Final Post

As I sit down to write my last blog of the semester I thought it would be a good idea to reflect on the semester.  When I first signed up for the class I had no idea to expect.  I had heard that the class was fun and the teacher had a very interesting way of teaching so I decided to sign up.  I am so glad that I did.  After the first few classes I knew this was not going to be like any of my other classes, especially the tax class I have directly before this one.  Dr. Williams’ way of teaching was so much different from all of my other professors.  I am not sure if it is because my other classes are all business classes, where order and “going by the syllabus” reign supreme or if it was truly just because Dr. Williams had such a unique way of teaching.  Either way Lit and Civ II was a pleasure to look forward to each week. 

With the stress of my other classes and tests, papers, and group projects fighting for my attention, this class never seemed overwhelming.  I was never stressed over an assignment or worried about a due date.  The majority of the essays and papers were all self assessment papers that allowed for me to reflect on what I was learning.  I think that these papers allowed me to take a step back from my studies and evaluate how I learn rather than what I learn.  I think it is important to understand this about one’s self because it will make learning in the future so much easier.  Lit and Civ II has been the only class, while at TCU, that has had me take a step back and reflect on my learning.  Most of the time I feel pressured to stay up late into the night memorizing formulas, rules, exceptions to the rules, and other intricacies about a class that honestly don’t still with me.  The majority of the time I learn the rules, formulas, etc… for one test and forget them soon after.  I think that the way Dr. Williams is able to make it seem like knowing the information, although important, is not the main goal of learning, allowed me to focus more of learning in a more successful fashion.  Instead of just “cramming” and studying facts, instead I would try and apply situations to the things I was learning.  This application learning was also a large part of Dr. Williams class through excursions and “active learning.”  The canoe trip for example was not only a blast but also taught us about the water crisis close to home.  Seeing the lesser traveled parts of the trinity allowed me to realize how dirty it actually is.  In addition, the in class discussions were very interesting.  Although I did not engage verbally I was always listening an staying engaged.  I think that this is a unique part of his class.  In the majority of my classes I find it hard to follow the teacher because they often use PowerPoint slides and do not engage the class.   In Lit and Civ II, however, I never felt “bored” and was always listening during the discussions.  This class was also great about forcing us to leave our comfort zones and learn in new environments.  The speaking partners are a great example of this.  I think that it is safe to say that without this class I would have no idea who Ricky Leung is and what he wants to do in life.  Not only have I made a great friend because of this class, I have also learned about a culture that was completely foreign to me.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this class.  I think that the way it is taught is the way the majority of classes should be taught.  Keeping an “open” syllabus and not focusing as much on structure allowed the class to guide itself through the semester.  If we found something that wasn’t on the syllabus but interested us and provided academic benefit we did not have to be afraid of seeking it out.  I think that this was the most beneficial part of the whole class.  The way that Dr. Williams let the class guide itself provided for learning opportunities that would not have been present if this had not been done.  This was my favorite class all semester and I will be sad when Monday and Wednesday come around and I am not trying to gain the attention of Dr. Williams’ dog.