Skills Learned

Favorite Texts from Lower Division

LIBS 101: The Human Enigma:

This course was a perfect start to the Hutchins program in which I learned different ways of understanding why people think the way they do. My favorite text from this course was Redeployment, by Phil Klay because it was a sorrowful story of a solider and what the war did to his soul, mind and body. It was eye-opening to read and analyze this text along with my classmates because we have never gone through something like this.

LIBS 102: In Search of Self:

This course focused on how the "self" works. It took a dive into mental illness, abuse, genetics, the brain, etc. I chose We the Animals, by Justin Torres as my favorite book from this semester because it focused on a boy growing up in an abusive household who is also gay. He is afraid to come out to his family and wants to fight the feeling of being attracted to men. I was able to have a glimpse of what it would be like to be this child which helped me grow as a learner by reading bout his life, feelings, and thoughts.

LIBS 201: Exploring the Unknown:

In this course, we learned about different religions, myths, cultural beliefs and to question our reality. My favorite text from this course was Rosemary's Baby, by Ira Levin because I never was one to believe in the devil, ghosts, or anything of that sort. However, this text helped me learn that not everyone around you is truthful or good; there are bad people out there. This course helped me learn about multiple religions and their beliefs and made me ponder about myths, the supernatural, and even what happens when we die.

LIBS 202: Challenge and Response in the Modern World:

This course focused on the problems in our world like the distribution of wealth, poverty, social status, what we are doing to our environment, and our government. My favorite text from this course was Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies, by Seth Holmes because this text followed immigrant farm workers who are treated inhumane. It was a depressing text reading how these farm workers work long hours in the sun, with little pay and little benefits, barely able to put food on the table for their family. This course helped me realize the issues that are going on worldwide. Although this course was filled with despairing texts; it was beneficial to learn about global issues.

Importance of Facilitaing a Class

• Facilitation helps teach how to engage students

• Helps with confidence speaking out loud to class (speaking skills).

• Opportunity to practice leading class discussion

• Promotes preparation

• Strengthens questioning skills