Farewell Fall 09

Dear 1101 & 1102 Classes:


One of the perks of teaching college is that I have the opportunity to meet new minds and see fresh faces every 4 months. But one of the down sides of teaching college is that it goes by so very quickly.

It has been a hectic semester for you and I both but my hope is that I have equipped you all with the tools that you need in order to continue on with your undergraduate studies and to be strong critical thinkers who are intrigued and enticed to ask question after question after question, because questions lead to research and research leads to solutions and new ideas.

As you have become critical thinkers, you have in turn become stronger writers, and we did a lot of writing. I would like to think that most of you have walked away with a better appreciation for the art of writing and the art of rhetoric. Now that you know the techniques involved in argument, whether it be to persuade, inform or entertain, you now understand the importance of knowing who your audience is, what your purpose is, how to appeal to your audience through the use of logos, ethos and pathos, what kinds of claims can be used, and how not to commit a fallacy.

For this final blog I would like for you to write an entry describing your experience during this semester of ENC 1101 or 1102 as well as your overall experience of the semester with all of your classes. I can recall many of you being enrolled in 5 or more classes, some of you being married or engaged, and some of you working full time jobs while juggling school, just to name a few.

Additionally, I would like for you to write about what you have learned this semester in 1101 or 1102, how you feel as a writer after having taken this course, and what you would recommend that I could do better. Also, write about whether or not the expectations you had of yourself and myself were met or not. Lastly (and most importantly for me) what you wish you would have learned in high school that would have potentially helped your performance and understanding of writing and rhetoric prior to this class.

My final thoughts...if you see me around campus don't be afraid to say hello or think that I would have forgotten you. One of the greatest aspects of teaching college is bumping into a student over the years and witnessing their growth and change. If you ever need to get in touch with me for help or advice or a letter of recommendation, please feel free to ask (but remember that I won't lie, so make sure I'm the right person you want to ask!).

In one way or another you have all touched my life and you will not be forgotten. I wish you all luck with your future endeavors and college experience and that you make the most of it and your potential. (can you tell I'm a mom!? :) )

With love,
Natasha

Child on Child Violence

It seems that every time we turn on the local news channel we are hearing about yet one more case of violence between children or horrible things happening to children at the hands of adults, or children inflicting violence upon vulnerable adults (like the homeless). But I want to turn my attention specifically to child on child violence for this blog and start a discussion about why this appears to happening with more frequency and the level of degree of violent crimes that has risen, that is, the crimes are much more violent.

Recently, we had the case of Michael Brewer, a 15 year old boy who was doused with alcohol and set on fire by 5 other teens (4 15 year olds and one 13 year old) after he failed to pay $40 for a video game to one of the accused. Three of the teenagers face adult charges of 2nd degree attempted murder, a first degree felony.

Brewer was left with burns on over 65% of his body and to this day remains hospitalized and on a ventilator, of course still at risk for infections and organ failure.

Ok, so what are your gut reactions to this situation. Empathy for Brewer? Disgust with the teenagers who committed this torturous act? Are you thinking: those kids deserve life in prison? Better yet: "Heck yeah, send them to adult prison!" (and we all know what goes on there).

So once you get through those first intial, passionate opinions that are based primarily on your values and beliefs, because those of us who are rational beings cannot feel sympathy for someone setting another person on fire, right? The only thing we can think of is that kid, Michael Brewer and how his life is going to be scarred (literally and metaphorically) forever. He will most likely suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and a list of other psychological and physical ailments. SO those 5 kids, they deserve everything they have coming to them.

Right?

Well, those initial, passionate opinions are what are considered the 1st stage of development of an arguer. What are we arguing here? Well, the simple question of justice. Do those 5 teens deserve to be tried and prosecuted as adults?

The problem with having a passionate and opinionated argument about this topic or any other topic is that it doesn't provide reasons or evidence why someone else should have the same opinion, it doesn't allow for growth or evolution, it doesn't allow us to see or hear various perspectives/angles of an issue but most importantly it asserts that there is only one right answer. YES these boys should serve time as adults. They were able to set this kid on fire, that's the least they deserve.

The reality though is that all issues have more than one "right" answer...instead let's call them solutions. So now let's pose the argumentative question differently: Is sending these boys to serve time as adults the RIGHT SOLUTION? By asking the question in this manner we are then forced to look at other variables.

For instance, if prison is supposed to be a system designed for rehabilitating criminals (at least that is what they claim) how could placing minors ( no matter how severe the crime they committed is) with adult criminals, going to rehabilitate them? This question can then lead us to question: But what are negative consequences that could result from placing them with other minors? And this in turn can lead us to question: What product (end result) do we want from placing minors in prison? In other words, do we want them to come out ater time served as educated, productive citizens?

Other questions that seem logical to ask is: What were these kids thinking when they set this kid on fire? Are they that sick in the head? Could they not comprehend the consequences? DId they not care? And if they don't care, how is that possible? What kind of living conditions are they being raised in? Is looking at the crime the only evidence that we should be analyzing in order to come to a conclusion? Or does it not matter? Because, after all, there is a 15 year old laying in Jackson Memorial's Burn unit with over 60% of his body burned, fighting for his life.