At the end of class today we came up with some main points in de Tocqueville's book. I'm glad we did, because I tend to get lost in all of the detail. I've been working on reading a few pages or a section, then summarizing the ideas in my own words in my notebook. Works for me, and here's what I have so far:
Universal sovereignty is important because it determines who has power and influence and who doesn't. It means that the majority is made up of average people instead of bureaucrats and the elite.
The United States is incredibly civil in that protesting and discussing issues is much more common than fighting or going to extreme measures to get one's point across.
Every individual knows what is best for them, and a democracy is a way to get one's voice heard so government can help them take care of themselves.
Democracy goes beyond a system of government; it is one's engagement in the community, a sense of freedom and independence for both individuals and society at large.
These are just broad statements, but it helps to generalize at first to get my head around these ideas.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Voluntary Association at the Northfield Middle School
In class we brought up many different kinds of voluntary associations, from Boy Scouts to the Temperance Movement. We are all a part of voluntary associations, though each work a little bit differently. For example, I work at Northfield Middle School and we have a set system for how we work.
Two Ole alumni, Claire and Jen, are in charge. All of us tutors get directions, assistance, and information from them and use it to help tutor and manage the students. We are always making sure everyone's getting along and doing what they're supposed to be doing. The students, then, have an hour to study and ah hour to just hang out and participate in any of the day's planned activities like baking, sports, or crafts.
As much as we would love for the Middle School Youth Center to be a democracy, that just isn't a possibility. Although some middle schoolers are pretty mature and always kind to everyone, they haven't all gotten there yet. Then again, part of being a young teenager is to enjoy being young, to obsess about Justin Beiber, and to figure out who you are. We have to have rules, but more importantly we have to enforce them even if it makes us look "mean" or "crabby" to the students. What we can do is to make everyone feel safe, accepted, and understood. Listening to students excitements, stresses, and hopes is so amazing because it means they trust me even though I am an authority figure.
Sometimes democracy sounds good on paper but can't be applied to every aspect of life, but that's OK. Our government is our way to create "the change we want to see in the world".
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Freud and Tocqueville
So since I've just started taking Psych I am starting to connect different ideas from class to my other classes. In "Democracy in America" Tocqueville talks about the importance of origins for both people and nations. He says to, "...observe the earliest conflicts [one] endures; only then will you understand the source of the prejudices, habits, and passions that will come to rule his life" (43). Our past and circumstances will, "...contribute to [our] development, influenc[ing] everything for the rest of [our] lives" (43).
Sigmund Freud would agree. As a medical doctor, he studied how people's physical problems could have psychological origins. They could be solved through insight and talking them through. You could detect parts of someone's unconscious mind by observing unconscious determinants like dreams and "slips of the tongue". Freud saw childhood experiences as crucial to understanding how one thinks, perceives, feels, and behaves as an adult. While Freud's methods were not that scientific and has some biases, his work helped to advance psychology.
I'm loving psych, especially since I can actually apply what I'm learning to lots of different things.
Sigmund Freud would agree. As a medical doctor, he studied how people's physical problems could have psychological origins. They could be solved through insight and talking them through. You could detect parts of someone's unconscious mind by observing unconscious determinants like dreams and "slips of the tongue". Freud saw childhood experiences as crucial to understanding how one thinks, perceives, feels, and behaves as an adult. While Freud's methods were not that scientific and has some biases, his work helped to advance psychology.
I'm loving psych, especially since I can actually apply what I'm learning to lots of different things.
Monday, February 21, 2011
"How to Write a Sentence", Defining Democracy, and Practice Writing Sentences
Since AmCon takes the place of a writing class, I knew we would be working on our writing skills quite a bit. Since I really like details and find it easier to understand them than big, overarching concepts, I found this article really helpful. There are many things I can do to improve my writing. Instead of just editing and rearranging at the end of a writing assignment, I can read it out loud. This forces me to slow down, hear how it sounds and if it flows right, and see if it makes sense. The article has two tips I will try to incorporate into my writing:
One tip is to, "...make sure that every component of your sentences is related to the other components in a way that is clear and unambiguous (unless ambiguity is what you are aiming at)" (Fish 20). Writing ambiguously is a real skill, since it requires you to understand the topic at a deep level and leave the reader to interpret the meaning of your reflections about that topic. For now I will stick to just writing clearly and making sure all of the pieces fit together, like pieces in a puzzle.
Another, similar tip is to go beyond the grammatical structure and clarity and look at the content and ideas. Ask questions like, "'What does it go with' or 'What does it support?' or 'What information does it give about some other part?'" (Fish 21). Too often I focus on the grammar and the "Does this sentence make sense?" aspects of writing. This is kind of putting the cart before the horse, since your ideas need to be thought-out and developed before you try to make them sound eloquent.
This whole year we've talked about democracy. A lot. It is still hard to define because even though we want to make a clean, manageable definition, there are always other ideas, contradictions, and exceptions that pop up. Here's my shot at trying to define democracy:
A democracy is a political system in which the people are represented, involved in decision-making, and free to act without fear of unjust consequences.
Then again there is the question of what is justice and what constitutes a just consequence, but that might be another blog post.
Lastly, here's my cheesy version of a sentence rewritten from Jim Cullen's "The American Dream". His sentence goes, "[Andrew Jackson's] 1829 inauguration, with its mob of cheese-eating, beer-drinking country bumpkins trampling the White House carpet, chilled the old order" (69). Here is my sentence:
"St. Olaf's spring semester, with its horde of Marshmallow Matey's-eating, tea-drinking college students crowding the Cage, brought new energy and students returning from study abroad."
One tip is to, "...make sure that every component of your sentences is related to the other components in a way that is clear and unambiguous (unless ambiguity is what you are aiming at)" (Fish 20). Writing ambiguously is a real skill, since it requires you to understand the topic at a deep level and leave the reader to interpret the meaning of your reflections about that topic. For now I will stick to just writing clearly and making sure all of the pieces fit together, like pieces in a puzzle.
Another, similar tip is to go beyond the grammatical structure and clarity and look at the content and ideas. Ask questions like, "'What does it go with' or 'What does it support?' or 'What information does it give about some other part?'" (Fish 21). Too often I focus on the grammar and the "Does this sentence make sense?" aspects of writing. This is kind of putting the cart before the horse, since your ideas need to be thought-out and developed before you try to make them sound eloquent.
This whole year we've talked about democracy. A lot. It is still hard to define because even though we want to make a clean, manageable definition, there are always other ideas, contradictions, and exceptions that pop up. Here's my shot at trying to define democracy:
A democracy is a political system in which the people are represented, involved in decision-making, and free to act without fear of unjust consequences.
Then again there is the question of what is justice and what constitutes a just consequence, but that might be another blog post.
Lastly, here's my cheesy version of a sentence rewritten from Jim Cullen's "The American Dream". His sentence goes, "[Andrew Jackson's] 1829 inauguration, with its mob of cheese-eating, beer-drinking country bumpkins trampling the White House carpet, chilled the old order" (69). Here is my sentence:
"St. Olaf's spring semester, with its horde of Marshmallow Matey's-eating, tea-drinking college students crowding the Cage, brought new energy and students returning from study abroad."
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Different Kinds of Pietism
After reading McLoughlin's article "Pietism and the American Character", I realized how there are different kinds of pietism. There is the mystic or personal pietism and the activist form.
The personal pietism is all about having moral values and beliefs that you hold to me true. This moral compass or code directs how you live your life, if you choose to have your actions match your values. I really admire this form of pietism because it makes you always conscious of your thoughts, beliefs, and actions. It makes you check yourself to make sure you're doing the right thing. People with this personal drive for living well often try to improve themselves and find ways to be better, kinder, more patient, etc.
The other form can be more aggressive in an activist context. This is when you take your beliefs to the street, the newspaper, or to your neighbor. In the extreme, this could mean forcing your beliefs on other people. While real change has come about in the country (Civil Rights movement, Women's Rights Movement, Gay Rights Movement, Environmental Movement, etc) through this kind of activism, we don't get anywhere if we refuse to listen to the other side(s) of the issue.
I've seen this outward display of beliefs recently in politics. While one may have a strong faith in Jesus Christ and believe in God's love, I don't see how it is necessary to use that as a tool to winning elections or getting support. If your actions truly reflect your values, people should know what you stand for and believe without you having to tell them.
The personal pietism is all about having moral values and beliefs that you hold to me true. This moral compass or code directs how you live your life, if you choose to have your actions match your values. I really admire this form of pietism because it makes you always conscious of your thoughts, beliefs, and actions. It makes you check yourself to make sure you're doing the right thing. People with this personal drive for living well often try to improve themselves and find ways to be better, kinder, more patient, etc.
The other form can be more aggressive in an activist context. This is when you take your beliefs to the street, the newspaper, or to your neighbor. In the extreme, this could mean forcing your beliefs on other people. While real change has come about in the country (Civil Rights movement, Women's Rights Movement, Gay Rights Movement, Environmental Movement, etc) through this kind of activism, we don't get anywhere if we refuse to listen to the other side(s) of the issue.
I've seen this outward display of beliefs recently in politics. While one may have a strong faith in Jesus Christ and believe in God's love, I don't see how it is necessary to use that as a tool to winning elections or getting support. If your actions truly reflect your values, people should know what you stand for and believe without you having to tell them.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
A City on a Hill
It was difficult to summarize Nathan O. Hatch's article to a statement using 25 or fewer words. My partner and I came up with this:
Religious grass movements during the American Revolution heavily influenced American politics and became more important than the political world, largely because of enthusiastic young leaders.
After sharing our summaries, someone brought up the idea of a community being a "city on a hill". The Puritan man named John Winthrop wrote about this idea in 1630 in his sermon called "A Model of Christian Charity". This image is originally from the Bible, when Matthew tells his listeners, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Mathew 5:14).
This image can be seen in several different ways. In the most concrete way, a city on an actual hill can become an important gathering space and landmark. People will be watching from below, so those on the hill should behave well as to look good and represent their community well. These people could also feel self-righteous since they get to live on a hill and those below do not. Winthrop encouraged the Massachusetts Bay colonists to be a good example and to be proud of their unique and honorable position to do God's work and live a pious life. I just love this image. It also reminds me of how differently people can respond to an image of a palace. It can be seen as a beautiful fortress, an architectural wonder, a symbol for corruption, a source of pride, motivation for hard work, etc.
Religious grass movements during the American Revolution heavily influenced American politics and became more important than the political world, largely because of enthusiastic young leaders.
After sharing our summaries, someone brought up the idea of a community being a "city on a hill". The Puritan man named John Winthrop wrote about this idea in 1630 in his sermon called "A Model of Christian Charity". This image is originally from the Bible, when Matthew tells his listeners, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Mathew 5:14).
This image can be seen in several different ways. In the most concrete way, a city on an actual hill can become an important gathering space and landmark. People will be watching from below, so those on the hill should behave well as to look good and represent their community well. These people could also feel self-righteous since they get to live on a hill and those below do not. Winthrop encouraged the Massachusetts Bay colonists to be a good example and to be proud of their unique and honorable position to do God's work and live a pious life. I just love this image. It also reminds me of how differently people can respond to an image of a palace. It can be seen as a beautiful fortress, an architectural wonder, a symbol for corruption, a source of pride, motivation for hard work, etc.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Attitude and Apocalypse
Today was really interesting because we got to hear from one of the actual authors of one of our readings. Amy Johnson Frykholm talked about postmillennialist and premillennialist viewpoints in regards to the apocalypse.
A postmillennialist is more optimistic because they believe in working for things like peace, love and justice. Christ will come and meet us, deciding who is worthy of salvation and who is not. There is hope in this view because there is a possibility to change oneself, the world, and maybe even God's mind about your salvation. For example, Marissa mentioned the environment and how we have the potential to make really great choices and change how we interact with and treat our environment.
A premillennialist is more pessimistic because they believe that the world is getting worse and worse. God will eventually save the good and condemn or punish the bad. Therefore the only thing to do is to accept that the world will not get much better, and that true goodness and salvation can only be found through Jesus' coming to save the people from suffering. By assuming that things won't get worse, it is unlikely that people would even try to make a positive difference in the world.
These are two polarized views about the end of the world and the coming of Jesus Christ to save the faithful people. In a larger context, these are two very different attitudes, beliefs, worldviews, etc. While nobody is entirely optimistic or pessimistic, individually we tend to fall on one side of the spectrum or the other. I agree with Marissa completely about the environment. I think we can truly "be the change we want to see in the world", in any context. If we decide that the world is getting worse and worse and there is nothing we can do about it, then we probably won't.
But if we recognize specific problems, why they are detrimental, and how we can change them, then we will feel more empowered to actually do something about it. This semester especially I am really working on being more optimistic. When I wake up on a cold Monday morning after lack of sleep and forget to have breakfast, I could assume that the day ahead will be awful, merely because of my situation. That isn't true at all. Today was probably the first morning this year where I was deliberately aware of how tired and somewhat stressed I was. Then I made a conscious choice to enjoy the day. When I choose to be happy, I can help others to too, and make the most of their day. I really appreciate the postmillennialist view because it empowers people to be hopeful, proactive, and happy.
A postmillennialist is more optimistic because they believe in working for things like peace, love and justice. Christ will come and meet us, deciding who is worthy of salvation and who is not. There is hope in this view because there is a possibility to change oneself, the world, and maybe even God's mind about your salvation. For example, Marissa mentioned the environment and how we have the potential to make really great choices and change how we interact with and treat our environment.
A premillennialist is more pessimistic because they believe that the world is getting worse and worse. God will eventually save the good and condemn or punish the bad. Therefore the only thing to do is to accept that the world will not get much better, and that true goodness and salvation can only be found through Jesus' coming to save the people from suffering. By assuming that things won't get worse, it is unlikely that people would even try to make a positive difference in the world.
These are two polarized views about the end of the world and the coming of Jesus Christ to save the faithful people. In a larger context, these are two very different attitudes, beliefs, worldviews, etc. While nobody is entirely optimistic or pessimistic, individually we tend to fall on one side of the spectrum or the other. I agree with Marissa completely about the environment. I think we can truly "be the change we want to see in the world", in any context. If we decide that the world is getting worse and worse and there is nothing we can do about it, then we probably won't.
But if we recognize specific problems, why they are detrimental, and how we can change them, then we will feel more empowered to actually do something about it. This semester especially I am really working on being more optimistic. When I wake up on a cold Monday morning after lack of sleep and forget to have breakfast, I could assume that the day ahead will be awful, merely because of my situation. That isn't true at all. Today was probably the first morning this year where I was deliberately aware of how tired and somewhat stressed I was. Then I made a conscious choice to enjoy the day. When I choose to be happy, I can help others to too, and make the most of their day. I really appreciate the postmillennialist view because it empowers people to be hopeful, proactive, and happy.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Informal Religion
Growing up I always thought that church meant the building I went to for an hour and a half every Sunday and sometimes during the week for special events. As I got older I realized that though the physical structure is necessary for safety, comfort, and organization, it is not necessary for people to have a "church". Now I believe that a church is its people.
During the beginning of the Second Great Awakening, religion was proclaimed, spread, and talked about on a person to person basis. Evangelical leaders like Charles Finney went from community to community, sharing what they knew and believed about God and how people should act. There was a lack of physical structure and heirarchy. This personal approach made people really get into these revivals and the religious movement as a whole. It was about one's personal relationship with God, not the relationship with the preacher or the church. I really admire this awakening and I still see its effects today.
During the beginning of the Second Great Awakening, religion was proclaimed, spread, and talked about on a person to person basis. Evangelical leaders like Charles Finney went from community to community, sharing what they knew and believed about God and how people should act. There was a lack of physical structure and heirarchy. This personal approach made people really get into these revivals and the religious movement as a whole. It was about one's personal relationship with God, not the relationship with the preacher or the church. I really admire this awakening and I still see its effects today.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Democracy
Democracy is the way the United States is run. In our government's political system, power comes from the people. We use consensus by voting and acting on the majority opinion in the end. We elect officials to represent us, our views, our ideas, and our hopes. In a democracy, all citizens are seen as equal under the law and one is assumed to be innocent until they can be proven guilty by others. Freedom and equality are fundamental aspects of democracy.
Living in a democracy gives us more power than we would have living under an authoritarian or dictatorship government. We get to elect people to represent us. One can get involved in the political process by voting, volunteering or working for candidates, and getting informed about the current issues the people will deal with. The freedoms of speech, press, and religion allow us to make our own decisions. We know that we are free to think and act as we like, and we also know the consequences of denying other people's right to these things.
Having a democracy makes us feel free and entitled to that freedom. We have some say in how our government should work, since we elect representatives and we can vote in elections. Being American makes us automatically represent our country wherever we go, so the ideals of democracy are constantly with us, even if we do not agree with how the current leadership is working.
The best aspect of democracy is the freedom of speech. Ideas, dreams, emotions, and facts are all expressed through words and actions. Having access to information can make Americans knowledgeable and curious about the world. Freedom of speech supports a healthy economy and government too, where people can find the best sources and information to make the best possible decisions.
Democracy's worst aspect is how people start to think that it is the only way to go. We sometimes feel entitled to our way of life. We like to think that everyone loves democracy, when in reality many countries do not live like us. It is wrong to force our beliefs on anyone else, or assume that we are better than others. After Iraq's elections the United States government was unsatisfied with the people's choice in a new leader. Many Americans think Haiti should build a new democracy in their process of rebuilding. Even now in Tunisia and Egypt where there are huge protests against the current leadership, a true democracy may not be the best solution. Democracy works for us, but it does not work for everyone.
We do democracy by trying to be fair in our daily lives. When decisions are being made, people often vote on what they think should be done. We try to expect the best in someone and demand evidence and facts to back up suspicions of bad behavior or intentions. Independence makes us strong individuals because we are taught to take care of ourselves, work hard, and be self-sufficient.
Living in a democracy gives us more power than we would have living under an authoritarian or dictatorship government. We get to elect people to represent us. One can get involved in the political process by voting, volunteering or working for candidates, and getting informed about the current issues the people will deal with. The freedoms of speech, press, and religion allow us to make our own decisions. We know that we are free to think and act as we like, and we also know the consequences of denying other people's right to these things.
Having a democracy makes us feel free and entitled to that freedom. We have some say in how our government should work, since we elect representatives and we can vote in elections. Being American makes us automatically represent our country wherever we go, so the ideals of democracy are constantly with us, even if we do not agree with how the current leadership is working.
The best aspect of democracy is the freedom of speech. Ideas, dreams, emotions, and facts are all expressed through words and actions. Having access to information can make Americans knowledgeable and curious about the world. Freedom of speech supports a healthy economy and government too, where people can find the best sources and information to make the best possible decisions.
Democracy's worst aspect is how people start to think that it is the only way to go. We sometimes feel entitled to our way of life. We like to think that everyone loves democracy, when in reality many countries do not live like us. It is wrong to force our beliefs on anyone else, or assume that we are better than others. After Iraq's elections the United States government was unsatisfied with the people's choice in a new leader. Many Americans think Haiti should build a new democracy in their process of rebuilding. Even now in Tunisia and Egypt where there are huge protests against the current leadership, a true democracy may not be the best solution. Democracy works for us, but it does not work for everyone.
We do democracy by trying to be fair in our daily lives. When decisions are being made, people often vote on what they think should be done. We try to expect the best in someone and demand evidence and facts to back up suspicions of bad behavior or intentions. Independence makes us strong individuals because we are taught to take care of ourselves, work hard, and be self-sufficient.
Round Two
And we're back! It feels weird being back on campus with a semester schedule, after a long break and Interim. I'm glad to be back. Now that I have a handle on how college works, have great new friends, and have fun activities, I'm ready to focus more on school and finding out how I learn best.
Some of my goals for AmCon are to:
- read every night, even if I only have time to skim then reread later
- take notes during class so I can follow our always-changing, sometimes hard to follow discussions
- speak up more in class, even though what I have to say may not be the most eloquent or in-depth understanding of the texts and ideas
- actually remember to blog. every day. :)
They may sound a bit like New Years Resolutions, but I figure now is a good time to step back and decide how I want this semester to go. Good luck everyone, and enjoy your classes!
Karin
Some of my goals for AmCon are to:
- read every night, even if I only have time to skim then reread later
- take notes during class so I can follow our always-changing, sometimes hard to follow discussions
- speak up more in class, even though what I have to say may not be the most eloquent or in-depth understanding of the texts and ideas
- actually remember to blog. every day. :)
They may sound a bit like New Years Resolutions, but I figure now is a good time to step back and decide how I want this semester to go. Good luck everyone, and enjoy your classes!
Karin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)