Final Draft - Portfolio Reflective Essay

When I first began this class, I had a lot of misperceptions about it. I thought it would be boring and agonizing at times, but it has turned out to be the exact opposite. Between the reading and the writing, I have come to learn and understand more about American literature than I originally thought was possible. I feel that I have grown as a person while enrolled in this class, as well as developing better writing styles and expanding my knowledge on all of the aspects of American literature. All of the assignments up to this point have been very interesting to write about, and I love how the reading ties in with it. I have had some problems with the reading in the beginning, but now I know how to understand the material. Throughout this reflective essay, I will demonstrate that that I have acquired and improved my skills as a writer and a reader for topics in American Literature and the time period involved.

It is sometimes difficult to read and understand material that was written all the way back in the 1800s. What I have learned is to review the material several times and often do research on the Internet concerning a particular time period or a group of people, such as the Romantics and Romanticism. I have learned a great deal about the Romantics and Romantic literature. I find it particularly interesting how the Romantics helped to fight and justify slavery in America. They also valued the individual and valued feeling over thinking and reason. People are still like this today, but maybe not quite as strong as the Romantics were. The list of all the things that American Romantics did goes on and on. Thoreau, Poe, and Whitman are all examples of American Romantics. Thoreau was an American Romantic who had different ideas on many topics. He was about living the full life and defining your best self. I displayed my knowledge of this in particular with my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/living-full-life.html. From reading Thoreau, I saw his views on how to live a good life. It’s not the materialistic things that are important as much as the little things such as love and family. You really have to sit down and think what we actually need, not want, in order to live a full life and be happy with it and ourselves in the process. It’s also about understanding the Sublime, and dealing with the obstacles that are in the way of living a full life. Thoreau believed that it was possible to find the sublime in everyday life, although it was sometimes a constant search. Thoreau was a simple man and did not need many things in order for him to have a full life. Simplified life made Thoreau’s life fuller.

While reading about Edgar Allen Poe, I thought what an intriguing person. Poe was a one of a kind writer in the fact that he basically wrote within the same genres. I often wondered, and still do, how his mind worked. Maybe being an American Romantic had something to do with it. What exactly is it about these specific genres that intrigued Poe to write about them? I think the reasoning behind these specific genres is that ghost, thrillers, and horror were the subjects that Poe thought about the most. It was easy for him to write on these topics and with his imagination flowing, you never knew where the book would take you. Also, it seems that Poe really believes in these things, and can focus in more detail because of his confidence. I also displayed my knowledge of information in several other areas such as a post to my blog: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-is-american.html. This was an important topic for me as it really helped me to embrace my rights as an American citizen, and just realizing what a great country America is. The freedoms that we have as American citizens are fortune. Many other countries do not have a democratic government, which is even worse. America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. What a great place to live!

Another important writing assignment was my DB Post on Slavery. I have found this to be one of the more interesting topics of this class, because there are so many different views on this matter. There are many questions that come into play when discussing the issue of slavery. For me, the big issue is why this was ultimately necessary and why is it so hard to find a workable solution to the problem of slavery? I understand more about the issue of slavery now than before because of the Online Discussion Forum. After the reading and Discussion Forum, I can say that I have gained a deeper understanding on the issue of slavery. This was definitely one of my favorite topics to discuss, and I demonstrated this as I had lots of interaction with members of my class concerning the issue of slavery through the Online Discussion Forum. There were several disturbing posts when I first interacted, but after learning and understanding, I see why slavery was ultimately necessary. One of the topics that really hit home for me and brought out a lot of thinking was my DB Post on Nature. I really enjoyed both parts of this assignment in particular. I was able to be outside going for a walk, and then writing about my journey. It was wonderful to become one with nature and just soak up everything that it has to offer. Developing your own relationship with nature is truly is a beautiful thing. Too many people take nature for granted and we have done a pretty good job of destroying it and our ecosystem over a long period of time. However though, the damage can be repaired. This is both literal and physical. Damage to our ecosystem and Nature also ties with my blog post titled Social Practices and Problems: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/social-practices-problems-and.html. I chose the topic of our dependence on foreign oil and global warming for one reason. It is a large issue that is facing America today and the years to follow. In this essay, I displayed how my writing skills have improved and how I am able to discuss things more clearly. 

We have had some very interesting writing assignment throughout the semester, but one of my favorites was my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/04/public-profession-of-belief.html. Religion and slavery are both two very heated topics that can cause a lot of concern for many of us. So many people are set in their ways are not willing to listen to another point of view. I personally am not like that….I welcome opinions from others. Each and every one of us is unique in our own way and people need to realize that. I enjoyed writing this blog post in particular because it really allowed me to express my feelings about religion from childhood to adulthood. It also displays my growth as a person and a writer, as well as me expressing myself.

Overall, I feel that I have grown throughout this class not only as a person, but also as a more experienced and developed writer and reader. I am able to discuss topics online with other members of my class, and understand the material. It is sometimes confusing because I feel that I have to put myself in that time period to fully grasp the information. It is not always easy when you are using to living in 2011, but it’s interesting to go back and think: What would I have done if I had been born in that time period. How would my life be different? They are all interesting things to consider and have helped me in my learning and understanding of the literature. An example to display this is more communication on the Online Discussion Forum. I really enjoy interacting with other members in my class, and viewing their position on certain topics. In the beginning, I felt that I was completing the bare minimum, but the professor has really brought everyone together to interact. It’s not boring…it’s interesting and fun at the same time. I would definitely have to give the professor credit for that. I also enjoy writing the essay comments for members in my committee. It is always nice for someone else to critique your work and let you know where areas can be improved. This also benefits me as well due to other people critiquing my work.

            Being enrolled in this class has taught me so many things throughout the course of the semester. Not only did I learn more about literature, but I also learned things about myself that I can use later on in life. For example: the work that we have done on acquiring our virtue(s). I have posted several updates on how plan to acquire my virtue is going. The help from the teacher and the encouragement that you get throughout the process really helps you to learn more about yourself as a person. I have personally learned that while trying to obtain my virtue of vigilance, there are other virtues that I need to work on as well. This is displayed in my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/03/personal-virtues.html as well as my updated status on my virtues:

http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/04/update-on-virtues.html. Overall, I feel that I am growing as a person and learning things about myself that I did not know. I am also learning to be a stronger person and stand up for what I believe in.

Due to my outstanding work and constant effort that I have put into this class throughout, I feel that I deserve an A for my final grade. I always submit all of my assignments on time, except for a very few rare occasions and I am also an active member in the Online Discussion Forum. I feel that any post I make whether it be to the Discussion Forum or as a blog post, I put forth 100% every time. Based on this information, and in closing, I am arguing for my final grade to be an A.

Penultimate Draft of Portfolio Reflective Essay

When I first began this class, I had a lot of misperceptions about it. I thought it would be boring and agonizing at times, but it has turned out to be the exact opposite. Between the reading and the writing, I have come to learn and understand more about American literature than I originally thought was possible. I feel that I have grown as a person while enrolled in this class, as well as developing better writing styles and expanding my knowledge on all of the aspects of American literature. All of the assignments up to this point have been very interesting to write about, and I love how the reading ties in with it. I have had some problems with the reading in the beginning, but now I know how to understand the material. Throughout this reflective essay, I will demonstrate that that I have acquired and improved my skills as a writer and a reader for topics in American Literature and the time period involved.

It is sometimes difficult to read and understand material that was written all the way back in the 1800s. What I have learned is to review the material several times and often do research on the Internet concerning a particular time period or a group of people, such as the Romantics and Romanticism. I have learned a great deal about the Romantics and Romantic literature. I find it particularly interesting how the Romantics helped to fight and justify slavery in America. They also valued the individual and valued feeling over thinking and reason. People are still like this today, but maybe not quite as strong as the Romantics were. The list of all the things that American Romantics did goes on and on. Thoreau, Poe, and Whitman are all examples of American Romantics. Thoreau was an American Romantic who had different ideas on many topics. He was about living the full life and defining your best self. I displayed my knowledge of this in particular with my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/living-full-life.html. From reading Thoreau, I saw his views on how to live a good life. It’s not the materialistic things that are important as much as the little things such as love and family. You really have to sit down and think what we actually need, not want, in order to live a full life and be happy with it and ourselves in the process. It’s also about understanding the Sublime, and dealing with the obstacles that are in the way of living a full life. Thoreau believed that it was possible to find the sublime in everyday life, although it was sometimes a constant search. Thoreau was a simple man and did not need many things in order for him to have a full life. Simplified life made Thoreau’s life fuller.

While reading about Edgar Allen Poe, I thought what an intriguing person. Poe was a one of a kind writer in the fact that he basically wrote within the same genres. I often wondered, and still do, how his mind worked. Maybe being an American Romantic had something to do with it. What exactly is it about these specific genres that intrigued Poe to write about them? I think the reasoning behind these specific genres is that ghost, thrillers, and horror were the subjects that Poe thought about the most. It was easy for him to write on these topics and with his imagination flowing, you never knew where the book would take you. Also, it seems that Poe really believes in these things, and can focus in more detail because of his confidence. I also displayed my knowledge of information in several other areas such as a post to my blog: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-is-american.html. This was an important topic for me as it really helped me to embrace my rights as an American citizen, and just realizing what a great country America is. The freedoms that we have as American citizens are fortune. Many other countries do not have a democratic government, which is even worse. America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. What a great place to live!

Another important writing assignment was my DB Post on Slavery. I have found this to be one of the more interesting topics of this class, because there are so many different views on this matter. There are many questions that come into play when discussing the issue of slavery. For me, the big issue is why this was ultimately necessary and why is it so hard to find a workable solution to the problem of slavery? I understand more about the issue of slavery now than before because of the Online Discussion Forum. After the reading and Discussion Forum, I can say that I have gained a deeper understanding on the issue of slavery. This was definitely one of my favorite topics to discuss, and I demonstrated this as I had lots of interaction with members of my class concerning the issue of slavery through the Online Discussion Forum. There were several disturbing posts when I first interacted, but after learning and understanding, I see why slavery was ultimately necessary. One of the topics that really hit home for me and brought out a lot of thinking was my DB Post on Nature. I really enjoyed both parts of this assignment in particular. I was able to be outside going for a walk, and then writing about my journey. It was wonderful to become one with nature and just soak up everything that it has to offer. Developing your own relationship with nature is truly is a beautiful thing. Too many people take nature for granted and we have done a pretty good job of destroying it and our ecosystem over a long period of time. However though, the damage can be repaired. This is both literal and physical. Damage to our ecosystem and Nature also ties with my blog post titled Social Practices and Problems: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/social-practices-problems-and.html. I chose the topic of our dependence on foreign oil and global warming for one reason. It is a large issue that is facing America today and the years to follow. In this essay, I displayed how my writing skills have improved and how I am able to discuss things more clearly. 

We have had some very interesting writing assignment throughout the semester, but one of my favorites was my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/04/public-profession-of-belief.html. Religion and slavery are both two very heated topics that can cause a lot of concern for many of us. So many people are set in their ways are not willing to listen to another point of view. I personally am not like that….I welcome opinions from others. Each and every one of us is unique in our own way and people need to realize that. I enjoyed writing this blog post in particular because it really allowed me to express my feelings about religion from childhood to adulthood. It also displays my growth as a person and a writer, as well as me expressing myself.

Overall, I feel that I have grown throughout this class not only as a person, but also as a more experienced and developed writer and reader. I am able to discuss topics online with other members of my class, and understand the material. It is sometimes confusing because I feel that I have to put myself in that time period to fully grasp the information. It is not always easy when you are using to living in 2011, but it’s interesting to go back and think: What would I have done if I had been born in that time period. How would my life be different? They are all interesting things to consider and have helped me in my learning and understanding of the literature. An example to display this is more communication on the Online Discussion Forum. I really enjoy interacting with other members in my class, and viewing their position on certain topics. In the beginning, I felt that I was completing the bare minimum, but the professor has really brought everyone together to interact. It’s not boring…it’s interesting and fun at the same time. I would definitely have to give the professor credit for that. I also enjoy writing the essay comments for members in my committee. It is always nice for someone else to critique your work and let you know where areas can be improved. This also benefits me as well due to other people critiquing my work.

            Being enrolled in this class has taught me so many things throughout the course of the semester. Not only did I learn more about literature, but I also learned things about myself that I can use later on in life. For example: the work that we have done on acquiring our virtue(s). I have posted several updates on how plan to acquire my virtue is going. The help from the teacher and the encouragement that you get throughout the process really helps you to learn more about yourself as a person. I have personally learned that while trying to obtain my virtue of vigilance, there are other virtues that I need to work on as well. This is displayed in my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/03/personal-virtues.html as well as my updated status on my virtues:

http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/04/update-on-virtues.html. Overall, I feel that I am growing as a person and learning things about myself that I did not know. I am also learning to be a stronger person and stand up for what I believe in.

Due to my outstanding work and constant effort that I have put into this class throughout, I feel that I deserve an A for my final grade. I always submit all of my assignments on time, except for a very few rare occasions and I am also an active member in the Online Discussion Forum. I feel that any post I make whether it be to the Discussion Forum or as a blog post, I put forth 100% every time. Based on this information, and in closing, I am arguing for my final grade to be an A.

Public Profession of Belief

Just like many others, I was raised growing up in the church setting. My family is Baptist, but I do not really consider myself to have a set religion. When I met by boyfriend, I learned that his family is actually Catholic. I have heard mixed views about religions and it seems to me that not one is better than the other. As a child, I did not know or understand the differences between religions, but I do know. I feel that I am able to look at my options, and then make a decision on what religion I would like to be a part of. So many of us follow in the footsteps of others. I’m not saying that it’s not a good idea; however though, I prefer to be independent and make my own decisions and do what is right for me. I don’t go to church nearly as often as I should, but I am slowly working my way back into the scene. I feel that I question so many things about God that I don’t really know what the truth is, and I don’t think that anyone else does either. We are supposed to believe in a God that performs great miracles, but also casts tragedies upon us. I wonder a lot of the time why bad things happen. It is almost like you have to give yourself a constant reminder that God is present to keep moving on. After a long period of soul searching, reading the Bible, and talking with friends and family members, I believe in God. I hope that when I die I go to heaven, because I don’t really like the idea of eternal punishment. I know that I have not always made the best decisions, but I can’t say that I have really done anything that bad to deserve eternal punishment in hell. I wish there were more answers to my many questions, but there are not. Whether or not there is actually a God is unknown to many of us. However though, it doesn’t cause harm to believe. All we have to go on is hope. Either way, you’re not losing anything by believing in God. If anything, you are gaining so much more because you are trying to live a better life that would make God happy.

Early Final Draft of Portfolio Reflective Essay

When I first began this class, I had a lot of misperceptions about it. I thought it would be boring and agonizing at times, but it has turned out to be the exact opposite. Between the reading and the writing, I have come to learn and understand more about American literature than I originally thought was possible. I feel that I have grown as a person while enrolled in this class, as well as developing better writing styles and expanding my knowledge on all of the aspects of American literature. All of the assignments up to this point have been very interesting to write about, and I love how the reading ties in with it. I have had some problems with the reading in the beginning, but now I know how to understand the material. Throughout this reflective essay, I will demonstrate that that I have acquired and improved my skills as a writer and a reader for topics in American Literature and the time period involved.

It is sometimes difficult to read and understand material that was written all the way back in the 1800s. What I have learned is to review the material several times and often do research on the Internet concerning a particular time period or a group of people, such as the Romantics and Romanticism. I have learned a great deal about the Romantics and Romantic literature. I find it particularly interesting how the Romantics helped to fight and justify slavery in America. They also valued the individual and valued feeling over thinking and reason. People are still like this today, but maybe not quite as strong as the Romantics were. The list of all the things that American Romantics did goes on and on. Thoreau, Poe, and Whitman are all examples of American Romantics. Thoreau was an American Romantic who had different ideas on many topics. He was about living the full life and defining your best self. I displayed my knowledge of this in particular with my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/living-full-life.html. From reading Thoreau, I saw his views on how to live a good life. It’s not the materialistic things that are important as much as the little things such as love and family. You really have to sit down and think what we actually need, not want, in order to live a full life and be happy with it and ourselves in the process. It’s also about understanding the Sublime, and dealing with the obstacles that are in the way of living a full life. Thoreau believed that it was possible to find the sublime in everyday life, although it was sometimes a constant search. Thoreau was a simple man and did not need many things in order for him to have a full life. Simplified life made Thoreau’s life fuller.

While reading about Edgar Allen Poe, I thought what an intriguing person. Poe was a one of a kind writer in the fact that he basically wrote within the same genres. I often wondered, and still do, how his mind worked. Maybe being an American Romantic had something to do with it. What exactly is it about these specific genres that intrigued Poe to write about them? I think the reasoning behind these specific genres is that ghost, thrillers, and horror were the subjects that Poe thought about the most. It was easy for him to write on these topics and with his imagination flowing, you never knew where the book would take you. Also, it seems that Poe really believes in these things, and can focus in more detail because of his confidence. I also displayed my knowledge of other information in several other areas such as a post to blog called: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-is-american.html. This was an important topic for me as it really made me embrace my rights as an American citizen, and just realizing what a great country America is. The freedoms that we have as American citizens are fortune. Many other countries do not have a democratic government, which is even worse. America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. What a great place to live!

Another important writing assignment was my DB Post on Slavery. I have found this to be one of the more interesting topics of this class, because there are so many different views on this matter. There are many questions that come into play when discussing the issue of slavery. For me, the big issue is why this was ultimately necessary and why is it so hard to find a workable solution to the problem of slavery? I understand more about the issue of slavery now than before because of the Online Discussion Forum. After the reading and Discussion Forum, I can say that I have gained a deeper understanding on the issue of slavery. This was definitely one of my favorite topics to discuss, and I demonstrated this as I had lots of interaction with members of my class concerning the issue of slavery through the Online Discussion Forum. There were several disturbing posts when I first interacted, but after learning and understanding, I see why slavery was ultimately necessary. One of the topics that really hit home for me and brought out a lot of thinking was my DB Post on Nature. I really enjoyed both parts of this assignment in particular. I was able to be outside going for a walk, and then writing about my journey. It was wonderful to become one with nature and just soak up everything that it has to offer. Developing your own relationship with nature is truly is a beautiful thing. Too many people take nature for granted and we have done a pretty good job of destroying it and our ecosystem over a long period of time. However though, the damage can be repaired. This is both literal and physical. Damage to our ecosystem and Nature also ties with my blog post titled Social Practices and Problems: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/social-practices-problems-and.html. I chose the topic of our dependence on foreign oil and global warming for one reason. It is a large issue that is facing America today and the years to follow. In this essay, I displayed how my writing skills have improved and how I am able to discuss things more clearly.  

We have had some very interesting writing assignment throughout the semester, but one of my favorites was my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/04/public-profession-of-belief.html. Religion and slavery are both two very heated topics that can cause a lot of concern for many of us. So many people are set in their ways are not willing to listen to another point of view. I personally am not like that….I welcome opinions from others. Each and every one of us is unique in our own way and people need to realize that. I enjoyed writing this blog post in particular because it really allowed me to express my feelings about religion from childhood to adulthood. It also displays my growth as a person and a writer, as well as me expressing myself.

Overall, I feel that I have grown throughout this class not only as a person, but also as a more experienced and developed writer and reader. I am able to discuss topics online with other members of my class, and understand the material. It is sometimes confusing because I feel that I have to put myself in that time period to fully grasp the information. It is not always easy when you are using to living in 2011, but it’s interesting to go back and think: What would I have done if I had been born in that time period. How would my life be different? They are all interesting things to consider and have helped me in my learning and understanding of the literature. An example to display this is more communication on the Online Discussion Forum. I really enjoy interacting with other members in my class, and viewing their position on certain topics. In the beginning, I felt that I was completing the bare minimum, but the professor has really brought everyone together to interact. It’s not boring…it’s interesting and fun at the same time. I would definitely have to give the professor credit for that. I also enjoy writing the essay comments for members in my committee. It is always nice for someone else to critique your work and let you know where areas can be improved. This also benefits me as well due to other people critiquing my work. Although there is still half of the semester left, I can confidently say that I am looking forward to it. I enjoy the reading and writing aspect of this class, and also look forward to becoming an even more developed reader and writer than what I already am. When looking back, I have already come so far. This alone is a great accomplishment, and can’t wait for the next chapter.

            Being enrolled in this class has taught me so many things throughout the course of the semester. Not only did I learn more about literature, but I also learned things about myself that I can use later on in life. For example: the work that we have done on acquiring our virtue(s). I have posted several updates on how plan to acquire my virtue is going. The help from the teacher and the encouragement that you get throughout the process really helps you to learn more about yourself as a person. I have personally learned that while trying to obtain my virtue of vigilance, there are other virtues that I need to work on as well. Sometimes I feel that I am trying to do so many things at one time, and then nothing ever works out. Overall though, I feel that I am growing as a person and learning things about myself that I did not know. I am learning to be a stronger person and stand up for what I believe in.

Due to my outstanding work and constant effort that I have put into this class, I feel that I deserve an A for my final grade. I always submit all of my assignments on time, except for a very few rare occasions and I am also an active member in the Online Discussion Forum. I feel that any post I make whether it be to the Discussion Forum or as a blog post, I put forth 100% every single time. Based on this information, and in closing, I once again state that I feel that I deserve an A for this class.

Learning Reflection - Week 15

#1.       At what moment did you feel most engaged with what you were learning? Be specific. Was it while reading the literature, reading a blog post of a committee member, participating in the class discussion forum, writing your own blog post for the week, etc. Why was this the moment when you felt most engaged?

The moment that I felt most engaged with what I was learning was while reviewing older material and playing catch up on certain assignments. I was very nice to have last week off, but I was still engaged and learning.

#2.       At what moment did you feel most distant from what the class was doing and what you were learning? Again, be specific and explain why.

For this week, I can’t say that I felt distant at any point. I feel that I am doing and learning what everyone else is doing.

#3.       What action did the professor or another student take that you found most helpful or affirming?

I cannot stress enough how helpful the professor has been throughout this course. Classmates have been very helpful as well in several ways. Whenever I am looking for insight on an assignment, I can look at everyone’s blogs and gather the insight that I need.

#4.       What group member’s post surprised or taught you the most? Why?

The group member’s post that taught me the most was Cynthia’s post on Federalist No. 10. I enjoyed reading her interpretation of James Madison Federalist No. 10 and her opinion on factions. I was a little confused on which side to take in the beginning, but after reading her essay, it all became clear to me. Not to mention, the essay was well written. This was why I liked her post the most.

#5.       Why action did anyone take that you found most puzzling or confusing? Why?

How did you overcome your confusion?

Luckily no confusion or puzzling actions this week.

#6.       What about the reading and discussion has surprised you the most?

The reading has been enjoyable and informative, while the discussion has been intriguing to say the least. I wouldn’t say that either one of them have really surprised me though. I love reading others people views and their thoughts, even though they are not always the same as mine. My favorite discussions were about slavery and religion. They are both two heated topics that can really get the conversation going, and it did. Plus, I learned so much information about both topics in the process of discussing them on the Online Discussion Forum.

Additional Update on Virtues

Obtaining my virtue of Vigilance is improving day by day. I am learning several things about myself in the process too. I am learning to become more patient, as this goes right along with vigilance. I feel that I have almost fully developed the virtue of vigilance. I am already a very patient person, but sometimes I have my days. While working on focusing my attention more, I am trying to be more patient as well. With everything else going on in my life, it is often hard to add one more thing to the list. However though, I am glad that I am working on this virtue. It is helping me in more ways than I could have ever thought. Luckily, I have not experienced any major obstacles while working on developing my virtue. Smooth sailing always works better for me, as it does most people. Life is unpredictable though; you never know what is going to happen next. I guess that brings about the excitement and nervousness at the same time.

Learning Reflection - Week 13

1. At what moment did you feel most engaged with your learning for the week? Be specific. Why was this the moment when you felt most engaged?

The moment when I felt most engaged was while writing about my virtues. This was the moment for me because it really took a thought to describe my update and process on acquiring my virtue.

2. What have you learned this semester in terms of the founder’s ideas about the nation and the role of the citizen/government?

I have learned many things this semester in terms of the founder’s ideas about the nation and the role of the citizen/government. For one, as citizens of the U.S.A., we need to be more aware and practice our duties as citizens. Second, we need to become more active in our government. People think that only elected officials can make a change, but the people are the ones that elect the officials. We have a chance to make a difference, yet so many of us opt out. Many other countries do not have the benefits that we do as American citizens, and we need to take advantage of that.

3. What have you learned about Enlightenment literature and self and community help? In your opinion, why is this kind of writing part of American literature and what it means to be an American?

Enlightenment literature and self and community help are so very important. This type of writing is part of American literature because we can express ourselves better. It helps us to become better people and more positive thinking reflects from it.

4. What action did the professors or another student take that you found most helpful or affirming?

As always, the professor has been very helpful. Also, viewing other classmate’s blogs has been informative and helpful as well.

5. What action did anyone take that you found most puzzling or confusing? Why? How did you overcome your confusion?

No confusion this week….thank goodness!

6. What about the reading and discussion has surprised you?

The reading and discussion has been informative and interesting, but nothing surprising. I personally like the Online Discussion Forum because of the interaction with my classmates, as well as hearing what other people think about a particular issue.

Comments on Federalist No. 10

Cynthia-I enjoyed reading your interpretation of Federalist No. 10. I agree with you and Madison that damage caused by factions can only be limited by controlling its effects. Government today is so much more advanced than in the past, and too many people are using power to benefit themselves. I do understand that there will always be flaws in our political system, but I can’t say that I agree with them. We live in the United States of America, and our government is a role model for other countries. I think that factions are important and that decisions are made through them, but I think that majority and minority should work together to come up with a compromise that benefits everyone.

 

 

Nina-Your interpretation on Federalist No. 10 was one of my favorites to read. I liked how you complemented Madison on his work, as well as stating that the theory and system that was present such a long time ago is still necessary for today’s society. I could not agree with you more. I am not quite sure what our government needs at this moment in time, but the path we are on now is not working. The majority has the power and that’s usually the way it is. However though, I feel that the views of the minority should be considered as well. I think that everyone should work together to come up with a compromise that appeases all sides.

 

 

Antonio-I really enjoyed reading your interpretation of James Madison’s Federalist No. 10. I agree with that factions are important for democracy, and that they would have equal opportunity to influence the government and reach agreements. I think that even though majority rules, it is still important to consider the minority view on a certain issue. People have to work together to come up with a compromise that works for all parties, whether large or small.

 

 

Keith-I enjoyed reading your take on factions and James Madison’s Federalist No. 10. I agree with you when you say that things did not always work in our favor, using the example of minority going against majority. Still to this day though, that is often the case. Unfortunately, the majority will win because they have the numbers. However, we have to continue to fight for what we believe in. Great job!

 

 

Jeff-Great job on your opinion of Federalist No. 10 and James Madison. Your essay was interesting and informative to read. I liked your input of how republicans and democrats argue just to have conflict. I never really thought about it that way, but you are so right in your thinking. At first, I didn’t think that factions were too powerful but after reading more peoples essays, I have to agree that they are. Too many members of higher office are using this to their advantage, which is an absolute shame. Good job of pointing that out.

Federalist No. 10

In federalist number 10, Madison discusses the issues on ways to control the factions in America. After reading Madison’s take, I would have to disagree. I do not think that parties, factions, and special interest groups have too much power in our modern democracy…I believe they get the job done. Everyone can argue that this or that group has too much power, but without being involved, who knows who much power is actually necessary. I’m not always a  fan of the government nor do I agree with the actions that are taken, but I know that the President and everyone along side of him is trying to do what is best for America and our economy. I agree with Madison in the fact that something needed to be done, and still, maybe taking power away is the answer. It is hard to say what someone needs or doesn’t need when you don’t know all the facts of the situation, or when you are not directly involved with the issues at hand. I think that if Madison was alive today, he would probably still think that factions are the way to go and that they are too powerful. I agree that Madison was right when he stated that people’s opinions are influenced by their emotions and self-interest. It is often sad because we vote these people into power, and they then often abuse that power for their own benefit. This is nothing new…people have been abusing power for decades. However though, I think the reality of it stands out more than today than in previous times.

Learning Reflection - Week 12

1.        At what moment did you feel most engaged with your learning for the week? Be specific. Was it while reading, writing for the online discussion forum, while thinking about the class, or while talking to others about it? Why was this the moment when you felt most engaged?

The moment when I felt most engaged was while writing for the online discussion forum. This was the moment when I felt most engaged for this week due to the interaction with my fellow classmates. I enjoyed taking part in DB Post: Improving the Constitution. Everyone had many great ideas, and it’s always nice to read what someone else thinks and get the discussion going.

2. The Enlightenment helped introduce the “how-to-genre” and the idea that individuals can make their own lives better through reason, rational discussion, and virtue. What are you learning about the Enlightenment, ideas of self-improvement, and yourself as you work on your virtues.

I am learning many things about the Enlightenment, self-improvement, and myself as I have been working on my virtues. I have learned that you have to be happy before you can make someone else happy. Actually, I already knew that, but the Enlightenment really shows the truth in that statement even before. For a better example: If you want to improve others, then you yourself have to better and improved.

3. As you have participated in literary discussion and rational, democratic debate, what have you learned about both either this or last week?

I have learned several things from literary discussion and democratic debate. I was not aware before reading that women were not only allowed, but also invited to debates. This was shocking to me due to the standard gender role of women in the 1800s.

4. What action did the professors or another student take that you found most helpful or affirming?

As always, the professor has been very helpful over the past several weeks. Any questions that I have are promptly answered, and he promotes encouragement in different ways as well.  

5. What action did anyone take that you found most puzzling or confusing? Why? How did you overcome your confusion?

I did not encounter any action(s) that were puzzling or confusing to me lately. I have actually been rather pleased with myself and how well I am understanding and grasping the material.

6. What about the reading and discussion has surprised you?

As I have said once before, I thought that the reading and discussion would be boring at times but it has turned out to be the exact opposite. I have thoroughly enjoyed each aspect of this class, and look forward to learning more about American Literature.

Update on Virtues

Obtaining my virtue of Vigilance is working out fairly well. I have really been trying a lot harder than before, as this virtue is one that I have acquired but not fully developed. I have achieved lots of success already when trying to develop this virtue, but still have more to receive. I have not encountered any major obstacles up to this point, but anything worth doing is never easy so we shall see how the rest goes. I have gone ahead and established a plan for overcoming any obstacles that are presented. When I am beginning to lose focus or attention, I remind myself to stay connected and focused. Sometimes if necessary, I will also take a short break which has proven to be very helpful at times. A person can only take so much at one time, so breaks have definitely become part of my regular schedule. I can say with confidence that I am improving, and my virtue of vigilance is coming along quite well.    

Comparison of Blogs

Nina Komarov: I thought your blog was great from beginning to end. My favorite post was Quotes by Thomas Jefferson. I loved how you incorporated your own thoughts and feelings into the process of explaining what the quote meant in general or to you personally. Also, I like your writing style. It is easy to understand, but also well demonstrated that you understand the material and can discuss it.

Cynthia Custodio: I have always admired your blog. I look at it rather often since we are in the same committee and it is always very helpful. I like how you tie in the reading within your writing. You seem to understand the material, and that is displayed in your writing style. My favorite post of yours is Immigration in America. I thought that you made excellent points in pointing out the problems that America faces, as well as coming up with not just one but two different solutions. Great job!

Kristi Kesler: I really enjoyed looking over your blog and reading your posts. I thought you did a great job with all of them. Your writing style demonstrates your knowledge of the material and incorporates additional information within it. Also, I like your template.

With all of the posts and blogs that I have looked at, I have gotten some good ideas. There are several things that I can incorporate into my blog to make it better for the second half of the semester. For one, I could add designs or a picture. For the writing, I have learned to keep an open mind on all issues. There have been some heated discussions throughout the semester, especially the DB Post on Slavery. It’s good to hear what other people think and always keep an open mind.

Status of Virtues

Obtaining my virtue of Vigilance is working out fairly well. I have really been trying a lot harder than before, as this virtue is one that I have acquired but not fully developed. I have achieved lots of success already when trying to develop this virtue, but still have more to receive. I have not encountered any major obstacles up to this point, but anything worth doing is never easy so we shall see how the rest goes. I have gone ahead and established a plan for overcoming any obstacles that are presented. When I am beginning to lose focus or attention, I remind myself to stay connected. Sometimes if necessary, I will also take a short break which has proven to be very helpful at times. I can say with confidence that I am improving, and my virtue of vigilance is coming along quite nice.   

Portfolio Reflective Essay-Revised Draft

When I first began this class, I had a lot of misperceptions about it. I thought it would be boring and agonizing at times, but it has turned out to be the exact opposite. Between the reading and the writing, I have come to learn and understand more about American literature than I originally thought was possible. I feel that I have grown as a person while enrolled in this class, as well as developing better writing styles and expanding my knowledge on all of the aspects of American literature. All of the assignments up to this point have been very interesting to write about, and I love how the reading ties in with it. I have had some problems with the reading in the beginning, but now I know how to understand the material. Throughout this reflective essay, I will demonstrate that that I have acquired and improved my skills as a writer and a reader for topics in American Literature and the time period involved.

It is sometimes difficult to read and understand material that was written all the way back in the 1800s. What I have learned is to review the material several times and often do research on the Internet concerning a particular time period or a group of people, such as the Romantics and Romanticism. I have learned a great deal about the Romantics and Romantic literature. I find it particularly interesting how the Romantics helped to fight and justify slavery in America. They also valued the individual and valued feeling over thinking and reason. People are still like this today, but maybe not quite as strong as the Romantics were. The list of all the things that American Romantics did goes on and on. Thoreau, Poe, and Whitman are all examples of American Romantics. Thoreau was an American Romantic who had different ideas on many topics. He was about living the full life and defining your best self. I displayed my knowledge of this in particular with my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/living-full-life.html. From reading Thoreau, I saw his views on how to live a good life. It’s not the materialistic things that are important as much as the little things such as love and family. You really have to sit down and think what we actually need, not want, in order to live a full life and be happy with it and ourselves in the process. It’s also about understanding the Sublime, and dealing with the obstacles that are in the way of living a full life. Thoreau believed that it was possible to find the sublime in everyday life, although it was sometimes a constant search. Thoreau was a simple man and did not need many things in order for him to have a full life. Simplified life made Thoreau’s life fuller.

While reading about Edgar Allen Poe, I thought what an intriguing person. Poe was a one of a kind writer in the fact that he basically wrote within the same genres. I often wondered, and still do, how his mind worked. Maybe being an American Romantic had something to do with it. What exactly is it about these specific genres that intrigued Poe to write about them? I think the reasoning behind these specific genres is that ghost, thrillers, and horror were the subjects that Poe thought about the most. It was easy for him to write on these topics and with his imagination flowing, you never knew where the book would take you. Also, it seems that Poe really believes in these things, and can focus in more detail because of his confidence. I also displayed my knowledge of other information in several other areas such as a post to blog called: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-is-american.html. This was an important topic for me as it really made me embrace my rights as an American citizen, and just realizing what a great country America is. The freedoms that we have as American citizens are fortune. Many other countries do not have a democratic government, which is even worse. America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. What a great place to live!

Another important writing assignment was my DB Post on Slavery. I have found this to be one of the more interesting topics of this class, because there are so many different views on this matter. There are many questions that come into play when discussing the issue of slavery. For me, the big issue is why this was ultimately necessary and why is it so hard to find a workable solution to the problem of slavery? I understand more about the issue of slavery now than before because of the Online Discussion Forum. After the reading and Discussion Forum, I can say that I have gained a deeper understanding on the issue of slavery. This was definitely one of my favorite topics to discuss, and I demonstrated this as I had lots of interaction with members of my class concerning the issue of slavery through the Online Discussion Forum. There were several disturbing posts when I first interacted, but after learning and understanding, I see why slavery was ultimately necessary. One of the topics that really hit home for me and brought out a lot of thinking was my DB Post on Nature. I really enjoyed both parts of this assignment in particular. I was able to be outside going for a walk, and then writing about my journey. It was wonderful to become one with nature and just soak up everything that it has to offer. Developing your own relationship with nature is truly is a beautiful thing. Too many people take nature for granted and we have done a pretty good job of destroying it and our ecosystem over a long period of time. However though, the damage can be repaired. This is both literal and physical. Damage to our ecosystem and Nature also ties with my blog post titled Social Practices and Problems: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/social-practices-problems-and.html. I chose the topic of our dependence on foreign oil and global warming for one reason. It is a large issue that is facing America today and the years to follow. In this essay, I displayed how my writing skills have improved and how I am able to discuss things more clearly.  

Overall, I feel that I have grown throughout this class not only as a person, but also as a more experienced and developed writer and reader. I am able to discuss topics online with other members of my class, and understand the material. It is sometimes confusing because I feel that I have to put myself in that time period to fully grasp the information. It is not always easy when you are using to living in 2011, but it’s interesting to go back and think: What would I have done if I had been born in that time period. How would my life be different? They are all interesting things to consider and have helped me in my learning and understanding of the literature. An example to display this is more communication on the Online Discussion Forum. I really enjoy interacting with other members in my class, and viewing their position on certain topics. In the beginning, I felt that I was completing the bare minimum, but the professor has really brought everyone together to interact. It’s not boring…it’s interesting and fun at the same time. I would definitely have to give the professor credit for that. I also enjoy writing the essay comments for members in my committee. It is always nice for someone else to critique your work and let you know where areas can be improved. This also benefits me as well due to other people critiquing my work. Although there is still half of the semester left, I can confidently say that I am looking forward to it. I enjoy the reading and writing aspect of this class, and also look forward to becoming an even more developed reader and writer than what I already am. When looking back, I have already come so far. This alone is a great accomplishment, and can’t wait for the next chapter.

Personal Virtues

Virtue is a quality of character or ability which promotes your own well-being and that of others. There are many virtues that promote my own well-being and that of others, but I have chosen a short list of 13 virtues which mean something to me.

1. Compassion is an active desire to alleviate another person’s suffering
2. Empathy is the capacity to recognize and share feelings experienced by another person. You cannot feel empathy without compassion.
3. Generosity is the habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return
4. Forgiveness is the process of concluding resentment or anger
5. Integrity is honesty and truthfulness of one’s actions
6. Morality is the sense of behavioral conduct that differentiates between actions that are right or wrong
7. Vigilance is the ability to maintain attention and alertness over prolonged periods of time
8. Sharing is the process of dividing and distributing with others
9. Respectfulness is a positive feeling of esteem for another person and their actions
10. Loyalty is faithfulness or devotion to a person, group, or cause
11. Gratitude and appreciation is a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgement of a benefit that one has received or will receive
12. Find humor in things by laughing a little; Laugher is good for the soul.
13. Self-awareness is awareness that one exists as an individual being

For me, I need the most help to fully develop the virtue of Vigilance. Out of the 13 virtues listed above, I have fully developed all of them. Vigilance is getting there, but I could definitely use some help. This virtue in particular is important for me to fully develop for several reasons. As described above, vigilance is the ability to maintain attention and alertness over prolonged periods of time. I think that lots of us have a problem with this virtue, versus others. For one, attaining vigilance can only benefit myself and others. It is positive, not negative. I chose this virtue to work on and cultivate because of my lack of relationship with it. I usually do pretty well with maintaining my attention span, but some people seem like they never get to the point when talking. I myself am often like that, and am trying to do better. Other times, my virtue of vigilance is outstanding such as when I am at work. I am fully able to maintain my attention, and perform the duties at my job. Whether it is a virtue that needs assistance or a virtue that is not developed at all, we all possess many positive virtues. So the question remains: How do cultivate these virtues? As I have always thought, living a values based life will bring true happiness. When we place our focus on virtues or values that are important to us, we can then become closer to our true self. As with anything worth doing, cultivating virtues comes from within. As elders say, happiness can be a trap just as anything else that is pursued. In my thought, cultivating a virtue is not so much about pursuing it as it is about becoming one with it. Knowing the virtues that are part of your character will only bring you closer to yourself.

Portfolio Reflective Essay-Rough Draft

When I first began this class, I had a lot of misperceptions about it. I thought it would be boring and agonizing at times, but it has turned out to be the exact opposite. Between the reading and the writing, I have come to learn and understand more about American literature than I originally thought was possible. I feel that I have grown as a person while enrolled in this class, as well as developing better writing styles and expanding my knowledge on all of the aspects of American literature. All of the assignments up to this point have been very interesting to write about, and I love how the reading ties in with it. I have had some problems with the reading in the beginning, but now I know how to understand the material. Throughout this reflective essay, I will demonstrate that that I have acquired and improved my skills as a writer and a reader for topics in American Literature, and the time period involved.

It is sometimes difficult to read and understand material that was written all the way back in the 1800s. What I have learned is to review the material several times and often do research on the Internet concerning a particular time period or a group of people, such as the Romantics and Romanticism. I have learned a great deal about the Romantics and Romantic literature. I find it particularly interesting how the Romantics helped to fight and justify slavery in America. Thoreau was an American Romantic who had different ideas on many topics. He was about living the full life and defining your best self. I displayed my knowledge of this in particular with my blog post: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/living-full-life.html. From reading Thoreau, I saw his views on how to live a good life. It’s not the materialistic things that are important as much as the little things such as love and family. You really have to sit down and think what we actually need, not want, in order to live a full life and be happy with it and ourselves in the process. It’s also about understanding the Sublime, and dealing with the obstacles that are in the way of living a full life.

While reading about Edgar Allen Poe, I thought what an intriguing person. Poe was a one of a kind writer in the fact that he basically wrote within the same genres. I often wondered, and still do, how his mind worked. What exactly is it about these specific genres that intrigued Poe to write about them. I also displayed my knowledge of other information in several other areas such as a post to blog called: http://cdelongenglish241spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-is-american.html. This was an important topic for me as it really made me embrace my rights as an American citizen, and just realizing what a great country America is.

Another important writing assignment was my DB Post on Slavery. I have found this to be one of the more interesting topics of this class, because there are so many different views on this matter. There are many questions that come into play when discussing the issue of slavery. For me, the big issue is why this was ultimately necessary and why is it so hard to find a workable solution to the problem of slavery? I understand more about the issue of slavery now than before because of the Online Discussion Forum and through the reading. This was definitely one of my favorite topics to discuss, and I demonstrated this as I had lots of interaction with members of my class concerning the issue of slavery through the Online Discussion Forum. One of the topics that really hit home for me and brought out a lot of thinking was my DB Post on Nature. I really enjoyed both parts of this assignment in particular. I was able to be outside going for a walk, and then writing about my journey. It was wonderful to become one with nature and just soak up everything that it has to offer. Developing your own relationship with nature is truly is a beautiful thing. Too many people take nature for granted and we have done a pretty good job of destroying it and our ecosystem over a long period of time. However though, the damage can be repaired. This is both literal and physical.

Overall, I feel that I have grown throughout this class not only as a person, but also as a more experienced and developed writer and reader. I am able to discuss topics online with other members of my class, and understand the material. It is sometimes confusing because I feel that I have to put myself in that time period to fully grasp the information. It is not always easy when you are using to living in 2011, but it’s interesting to go back and think: What would I have done if I had been born in that time period. How would my life be different? They are all interesting things to consider and have helped me in my learning and understanding of the literature. An example to display this is more communication on the Online Discussion Forum. I really enjoy interacting with other members in my class, and viewing their position on certain topics. In the beginning, I felt that I was completing the bare minimum, but the professor has really brought everyone together to interact. It’s not boring…it’s interesting and fun at the same time. I would definitely have to give the professor credit for that.

Essay Comments: Social Problems

Cynthia-I really enjoyed reading your essay on social problems within America. I completely agree that immigration is a huge problem. I liked how you proposed two different solutions to the problem of immigration. I don’t think it’s fair that immigrants can live in America and not have to pay taxes…everyone else does. If they want to become American citizens, I am all for it. What I am opposed to it is illegal immigrants living in America and not contributing. Great job!

Brittani-Great job on your essay! I liked how you incorporated the information with the fact that fetal reduction is basically just like having an abortion. Very interesting to read about! I agree with you that couples should try other methods to conceive before going to see a specialist. It is very sad that people who want a baby become pregnant with four babies, and then terminate two of them for whatever reasoning. I think that abortion is a huge debate in America, and a problem as well. Good job!

Angel-I don't know what else to say besides WOW! Your passion on this topic was displayed in your writing very well. It's always easier to write about something that you feel strongly about opposed to minimal opinion. It amazes me how our government operates and says that they are trying to help Americans, but it doesn't always seem like that it the case. I see your point 100%. There are so many Americans that are out of work and live in poverty. All of while these tragedies are occurring in America, our government continues to lend help to everyone else except us...the people who need it the most. We need to get our economy back up and running, before we try to help others. Great job!

Terrance-I enjoyed reading your essay on social practices and problems. I never thought about technology being a problem for our nation but after reading your essay, I see your perspective. Technology has consumed Americans and it basically runs our lives. Dinner at one time was family time but now so many Americans spend time their dinner in front of the T.V. or surfing the Internet. For me, dinner time is family time. No T.V. or computer...just conversation. I am not a big person of traditions, but some things I am set on. Great job!

Learning Reflection - Week 7

Learning Reflection

1. At what moment did you feel most engaged with what you were learning?

I really felt engaged while writing my essay on social practices and then revising it by coming up with a solution to the problem(s) that I wrote about. I also felt engaged while reading for the week, and responding to my committee member’s essays from last week. America has a lot of problems, and it’s interesting to read what other people view as a social problem for America.

2. At what moment did you feel most distant from what the class was doing and what you were learning?

I never felt distant from what the class was doing and what I was learning. Overwhelmed would be the adjective to describe my feelings better. Sometimes four classes can be very stressful, especially when trying to submit all assignments on time. I understood the material for this week with no major problems, even though I had to read some of it several times.

3. What action did the professor or another student take that you found most helpful or affirming?

Reading the essays and posts from members in my committee has been very helpful for me. It gives me insight into my own writing, as well as puts me on track for what I should be doing. The professor for this class has also been very helpful. Any confusion or questions are answered immediately, and then I can continue to work on my assignments.

4. What action did anyone take that you found most puzzling and confusing?

I have been rather lucky that I have not had any major confusion with this class and the assignments. Sometimes I’m not sure what to write about, or how to write it. Any questions that I have are always answered. I just contact the professor or someone in my class, and I receive the answers to my questions.

5. What about the reading and discussion has surprised you the most? (This could be about your own reactions to the course/reading, something that someone did, or anything else which has occurred.)

The reading and discussion has surprised me a little bit. There is an extensive amount of reading that is to be done every week, and sometimes can be overwhelming. This is the case even more when I have to read over the material several times to really understand, and grasp the information. However though, the extra time that I have put in has benefited me. I feel that I am achieving the learning outcomes for each week with no problems, and I am on track with what the rest of the class is doing and learning. I have thoroughly enjoyed the discussion aspect of this class. I enjoy discussing aspects of literature and things that apply to it. I also enjoy reading what other people think, and then compare ideas by discussion.

6. Review the learning outcomes for the course and list the four learning outcomes you can best say you have learned. List the work you’ve done which you could use to demonstrate your learning of these outcomes.

One learning outcome that I can say that I have learned is learning about reading and commenting on my committee’s blog posts. The discussion part of this class is actually very interesting. I have really enjoyed reading what other people think, and then discussing their ideas with mine. I have also learned more about what literature is. It is very hard to define literature, as so many people have different interpretations of what it actually is. The nice thing about literature though, is that there is no set definition. It is all based on how you interpret it. This is shown in my DB post called What is Literature.

Another learning outcome that I have mastered is learning my own ideas about how to live the good life and my own relationship with nature and to “Walking” by Henry David Thoreau. This is shown in my essay called: Living a Full Life and my Discussion Board post on Nature.

I have definitely gained a deeper understanding of why it was so difficult for individual, well-meaning Americans to find a workable solution to the problem of slavery, as well as ways that America has responded to the slavery problem. It is so intriguing yet depressing at the same time. I have shown this in my post to the Discussion Board on the topic of slavery.

Social Practices: Problems and Resolutions

The United States has lots of great things to offer, but seems to have gone down hill. No one ever knew how America would turn out, but it sure does seem that we have a lot of problems that are not good problems. One of our current social practices that I see as being incompatible with the ideals and basic beliefs on which the nations well being rests is America’s dependence on foreign oil. The U.S. trade deficit is rising because of oil imports. Not only has our dependence raised the deficit, but it has also linked our long term growth to relying on foreign oil. In 2008, a research study was done showing that the United States imported oil from 10 countries that are currently on the State Department’s Travel Warning List, meaning that the countries have conditions that make them dangerous or unstable. Once again, our dependence on oil could cause serious problems to the United States. The amount that the U.S. spends daily on oil is approximately 1 billion dollars. This is the daily number. It’s crazy to think about it, but it is reality. The U.S. could be spending this money to do lots of other things such as improving America’s security and doing more about global warming. Overall, reliance on foreign oil does not benefit us in any way. If we do not reduce our dependence on foreign oil, the United States will be forced to purchase oil from other countries that are volatile and threaten our security. We need to kick the oil addiction and take steps to preserve America.

So, what can we do about this problem? Well as most things, it is not as easy to fix as you would think. Everyone believes that offshore drilling is the answer, but we all saw what happened with BP. The Gulf of Mexico will never be the same because of the massive oil spill. It was absolute devastation when the oil rig blew up. Not only for families of the victims, but for animals and wildlife that reside in or near the ocean. Burning oil is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. When we buy oil from foreign countries, there is much more carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere. This contributes to our problem of global warming. Recent studies have also found that climate change could displace millions of people because of rising sea levels, along with food and water shortage. There are many long term effects from our dependence on oil and global warming. What I fear is that our dependence on foreign oil will increase not only increasing our deficit, but also leaving us at a higher risk of terrorism. This poses a huge threat to America’s security, and we cannot take any more attacks on American soil. What I consider to be a workable solution for our dependence on foreign oil and global warming is to invest in clean energy. This can not only bring the economy back to life, but it will also help preserve America. Reducing oil imports through reform would not only decrease the amount of money that is paid for oil, but it would also allow more money to be kept here in America to do things with. Investing in clean energy would reduce our dependence on foreign oil, help with the issue of global warming, boost growth, and create jobs.