1.
Well, I really liked the idea of everyone swapping off picking articles for the rest of the group to read and then lead a discussion over it during the next meeting. I just think the idea sounds manageable as well as thoroughly Paideia-esque, finally give me a good look into my classmates’ interests and majors and how what they’re studying is most important and meaningful to them. Then, I suppose, from that discussion we could sort of lead ourselves into those bigger-picture discussions of how the article/info could be applicable/important/relevant to our own individual studies and majors – ex. How something from Steven’s science major could fit in with my American studies major, etc. That just sounds deliciously exciting to me considering that my favorite part of my classes is how they all fit and converse with each other. When we cover a term two different ways in two different classes (or more!), I swear I just get the happy-jitters like the world suddenly turned into a scoop of ice cream on the universe waffle cone. When I’m able to see how one idea can flow into another seemingly unrelated one, that’s when I remember that what I’m doing as an individual is worth something to the rest of the world as a whole.
2.
As far as civic engagement is concerned, no, I haven’t started any on my own so far this semester A) I’ve become busy already with schoolwork B) it, sadly, hadn’t even occurred to me to start thinking about that yet, and C) I’m generally too self-involved with my work to think too broadly on what else I should be doing as far as Betterment is concerned – a depressing and embarrassing truth, but a truth nonetheless. Now, any civic engagement we do decide to do, I’d prefer to do in some sort of group just because it gives me that extra umf! to get it done and get it done well. As far as what civic engagement I think we should do… well, I really enjoyed working with the Boys and Girls’ Club last year, but I suppose we could do a fundraiser or something for some other organization or get involved with another group’s project – I know a friend of mine has started up a young after-school program for some kids at the local elementary school and that she could always use helping hands with that if anyone was interested.
Working with children is not my forte or even really my preference but I’m at a sad loss of ideas when it comes to thinking up a service project that could plug in with one of my majors. I mean, in my intercultural project for this summer I’m going to be doing community service work at an Indian reservation in South Dakota, and in many obvious ways that will help me with my American Studies major (especially since my capstone will cover much of that experience, I’m sure) and with my Paideia experience insofar as it thoroughly exposes me to a culture completely alien to my own (sadly, ironically enough). But I just don’t know, ultimately, what would be the best course of action here for us as a group this semester.
3.
I’d like my Paideia creative works project to be my capstone project for my American Studies major since that capstone will be completely of my choosing – basically just an Independent Study resulting in a 30+ page paper (and a presentation at the Student Works Symposium, most likely). Right now the idea I’m most in love with is focusing around Native American Mythology in Modern American Literature. I still need to do some bushwhack narrowing down of that topic but I’m about 303% confident that’s what my project will be over. I think it’ll be perfect really, because it brings both of my majors into play, allows me to begin working on it now (though I’ll probably officially begin-finish it by the end of senior year), gets me generally freakishly jacked up excited every time I start thinking about it, and will force me to continue to delve into new cultures and Paideia-esque planes. I guess I’ll refer mostly to Dr. Bednar on the project since he’s the head of the American Studies department as well as my advisor but I expect I’ll consult multiple professors on my work. – For now though, my biggest job is just to breathe in as much research material as possible and hone in on the sweetness from there.
4.
Intercultural Experience! – I’m meeting with Ms. Mennicke once again this semester to iron out any left over wrinkles, but it’s been pretty much hashed out that I’m going to be spending this upcoming summer in South Dakota on an Indian reservation (the Lakota Indians). I’ll live with a Native American family, attend classes at their university, do community service projects with them, and present a this-is-what-I-learned at the end of it all --- sounds delicious, no? I get pumped up just thinkin’ about it! :D
It ties, obviously, in with my American Studies major, but will also help with my English major since I hope to learn and get a-hold of more of their literatures while I’m there, and maybe even take a few of their English classes. I should be getting like 12-15 credit hours for my stay there since it’ll be the entire summer and not just 3-6 weeks. But like I said, I’m meeting with the Mennicke Wonderlady again soon to figure out all the little nit-pickies of the coolness.
peace out pour ahora, muchachos
