Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Things You Learn From Uncle Kunkle
With having been in College Lit for a couple of weeks now and becoming exposed to new ideas and concepts, I realize that this is not your typical English course. I like how this course requires it's students to become more than just a reader that can respond with shallow yes or no questions to a story. No, College Lit is a lot more in depth than that. For example, when our class was reviewing Bartleby the Scrivener I was shocked to hear uncle Kunkle's analysis of the story. When he talked about how a major theme of the story dealt with becoming secluded and "putting up walls" around those in our society, it gave me a whole new perspective on how you can not only read a story for it's entertainment value but for a much more abstract/ moral backing to it as well which is a great skill that i wish to pick up from this class.
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I fully agree: College Lit. is a very analytical and discussion heavy course which is amazing--perfect for completely understanding the text we are digesting. The discussions are very mature and conversation like (with no vociferating) and allows for multible view points to be expressed--ultimately unlocking hidden messages and in depth details! In the end, Uncle Kunkle really is just teaching us how to read.
ReplyDeleteI also agree. College Lit. teaches us how to actually understand while we read. I think that it is truely preparing us for the next level of reading. This class really expresses the importance of trying to interpret what we read. I also like how the conversation is so in depth. We are being taught an important skill that will indubitably be used during college.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think this class makes you realize how much an author puts in to his or her work. They don't just tell a story; they have a reason and meaning behind everything that they write. Meeting with Professor Zimmerman and talking about expectations at the college level showed how much these skills will be needed to succeed in English courses in college. This class could definitely help us prepare for the classes we'll be taking after high school.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone as well. I thought Professor Zimmerman's lecture of Slumdog Millionaire was really good. I had watched the movie but I never thought really in depth about it like he did. I think in our college years this skill of critical thinking will be a necessity.
ReplyDeleteShockingly, I also agree. I had the same feeling with the college lecture that we went to. I would never otherwise had thought so deeply about such a short story or a two hour movie. Do the writers also think of this all so deeply? I think that it is going to open my eyes to a new way of looking at things forever.
ReplyDeleteI also like the class discussions about the stories and such, because it definitely helps to add everyone's thoughts to the mix.
This is a great blog that I fully agree with! In College Lit. you don't just read stories, you analyze in detail of what happened. We have had some great discussions about short stories already. I think that it is amazing on how much detail we can discover in such a short story. Example: The walls in "Bartlbey the Scrivener
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the art of communicating one's ideas is exercised daily in class. Uncle Kunkle has definitely set the tone on how literature can speak volumes to different individuals. The thing I like most about this class is Kunkle’s great enthusiasm and how everyone gets involved. It definitely is a great skill to be able to analyze literature on a deeper level like you have so eloquently stated. Sweet.
ReplyDeleteAhh I completely agree. All of Kunkle's classes have taught me how to read with such a closer eye, and I think that's really going to help us in college. But at times I've thought the same thing Kaylee did: "Do these authors intend such symbolism and deeper meaning?" Maybe we're just thinking too far into things..
ReplyDeleteUncle Kunkle is great at taking another perspective. I like how he tries to show more than one way of looking at something.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that maybe we look a bit too far into some things. Maybe some of the things people find in writing wasn't intentional. Maybe it just happened that way.