Evaluations from: February 4, 2003

Topic: Introduction: Red Pill or Blue Pill?

Rank today's presentation from 1 to 4 (1=totally useless and 4=Very useful)

1. Overall evaluation of class: 3.46

2. What was the most useful or meaningful thing you learned or insight you gained during the session?

• Disney movies really go into life lessons, everyone's names
• People need proof to change things
• other people's names
• things are not as they seem
• I learned that not only is this class diverse, but so are all the other classes I have. I just never bothered to get to know most of the people in my other classes.
• I hate discussions & sharing feelings.
• The ice breaker and getting to know about other people.
• I learned
• I saw how much people can think differently on the same topic and won't budge from their standpoint
• When we all had to say what our class, culture race was. How most of us really didn't know what to say including me-Especially to class
• (About people) understanding the way they think.
• How the class will operate for the rest of the semester, the general feel of the group.
• I liked the opening for the class w/the Matrix. This movie is a good intro for a Social Issues class.
• The power of individuality
• There are differences among everyone everywhere, but the way to solve or communicate through these differences is to speak one's mind w/out discouraging another.
• That no matter who you are or what is expected of you, you can be more
• A step closer to reality
• I decided for myself that things aren't always okay just as they are.
• I decided myself that things aren't always okay just as they are. I've always thought that, but it stands out more now.
• The fact that things like "Babe" exist and there are so many different ways of looking at it.
• How informative the class will be
• Not everything is "cut and dry"-the best resolve is not to make concrete opinions/bias in your head that are "end alls" and have no faults/flaws...
• I am glad to have a class that I can voice my opinion and listen to everyone else as well
• How challenging this class will be.
• Thinking about who I am + how I relate to others to make a difference.
• How different people are
• The movie was about believing in yourself & tolerant of others.
• I think that this session has given me a somewhat better underatnding of how changes can be for the better at times
• The more times you look at something, you realize how much you missed the first time.
• The most meaningful event was the name introduction. It showed how to work as a team.
• The useful thing is how the world is set as "That's the way things are" but people have the ability to change that
• To envoke(sic)change in yourself, and not be afraid to challenge others' ideas + stereotypes
• That everyone is unique and has there (sic) own opinion and should be respected for that

3. What question(s) remain uppermost in your mind as we end?

• assignments were unclear
• Would I ever be able to be assertive enough to chalenge my own stereotypes of myself.
• Whether or not I'll be able to get the grade I need.
• If I learned & opened my mind this much in one class, How much will I be thinking by the end?
• what "voice" will I adopt? Also...is the Bookstore still open?
• How will this class keep up the pace that was started off with today
• Why race, religion matter? (to other people)
• If I am going to be able to do this much
• How are only the 3 strands on the life helix what (sic)influence your life?
• I really don't see the relevance of the voice diary activity-will I really learn from this? I have enough problems being me w/o pretending to have the problems of another. I think everyone shares the same problems.
• Is life really like the movie or have things changed
• looking at all of us, why do people still hate?
• What stereotypes are we going to be challenged to break.
• How will the rest of the course turn out
• ?
• Not too sure about assignments
• Will I be able to take on all this work throughout the semester?
• How we'll come together as a class.
• I question whether or not I will be able to function in a class that requires so much participation.
• Why people are so racist
• Do I share the desire to face social issues with an open mind
• None as of now
• why do we need to have so many forms of writing
• How many people in this class are actually intersted in the topics discussed?
• "Can I be as successful in this class as I hope?"
• Why are any of us here?-babe
• Will I come out of here with a totally different mind set? Will this change my world?
• How my life will change. Will I look at things differently

4. What was the "muddiest" point in this session? (In other words, what was the least clear to you?)

• the assignments
• The work that needs to be done.
• The syllabus
• I had trouble following the explaination of th sylabus (sic).
• The least clear was the description of the syllabus.
• Certain people's opinions in the discussion
• No comment
• None
• All the homework
• The "voice" section
• not sure
• everything was pretty clear to me.
• Why are we talking about self-discovery-shouldn't it be social discovery?
• why we have so much writing to do in a Social Issues class?
• Discussing the "voice" project
• I missed a lot of points, I think the muddiest is one I didn't get at all.
• probably when the cyllibus(sic)was explained (it was read very quickly)
• Nothing really except this "Voice" assignments (sic)I'm sure it will be covered later on.
• N/A
• Voice Journals
• Layout of homework+format all just happened at once.
• everything for the most part was clear cut.
• I understand everything.
• Minor point: wouldn't an African & Jewish offspring be "mixed" not "an African American"?
• What's required in class. The order is a little confusing at this point.
• When all the work was being explained.
• The Matrix + it's connection
• How can I choose a Voice who I want to be
• The class was presented in a clear manner
• Basically just the explanation of the syllabus

5. Other comments:

• None
• Seems like the class will be a lot of work, but fun, too! :-)
• I liked the circle idea
• Good film choice
• Great start but a bit overwhelming
• I really enjoyed this class.
• I think this class will help me learn to speak my mind.
• I am looking forward to next week
• I didn't know what to expect when I walked through the doors But I choose the red pill.
• It's obvious that this class will be alot of work. but I am excited + up for the challenge.
• sitting in a circle is better than looking at the back of heads for 3 1/2 hours.
• The ball toss didn't help me at all; I learned two new names.