Week 5 Journal
Thursday→ September 17, 2020
This one’s funny. As we do every Thursday, we took a quiz on the according chapter. This one was about Lysistrata, but here’s where it gets funny. The question was to name 2 other women in the Lysistrata, OTHER THAN LYSISTRATA. I thought to myself, “This is such an easy question let’s go!!!,” but turns out it really was a little too easy (not that I mind that) and too good to be true. So it wasn’t true, I just didn’t happen to see the OTHER THAN LYSISTRATA till after the quiz… funny right (haha).
But let’s talk about what else happened today. We did an activity about finding opportunities for leadership development. In what groups or communities can we show leadership? As a class we came up with the following: In our family (whether that be showing support when a sibling, parent, cousin, etc needs us or showing leadership through guidance), with our friends (listening to them when they need us after a long day), our workplace (taking over a shift for a coworker when they need to reschedule or helping a coworker if they’re struggling on certain aspects of the job), school organization (whether this be president of a club, captain of a team, or just a supporting and engaged member of the given community), extra-curricular activities (from volunteering to working at a local church), online or on social media (using your platform to spread positivity, important news, world issues, etc), in the classroom (helping your classmates with a problem and listening to each other and our ideas, as well as engaging for yourself, your teacher, and your classmates; help create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas), and lastly in any civic or political organizations (speaking up for what you believe is right and helping to ensure a better future for the world).
We also did a small group activity called “Lysistrata Academy.” This school is all about bringing Reconciliation among hostile groups: What would your school need to do to train students to perform the following behaviors well? Consider how (1) Subject matter (what you study), (2) The types of teacher, (3) The kinds of assignments, (4) The methods of grading, and (5) A final project that would ensure that each student learned the given behavior. My group had Question #4→ At this school how would students learn the best approaches to supporting one another and staying focused on their mission? I think we came up with some pretty cool ideas: (1) The students can study leadership qualities, as well as a few things that shouldn’t be said when others come to them for support. Then should know the correct timing to say and not to say certain things, knowing when the time is right. This will build a positive support system between the groups. (2) The academy would need teachers that want to teach and love their jobs. They should have or attempt to have a good connection with their students, being patient and willing to help. A connection between student and teacher allows them each to thrive, as they can rely on each other for added support. (3) The students should have assignments where they read about people that influence them or have the power to do so. They should do the same with people that are known for or have a past of supporting others, those they can learn from. (4) There should be peer grading implemented as a scale from 1–10 based on participation to ensure that everyone is contributing. This will allow every student the chance to voice their thoughts and opinions. Lastly, (5) The students should be assigned a project that involves each of their individual talents. Students will be able to work together to support the talents of others, learning how they can create something using them all. For this project, everyone would receive the same grade. This was, they can motivate each other to do better, because they will all be affected in the end. They should encourage each other and push each other’s talents for them to succeed.
Have I ever had an education that resembles these qualities? Well, I go back to thinking about my public speaking class. My teacher was extremely supportive and loved his job, as well as learning along with the students. Each student had their own unique talent and we were able to compliment each other on it, we were all supportive of each other and wanted to see their best. I feel that I have a couple current classes that also resemble these traits, but one stands out in specific. My english class is a smaller class and I feel that we are all there to feed off of each other and listen to our ideas. There seems to be a good sense of support between us. It’s important to maintain these kinds of relationships throughout our lives. In order to ensure this we can make sure to put ourselves out there for others. We often receive what we give, allowing others to reciprocate the same.
I would just like to take a moment to not only express my sorrow and apologies for the anniversary of the passing of your father, but I would also like to point out that the article you had written regarding the topic was amazing. I had genuinely never thought about this idea that death holds the greatest power over others. Whether you were loved or hated, people gathered in your commemoration. Your commemoration and passing can overcast emotion unto others, no matter how they felt about you. Professor Sandridge, your article was profound and beautiful and I thank you for sharing that with the class. That’s extremely brave and insightful, and I again express my sorrow and apologies for this emotional event.
Monday→ September 21, 2020
Today, I read Philoctetes and jotted down some quotes and my thoughts. The assignment while reading was to “Identify the places and ways in which Philoctetes is both dehumanized and how (or to what extent) he overcomes this dehumanization” (Kallion, Chapter 5). We learned that there are 5 Scenarios that increase our tendency to dehumanize another person or group: (1) When we have power over them, (2) When we have harmed them, (3) When we have witnessed them being harmed, (4) When we regard them as a member of an out-group (“not one of us”), and (5) When we regard them as physically disgusting. We see each of these scenarios present in Philoctetes, but there are a few specific moments that stood out to me. (1) “Then, son, as he tells his artful story, take whatever in his tale is from time to time helpful to you.” (lines 123–134) In this line said by Odysseus to Neoptolemus, Odysseus is not only telling him what to do, but calling him by a name that suggests a lack of power over one, “son.” Along with this, they believe that they have power over Philoctetes, plotting to use him for his bow and his story, not even looking at his humanity. (4) “No, pity one so wretched and so lonely, a castaway, so friendless and so miserable. Speak to me, if indeed you have come as friends.” (lines 219–254) Philoctetes is dehumanizing himself and putting himself in a position of low power by referring to himself as “a castaway, so friendless.” He’s giving those he greets the chance to take power over him, furthering dehumanizing himself.
There are also moments in the story when Philoctetes is denied agency, his ability to carry out a plan, due to the condition of his foot. Others were acting as if it disabled him from carrying out a plan. “How could he go far afield when his foot is maimed by that old plague?” (lines 26–53). In this example, Odysseus automatically assumes that Philoctetes is less skillful and resourceful because of the condition of his foot, which I think we can all agree is an unfair assumption. It’s clear that Philoctetes has been resourceful with finding material to care for his wound, as well as been able to find food for himself in an attempt to care for his general well-being.
The second part of this question was “How (or to what extent) [does Philoctetes] overcome this dehumanization?” Let me tell you what my first thoughts were. Philoctetes didn’t do too great overcoming his dehumanization; He was dehumanizing himself! There were many times when Philoctetes asked others not to judge him for the way he looks or to ignore that he is ugly, denoting unto himself scenario (5) Regarding himself as physically disgusting He didn’t see himself as equal to any visitors, so why would they think otherwise? For this main reason, I believed that Odysseus had easily not overcome his dehumanization, but then we talked about something in class that gave me a whole new perspective. So let me get into Tuesday.
Tuesday→ September 22, 2020
Today we went over Philoctetes and his ability to perform xenia, hospitality, in this case to others. I asked my teacher if he believed whether or not Philoctetes successfully overcame his dehumanization, receiving a quite unexpected answer. He explained how the action of Philoctetes performing xenia to his visitors was a way of humanization. Being able to greet and communicate with others kindly, especially after being on the island of Lemnos for 10 years (!!!), showed that he was human. He was able to look past the mistreatment he received from others and didn’t hesitate to show them hospitality in return. This was a perspective I had never thought of, but it really changed how I felt. I thought that Philoctetes was pitying himself by throwing himself at the visitors and pointing out his, so called, hideous looks (which I still do believe to an extent), but he was just being nice. He wanted to form connections with others, he had been so lonely. This was his attempt and succession of humanizing himself. I just thought that was so different and thought-provoking.
Along with going over a few other points in Philoctetes, we participated on a google doc check-in on our study habits. The doc consisted of a few of the following questions: What are you doing to eliminate distractions? What do you do to stay engaged with the class discussions? What are your best practices for composing your journals? What are your best strategies for preparing for the weekly quizzes? My answer to the first question was to go into a room where I’ll be alone, if I have the chance to. Being in a space that I can dedicate for myself allows me to focus because there are fewer outside distractions, including others that may be in a given area. For the second question I said turning on my camera and taking notes allows me to stay engaged with our discussions. When my camera is on (depending how I feel) it allows me to better listen to what my classmates, as well as teacher, are saying. I feel that I am more engaged because I am visually a part of the class and conversation. Now, what are my best practices for composing the weekly journals? I feel that a very helpful thing to do is jot down a few notes during class on what we discuss. This allows me to keep better track of what we talk about and when, as well as allows me to look back at certain topics when I may not remember my exact thought process on a topic. Lastly, when preparing for a quiz I am sure to look over the key terms for the chapter and review any major plot facts or details. I try to go over any important characters or descriptions, as well. It was nice doing this check-in, because we got to see how other people are doing their work and if any of their skills or techniques could help us out in the future! It’s important to check up on each other, especially in the midst of a pandemic and the restriction on physical socialization and education.
