#coursereflection

This semester flew right by and after all the assignments, projects, papers, and Tumblr posts that we all wrote I just want to do a happy dance. Walking into this class I thought we would have to do boring readings, long essays, and hard projects. I am not saying it was easy but I am saying that it was helpful, I walked out of that class knowing I did not just learn something I will never use again, I learned A LOT of strategies that I will continue to use for other classes, my future business, and even just for fun. The assigned readings throughout the semester were not hard or boring they were helpful and contributed to my writing process for each different assignment. 

Some of the main ideas we read about are Formats and Modalities, Summary, Forming arguments, posing meaningful questions. For the most part I really do remember what I learned and was able to take away from those readings. I learned that summaries are more than just 4 to 5 sentence paragraphs and without realizing it we summarize our days when we talk to people and summarize other things but in writing there is more to it. I learned that in writing an argumentative essay you do not always need to win but sometimes you need to leave room for people to argue back and also be open minded toward others point of view. These things are meaningful to me and I will take that with me to other classes I will take in my university career. 

In having different types of assignments most of them all had to do with developing an argument and supporting that argument with good evidence. Each reading was able to answer any questions I might have had before starting the assignments and after those readings were always good to look back at just to make things better. My least favorite readings were those types that I had to read over and over to understand. One was an article by Yancey and the only reason I did not like it is because it was intended for a different audience. That made it harder for me to follow what she was explaining but in the end once I understood I did realize that her article helped elaborate on chapter 10 and afterwards I was able to better comprehend the importance of arguments and the components used to structure an argument. I think just because I did struggle with the Lit Review I feel that more should be given to help students better understand what is wanted out of the assignment. I don't think that there needs to be revisions on the readings but maybe just providing more examples and other readings to support the chapters will maybe help a student who might struggle like I did. 

Let me be the first to say that this course was very intriguing, almost immersive. The class was taught very well. I appreciated that Professor Morton had little to no bias throughout the course of the semester. At times, he would even point out where America was completely wrong and “bent the rules” a lot, such as the entire Mexican-American war. In an effort to obtain land from Mexico, we sent troops across the Mexican-American border, and claimed it as our territory. When the Mexicans crossed into “our territory” we declared it as an act of war and proceeded to fire upon them, starting the Mexican-American war. When Professor Morton explained this, he used a sarcastic tone and made it almost funny. Humor, humor was a large part of this course, providing me with excitement and a drive to get involved. My favorite part of this course has to be the World War 2 section, while my least favorite is definitely the roaring 20s section. World War 2 has always been my favorite war to study and examine, seeing as though this war forever changed the way wars will be fought. From the honor and valor of the Marines who stormed the beaches of Normandy, and Iwo Jima to the fearless pilots of the Royal Airforce who were outnumbered in the Battle of Great Britain, this war truly showed the strengths of man, as well as utter hatred that humans can harbor. My least favorite section, again, is the roaring 20s. I find it so insanely boring. Nothing happened, other than the many new inventions and the great depression. I find it to be the “business” era of the United States, seeing as though many businesses sprouted and prospered. I feel as if we didn’t have the opportunity to focus on the Vietnam and Korean War enough, seeing as though the class was condensed. I also feel as if you should have touched a lot more on the Pacific campaign of World War II, forcing us to embrace the horrors of what happened on those hot, terror-filled nights on Iwo Jima and Peleliu. Also, nothing was said about the tragedy of Wake Island… I feel as if the story of Wake teaches us young people to respect those boys who died for us and each other. The topic that stood out the most throughout the semester was that of the media, and how it actually has deceived us over time. In summary, “History is determined by the victors”-Winston Churchill. This course has changed my view of how the media depicts the course history by showing me different perspectives of events such as the sinking of the Maine and the Mexican American war. The course showed me that any side can manipulate the world into believing anything they want them to believe in efforts to further their cause. Thank you for giving us this magnificent lecture of America’s history. I learned a lot that I didn’t know, and it has impacted me in a worldly way.

I have learned what it means to be a feminist: struggling towards an end to oppression on the basis of gender. My view of the world has been changed slightly but has overall been more strengthened than anything. What changed is the importance I see on intersectionality as well as the different sides and movements of feminism. I have been strengthened in my resolve to keep doing what I can when possible to help end discrimination and systems of oppression.

1. The Things They Carried: My partner decided to read The Things They Carried which is a piece of historical fiction based upon the life of a solider. The book includes true stories also mixed with exaggerated memoirs. As of currently we have not talked about the Vietnam War since we just covered World War II, but I imagine that it would connect with previous wars based on the type of warfare included. They probably carried similar things and had similar stories like Tim O’Brien did with close friends dying, returning home with these memories, and having to carry loads of guns for long distances. The fright and worry in the book probably would also carry through with any soldier of any war. It was also a war in which not many people supported, just like many Americans being anti-war within World War I and II. Although I am sure when the soldiers came home from those two wars they probably would not have been treated so badly and looked down upon. Since I had to read this book for a previous Literature class, I know that this book is called historical fiction for a reason. Although many of the battles, places they went, and things they actually carried were all facts, many of his stories were completely fiction. He even acknowledges this when he speaks about telling war stories and military memoirs. I learned that people included in these stories did not die or even exist, and at the end where he takes his daughter back to Vietnam and back to the place where one of his closest friends died, that it did not even happen nor does he have a daughter. I believe that this book is probably closer to a work of bad history just based upon the horrible times mentioned throughout the book (even if it is historical fiction). Most of the book recalled death, battles, and gruesome mental images so I have to side with the fact that I think it is bad history. Another thing that plays into this opinion was I know how the war and returning soldiers were treated in the eyes of the American people and it is not a happy part of history. Well I cannot speak for the historic context of the film since my partner picked a book, but the way Tim O’Brien set up the images and setting of the book convinced me and most of my class when we read it, that all of these things actually happened to him.

So since the last time I was on able to do my reflection it during the beggining stages of writing my essay. the journey of writing my essay as been pretty difficult least to say. It was just all about writing my claims, reasoning, and making sure everything was outlined and stated very clearly. What Ive been having trouble with is my rubbutal. I have my all my points for my argument and everything. Just I do not know how to go about my rebuttal. I did go to my professor for help to see if he can guide me in the rigt direction. He did give me some good pointers which i took note of it just now fiding a good rebuttal to go against my claim. This is one thing i do hate about argumentative papers. Here is a look at my introduction. I like the way it came out and how I set it up.

The Epidemic of Obese Young Adults: An Argumentative Essay

Introduction

The increasing obesity rate among young adults has sky rocketed from 14.1% to 23.2 % in men and in women 18.5% to 28.6% (Han et al.1). With these statics we can see the overall effect obesity has on young adults in a dangerous manner. The health risk are more than likely more higher for this age group than any other age group.Young adults are unaware of what kind of nutrients are important for them such as vitamins A,C,D, E, and K, and choline, calcium, potassium, and dietary fibers(Huifen, et al.1). 

Obesity has always been one of America's top issues relating to health. Obesity has become more of an epidemic to young adults over the decades than any other age group that can be effected by obesity.(see authors) Young adults have become more at risk of being obese as they age because of numerous reason. A few of the reason are economic status, proactive living, and healthy diets. Knowing some of the reason that are the main contributor to obesity show the break in literacy of how young adults are not educated enough about a healthy living lifestyle that will suit them best. To achieve this goal this essay will elaborate on how a young adults economic status, living proactive, and changing the way they eat can be helpful to them. In addition, to this essay it will also explain the causes and prevention of obesity that can help those struggling with obesity and or starting to gain weight. 

As stated above, this essay will elaborate on how obesity is a harmful risk factor to young adults and a variety of ways of how they can reduce the risk and lower their weight.