Final Course Evaluation

What I have learned in this course has been extremely valuable to me. I learned that this country was built by many great people who had a dream about a place where freedom abounds.  I never really thought of the forefathers the way that I do now, dreamers. I always thought of them as extremely smart people who knew exactly what to do and how to do it. What I see through their literature is people who dream just like me, of how they can improve their lives and the lives of others, to make it better for all people, especially here in America.  I have realized that these Early American writers are more fascinating than I thought, and that we are not that different from them.

I think of Thoreau and Emerson, who helped preserve the idea that even though we are to grown and invent that we are also to take pleasure in the simple things in life. That we must take note of the beauty of the world that is already there so that we do not destroy it with innovation and industrialization. I absolutely love this quote from “Walden”: “We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts. Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour. If we refused, or rather used up, such paltry information as we get, the oracles would distinctly inform us how this might be done.”

I think about the Enlightenment, the pursuit knowledge, and not just take other’s perception of what is real for pure truth, in that there is so much to discover. And the beauty of obtained knowledge means that you explored your own mind, and this world, and discovered yourself outside what you are told to believe.  Religion, as passed down through generations is an important part of humanity, but can’t stand alone when it comes to the truth of this world.  Also, speaking on religion, even though our forefathers make a point to take religion talk out of American policy, they also make it clear that religion was ever as important to them as it is to us now, because it is something that is a part of every human being, whether one sides with a strict set of moral rules, or some more liberal, there is something that drives each and every one of us, and it is important to have this dialogue to find common ground.  I love that we were able to have the discussion in our Committee about religion, that we were able to share with each other the commonalities, even if it were just one basic idea. In the Maryland Committee we were able to converse freely, and with respect.  I think that this is an important dialogue that should be happening more. I think that if there were more talks about such things among people and especially people in power, then I think that it would open an even wider floodgate of compassion for the common good of man.  Just like Professor Brandon said in his writing in the announcements “Our greatest tool is your humanity and your ability to see ourselves in others and feel empathy for them.”

I have learned through literature such as “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”, that we are not a perfect country and that we can come out of something so wrong, and make it better. That we can take a school of thought that is out of date and fix it. There is a foundation of law that is laid for us that we have the power to make a change. That we have the power to let our government also reflect the evolution of our people so that we are not stuck in an ancient way of thinking because that is how it was done once so that is how it will always be. Just like Harriet Jacobs did in telling her story, through literature, we can shed light on truths, and spark a revolution.

My evaluation of my performance in this class is going to be a completely raw and honest one.  As I have nothing to give, but myself, and my truth. This is the first time in a long time that I am not completely proud of my work. I will not go as far to say that it is really bad, as I still believe in my ability to write well. I however, went into a summer semester for the first time, not having any expectations of what it would take. I am a single mom and going to school is essential to my children and I’s well being. It is not only something that I love, and is something that I have always been good at, but it is something that is necessary for me to be able to gain an income about the poverty level.  I currently (not after this semester) have a GPA of 3.6. This is a reflection of the hard work that I have put into my education thus far. I have made the Dean’s list. So, when I say that I am a good student, I am. I just was not able to give all that I wanted to give to this class, balancing a higher work load, and the needs of my children and family this summer. I know now that summer courses should not be classes that I love so much, like this literature class.  I took the second Survey of American Literature class last fall, and got an A.  My professor loved my work, and I was so proud of all that I accomplished in that class, gaining a better understanding of the evolution of American Culture. That being said, that does not mean that I did not learn anything, or work hard in this class at all. No I did my best, and I gave the best that I could. It is just not the best that I have seen come from myself before. However, I am trying to cut myself some slack knowing my circumstances. I think that my work was well written and thought out, and I enjoyed the discussions in the committees the most, because I got to interact with others and this is how I learn the best.  I know that if this was not the summer semester, I could have shined much brighter. I will be blessed to even get a “C” out of this class. Not because I didn’t participate well, but because I was not on time most of the time.  I loved this class, I loved the structure of it, and I loved the way we learned about Early Americans.  Even in my challenge, I will recommend this class to anyone who asks me for advice.  For me, History is best learned through literature.  In literature, is the heart of the man who wrote it. Not the calculated words of accounts of past events that we read in history books.  One thing that I have realized from this class is that I am very much a romantic.  That I relate with the romantic writers, I am always trying to find the sublime in everything. I try to make a point to take notice of things in everyday life that bring me joy.  I am always dreaming of a better future. And even though I did not read Henry “Box” Brown’s story, I read about him, and I am that kind of person too, that would ship myself in a box to get to somewhere where my dreams could come true.

I was not able to do any extra credit that was listed, but in a way I got outside of the literature and took what I was learning on the road with me. When I traveled to Delaware to pick up my daughter from summer camp, I drove across, not only a paved road, but a paved bridge across the Chesapeake Bay to reach her. In my mind, I thought about those who came before us, specifically the authors that we have read this summer. I think about the road that they have paved for us, not only physically, getting us to those frontiers past the Appalachian Mountains and over the waters (like the Chesapeake Bay), but as well as the roads they paved in our minds and in our hearts as citizens of this country.  Along the roads there are many signs, telling stories of the past events that occurred along the road. I envisioned those climbing the rugged mountains before there were winding roads. I saw early settlers sailing across the James River pointing toward the unknown. The wilderness, still untouched and mysterious, just like the wilderness many had to enter to survey the land, ready to build future communities on.  When I traveled to Kansas, across the plains, I reflected on my selfish thoughts of how hard it was for me to travel in my engine powered mini-van with kids, crying about how bored, thirsty and hungry they were, when really they were not, and when before me, families travelled by horse and wagon, and their children really were starving, and some of them didn’t even make it, a sacrifice made all in the name of exploration and in hope for a better life.  We now have the privilege of reading their stories, stopping to take a look at the brown signs along the way. But, we must not forget that there are still many stories to be written, and we ourselves do not have to take their stories for our own, but we too can explore and follow along the same path.

I think that there is one negative reflection that I have that has come with this class. And that is about our current culture. Many people have, and are taking for granted the hard work and the dreams of those before us.  Many people have become sheep-like in conformity, that they just go with the flow of things, and take things for what they are. I think that this is especially in the case of politics, and law.  They follow the media, and take its word as it is solid, instead of finding things out for themselves. I feel like many people have no passion for our country. I again, reflect on Franklin’s autobiography and think about the passion that he had for this country, and for the necessity to carry on a dialogue about our thoughts. He wrote ““If you wish information and improvement from the knowledge of others, and yet at the same time express yourself as firmly fix'd in your present opinions, modest, sensible men, who do not love disputation, will probably leave you undisturbed in the possession of your error.”  Many people forget that this freedom we have is not just personal and that we are to live in a bubble as long as everything is going good for us alone. No it is our duty to be passionate about the good of all, the opportunity for freedom, liberty, and happiness is for all. It is easy for some to ignore injustice because it is not happening to them.

From here, this class has given me more of a connection to the past, and what it means to me now. I appreciate more the country that I was born into, and I do not want to be one to take for granted the road that has been paved for me. The same passion that lived in those before me must be carried on. I think that I will continue to read Early American literature, and even though my work may carry me overseas, it always will be a reflection of the American Dream. A dream for building bridges, bridges of freedom and justice for all. I want to be an advocate for people.  I want to go back and read more of Thoreau and Emerson, to help me look for happiness in the simplest of things, finding that connection with God, with Nature, on my own terms, on my own spiritual journey. In “Nature” Emerson wrote “If we live truly, we shall see truly. It is as easy for the strong man to be strong, as it is for the weak to be weak. When we have new perception, we shall gladly disburden the memory of its hoarded treasures as old rubbish. When a man lives with God, his voice shall be as sweet as the murmur of the brook and the rustle of the corn.” It is essential that we form our own perception, that we also can be just as profound, and important to this world.

 I also know that I will never take a class that I want to be so immersed in, in a summer session. That is now a law, in my own books.

Professor Brandon,

Thank you for this enlightenment. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, and teaching this online class in such an interactive way. It is obvious that this is a passion for you, and it reflects in your teaching style and the way that you connect with your students. Additionally, thank you for the open invitation for future communication. I value your knowledge and I am sure that I will find this a valuable resource in my endeavors.

Sarasusan