Taught by: A/P Barbara Ryan & A/P Johan Geertsema
Written by: Fang Yiyang (@fangyiyang)
Content (Structure/Organization): 4
Well-structured but rigid as it's dictated by the school not the tutor.
The first two weeks has some readings on what critical reflection is, assignment expectations etc.
After that, there's the three reflection assignments, spaced about three or four weeks apart. There's no longer any readings or lecture in class, just pitching ideas and peer review. Classes are often cancelled so you can work on the post or dob consults with your prof. So you do get some flexibility to work at your own pace, as long as you meet the final deadlines.
Expectations for the assignments are clear, but rigid (which helps make it clear. But at the expense of inflexibility). There are very specific criteria for what makes a "critical reflection" and even more specific criteria about what kind of experiences can be used in each assignment (from your major, from NUSC/USP, from outside classroom, etc.). It can be annoying sometimes because it restricts the kind of genre you can write, but at least it has the virtue of very clear and transparent expectations.
Manageability of Workload: 2
[The workload is] reasonable. The first two weeks has some reading, but after that there are no readings and classes are often cancelled for you to work on the assignments. When we do meet, it's peer review, pitches, etc.
So the main workload is really just the three big assignments (the three reflection posts). In between is just peer reviews and pitches. So it's very manageable, because the entire course just revolves around the assignments. No reading or class other than in the first two weeks.
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
Possible. You can't phone it in, but the assignment criteria are clear, so you know what can be expected of you, and there is a lot of time set aside for peer reviewed and consults so if you really take it seriously it's possible. The risk is that because the class can feel quite chill, you slack off a bit too much. So just remember that this is still an academic course.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 3
It's an interesting class where you're writing about yourself (but in a rigorous manner, so don't take it as just writing your autobiography) instead of academic stuff. I know some people found it personally enriching. But the very rigid structure that the reflections must meet is rather annoying and unproductive.
About the Instructor:
I took this under Prof Bart, who is excellent -- open to ideas, offers good suggestions. I highly endorse working with him, in this class or elsewhere.
My understanding is that the course format is the same regardless of tutor, except the third assignment where they have some discretion to set their own criteria.
Additional Comments:
It's a good option if you're in your final year and busy with job hunt etc and need a course that isn't super time intensive. Since there are few contact hours (many classes are cancelled to let you do the assignments and consults) and little reading, you can dedicate 99% of your time to the assignments, somewhat at your own pace.