As I look back on the last semester, I’m not entirely sure what to think. I came into the class knowing nothing about world politics or international relations, knowing nothing about writing papers or thinking critically about things. And even though I know a lot more about these things now, I can’t help but think that I still barely know anything. There’s so much left to learn.
Despite my obvious lack of participation, I really did enjoy this class. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but it definitely exceeded my expectations in terms of what I've learned and how I've learned to think. I’m extremely glad that I chose to do University College also, and that from the options of those I chose world politics. I can’t exactly compare our floor to other UCs or non-UC floors, but I feel like we’ve formed some pretty close friend groups, and a lot of us work well together, despite some of the differences in personalities and hidden hostilities that come from living together. What I do particularly like about this group of people is that while we all have at least one thing in common - our interest in world politics - we are also all so different, from different backgrounds, with different experiences, and with very different political and social views. I also enjoyed the wednesday labs. I got to see a lot of places that I otherwise probably would never have gone to on my own; the french embassy, the state department, the soccer and baseball games, the opera, the pentagon....
All things considered, I'd definitely recommend university college and this class to any incoming freshmen. I'm really looking forward to the group research projects next semester also. From what I've heard, everyone has really good ideas. It will be exciting for everyone to do a large-scale project on something that actually interests them (rather than representing McDonalds in a global development simulation, or discussing how foreign auto manufacturers are really doing the best for American workers and consumers).
Thanks for putting this last bit. I throughly enjoyed UC world politics, but I must admit I was stuck with positions that were not my personal favorite ie foreign auto makers and mcdonalds. However, I do reccommend this for other freshman next year. I love that we went places that I never would have been able to go to without the group as well. I didn't particularly like salome bu tI can say to people that I have been to the opera :)
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteI just want to quickly say that I (and I’m sure most Letts 6-ers) agree with these same sentiments. What a beautiful ending to World Politics. It has a hint of my Literary Explorations course last year with how the “ending” does not really exist because the world is our textbook (just see how PTJ assigned readings as How Soccer Explains the World, the 2010 National Security Strategy, and Horizons). Also, I will admit that the UC Labs definitely augmented my sightseeing of D.C., as I have commonly referenced such trips when people have asked what I have seen. Oh, the pentagon, the DIA . . . NBD :)
I agree that the research project will be stimulating and interesting. There really is so much talent and so much creativity in our classes. I think it will make us form even more intimate relationships with our group members, as we share in a common task for a whole semester.
Oh, and Holly – this was definitely an experience to stretch ourselves, but we survived this first semester (almost!), and I for one, would not have wanted it any other way.
Thanks for a great semester (and you too, Jesse!)
~ Rachael W.