BLOG 1

[frla]

First off, welcome to Professor Molinari and my fellow students from City College's  English 1A - College Reading and Composition course. So far I am loving the class, and was very glad to find an E1A I could fit into my schedule. So thanks Prof. Molinari for that.

As to who I am and as a word of introduction and forewarning: this Diary contains

Comments

[anonymous]

Testing blog postings!

Blog 1

[ext_223467]

First of al, l I have to say I agree with your assessment of MR. Rodriguez's motivation. He was definitely filled with a burning desire to succeed beyond where anyone in his family even hoped to imagine, but I happen to disagree with your critique of the Re-Reading America text book. I think it is assuming that the students reading it are not as astute, worldly, knowledgeable, or as experienced as thou, therefore most students expected to be reading this book are "young, fairly ignorant, fresh out of school, and filled with deeply rooted stereotypes". Speaking as a person that is a daily recipient of these "deeply rooted stereotypes, I can assure you, not everyone gets it. That said, I am glad you do and just hope you have the patience towards others that don't.
Thanks, Rico.

Re: Blog 1

[frla]

I'd have to say that without a doubt a surfiet of patience isn't one of my positive attributes. I have little tolerance for stupid on a personal interactive level

Blog 1

[ext_223467]

First of al, l I have to say I agree with your assessment of MR. Rodriguez's motivation. He was definitely filled with a burning desire to succeed beyond where anyone in his family even hoped to imagine, but I happen to disagree with your critique of the Re-Reading America text book. I think it is assuming that the students reading it are not as astute, worldly, knowledgeable, or as experienced as thou, therefore most students expected to be reading this book are "young, fairly ignorant, fresh out of school, and filled with deeply rooted stereotypes". Speaking as a person that is a daily recipient of these "deeply rooted stereotypes". I can assure you, not everyone gets it. That said, I am glad you do and just hope you have the patience towards others that don't.
Thanks, Rico.

[ext_223883]

As a fellow reentry student, I can relate to the years of spinning. It's amazing to me how many of us wind up in similar situations of either not pursuing a higher education or wandering aimlessly through the halls of academia with few goals. I wonder if Rodriguez knew where his study would take him or if he was simply escaping his past with constant study. Offering some encouragement, your goals to "stretch your faculties" and improve your performance/producing skills are more than enough to keep you on track. Goals can be adjusted as needed, the important part of your story is that you've started down the road.
It seems we may all be driven by that need to change - or to be changed by the experience.

(do not count as comment)

[anonymous]

Thanks for sharing your personal experience and critique on the book. I haven't read the intro essays myself, but I think I know how you mean. Your observation that the book is geared toward the recent high school grad is right on. You, Rico and myself are not fresh out of high-school, of course... I don't know about others, but I sometimes find myself sitting in class feeling envy or sometimes contempt for our younger counterparts. However, this is purely projection on my part, so I think.

As I stated in another comment, certain things, like intuition are not learned in the classroom, but from life experience. I am 29, by the way. Thanks again for your thoughtful post.

peace,

Teri