Class Evaluation

1. Class Discussion/ Facilitation/ Conversation

· I thought class discussion was very thought provocative. It was great to see each other’s opinions emerge and take shape around different discussion topics.

· One of things I did not like about to discussion was the long awkward pauses which were quite common in our class, but I came to see that they were necessary as we as a class were just in deep thought.

· I thought as a class during our discussion we did a great job on respecting each other’s opinions and building off the shared knowledge in the class.

· It was great that as class there was no immediate pressure to force a discussion to fill the silence which too often happens.

· The informal format also I believe took a lot pressure off our class as a whole, our discussions were able to have a natural flow.

2. Video Conferencing

· This was a great experience being able to use this medium which is becoming a common format in both the personal and business fronts.

· It was weird to be able to see myself talking on camera, a little imitating but nothing that after doing it a few times couldn’t fix.

· I would have liked to have video conferenced more but understandably there were difficult dynamics and circumstances to work around.

· It was amazing to see how this medium could truly bring people together from different locations and allow them to instantly react to the conversation in class.

· I also liked this style because we were able to see the raw emotion, something blogging or email can not necessarily evoke in the same manner.

3. Readings and the topics

· The readings I felt correlated with the material and accented it in a unique way.

· It was great that we were given an array of readings from short stories, Karen Armstrong, case studies, statics, and poetry.

· Karen Armstrong’s book though honestly had a large impact on my opinions and changed my personal perspective on a lot of issues. I thought this was a brilliant and thought provoking book and it facilitated great discussion coupled with other readings.

· I also appreciated the compare and contrast that was also facilitated through the readings we were able to go places and see different personal perspectives on Jerusalem.

· Honestly there was a lot of reading which did stunt some my ability to react to other classmate’s blogs.

· I think the breadth of the reading material could be cut a little but I do think that there are key pieces that I feel that without them they would change the dynamics of the class. This would hinder the growth of the class in my opinion.

4. Lecturers and Speakers

· I think the lecturers and the speakers bought a lot to the class they were definitely thought provokers.

· They brought the material to life something that was also true with the video conferencing.

· It was great to see each of their different perspectives and grow from their knowledge and understandings

· We were also able to see the raw passion which is something that I truly did see when interacting with some of them.

· I believe that they were an intricate part of the class and offered both an academic and slightly personal perspective on the situation in Jerusalem.

5. Blogging

A. Class Blog

· I thought this was a wonderful way of expression and one the dynamics of the class that drew me to this particular class.

· This was a lot better than just writing personal responses and allowed us to share our thoughts with the class in a sort of non-threatening manner.

· I think that this is something that should be integrated in most classes as it gives the students a voice allowing a unique growth and thought processes.

B. Individual Blog

· In my individual blog I liked that it was open for others to comment and I felt that I could really put my own opinion out in this environment.

· I would have liked to try to the video more, but it is so easy to ramble and it takes practice to be concise and not digress.

· I do think that would add to the class, but I know that this is not something that maybe all students could do. Though it would be a nice accent to an already tech savvy class it would be great to put that forth and do video blogging.

C. Individual Responses and Comments to other people’s blogs

· Unfortunately and admittedly I feel like this was lacking in the class and was mostly hindered by the extensive reading and responses that were due.

· I think that maybe making it mandatory while also rescinding some of the reading may help facilitate this part of the class. I feel as a class and personally that I was unable to respond to everyone’s blog and create that dialog which would have added to the class.

6. Syllabus and its clarity

· I felt that the syllabus was very clear and concise, even with some things shifting; I always knew when things were due.

· It was also very helpful in formulating my blogs because it gave thought provoking questions that helped to expand on my blogging entries.

7. Final Project

A. Own Project

· I enjoyed the project I got to learn a lot about myself, the people in my life and the city.

· I like the creative freedom that was given for the project which enabled me to explore a subject matter that really intrigued me.

· It was great to be able to use Amy and our classmates to bounce ideas off and hone in on what would be a great project.

· This was truly a great experience and allowed me to work with different mediums to create a unique project.

B. Learning from other people’s projects

· I thought the freedom that the class had to put together the project was great it truly allowed for everyone’s creative force to come out. This allowed each of us to learn something and take something away from each person’s projects, in my opinion.

· Everyone’s projects bought out a different aspect of the city and its people.

· I think if constrained to a particular topic that would have stifled not only the creative nature but also the different lessons and perspectives of the classes’ projects.

· I think it was great that a painting was integrated into the projects something that was not only creative but also allowed us as a class to gain different outlook on the city and its residents. That was honestly and profound and unique approach which could have only been fostered by the openness of the project guidelines.

8. Personal Reflection

· I have truly learned the complexities in religion and how it is almost directly in bed with politics this is an aspect of religion that is rarely ever talked about.

· This class has honestly challenged my understanding of faith and the three monotheistic religions. I look at them a lot differently taking a more crucial look at their influence in the world and especially politics.

· Initially I came in the class with the opinion that Israel was right and that terrorism should be stifled by any means necessary but I had never really known the Palestinian side. I do not condone any form of terrorism but I must say I do understand their struggle and there are so many parallels with the African apartheid, it’s amazing that the international community has not taken a stand on this. The video about the rapper and then seeing the video project of a former student definitely played a role in re-shaping my personal opinions coupled with the readings.

· I have a true appreciation for the human condition now and just seeing how the truth of religion is sometimes lost on human desires for power. It was interesting to see that religion, while it brings people together, it can also be an exclusionary entity causing friction, division, and hate. These are things that are unfounded in the core of religion but are often presented with the human condition.

· I am interested in learning more and will probably continue to find reading material that is objective. This class was great class and I had great time with it.