class
“Ça Va?”–History of the City of Paris
The Seine River
Casablanca. Gigi. Sabrina. Amelie. Before Sunrise and Before Sunset (my two personal favorites).
Media has romanticized our imagination of the city of Paris. The examined and lived, however, brings this city to a whole new level. As I sit writing this, I am reliving Paris in my imagination. I was able to examine and experience the city of Paris.
Want to see the Seine River? It’s only a twenty minute walk. The Louvre? Cross the Pont d’Artes and you’re there. Want to see Notre Dame? Eiffel Tower? Pompidou Center? Done. Done. And Done.
From front left: Katherine, Brenna, Kelly, Alissa, Me, and Connie
However, what does the everyday person know about the layering of history within this beautiful city? To tell you the truth, I knew nothing. Susan Ashley (Dean of the College) and Tip Ragan (Chair of the History Department) co-taught this course. I’ve never been so challenged by any professor as I have with these two. Susan focused on teaching the intellectual history of Paris, while Tip focused more on the social history. Together, they were masterful in teaching the thirteen of us how Paris developed and progressed in the middle ages, the Age of Absolutism, and Modern Paris.
The class was amazing and probably one of the best courses I have ever had in my entire life. The workload wasn’t too much or overwhelming, but I was challenged by the class discussions. Susan and Tip would steer discussion by asking a single question, and the class would try to find answers or more questions within the 2.5 hours. My brain literally hurt after each class, because I had never imagined Paris to be so brilliant.
Oscar Wilde is buried in Paris. Look at all the kisses!
There are no words to describe how I feel about this class–it’s a true “unique, intellectual adventure.” Consider taking this summer block when it’s offered. I promise you, it will be mind-blowing.
View from the Eiffel Tower!
How I chose CC.
After hosting accepted students during the April 2nd and April 9th Open House, I started to reminisce about my college process. It delights me to think this was just last year.
I’m not going to lie. As a senior in high school, I did not have the slightest idea of where I wanted to attend college. Many of my classmates had romanticized the idea of college. Students applied to very prestigious universities with a major already in mind. I DIDN’T. Something was wrong with me. I wasn’t looking forward to the college process-I had no clue for what I was looking for in a college. My parents assumed that I was going to apply to the major universities in Oklahoma. Nevertheless, my teachers, friends, and college counselor recommended that I look at other schools outside of Oklahoma. While I did apply to three Oklahoma universities, I also applied to six more schools. Researching colleges was overwhelming. Did I want a school in a rural or urban location? What is your ideal student body size? Diversity? Financial aid? Majors? Campus life?
These questions opened up a lot possibilities for my future. The thought of planning my future as a 17-year-old scared me. My solution for this dilemma? Apply to a wide range of schools to insure that come decision time, I would have many options. I applied to the medical research university, the religious-affiliated university, the engineering university, the pre-law school; a few schools in the South, Southwest, North, Northeast, the West; schools with predominantly right or left political views; and of course, liberal art colleges. Come acceptance/rejection time, I was accepted to all nine schools. I didn’t expect that to happen, because I assumed that schools would essentially decide if I was a good match for them. There was no way that I was a “good fit” for all nine schools. I realized the most important aspect of my future necessitates an interdisciplinary and critical understanding of society. A liberal arts education would definitely fulfill the expectations of my future. To make matters more difficult, I applied to two liberal art colleges-one of course being Colorado College.
I visited both schools. First, I visited CC and knew I loved it. The other school wasn’t the right match for me. Essentially, I knew that Colorado College was going to be my home for four years.
I wasn’t aware of this at the time, but I wanted to go to a school that truly believed in a “unique intellectual adventure.” This school is unique-there are few like this. Where else are you able to submerse yourself in one class at a time? Where else are you able to be a philosopher, an educator, a theologian, a sociologist, and a feminist within a span of a year? This school is intellectual–I’ve been able to take courses that I never thought I would love or interests that I am passionate about. Without the block plan, I would never be able to experiment with different courses, start friendships with everyone in my current block (despite differing opinions), or share a common love for knowledge. Overall, it’s been an adventure. Undoubtedly.
Seriously, don’t ever apply to nine schools. CC is awesome.
When I visited CC last year. It was snowing and cold!
Block Six!
Hello, hello, hello!
I can’t get over the fact that I am less than three blocks away from finishing my first year here at CC. This school year has gone by too quickly. Sure, getting acclimated to the school, community and altitude was difficult; however, I’ve loved every moment of it. The good and the bad.
This block I am taking something completely out of my comfort zone. I am in Topics in Feminist and Gender Studies: Women and Violence with Eileen Breshnahan. I Love it! I know what you’re thinking, “she loves a class about women and violence?” It’s true-I really do enjoy this class. Let me quote a course objective from my class syllabus, “to develop an understanding of the socially constructed nature of gender and gender relations and of how these relate to the social construction of gender-based violence. “ I’m seeing our society in a different light-a socially constructed system of patriarchy. After not even finishing my first week of the class, I am finally admitting to myself that I am a feminist.
On a lighter note, tomorrow I am going to do ED: 100 after my Feminist and Gender Studies class. It’s been a week since I’ve seen the students! I hope they remember me. Then, I’m heading over to finish the last of my training for one of the local nonprofits I’m working with this year! Wish me luck.
Until then,
-Melissa
She’s a Witch!…or is she?
Since I’ll be taking the LSAT this February, I thought it would be a good idea to take a logic class. This block, I’m taking Formal Logic pass/fail. This is the first pass/fail class that I have taken at CC; I wanted to enjoy the class and focus on studying for the LSAT, not on getting an A in the class. There is something quite relaxing about not worrying about grades.
I love my class. It’s nice, because after three reading and writing intensive blocks, I have a class that is extremely interesting, yet not too demanding. I also love our professor, Ben. I’m pretty sure that he read encyclopedias for fun as a kid, because his knowledge of random trivia is far too vast for a normal human being. He also has a great sense of humor, so we spend a good portion of our class breaks joking around and watching youtube videos.
Yesterday, we learned about categorical syllogisms and how to determine valid and invalid arguments. We watched a scene from Monty Python (She’s a Witch) and analyzed Sir Bedevere’s reasoning. He argued: All witches are things that burn; all things made of wood are things that burn; therefore all witches are made of wood. By constructing a rather illustrative Venn diagram, we elucidated that this type of argument is clearly invalid. The premises do not provide enough information to conclude that “all witches are made of wood” because there could be witches that burn that are not made of wood. Tricky stuff, I know. It’s actually quite funny, because I’m picking apart arguments without even realizing it. I’ll be talking with my friends at lunch, and then I’ll find myself explaining why an argument they made is invalid. I’m sure it’s really annoying to them, but I can’t help it. Formal logic has become second nature.
I’m also really excited for our class party. Well, technically it’s a Philosophy Department party, since they’re paying for all of the food. It’s tomorrow night at one of our classmates’ houses. I’ll be sure to post pictures, don’t worry.
