Going into Freshman Seminar, I thought I would be enduring a very long and boring course on study techniques and social skills. However, the course turned out to be completely different from what I expected and was not boring at all. As the course went on, I found out more and more that it was more a course on having pride in our cultural heritage and the history of our school than anything else. I usually found the lectures interesting, if occasionally confusing, and I thought the subjects and professors were well-chosen. My favorite was Dr. Gbadesin’s, because it included an anecdote and even a demonstration of African talking drums.
I really enjoyed the trip to the African burial ground, as well. I really felt that it was an important place to visit and I learned a bit about our cultural history there. Going through the sculpture there and leaning about the symbols engraved on it was a memorable experience. It also allowed me to see my sister, which was nice.
Finally, I thought the research project was fairly useful. My group did a question that I found really interesting and had wondered about before. Our question was about why the HIV/AIDS rate in D.C. was so much higher than in other areas, and though we did not find an exact answer, we did come up with some theories and found out about research that is being done and programs that are being instituted to decrease the problem.
Overall, I thought the objectives of Freshman Seminar could have been outlined more clearly from the beginning, because I really didn’t understand them until Dr. Williams’ presentation, but I thought it was a nice course to take and I feel that I learned a lot.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Just Greatness' Presentation on World Hunger by Tashiana Hudson @02652609
Just Greatness decided to divide their presentation according to their separate areas of study. One member, an economics major, informed us that there is a large food supply and the supply does equal the demand. However, the cost of supplying this food is greater than the revenue gained. Many countries don’t supply food, because it costs billions to donate and ship it. She also discussed the idea that the social cost of not shipping the food, the death of many people who could contribute to the world, is much greater than the economic cost of shipping it. This member also interviewed Professor Enrique Lopez lira, who said that we need a method of distribution that is safer and less costly.
Next, a political science major discussed world hunger from a political perspective. She gave a few definitions of hunger and explained that the underlying factors of world hunger are failures in economic and political systems. She interviewed professor of Pan-Africanism Wright Pan, who listed some solutions including creating stable governments in third world countries and creating jobs so laborers can be consumers. The professor also explained that the reasons for instability in third world country have a lot to do with members of first world countries pitting groups against each other to stay in power.
Another group member discussed the issue from a psychological perspective. He discussed hunger being the first rung on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs because it is a physiological need. He said that hunger slows development because of a lack of food and issues with fights for the food that is available. As a temporary solution, he suggested the use of adrenaline, which stops hunger by constricting the intestines.
Next, a nursing major discussed the fact that hunger is the way the body tells us we need to eat. She informed us that organs cannot function without food and nutrients, so the body essentially begins to eat itself. She also said that scientists are looking into nutrients in tablet form and pointed out that seventy-six countries have greater than five percent of their population starving.
Finally, a communications major discussed the fact that the media can help by highlighting the problem, using emotional appeals to get people to donate food and money. Overall, I thought this was an interesting and informative presentation.
Next, a political science major discussed world hunger from a political perspective. She gave a few definitions of hunger and explained that the underlying factors of world hunger are failures in economic and political systems. She interviewed professor of Pan-Africanism Wright Pan, who listed some solutions including creating stable governments in third world countries and creating jobs so laborers can be consumers. The professor also explained that the reasons for instability in third world country have a lot to do with members of first world countries pitting groups against each other to stay in power.
Another group member discussed the issue from a psychological perspective. He discussed hunger being the first rung on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs because it is a physiological need. He said that hunger slows development because of a lack of food and issues with fights for the food that is available. As a temporary solution, he suggested the use of adrenaline, which stops hunger by constricting the intestines.
Next, a nursing major discussed the fact that hunger is the way the body tells us we need to eat. She informed us that organs cannot function without food and nutrients, so the body essentially begins to eat itself. She also said that scientists are looking into nutrients in tablet form and pointed out that seventy-six countries have greater than five percent of their population starving.
Finally, a communications major discussed the fact that the media can help by highlighting the problem, using emotional appeals to get people to donate food and money. Overall, I thought this was an interesting and informative presentation.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Final self-reflection, by: Melissa Moise @02644455
My viewpoint of freshman seminar was a class focusing mainly on study skills and how to survive college. I thought the class would give us advice on study habits that would be useful for the rest of college. I didn’t think that we were going to have different guest speakers every week or even go to a field trip all the way in New York.
After the second class I thought to myself why must we also have to take an African studies class, because I felt like freshman seminar was an African studies class. Most of our discussions were about our ancestors and how everything traces back to Africa. At first it was frustrating because it felt like that’s all we ever talked about, Africa. I soon realized I was learning a lot, and if I never had this class I probably would not have gone to the African Burial Ground. One of my favorite presentations was The Eloquence of the Scribes because I learned so much about Howard University’s history like how Inabel Burns Lindsay was the first female academic dean in Washington, D.C. Even though I should have researched Howard’s history on my own it made me proud to know that I attend a school that had so many ambitious leaders and it motivates me to do the same. One of the most valuable things I learned was I was put on earth to answer someone else’s prayer and that I do have a purpose.
Overall freshman seminar has been a great experience because I learned to work with others and research on my own and I also learned to meet deadlines for my blogs. If I could change one thing it would be to have the research and methodology presentation in the beginning because it completely explained what freshman seminar was and the goals for the course; it also explained what was needed for the project and it cleared a lot of confusion that I had.
After the second class I thought to myself why must we also have to take an African studies class, because I felt like freshman seminar was an African studies class. Most of our discussions were about our ancestors and how everything traces back to Africa. At first it was frustrating because it felt like that’s all we ever talked about, Africa. I soon realized I was learning a lot, and if I never had this class I probably would not have gone to the African Burial Ground. One of my favorite presentations was The Eloquence of the Scribes because I learned so much about Howard University’s history like how Inabel Burns Lindsay was the first female academic dean in Washington, D.C. Even though I should have researched Howard’s history on my own it made me proud to know that I attend a school that had so many ambitious leaders and it motivates me to do the same. One of the most valuable things I learned was I was put on earth to answer someone else’s prayer and that I do have a purpose.
Overall freshman seminar has been a great experience because I learned to work with others and research on my own and I also learned to meet deadlines for my blogs. If I could change one thing it would be to have the research and methodology presentation in the beginning because it completely explained what freshman seminar was and the goals for the course; it also explained what was needed for the project and it cleared a lot of confusion that I had.
Peer Presentation 2 on Dreamers and Believers, by: Melissa Moise @02644455
Dreamers and believers presentation was on HIV/AIDS and how is awareness being promoted today. Even though a few other groups discussed the topic of HIV including my group I think it is important that society is educated about it. They began their presentation with saying “HIV has no face” most people are uneducated about HIV and say it can’t happen to them or only gay men get it, but this is not the case anymore. In fact HIV cases are higher in heterosexual couples most likely because they believe it only happens to gay couples; so they do not protect themselves. Dreamers and believers first discussed the history of HIV before discussing ways awareness is being promoted. The first outbreak of HIV in New York was July 1981 and a year later scientist discovered that HIV caused AIDS. Most people believe that AIDS causes death but this is not true. When the HIV virus invades your body it commands your system to stop making cd4 cells which fight off viruses and infections, so you really die from things your immune system can’t fight off like the flu. In 1984 the first treatment was experimented on chimpanzees.
There are many ways that HIV awareness is being promoted; first there has been an increase in free HIV testing. It is offered in many places like school health centers, public clinics, and even in buses that come to you. Another way of promotion that has been popular for some years is giving out condoms whether it is at school or the clinic. A new way that HIV awareness is being promoted is through the fashion industry. The industry has came up with a few tactics like making clothing specifically to bring awareness, and even having models educate younger ones about safe sex.
I think Dreamers and believers did a great job explaining the different ways to bring awareness to HIV, and they all spoke about the topic passionately and even gave some places to get tested. I think that if the free testing continues and education about HIV increases in schools then there will be a decrease in the number of HIV victims.
There are many ways that HIV awareness is being promoted; first there has been an increase in free HIV testing. It is offered in many places like school health centers, public clinics, and even in buses that come to you. Another way of promotion that has been popular for some years is giving out condoms whether it is at school or the clinic. A new way that HIV awareness is being promoted is through the fashion industry. The industry has came up with a few tactics like making clothing specifically to bring awareness, and even having models educate younger ones about safe sex.
I think Dreamers and believers did a great job explaining the different ways to bring awareness to HIV, and they all spoke about the topic passionately and even gave some places to get tested. I think that if the free testing continues and education about HIV increases in schools then there will be a decrease in the number of HIV victims.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Final Self-reflection By: Melat Gebre @02640216
My first perceptions about what freshman seminar would consist were not accurate. I thought the class would just be an overview of how Howard University functions. I did not expect to have guest lecturers nor did I expect a group project. My favorite part of the class was the guest lecturers and my least favorite would have to be the blog entries. Although I do not like the blog entries, I do understand that they are necessary in order for the instructors to confirm that we are learning from these lectures. The group project taught me how to work with others in a more effective way. It also served as a way to practice my public speaking skills, because we had to present in front of an audience of students and faculty. I do not enjoy public speaking so this class forced me to get out of my comfort zone. My favorite lecture of freshman seminar would have to be Dr. Gbadegesin’s lecture. I thoroughly enjoyed his story about the importance of character. I was also able to relate with him, because I am also Africa and was born in Africa. In conclusion, I do feel that freshman seminar is an important class that needs to be kept. I learned a lot from the lectures and I also learned a lot about the history of Howard that I did not know about. One suggestion I do have is that I felt like there was an organizational problem with this class. Many times things would not start on time and many people were confused on where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing. Overall, I did enjoy freshman seminar and I did learn a lot of new things.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Chosen One's Presentation on Representations of Black Women in the Media by Tashiana Hudson @02652609
I watched The Chosen One’s presentation on representations of lack women in the media. First, the group discussed, the “mammy” stereotype, typically very maternal and not very intelligent, devoting her life to the care of white children. They gave an example of a “mammy” type in a character in the classic movie “Gone with the Wind”, contrasting it with the modern day show “Hawthorne”, in which a black woman is caring, yet intelligent and powerful. They also discussed the sexualized stereotype of the black woman and its modern representation, the video vixen.
One group member discussed the representations of black women in health in the modern day. She mentioned the National Black Nurses Association, which was founded in 1971 and Nurse’s Day, an annual event when nurses storm Capitol Hill to draw attention to health issues. Another group member discussed representations of black women in literature, citing Maya Angelou’s work and Queen Latifah’s UNITY project.
Next, a group member discussed an interview she conducted with a Psychology professor, who stated that media has a profound effect on people’s perceptions of black women. The professor also asserted that advertisements make black women feel inferior, and the only way to contrast this is to insert good representations of black women into everyday media, such as sitcoms and commercials.
They also interviewed friends, who asserted that the media only shows black women in two extremes: the damsel in distress or the overly independent role. When asked about physical representations of black women in the media, they explained that the women were usually of medium tone or lighter skin with long hair and hourglass figures. They thought that the media makes girls feel that if they do not fit this stereotype, they are not beautiful, and that the media should display more positive messages.
Another group member discussed representations of black people in fashion and society, discussing the fact that black people are usually depicted as criminals, athletes, or sidekicks. She also explained that Essence magazine just hired their fist white editor, and there was some backlash, because many felt that a white person could not understand African-American beauty issues.
Lastly, a group member interviewed Karen Roberts, who explained that black women in the media are usually displayed in extremes; they are either overly emotional or stoic and sluts or saints. Also, they usually have light skin and long hair and display promiscuous behavior. She said that there id definitely a need for a real representation of black women in the media.
I enjoyed The Chosen One’s presentation. I thought it was well thought out, thorough, easy to follow, and assimilated all of their concentrations well.
One group member discussed the representations of black women in health in the modern day. She mentioned the National Black Nurses Association, which was founded in 1971 and Nurse’s Day, an annual event when nurses storm Capitol Hill to draw attention to health issues. Another group member discussed representations of black women in literature, citing Maya Angelou’s work and Queen Latifah’s UNITY project.
Next, a group member discussed an interview she conducted with a Psychology professor, who stated that media has a profound effect on people’s perceptions of black women. The professor also asserted that advertisements make black women feel inferior, and the only way to contrast this is to insert good representations of black women into everyday media, such as sitcoms and commercials.
They also interviewed friends, who asserted that the media only shows black women in two extremes: the damsel in distress or the overly independent role. When asked about physical representations of black women in the media, they explained that the women were usually of medium tone or lighter skin with long hair and hourglass figures. They thought that the media makes girls feel that if they do not fit this stereotype, they are not beautiful, and that the media should display more positive messages.
Another group member discussed representations of black people in fashion and society, discussing the fact that black people are usually depicted as criminals, athletes, or sidekicks. She also explained that Essence magazine just hired their fist white editor, and there was some backlash, because many felt that a white person could not understand African-American beauty issues.
Lastly, a group member interviewed Karen Roberts, who explained that black women in the media are usually displayed in extremes; they are either overly emotional or stoic and sluts or saints. Also, they usually have light skin and long hair and display promiscuous behavior. She said that there id definitely a need for a real representation of black women in the media.
I enjoyed The Chosen One’s presentation. I thought it was well thought out, thorough, easy to follow, and assimilated all of their concentrations well.
Interview with Dr. Barpha S. Mitra by Tashiana Hudson @02652609
I arrived in class the day of our interview confused as to which room I was supposed to be in and where our advisors were. When my confusion was finally cleared up and our advisors arrived, we were given the date of our presentation and handed in our revised research question before going to interview professors. Melat Gebre and Melissa Moise went to find a Biology professor to interview, while Sarah Tosi and I went in search of a Sociology professor. Naturally, we started in Locke, going to the writing center to be redirected. The staff in the writing center had no idea who the Sociology professors were or where we could find them. They told us they would e-mail us more information, but they never did.
Meanwhile, Melat and Melissa interviewed Dr. Barpha S. Mitra and shared their interview with us later. When asked about the high AIDS rate in D.C. Dr. Mitra reportedly stated that AIDS, like any other STD spreads very quickly through metropolitan areas. Dr. Mitra also discussed the idea that finding reasons why AIDS is so prevalent in D.C. is difficult because there are always so many uncontrolled variables, and the high AIDS rate may have something to do with genetics, but this has yet to be proven. Dr. Mitra pointed to the fact that this generation of D.C. residents has a lot of people who are closely linked to Africa, where the AIDS problem is greatest. Also, Dr. Mitra reminded Melat and Melissa that an individual’s lifestyle can increase their chance of contracting AIDS.
Meanwhile, Melat and Melissa interviewed Dr. Barpha S. Mitra and shared their interview with us later. When asked about the high AIDS rate in D.C. Dr. Mitra reportedly stated that AIDS, like any other STD spreads very quickly through metropolitan areas. Dr. Mitra also discussed the idea that finding reasons why AIDS is so prevalent in D.C. is difficult because there are always so many uncontrolled variables, and the high AIDS rate may have something to do with genetics, but this has yet to be proven. Dr. Mitra pointed to the fact that this generation of D.C. residents has a lot of people who are closely linked to Africa, where the AIDS problem is greatest. Also, Dr. Mitra reminded Melat and Melissa that an individual’s lifestyle can increase their chance of contracting AIDS.
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