English 1010

Week 16 Journal

2006-12-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

I never enjoyed English courses during my years of junior and senior high school. So when I started this course during my first semester of college I was worried that I would once again find myself dreading being in an English class. Now I can look back and say that this course was my favorite English class I have ever taken. I feel like I have gained the most knowledge about English I have ever gained in this course. One aspect of the course that I appreciate over all the rest was the knowledge I gained about different ways of writing. I had just left my high school class where we wrote five strong persuasive essays all throughout the year. It was refreshing to learn how to write with a different kind of structure. Another main thing I got out of this course was the importance of organization when I write a paper, without ever feeling like I had to stick to a certain kind of structure. When I think of things that we could have spent more time I can’t come up with anything. I am very satisfied with how the course was structured. I think that we spent appropriate amounts of time on every aspect we covered. I like that we didn’t spend our time solely on the essay’s we wrote, but read many different outside reading materials. With the presence of outside reading I believe that the course was not just there to educate us on writing, but also to help us grow as intellectual thinkers. I know I have become a better writer as a result of this course. Like I said before, I only knew one form of writing and that was strong thesis and supporting paragraphs. This course opened my eyes to the new forms writing I can take and I think that that alone helped me to grow and advance as a writer. Parts of this class have definitely helped me with work in other classes. One part would be that I become more comfortable with being involved with discussions in class. With all the time allotted for class discussion I gradually became more practiced with my social speaking skills. Also, this class helped me to become a better thinker and allowed me ask better questions and become more aware of my surroundings and my thoughts as I am in classes.

Week 15 Journal

2006-12-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

Throughout high school I have had many experiences with peer review. So it was no surprise when I heard that this course would also have opportunities for peer review. When I was first informed that I would have the opportunity to review and edit other people’s papers I was nervous. This is how I usually react to peer editing; I get nervous because I don’t like telling people what to work on because I don’t feel adequate enough as a writer to be teaching. I also didn’t like the idea of people editing mine because I don’t feel secure enough as a writer and I don’t want people to see any kind of inadequacy. Even though I was accustomed to the practice of peer editing I knew that I had only done it in high school, and as a brand new college student I thought I would find myself in a whole new situation.
I came to learn that peer editing wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be. I learned a lot about the peer editing experiences throughout this course. One thing that I found very helpful was the ability of my peer to point out small grammatical errors that I didn’t see when I was double checking my work. Also, it was helpful for me to see people confused with sentences because I could then go back and re-word things that I had written. However, I don’t think that a lot can be accomplished through peer editing only because students and not as willing as an instructor might be to being straight forward and direct when they are telling another student where they went wrong in writing. I say this because I know that I didn’t give it my all and really criticize when I maybe should have because I didn’t feel comfortable doing that. For this reason I don’t think much was accomplished with peer editing. I am positive that the input I got from peers was helpful but I think there was a lack of input. I am sorry to say that I don’t think I made any impact on how others write as a result of my editing and review of others papers. I wish I could have been more helpful, but I always found myself taking a nicer, vaguer route in my editing.

Week 13 Journal

2006-11-17T17:03:00.000-07:00

The research I have done has done so much good for me. One element of my life it has helped with is my major and my decision as to what I want to do with my life. I knew I wanted to be a psychologist and that I wanted to help children, specifically teenagers. However, as I read the articles about the impact mental illness has on families I found out just how exciting the subject was for me. I remember reading my first article and finding myself wanting to learn everything there is on the subject of childhood mental disorders. I also always knew that metal illnesses affect everyone, not just the afflicted person. But as I read first hand accounts of this and listened to what scholars in my field had to say about it I had a knew respect and interest in the topic. This topic, that I became so intrigued by, has sparked more questions for me to research and better understand. One question has come about as a result of my research is whether or not enough attention is being given the parents and sibling of mentally ill patients. If not then why isn’t this issue being taken care of; if so then what is actually being done. Through continuing research and though my many years of studying behavioral science I hope to be able to ask these questions for myself. This research has better prepared me for my future studies. I now know how important the well being of the family is when they have a member of their family that suffers from a mental illness. Years down the road, I hope that when the time comes for me to have a job in this chosen area that I will remember how I felt about issue. The researches I have done have opened all new doors of questioning and intrigue for me.

Week 12 Journal

2006-11-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

During my research I have come across a few interesting questions. One that struck me as interesting is whether the mental illness, one has, can cause people around him or her to suffer from mental illnesses of their own. Most authors expressed that mental illness greatly negatively impact everyone that comes into contact with a person that is mentally unstable. One author however did express that mental illness becomes a vicious cycle by its tendency to mentally affect the people that surround an individual that has a metal disorder. I always knew that dealing with mental illness was a devastating issue for everyone involved. However, I never thought about the effects it can have on those professionals caring for a suffering individual. When this question comes to mind I begin to worry about the professionals that are responsible for health of ill people.
This worries me for one reason alone; I want to be a psychologist and the occupation that I have chosen might seriously affect my well being and those around me in the future. As I think about this question I began to remember a student from my high school, whose life was destroyed by this issue. Her name was Sarah and her mother was a clinical psychologist. During her junior year her mother took her life because she was so unhappy. I am not sure whether her decision to end her life was solely because of the grief she was feeling as a result of her job but I can see how it could be. This situation and similar ones that take place are extremely worrisome to me and make me second guess my future. However, I know that in order to be a therapist I need to know how to leave my work at the when I leave work and not bring the unhappiness I am faced with at work into my personal life. I am sure with all jobs there runs a risk of being affected by the work environment and it is up to the individual to cope with whatever they are faced with.

Week 11 Journal

2006-11-03T18:21:00.000-07:00

During my research I decided on a final topic for my paper. I chose to write about the effects mental illness has on the family. During my search I found six articles on my topic. My first essay was about the stigma within the family associated with mental illness. This essay helped me take interest in this topic initially. It speaks about the blame and shame the families face when a loved one suffers from a mental illness. This essay really spoke to me about the foundation for my research. I then started finding articles about more specific effects and who is specifically affected. Another article wrote about the grief present when a loved one suffers from a mental illness. This article was very important to me and my research. The author went one step further and explained the vicious cycle of mental illness and the mental toll it takes on those around an afflicted person. One article described more specifically the effects mental illness has on very young children. The author wrote about infant and parental mental health care. He thought that the foundation of mental health needed to start as young as infanthood. Another author spoke about the negative social effect adults can have as a result of growing up with parents that suffer from mental illnesses. This author mainly described children affected when their mothers have a severe mental disorder. The essay went into detail about the troubles a child may face when he or she grows up and tries to adjust in society. The author found many issues with drugs, alcohol, and the breaking of the law. One more was based around the thought that mental illness in a family causes the family’s quality of life to be damaged. I am planning on using the differences of the authors’ perspectives for the essay.

Week 10 Journal

2006-10-27T15:21:00.000-06:00

It took me a few days to finally decide what topic I would research for my paper. I didn’t know where to start so I thought about my major. I am majoring in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Psychology. I decided since I am passionate about that field of study then I should be able to commit myself to the large amounts of research I had ahead of me. The next phase of my work would be narrowing down my topic into something I would find articles about. Again, I referred back to my chosen field of study. In the future I want to be a psychologist for children and teenagers preferably in a school setting. With this in mind I chose to narrow down my search to the etiology of childhood mental illness. I thought that I would find enough people with different opinions on what causes mental illness in children. My mind immediately went to different causes that I was aware of. I pictured articles from hereditary proponents to chemical imbalances as the factors of childhood mental illnesses. When I began searching for articles I was thoroughly disappointed. I found not one single article about the etiology of these problems. I’m going to be honest, there is a chance that I wasn’t looking properly and I needed to alter my search. When I was looking through the articles that did come up in my search, none helpful for my topic, I found something that caught my eye. I came across an article concerning the effects mental illness has on families. I was immediately attracted to this topic and found it intriguing and interesting. The author disused the blame and shame, along with many other factors, that stand side by side when mental illness plagues a family. This particular topic stuck me on a personal and professional level. One large part of my desire to help those suffering from mental illnesses is helping those that surround the person in need. I know from my own personal experience that mental illness affects everyone regardless of whether they are personally afflicted with a mental disease. I began to further analyze the topic and found more and more significant parts I would be interested in researching. I began to think about the stigmatism that follows those who have a mental illness and in return those who have loved ones who suffer as well. With that thought I began to think about the stigmatism found within establishments like religions, schools, families, small communities and so forth. The small research I had done had opened up all new questions and topics to me. I can’t wait to research this topic more and better understand what scholars in my field of study are saying about something I care so much about.

Week 9 Journal

2006-10-10T19:52:00.000-06:00

During class there have been many occasions for me to raise my hand and contribute my thoughts to the class discussions. Whether I have something meaningful to say or I have a question I rarely find myself taking the opportunity to donate my thoughts. I see many students comfortably adding valuable information to the discussions without any problems. I find myself jealous of their ability to freely inform others of their opinions. It seems that I am just not comfortable with the idea of letting my voice be heard. I wonder why this happens and what I can do to fix this.
One reason I believe this trouble plagues my life is that I have some form of a social phobia. Even if I do miraculously find the courage to speak up I find my voice timid and my lungs short of air. This matter alone makes speaking in from of people an uncomfortable circumstance for me, let alone expressing my passions and desires to my peers and instructors. At this time in my life I don’t know how to go about fixing this issue. I have tried, on many occasions, to pretend I don’t have this issue and struggle through tasks that require public speaking. Some tell me that only way to overcome this problem will is practicing public speaking. The only problem is actually putting that theory into action.
I don’t believe this phobia of mine is just merely a social or mental disorder. When it comes down to the fundamentals I realize why I feel this anxiety about speaking to people. I am simply afraid of what people are thinking about me. This fear I have makes me vulnerable and that is simply unacceptable for me. I don’t want people seeing me as a weak person. When I think about taking in front of people I worry about what they are thinking or if they understand what I am trying to get across. These are the questions that replay in my mind that cause the anxiety.
When it comes down to it my only fear is rejection, and not only from my peer but from myself. My anxiety is self inflicted, I overanalyze all I say and think; I worry that I am fulfilling my best potential. It is human nature to always want to succeed and be good at all one does. I worry that what I express in public situations won’t be good enough for others and for my own standards. The best cure for this, I believe is leaning to cope with these feelings and always checking my thoughts for unnecessary feelings of disapproval.

Week 7 Journal

2006-10-04T14:19:00.000-06:00

In the essay “A Silence That Kills”, a very insistent position is taken on the issue of tobacco use and its increasing demolition of lives. Thousands of men, women, and children are affected yearly because of tobacco use. Tobacco related illnesses cannot be taken lightly and solutions need to be enforced. The world cannot afford to remain silent and apathetic towards the harms of tobacco use. By using an extensive array of allies for the purpose creating helpful ways of undermining the harms brought on by tobacco, solutions can be made.
The public needs to be made aware of tobacco related issues. Tobacco kills many people each year and effects even more. Fortunate, the death and destruction caused by tobacco use can be prevented. People need to be aware of the cessation methods available for them and their loved ones. Tobacco related deaths and illnesses can be suppressed and knowledge is the first step.
One reason why there is deafening silence on the subject of tobacco is the countenance of the issue. Tobacco does not kill and harm everyone equally. The poorest and least educated Americans are the ones suffering most from this crippling epidemic. Racial and ethnic communities suffer more than white communities because of the health availability in these communities. Racial and ethnic communities tend to have less access to health care. People in all social and cultural dimensions need to be educated on the horrors of tobacco use for this problem to be fully eradicated
Smoking is increasingly seen as a disgraceful practice. There are many local and statewide policies being enforced that restrict the use of tobacco in public places. Smokers are becoming a shamed minority, but they need to be in involved with the campaign to stopping tobacco use. Also, the tobacco industry needs to take responsibility for this epidemic. They need to be held accountable for marketing and advertising.
Other allies that are needed in order for this issue to be resolved are public health and the government. The government needs to do more for the preventions and treatment of tobacco related illnesses and problems. The campaign for the annihilation of tobacco related illnesses and deaths are missing the voices of political leaders. Pubic health needs to make sure the government and health care systems have methods for informing the public and encouraging the decreasing the dependence and destruction of tobacco use. All leaders need to find their voices in this matter and help make amends for the suffering of man kind around the world.

Week 6 Journal

2006-09-21T21:02:00.000-06:00

It seems that everyday in English class we, and by “we” I mean the typical students that voice their opinions, discuss the value of our education. Some students explain their presence in the class as merely “needing an A to get into their program”. Some are just there to satisfy their general education requirements. Other students are looking to get some enlightening knowledge out of the course. During this discussion the topic of laziness and lack of motivation comes up. During one of these discussions someone explained that they didn’t think the people have the ability to do more than the smallest amount of work possible. This take on the human ability fascinated me. Does this mean that people are lazy or that they lack motivation? I believe that the answer to this question is that people are not motivated to work hard. During high school students were not given the opportunity to drop classes on a whim. When I started my first year of college I began to see people dropping class left and right. In college there is a very high tendency for students to drop classes within the first few days of school. Students do this because they know they have the authority to do this without the objection of the school or instructor. They know they have the authority because they, or their parents, are the ones paying for their education. Unfortunately, I see this attitude being taken with all aspects of life, not just school. This mentality troubles me for a few reasons. My first problem is that if one doesn’t endure through something that seems tough of difficult then they will never know their full potential. If one just takes the easy way out then he or she will never know the strength they possess and their ability to persevere. My other issue with this state of mind is that from my experience the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences are the ones that were difficult and were the most time consuming. Valuable life lessons will be missed out on if people become all too willing to stop progression. Once more, this problem is present all too often in school. When a professor requires more out of his or her students than the students are willing to provide, students decide give up on the class. The students that drop are missing out on valuable information. Once again, it just so happens that the more challenging the class is the more gratifying the outcome will be. If the instructor requires more work then there will be more knowledge to achieve. Finally, in response to the subject of money, if college students are paying such a large amount for their education I think students should want to receive the most valuable education possible.

Week 4 Journal

2006-09-11T18:12:00.000-06:00

From a very young age I have been interested in helping people that have psychological problems and are in need of someone to talk to. I have known many people who have acquired professional, physiological help for many reasons. I have personally been to counselors and benefited from their direction and aid. Through personally experiencing the benefits of counseling I have seen the great things professionals help can do for people with behavioral problems. I became fascinated by the wealth of knowledge psychologist had pertaining to the human mind. For these reasons I wanted to be part of this community that’s sole purpose is the healing fellow people. When I began to plan my future I decided to major in Behavioral Science with and emphasis in Psychology.

In the study of Human Behavioral Science there are some specific questions that scholars typically ask. One question might be what behavioral illness might patients be suffering from? Through studying and analyzing the human psyche scholars can gain knowledge of diseases present in the human mind. Scholars also ask how patients can be helped. Through studying and attaining awareness scholars can also learn how to treat patients. These questions are vital to the understanding of Behavioral Science.

Like any area worth studying there are a few questions that I have asked pertaining to my chosen major. My most important question would be how can I help those in need of professional counseling? By taking the necessary courses for acquiring this major I hope to be able to understand the human mind in depth. I also think that by interacting with people and being perceptive to issues of human behaviors, I can acquire a better understanding of the human mentality. Another question I asked was what are the available career choices for one interested in psychology? I believe there are many different categories of counseling one can choose from. If someone wanted to deal with family or marriage counseling they have to opportunity to. Many career opportunities are available for those who wish to specialize in grief counseling and so on. I have not yet chosen what area I wish to specialize in but I know there are many options to choose from.

For a large portion of my life I have sought after a career where I would be able to talk with people in need of guidance and provide advice and help. These principles were exactly what I had in mind when I chose to major in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Psychology. I know that great things can manifest through counseling and I hope to add to the success of psychological studies. There are many questions and problems I would like to tackle through my study.

Week 3 Journal

2006-09-08T18:40:00.000-06:00

I was born and raised in Los Angeles County, specifically in the foothills of the San Bernadino Mountains. Years ago when my hometown, Montrose, was first built a street was placed in the very center of the town. The street was constructed to resemble a rose stem and the surrounding streets were meant to portray the flower’s pedals. The street is now known as Oceanview and once in a while that’s exactly what it does, a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean and the Los Angeles skyscrapers can be seen as you drive through Montrose. Growing up this vision of beauty could be seen almost every day. Recently the glimmering ocean scene has been concealed by a thick layer of smog. It is common knowledge that Los Angeles’ air is anything but clean, but the fact that within a decade the world can change so rapidly and for the worse is seriously disturbing.

The rapid contamination of the world’s air has become a grave issue. Does any one really know if this will threaten our existence on this planet or not? This issue makes me wonder if everyone is aware of this dilemma. If people are aware of the eroding of our precious atmosphere then what are they doing about the predicament? Does anyone know what is causing this corroding and who is doing the research? These questions should be asked by all and need to be answered.

There have been attempts to fix or help this problem. Some choose to make a difference by carpooling or reducing their dependence on cars, which deposit toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Also, cars that do not run on toxic fossil fuels have been produced. Some have gone great lengths in order to educate people about the vitality of our earth.

This topic should concern all human beings who wish to continue to live on this earth. Whether or not this issue will be detrimental to our livelihood, it should not be taken lightly. I think there are a good amount of people concerned about this issue to get something done. Also, I believe that people are doing a good job getting information out and enlightening the world.

Growing up in Los Angeles has allowed me to see the effects modern living has had on our world so far. Some people don’t know what is happening to our world and they need to be informed. Although no one knows exactly what will happen years from now, I believe it is our obligation to do all in our power to prevent the possible erosion of our planet. We only have one world to live in and one ozone layer to protect us so all human being should do their best to protect it.

Week 2 Journal

2006-08-28T00:27:00.000-06:00

Strict regulations are needed in order to get a driver’s license but when it comes to raising a human is a man and woman. While getting my license I had to attend a two week training course with numerous test, instructional videos, worksheets, hands on training, at home training ect, just to get my permit. After that I had to wait at least six months and obtain over 50 hours of driving with an adult over 25. Still after I fulfilled all of those requirements I was still required to take a driving test with a state certified instructor. After receiving my license I was not allowed to drive anyone under 21 for the first six months. Even after receiving ones license it is quite easy to receive tickets for using the privilege inappropriately, even a less than adequate stop at a stop sign can result in court fees and if left un paid larger issues that can result in a suspended license. Child bearing on the other hand requires no license, no tests, no waiting period, no system in place for check ups on those who are making ‘inadequate stops’ with their children. Just a hospital bill picked up by your and my taxes and years of welfare thanks to the left. Why does the government and or society regulate certain aspects of social responsibility but others are left up to the digression of each individual’s moral or personal desires?

Another example of this situation is that certain substances that can negatively affect the body and brain are regulated by the government while others are not namely, alcohol vs. marijuana. While the government keeps control of the planting, growing, selling, and smoking of marijuana. Alcohol has much more lineate policies when it comes to it’s uses even though it can result in addiction, abuse and dependence. Why is there a difference between and who should make the decision on what is legal and what is not? Is it the people, or the government? Obviously the people have chosen that they would like marijuana to be legal because there is a huge illegal market for it seeing as the government spends tons of money to keep the selling and using of it under control. Now if the government was going to regulate the use of marijuana they would be able to tax the use and keep control more.

Obviously government is not going to turn our society into a place similar to the situation in The Giver, lacking color, choices, love, emotions, the value of human life but at what point does it change from a personal choice to a law. Should we start regulating the food intake for the obese instead of just making polite suggestions with the billboards that say “childhood obesity don’t take it lightly”. Are child molesters going to get more harsh punishments the fifth time they decide to molest a four year old and then live next to a school and complain about their rights to live in peace. Is our society ever going to come to an agreement on the balance between personal responsibility and civil duty?