I got my midterm assessment comments from Ms. Kelly. :)
She said:
Violet- I am still drawn to your weather metaphor. Yes, you can be a calm lake; however, there is so much life under the surface. I hope to continue learning about your depths.
Showing posts with label HSAO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HSAO. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
HSAO Orientation - Assignment 3
Assignment Three
What do you love and why?
I looked around on the internet to to find some different definitions of "love," and I found this description of a certain kind of love, "agape," on Wikipedia:
Agape - the term was used by the early Christians (Greek to be specific, as the word is of Greek origin) to refer to an unconditional acceptance, favour and affinity toward a person. It is a love that is based on a decision instead of a feeling.
I like that description, and it seems the most fitting for how I love certain people, so I will use that definition for my answer.
I think the biggest examples of love in my life are my dad and my cousin Maddy. My dad and I became a lot closer after my mom died, because it was just the two of us. He travels a lot for work, but when he's home he's really good about making sure we get to spend time together and stuff. He's been all over the world, so he knows all sorts of oddball stuff and has all kinds of stories. It's been kind of hard for him because we stayed here after Mom died, and he doesn't really get along with my mom's family. But he wanted us to stay here so I could grow up with family around and everything. Which I'm really glad of, and which brings me to the other person I mentioned, my cousin Maddy! She should be showing up around here soon, I think, to join the orientation.
Anyway, Maddy's my cousin, and also my best friend. We've been really close for a long time. She's pretty awesome. She's really smart, has occasionally bizarre taste in movies, and, I'm told, currently has possession of halloween themed ice cream sandwiches.
What do you love and why?
I looked around on the internet to to find some different definitions of "love," and I found this description of a certain kind of love, "agape," on Wikipedia:
Agape - the term was used by the early Christians (Greek to be specific, as the word is of Greek origin) to refer to an unconditional acceptance, favour and affinity toward a person. It is a love that is based on a decision instead of a feeling.
I like that description, and it seems the most fitting for how I love certain people, so I will use that definition for my answer.
I think the biggest examples of love in my life are my dad and my cousin Maddy. My dad and I became a lot closer after my mom died, because it was just the two of us. He travels a lot for work, but when he's home he's really good about making sure we get to spend time together and stuff. He's been all over the world, so he knows all sorts of oddball stuff and has all kinds of stories. It's been kind of hard for him because we stayed here after Mom died, and he doesn't really get along with my mom's family. But he wanted us to stay here so I could grow up with family around and everything. Which I'm really glad of, and which brings me to the other person I mentioned, my cousin Maddy! She should be showing up around here soon, I think, to join the orientation.
Anyway, Maddy's my cousin, and also my best friend. We've been really close for a long time. She's pretty awesome. She's really smart, has occasionally bizarre taste in movies, and, I'm told, currently has possession of halloween themed ice cream sandwiches.
HSAO Orientation - Assignment 2
I meant to post this here when I turned it in, but I forgot. I'll edit Ms. Kelly's comments in later if she gives any.
* * * * *
Assignment Two:
You should reply to this message with a post that contains the following:
1. Please list at least five of your own favorite titles (literature or film) that explore reality.
Once you have your list, write a brief statement about what these titles say about you.
Your statement must be at least a three-sentence paragraph, but it certainly can be as long as you like.
Books:
The Oz books, by L. Frank Baum
A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Harry Potter books, by J. K. Rowling
The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster
The Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books, by Betty MacDonald
Movies:
Finding Neverland
The Village
My list points out that I like children's literature! I do, a lot, actually. Books written for children feel better to me. They are nicer stories, and they more often have happy endings.
My list also indicates that I like stories where people are transported or pretended to other places that other people don't believe exist, and that are often protected by that, or by secrecy, so that not everyone can get there. That makes them special, and safe. They're often magical places, too.
The Village is probably the least like the other titles on my list, because there are some scarier parts of it. I like it, though, because the community in it seems like a really nice place to live. There are secrets, but they are the kind that are meant to be kept for the good of everyone who lives there. The secrets, and the keeping of them, keeps the people there safe from the outside world where bad things happen.
Another movie that is about reality is A Beautiful Mind. I didn't put it on my list, though, because I didn't really like it. I watched it with my cousin, and she really liked it. I didn't like the idea of not being able to tell what was real and what wasn't, though, especially when some of the things were pretty creepy. That kind of stuff scares me a little bit. I don't like bad and scary stuff, and I don't like the idea that there can be bad and scary stuff that doesn't really exist and so shouldn't really scare you, but does anyway because you don't know it's not real.
2. In addition, discuss the following question with those you trust, then form a statement of your answer:
Is the concept of “maternal instinct” based in reality, or is it a myth that we perpetuate and wish upon species, especially humans?
See:
Drs.
Douglas W. Mock
Elyse Rubenstein
Sarah Blaffer Hrdy
Sandra Wheatley
(Note: This is not to dismiss or deny the role of fathers -paternal instinct- or the importance of a pair of parents -parental instinct- in the lives of children. There is far more research about, expectations of and information on maternal instinct than on paternal instinct or parental instinct.)
What is your answer?
The information I read about maternal instinct seemed to vary. I found the research of Dr. Mock to be very unsettling. Animal mothers are so often portrayed as perfectly protective, supportive, and nurturing mothers that it was disturbing to read how harsh they can really be.
The research and opinions of all the doctors that I read about seems to point to the things that most people say indicate "maternal instinct" as being learned. I think that's true, but I also think that it is partly choice, too. In the article I read about Dr. Mock's research, animal mothers would sometimes choose one offspring over another. In humans, mothers sometimes abuse or neglect their children, even though it seems to be common knowledge how a mother "should" be. So I think it is partly that mothers learn to be maternal, and choose to act maternal. Outside influences can affect the choices a mother makes, but nobody makes her make them. Sometimes mothers just choose not to be motherly, anymore or at all, for no good reason. I don't know why a mom who was previously very maternal would stop, but it happens.
* * * * *
Assignment Two:
You should reply to this message with a post that contains the following:
1. Please list at least five of your own favorite titles (literature or film) that explore reality.
Once you have your list, write a brief statement about what these titles say about you.
Your statement must be at least a three-sentence paragraph, but it certainly can be as long as you like.
Books:
The Oz books, by L. Frank Baum
A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Harry Potter books, by J. K. Rowling
The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster
The Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books, by Betty MacDonald
Movies:
Finding Neverland
The Village
My list points out that I like children's literature! I do, a lot, actually. Books written for children feel better to me. They are nicer stories, and they more often have happy endings.
My list also indicates that I like stories where people are transported or pretended to other places that other people don't believe exist, and that are often protected by that, or by secrecy, so that not everyone can get there. That makes them special, and safe. They're often magical places, too.
The Village is probably the least like the other titles on my list, because there are some scarier parts of it. I like it, though, because the community in it seems like a really nice place to live. There are secrets, but they are the kind that are meant to be kept for the good of everyone who lives there. The secrets, and the keeping of them, keeps the people there safe from the outside world where bad things happen.
Another movie that is about reality is A Beautiful Mind. I didn't put it on my list, though, because I didn't really like it. I watched it with my cousin, and she really liked it. I didn't like the idea of not being able to tell what was real and what wasn't, though, especially when some of the things were pretty creepy. That kind of stuff scares me a little bit. I don't like bad and scary stuff, and I don't like the idea that there can be bad and scary stuff that doesn't really exist and so shouldn't really scare you, but does anyway because you don't know it's not real.
2. In addition, discuss the following question with those you trust, then form a statement of your answer:
Is the concept of “maternal instinct” based in reality, or is it a myth that we perpetuate and wish upon species, especially humans?
See:
Drs.
Douglas W. Mock
Elyse Rubenstein
Sarah Blaffer Hrdy
Sandra Wheatley
(Note: This is not to dismiss or deny the role of fathers -paternal instinct- or the importance of a pair of parents -parental instinct- in the lives of children. There is far more research about, expectations of and information on maternal instinct than on paternal instinct or parental instinct.)
What is your answer?
The information I read about maternal instinct seemed to vary. I found the research of Dr. Mock to be very unsettling. Animal mothers are so often portrayed as perfectly protective, supportive, and nurturing mothers that it was disturbing to read how harsh they can really be.
The research and opinions of all the doctors that I read about seems to point to the things that most people say indicate "maternal instinct" as being learned. I think that's true, but I also think that it is partly choice, too. In the article I read about Dr. Mock's research, animal mothers would sometimes choose one offspring over another. In humans, mothers sometimes abuse or neglect their children, even though it seems to be common knowledge how a mother "should" be. So I think it is partly that mothers learn to be maternal, and choose to act maternal. Outside influences can affect the choices a mother makes, but nobody makes her make them. Sometimes mothers just choose not to be motherly, anymore or at all, for no good reason. I don't know why a mom who was previously very maternal would stop, but it happens.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
HSAO Orientation - Assignment 1
I just posted my answers for the assignment that's due tomorrow (today, I guess... eep, I'm up late) on the class notebook, and I thought I'd post them here as well. I don't know that anyone else would be interested in them, but I'd like to have them somewhere for my own record.
I'll put all that at the end of this entry.
I'm really enjoying the reading I'm doing for the orientation. Some of the things I'm reading feel challenging, but in a very good way. If I focus and am patient with myself, the language becomes clearer and I begin to understand and piece it together. I found the stuff about phenomenological reality, truth, fact, and axiom very interesting, once I began to understand it. It's something I can apply to a lot of things in my life.
This came from an article I was reading on the subject:
Most of the cultural conflict in the world occurs when certain individuals or groups try to impose their phenomenological realities or truths on other people or communities.
I think that might be true.
Anyway, here's the assignment and my response to it. I feel pretty silly about my answers to 3 and 4; they didn't seem particularly "alive" to me. Just kind of dorky. But I did try to make them the sort of thing Ms. Kelly was looking for.
* * *
1. List the four terms in any order you like.
- Phenomenological reality
- Truth
- Fact
- Axiom
The reading for this assignment made me think of Don Quixote. He made his phenomenological reality into a truth in a way, I think, if I've understood things correctly.
2. Include at least one sentence describing something you learned this week (from your studies here or in other places).
I'm still reading a lot about the Knights Templar, though a little more slowly now that I'm working on HSA orientation as well. I learned about Robert the Bruce, and about King Philippe IV, and how they affected the Templars.
Actually, a lot of the stuff I've learned this week about the four levels of reality can be applied to the history of the Knights Templar. For instance, Philippe's grudge against the Templar was partly due to the fact that he believed they posed a danger to him/his kingdom. Regardless of whether that was reality or not, it was his phenomenological reality. It might even have been truth. His greed played into it, too - the Templar were rumored to guard a great treasure, and his funds were very low. I think that would count as truth at least, because a lot of people believed (and still believe) that. Whether it could be termed fact or not, I'm not sure. I don't have sufficient information to call it fact, and my reading makes it sound like noone does.
3. Write a sentence describing yourself using three adjectives.
(Here is a boring example: I am nice, sweet and kind -make yours come alive) .
I am thoughtful, quiet, and interested.
4. Describe yourself using a metaphor that compares you to the weather.
(Here is a boring example: I am a sunny day -make yours a vivid reflection).
I am a quiet, calm lake, on the pleasantly warm day when the rain comes down in droplets to make the lake's surface splash up, regardless of the still-present sunshine.
Edited to include Ms. Kelly's comments:
Interesting that you thought of Don Quixote and his views of reality. I agree that he believed his reality was a truth, although we, the readers, saw a different truth in his life and actions.
I'll put all that at the end of this entry.
I'm really enjoying the reading I'm doing for the orientation. Some of the things I'm reading feel challenging, but in a very good way. If I focus and am patient with myself, the language becomes clearer and I begin to understand and piece it together. I found the stuff about phenomenological reality, truth, fact, and axiom very interesting, once I began to understand it. It's something I can apply to a lot of things in my life.
This came from an article I was reading on the subject:
Most of the cultural conflict in the world occurs when certain individuals or groups try to impose their phenomenological realities or truths on other people or communities.
I think that might be true.
Anyway, here's the assignment and my response to it. I feel pretty silly about my answers to 3 and 4; they didn't seem particularly "alive" to me. Just kind of dorky. But I did try to make them the sort of thing Ms. Kelly was looking for.
* * *
- Phenomenological reality
- Truth
- Fact
- Axiom
The reading for this assignment made me think of Don Quixote. He made his phenomenological reality into a truth in a way, I think, if I've understood things correctly.
2. Include at least one sentence describing something you learned this week (from your studies here or in other places).
I'm still reading a lot about the Knights Templar, though a little more slowly now that I'm working on HSA orientation as well. I learned about Robert the Bruce, and about King Philippe IV, and how they affected the Templars.
Actually, a lot of the stuff I've learned this week about the four levels of reality can be applied to the history of the Knights Templar. For instance, Philippe's grudge against the Templar was partly due to the fact that he believed they posed a danger to him/his kingdom. Regardless of whether that was reality or not, it was his phenomenological reality. It might even have been truth. His greed played into it, too - the Templar were rumored to guard a great treasure, and his funds were very low. I think that would count as truth at least, because a lot of people believed (and still believe) that. Whether it could be termed fact or not, I'm not sure. I don't have sufficient information to call it fact, and my reading makes it sound like noone does.
3. Write a sentence describing yourself using three adjectives.
(Here is a boring example: I am nice, sweet and kind -make yours come alive) .
I am thoughtful, quiet, and interested.
4. Describe yourself using a metaphor that compares you to the weather.
(Here is a boring example: I am a sunny day -make yours a vivid reflection).
I am a quiet, calm lake, on the pleasantly warm day when the rain comes down in droplets to make the lake's surface splash up, regardless of the still-present sunshine.
* * *
Edited to include Ms. Kelly's comments:
Interesting that you thought of Don Quixote and his views of reality. I agree that he believed his reality was a truth, although we, the readers, saw a different truth in his life and actions.
I am glad you were able to apply your learning to a topic in which you are obviously interested.
Lovely metaphor.
Jac
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