My Great Summer
Great Books Summer
Rachel Rudd
7/14/18
My Great Summer
The Great Summer program was an inviting introduction to the classical learning style we use in the Great Books program. It was an entertaining and educating way to begin my college experience at Faulkner. I spent eight days on campus and most of my time in discussions that usually ended with me being under the table. Great Summer was weirdly educational, in that I expanded my ways of thinking greatly and gained new insights to classical learning, though it was still extremely entertaining.
Day 1 … It was finally time to meet these fellow nerds, whom I had only known through a computer up until today. I had no clue who these people were, or what they were like, so I was nervous and anxious, although meeting Auburn and listening to her talk about her dog, I felt more at ease. After a pretty awkward dinner, we met “gamemaster” Ethan and experienced what happens when a group of book nerds play spy games. That night was fun while we played our don’t-be-bored games and got to know each other. It was entertaining to see everyone try to guess who the spies were. Day 2 . In our first Great Books class, we discussed “The Pedestrian.” With this discussion, I learned that good authors mean much more than what it seems like, and if we look deeply enough, we can find all new meanings to writings. Dr. Jacobs taught me how to really analyze a story and how to look for those deeper meanings by being engaged in the story. I also realized that I do not want to be a mindless zombie watching tv; I want to be a leaf-smelling nightwalker. I got to see how Great Books classes work and how the discussions are run. We also had a writers workshop with Dr.Fullman, which I found both educational and entertaining. Dr. Fullman taught us about how to write and form a proper essay, all while being light hearted and making it fun.
Day 3 … After a relaxing morning at church, we had an insight reading on Cupid and Psyche. We discussed the purpose of the myth, and why in Lewis’s version it was so different. After realizing I totally misunderstood the Psyche and cupid myth, I thought my mind bomb was over for the day. However, we then read Aristotle’s “On Happiness,” and my brain has never been so shocked. I really saw how the discussion-based style of learning can help you see some deeper meaning in the story that you might have missed when you read it by yourself. By reading together, and then talking it over, you really discover all sorts of new meanings in the stories. Classical learning makes you engage with your readings, and it engages you with your fellow students, whereas in lecture-based classes, you can go the whole school year without talking to your classmates. I really enjoy the fact that I got to know everybody over the week, and I believe that is one of the reasons it was so much fun. Day 4 … Monday was an adventure through Montgomery! We went to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and that was one of the biggest influencers of my Great Summer experience. The museum was very moving, and it put in perspective an issue that the United States had to overcome. It brings up an important part of our history as a country, and yes, it was terrible, but we need to educate ourselves now and work towards building a better future. We then went to the Montgomery Archives and saw the museum they have there on the founding and history of Alabama. As I walked through the museum, I grew amazed at how far we have come as a community, and also as a country. We all have the potential to make great choices that will positively affect society, and we just have to remember we should always look out for ways to improve ourselves.
Day 5 … After a discussion about the somewhat abusive king Gualtieri, also known as Walter, I came to the conclusion that I had no idea what I was doing in this program. But as we went on with the day, I tried to stay focused, and I tried to make sure I was still making sense. Eventually, I thought my brain began working again, and that I would be able to make sense of what we were discussing. Unfortunately, we then started discussing Mary Lavin’s “Happiness,” and I was lost … again. But as the discussion continued, I got back on track and finally understood the symbolism in the story. Thankfully, we all went bowling that night to work off the confusion and frustration from class. Day 6 … We went over several topics on Wednesday, but the part that stood out to me the most was the movie we watched that night. We watched Hitchcock's Rear Window, and that’s when I learned that not only was I learning to analyze books, and classical stories, I was learning to analyze movies, and my everyday life, which as a criminal justice major is something I need to start doing daily. In this moment, I finally thought I could succeed in this program.
Day 7 … Service project day! After getting no sleep the night before( because I spent all night stressing about reading to kids), I realized that kids are so much smarter than I give them credit for. I read a Scottish folk tale to my group of four kids, and they all asked great questions that honestly inspired me. After leaving the school and heading back to the Great Books room, we had a discussion about modern readings, and we discussed how without faith, and without God, we really have nothing to be happy or positive about. Day 8… For our last full day of the week, we read Kafka’s “Hunger Artist.” We discussed why people think and act the way they do and what might motivate someone to do whatever they want to do with their lives. We ended the our awesome week with a trip to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, where I realized that I did not want to go home and that I had had so much fun over the past week. It didn’t even feel like I did as much school work as I actually did.
Classical learning made the week so enjoyable, and lighthearted, all while being very educational. My Great Books Summer experience was amazing. It opened my eyes to a whole new style of learning. I truly feel like I made some wonderful friends, I got to learn more about my future school, and I learned that I shouldn’t take reading lightly. Reading is one of the best ways to learn, and I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing program.
Rachel Rudd
7/14/18
My Great Summer
The Great Summer program was an inviting introduction to the classical learning style we use in the Great Books program. It was an entertaining and educating way to begin my college experience at Faulkner. I spent eight days on campus and most of my time in discussions that usually ended with me being under the table. Great Summer was weirdly educational, in that I expanded my ways of thinking greatly and gained new insights to classical learning, though it was still extremely entertaining.
Day 1 … It was finally time to meet these fellow nerds, whom I had only known through a computer up until today. I had no clue who these people were, or what they were like, so I was nervous and anxious, although meeting Auburn and listening to her talk about her dog, I felt more at ease. After a pretty awkward dinner, we met “gamemaster” Ethan and experienced what happens when a group of book nerds play spy games. That night was fun while we played our don’t-be-bored games and got to know each other. It was entertaining to see everyone try to guess who the spies were. Day 2 . In our first Great Books class, we discussed “The Pedestrian.” With this discussion, I learned that good authors mean much more than what it seems like, and if we look deeply enough, we can find all new meanings to writings. Dr. Jacobs taught me how to really analyze a story and how to look for those deeper meanings by being engaged in the story. I also realized that I do not want to be a mindless zombie watching tv; I want to be a leaf-smelling nightwalker. I got to see how Great Books classes work and how the discussions are run. We also had a writers workshop with Dr.Fullman, which I found both educational and entertaining. Dr. Fullman taught us about how to write and form a proper essay, all while being light hearted and making it fun.
Day 3 … After a relaxing morning at church, we had an insight reading on Cupid and Psyche. We discussed the purpose of the myth, and why in Lewis’s version it was so different. After realizing I totally misunderstood the Psyche and cupid myth, I thought my mind bomb was over for the day. However, we then read Aristotle’s “On Happiness,” and my brain has never been so shocked. I really saw how the discussion-based style of learning can help you see some deeper meaning in the story that you might have missed when you read it by yourself. By reading together, and then talking it over, you really discover all sorts of new meanings in the stories. Classical learning makes you engage with your readings, and it engages you with your fellow students, whereas in lecture-based classes, you can go the whole school year without talking to your classmates. I really enjoy the fact that I got to know everybody over the week, and I believe that is one of the reasons it was so much fun. Day 4 … Monday was an adventure through Montgomery! We went to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and that was one of the biggest influencers of my Great Summer experience. The museum was very moving, and it put in perspective an issue that the United States had to overcome. It brings up an important part of our history as a country, and yes, it was terrible, but we need to educate ourselves now and work towards building a better future. We then went to the Montgomery Archives and saw the museum they have there on the founding and history of Alabama. As I walked through the museum, I grew amazed at how far we have come as a community, and also as a country. We all have the potential to make great choices that will positively affect society, and we just have to remember we should always look out for ways to improve ourselves.
Day 5 … After a discussion about the somewhat abusive king Gualtieri, also known as Walter, I came to the conclusion that I had no idea what I was doing in this program. But as we went on with the day, I tried to stay focused, and I tried to make sure I was still making sense. Eventually, I thought my brain began working again, and that I would be able to make sense of what we were discussing. Unfortunately, we then started discussing Mary Lavin’s “Happiness,” and I was lost … again. But as the discussion continued, I got back on track and finally understood the symbolism in the story. Thankfully, we all went bowling that night to work off the confusion and frustration from class. Day 6 … We went over several topics on Wednesday, but the part that stood out to me the most was the movie we watched that night. We watched Hitchcock's Rear Window, and that’s when I learned that not only was I learning to analyze books, and classical stories, I was learning to analyze movies, and my everyday life, which as a criminal justice major is something I need to start doing daily. In this moment, I finally thought I could succeed in this program.
Day 7 … Service project day! After getting no sleep the night before( because I spent all night stressing about reading to kids), I realized that kids are so much smarter than I give them credit for. I read a Scottish folk tale to my group of four kids, and they all asked great questions that honestly inspired me. After leaving the school and heading back to the Great Books room, we had a discussion about modern readings, and we discussed how without faith, and without God, we really have nothing to be happy or positive about. Day 8… For our last full day of the week, we read Kafka’s “Hunger Artist.” We discussed why people think and act the way they do and what might motivate someone to do whatever they want to do with their lives. We ended the our awesome week with a trip to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, where I realized that I did not want to go home and that I had had so much fun over the past week. It didn’t even feel like I did as much school work as I actually did.
Classical learning made the week so enjoyable, and lighthearted, all while being very educational. My Great Books Summer experience was amazing. It opened my eyes to a whole new style of learning. I truly feel like I made some wonderful friends, I got to learn more about my future school, and I learned that I shouldn’t take reading lightly. Reading is one of the best ways to learn, and I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing program.
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI didn't think that words could describe last week, but apparently, i was wrong. the night that I got back in searcy, my dad and i watched the new Ant Man movie, and i found myself sitting there looking at a marvel movie from a philosophical standpoint! it's amazing how much one week could shape a worldview. so glad that you and the rest of the GB family was there to grow alongside of me.
wishing you Happiness,
Myles
I loved reading your perspective on the week, Rachel! Reading your essay made me feel like I was there with y’all all over again! It was an amazing experience and I am so thankful I got to know and work alongside you. Can’t wait to see you again in August!
ReplyDelete