jobs, I have learned some Spanish.  I got a kick out of picking up all of the meanings of Aloha in Hawaii and I have dabbled in a West Ghanan language called Twi. With all of these languages, I had the opportunity to practice with native speakers and push myself. Studying alone is no fun and far less productive than having a speaking partner. I want to talk to everyone. That is why I love languages.

Now that we have that settled, the time I have back in class with my professor and peer interaction is fully utilized. The exchange in teaching was something I greatly missed, even though she and I had frequent meetings when I was studying  independently. 

I am back in class for my third semester of French this spring, and I am able to attend every class. I have a friend that is dedicated to learn French and German, so I am studying regularly. I would say my French is getting much mieux (better)!

If you are interested in learning a foreign language, think about this:
1) You learn more talking to a buddy… in that language!
2) Listen to and read things in the language you are focusing on. It helps to become accustomed to the general speech sounds and patterns.
3) Practice, practice, practice! You were not under the impression that I would leave the most difficult and important one out, did you? ;)

http://go2uttyler.blogspot.com/2012/01/face-to-face-interaction-or-computer.html Ashlea brings up many good points in this blog about different classroom settings.

Friday Classes on the Balcony

Friday, after a four hour marathon of classes, I was outside collecting myself. Another lady had some territory out there with me, at her own table by the wall. I could faintly hear the murmur of canned laughter coming from her laptop, but I was deep in my own head.

One of my professors from earlier in the day joined me out there on the balcony.
He said something cheesy, like "Hey, I remember you."
He asked how I liked the class.
He made me feel comfortable to answer honestly.
He asked me what he should change.
He read more of my creative work.
He constructively commented on it.

This scene happens frequently with all of them. 

I have been very fortunate to be at a medium sized school (6700 students) that enables one-on-one learning with any professor. Every professor has office hours and remains accessible all over campus.  They promptly and thoughtfully answer emails. Many of them give out their personal phone numbers to call or even text them.
Mostly, the thing that really moves me is that they expect me to learn it. That level of confidence they have in me is sometimes the push I need to keep learning, writing, and just doing. I need it. 

http://www2.uttyler.edu/litlang/
This is my department. :)