After viewing the two documentary films, Enlighten Up and Naked in Ashes, compare and contrast the “meaning” of yoga and its practice in India, and in the United States. (1) Compare the lives of our two "seekers", "Nick Rosen" and "Santosh Giri".Consider their motivations, cultural preconceptions, experiences and the impact of their study.
(2) How do their experiences illustrate the differences between yoga in India and the USA:
-the definition of yoga,
-the purpose of yoga practice,
-the methods of practice,
-the ways that one is drawn to yoga and the perception of yogis (those who practice yoga) in India and here in the U.S.
(3) How does the definition yoga reflect and adapt to the culture and time period in which it is contained? Illustrate your analysis with specific examples from the films.
Essays will be graded for content and for rhetorical style and execution. Please make sure to proofread your essays and structure them in a persuasive manner. (see writing rubric for class). Essays should have a formal introductory paragraph and conclusion and address all aspects of the question raised above. Length: 3-5 pages, double-spaced.*DO NOT CITE FROM INTERNET RESOURCES. (thank you)
you can watch the second movie, NAKED IN ASHES on Amazon instant view for $2.99 by clickinghere. -------------
Essay #2
Authority in Practice: Community & the Ritual Space Due 3/1
Please base this essay on the readings by SMITH and NEVRIN, and your viewing of the film ASHTANGA NY. You May also comment on your personal experience practicing in a group class. All three sources should be used to answer the question posed below.
The practice of yoga in a group setting is a new phenomenon. The shala(practice space) and the Sangha (gathering for practice) are important components of modern postural yoga in the East and the West. Using the articles by NEVRIN and SMITH, and the film ASHTANGA NY, (1) Discuss the ways in which community and ritual create a meaningful experience for yoga practitioners. (2) Discuss the ways that the authority of the teacher expressed? (Consider language, sequencing, adjusting, discipline in practice, lineage, textual authority, ritual space, respect, etc.)(3) How is heat (ritual and actual) central to the transformational process in yoga practice? Illustrate your points with examples from the articles, the film and your personal practice where possible.
Considering the “science” of yoga from both the Eastern and Western perspective, discuss the role of yoga as a system of health and healing in American culture. To do this, you must discuss (1) the possible application of Yoga and its sister science Ayurveda (Svoboda book) as an alternative/complimentary medicine, and (2) the medical claims that are made by the yoga systems that we have discussed to date. (Iyengar, Ashtanga, Bikram & Sivananda & Viniyoga (see blog)). (3) Make sure that you consider health and healing from a broad perspective which considers mind, body and spirit. Note: look to your handouts, the readings, the effects of postures, and your own experience in practice for supporting evidence in your discussion. _____________________________________________
Epic Truths & Practice
Essay #4 DUE 4/26
The Baghavad Gita , Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika are considered revolutionary texts, departing from earlier traditions by proposing many approaches to enlightenment. For this essay, COMPARE and CONTRAST these texts according to the following features:
HOW IS YOGA DEFINED?
WHO may practice yoga?
How is it PRACTICED? (consider the techniques at the core of practice)
What is the GOAL of practice? (consider the philosophical assumptions that underlie practice-dharma/karma, samkhaya, singularity of truth---HINT!!!)
How might each text be viewed as a synthetic (brings together a diversity of current teachings) philosophy which appeals to all religious traditions?
Please illustrate your discussion with examples from the texts where appropriate. Cite as chapter and verse (where appropriate- sutras, HYP) rather than page number.
"The stilling of the movements of the mind" (YS 1.2)- Yoga is a meditative technique that brings stillness and connects one to the divine force
"Skill in Action" (BG 4.22) -Yoga is one's ability to perform one's action with the utmost skill so that one might always "act" properly
"Yoga is a technique which stops death"(HYP 2.16) -yogic techniques are meant to stop the natural processes of time and have one experience the eternal divine force.
"Yoga is the practice of non attachment" (BG 6.15) -Yoga is the ability to perform all actions according to one's purpose (dharma) without regard to the consequences of these actions.
"Yoga is a form of exercise which practice a designed to empower you with the focus, training and insight you need to achieve consistent results in the most important areas of your life." (Baron Baptiste)- Yoga is a form of physical culture which helps you succeed in your life.
"Yoga is a series of postures systematically work every part of the body, to give all the internal organs, all the veins, all the ligaments, and all the muscles everything they need to maintain optimum health and maximum function." (Bikram Chodouroy)-Yoga is a means for healing and maintaining health.
"Yoga is a way to reduce the stress in our lives" (Dr. Oz) -Yoga is a form of relaxation.
What are the Origins of Yoga? (that depends who you ask as well)
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) believes that yoga has strayed to far in the West from its HINDU roots. They see yoga as Hindu religion in practice.
Kundalini practitioners claim that yoga is a 10,000 year old practice originating in the pre-hindu northern regions of Kashmir in India.
Archaeologists have traced yoga "symbology" back 5000 years to the oldest civilization known to exist in the archaeological record Mohenjo-daro.
The physical postures that are part of the modern yoga cannon are at most 100 years old.
Modern Yoga practice was formed out of the Physical Culture Movement of the mid-nineteenth century. Before then yoga was a spiritual and alchemical practice.
Yoga has many different practices and developed through a number of different traditions. The three most prominent are from the Brahmanic period (Baghdad Gita), The Classical Period (the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali) and the Tantric Period (Hatha Yoga Pradipika).
Does Yoga in the West have any connection to these roots today?
Is Yoga a Religion? (that depends on who you ask)
What is "religion"? and how does this differ from "spirituality"?
"Yoga is in religion, religion is not in yoga"-the many yoga practices along with their transcendent goal of direct experience, are typically not practiced by adherents of religion. (Swami Rama)
Can Yoga Really Heal You? (and other special powers afforded by yoga -siddhis)
Many health claims have been attributed to yoga (are they true?)
Many psychological empowerment claims have been attributed to yoga (are they true?)
Yoga makes you a better person (does it?)
Why is Yoga a Girl Thing? (or is it?)
Certainly here in the West, Yoga is for chicks. 93 percent of practitioners are women. Why?
Traditionally, Yoga was (an exclusively) male practice.
When selecting your karma projects, keep in mind that you are attempting to define and participate in "selfless service". This participation will be the starting point for your continued REFLECTION on the idea of "karma yoga". Later in the term we will deal with this topic through an analysis of some of the major works of yoga philosophy. You will be required however to give an INITIAL 3 paragraph analysis of selfless service when you turn in your Karma Project Proposals. (due on 2/11)...see below.
Read this article for some ideas about reflection!
Please Turn in a form or facsimile thereof with your three paragraph discussion of what you believe is "selfless service" Indicate below why you believe your project satisfies these requirements and what challenges you believe you will face as you move through the semester.
___________________________________________________________________
Name____________________________________
Description of Karma Project___________________________________________________________
Discussion: Why is this "selfless service"?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I _______________________________________________, understand that this "service" must be carried out throughout the semester. As I engage in selfless service, my principle aim is to observe my own motivations, reactions, feelings and observations, and the impact which my service has on the target of my service. I will record these observations in detail as data and reference. Through this observation I will continue to define and redefine "selfless service".
As I observe my own service, I will refer as a method of reflection to the articles above and their analyses. At the close of the semester I will write a final reflection which will both DESCRIBE MY EXPERIENCE OF SELFLESS SERVICE and REFLECT UPON ITS MEANING.
You will be REQUIRED to practice AT LEAST once a week OUTSIDE OF CLASS. Free classes are available at Yoga Nine and on campus. After practices in class and on your own, please complete a REFLECTIVE JOURNAL after each practice.
Here are some general questions you might consider when doing your WEEKLY journaling. Journals are submitted via your personal BLOG. Please email me your blog address so that I can post it in this blog. If you would like your blog to be private (not available to the rest of class), please "close" access to your blog, but allow me in as a reader. Blog addresses are due to me via email by September 13. Blog posts are due every FRIDAY by midnight.
Ritual and practice:
1. What ritual(s) is/are the teacher performing and what do you suppose are the intended effect(s) of these ritual(s)?
2. What is the tone/volume of the teacher? What effects does the tone/voice have on you?
3. What is the teacher TEACHING in the class? Is there a theme running throughout the class? How, if at all, did asana and/or pranayama relate to the theme?
4. Did the teacher set the intention for the class? Or, did they invite you to set your own? If the latter, what was your intention for class? Did you maintain the intention throughout?
Anatomy and Practice:
1. What anatomical calls were carried throughout postures in class?
2. Did the teacher make anatomical calls from the more proximal or distal parts of the body?
3. Did the teacher make anatomical calls from the base of the posture up? Or not?
4. What was the experience of the corrections you made in your body based on the teacher's anatomical calls and the way in which the teacher sequenced those calls?
Health benefits and Practice:
1. What health claims were made by the teacher as a part of class?
2. Were "healing stories" a part of the class or studio culture?
3. What "healing" properties/ physical benefits or effects were directives or claims as part of class, or as part of studio cultural beliefs?
4. Is Ayurveda practiced at your studio? If so, how are the principles presented in light of Western medicine?
Philosophy and Practice:
1.Is there a philosophical principle to the teaching at your studio? Describe it.
2. How are the philosophical principles of yoga presented as relating to practice?
3. Does the philosophy of your studio speak of the foundational yogic texts?
4. What is "yoga"? How is it understood as part of Western lifestyle?
This course will focus on the history of Yoga in the East and its journey to the West and back again in this “age of globalization”. The course will contain six basic emphases:
History and Philosophy of Traditional Yoga: The Vedas Through The Tantras
Syncretism in Modern Postural Practice: East Meets West and Back again
Yoga as Medicine: ayurveda, kinesiology & healing applications
Mind and the Social Body: race, class, gender & ethnicity
The literary roots of Yoga (The Baghavad Gita, Yoga Sturas of Patanjali & Hatha Yoga Pradipika)
Is Yoga a Religion? Yoga & Moral Virtues for the Modern Age
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Students will be able to utilize direct experience as a tool for critical thinking
Students will be able to compare and contrast the three major philosophical traditions of yoga
Students will be able to critically examine American Culture as it is expressed through yoga as a product of globalization.
Students will understand the historical and cultural developments which have created modern postural yoga
Students will read and critically analyze original texts
Students will analyze the ways yoga has been acceptably "integrated" into American Culture
Texts & Readings:
1. The Science of Yoga
by James Broad (Author) Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1 edition (2012) ISBN-13: 978-1451641431
2. Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice by Mark Singleton (Author) Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 10, 2010) ISBN-13: 978-0195395341
3. The Hidden Secret of Ayurveda. by Robert E. Svoboda, (Author) (TAP) 1980
ISBN-13: 978-1883725044
4. Baghavad Gita: The Beloved Lord's Secret Love Song Graham Schweig (Author) Harper One 2010 ISBN-13: 978-0061997303
5.Yoga: Discipline of Freedom: The Yoga Sutra Attributed to Patanjali by Patanjali (Author) , Barbara Stoler Miller (Translator) Bantam Books 1996 ISBN-13: 978-0553374285
6. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika [Paperback] Svatmarama (Author), Brian Dana Akers (Translator) Publisher: YogaVidya.com (September 1, 2002) ISBN-13: 978-0971646612
This course will provide a holistic introduction to yoga as philosophy, Eastern cultural practice and syncretic system of health. The course will view the broad discipline of yoga through the spectrum of first the BODY (physical practice & medical applications), then through the MIND (philosophy of East & West), and then through the SPIRIT (exploring the ethical foundations of yoga as it relates to modern problems). The practice of yoga will be understood as a cultural product of Eastern and Western contact, beginning with the colonial era through the age of globalization. The philosophical underpinnings of first non-dualistic worldview and the gradual development of dualism in the East and West will be studied as a way to understand the various arms of the “classical” tradition.
This course will also explore the modern practice of yoga with its emphasis on the pragmatic physics of mindful movement and living. This “practice” will be explored as it fits into the “complimentary medical model” of allopathic (Western) & ayurvedic (Eastern) medicine; and its re-exportation back to India as a “New-Age” science of healing and personal transformation. We will also explore specifically Western applications of yoga as a mind-body “therapy” in the school setting.
Experiencing a physical practice will be part of the requirements for this class. Students will keep a “practice journal” and record their experiences over the course of the semester. This practice will consist of the 8 aspects (limbs) of yoga, and will be compared to the reduction of yoga to physical exercise as a complimentary cultural concept in the West. Students are required to fit a MINIMUM OF ONE outside practice PER WEEK (14 total) into their schedule this term (two is suggested). Free classes are available to students at YOGA NINE (Smithville & LBI) and on campus through student activities and health services. Meditation classes are counted as practice, but students must participate in one PHYSICAL YOGA PRACTICE per week. Students may opt to take classes with a RYT certifies teacher at another location. (needs approval).
Attention will also be paid to the going reinterpretation of ancient texts for each generation and the movement of ideas in the pre-globalization and globalization era. In particular the Baghavad Gita, Yoga Sutras and Hatha Yoga Pradipika will be examined as an archetypical texts.
SYLLABUS & READING LIST
BODY
Week #1: Yoga: East & West Introduction (1/16 & 1/18)
Introduction to the Study of Yoga: Fiction & Fantasy
The Scope of this Course
-Yoga Practice REQUIREMENTS (1/16)
-Project REQUIREMENTS (Karma/Service) (1/16)
-Writing REQUIREMENTS (1/16) Introduction to the history and Practice of Yoga (1/18) Readings: -Film: Enlighten up! (1/18)
Week #2: History of Postural Practice (1/23-1/25)
Readings:
Yoga Body Chapter 1-3: Yoga in the Indian Tradition (1/23)
-Science of Yoga Prologue (1/25)
Due: Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Starting my practice- A a student new to observing yoga, even if you are experienced at practice, begin your journals by observing the physical environment, the community of people who attend classes and frequent your practice space, and your impressions feelings and observations about what you are doing while "doing yoga".
Week #3: Yoga & the Physical Culture Movement (1/30-2/1) Readings:
Yoga Body Chapter 4-5: Physical Culture Movement (2/1) The Science of Yoga Chapter 1, Health (2/1) -Film: Naked in the Ashes (1/30)
Due: Karma Project Proposals (2/1) Due: Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: The Studio as Ritual Space-What makes your practice space a "sacred space"? Consider the sounds, decorations, rules, behaviors and other aspects of the practice space that create an opportunity for ritual experience.
Due: Essay: Yoga, Ancient & Modern---5 pages (2/8)
Due: Weelky Practice Journals: Theme: Yoga as Physical Culture- Is yoga framed as more than exercise? In what ways is it suggested at your practice space that yoga can "empower" you? Why not run, or do zumba?
Week #5: The House of Krishnamacharya: Pune Meets Mysore (2/13-2/15)
Readings:
Yoga Body Chapters 6-8 (2/13) Nevrin (XEROX): “Using the Body” (2/15) The Science of Yoga, Chapter 3 Moods (2/13)
Due: Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Practice as Ritual-Based on the article by Nevrin, How might your practice be analyzed as a "ritual"? How does this ritual function to change the nature, impact or intensity of your practice experience?
Week #6: Showdown at the Mysore Palace (2/20-2/22)
Readings:
Yoga Body Chapter 9 (2/20) The Science of Yoga Chapter 4, Risk of Injury
-Pranayama-Ujjayi (2/22)
Smith (XEROX): “Discipline & Authority in Ashtanga Yoga” (2/20)
Due: Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Yoga Practice as Community -Looking at Smith and building on Nevrin, does your practice space promote a sense of community? DEFINE this community and discuss its PURPOSE for both the studio and you. How much do you feel part of this community?
-Ayurveda and the Eastern notion of Health in Balance
-Doshas, Bhava and one’s essential nature
-Film: Ashtanga, NY (3/1)
Due: Essay: Yoga the Notion of Community & Ritual Space-5 pages (3/1)
Due: Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Yoga as Healing (medicine) -How is yoga seen as a healing practice at your practice space? How is this communicated to you? Is thia part of the class practice? How do you feel after doing yoga?
Week #8-9: Yoga and the Science of “Health” (3/6-3/8)
Readings:
Sivananda Yoga Worksheet (10/26) The Science of Yoga, chapter 5 Healing (10/31)
-Pranayama –nadi shodana
-Practice: Jenn Kretzer/(Sivananda Yoga: “Right” Practice (3/8)
Due: Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Yoga as a Lifestyle & Culture -Yoga has made a transition from "traditional culture" to "counter culture" to "pop culture" here in the West. What have you observed about yoga that firmly establishes it as "pop culture"? What has been the effect on yoga in the West?
SPRING BREAK MARCH 10-18
-Film: Deskashar & Viniyoga Film (Watch Over Spring Break )
MIND
Week #10: The Mahabharata & The Baghavad Gita (3/20-3/22)
Readings:
The Baghavad Gita (chapters 1-6) (3/20-3/22)
-The Principle of Karma and Samsara
-The Practice of Nonattachment
-The Three Yogas (Karma, Jnana & Bhakti)
Due: Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Definitions of Yoga --How is defined in the context of your practice space(s)? What kinds of connections are made to this definition and your group practice? Are there connections made outside of the context of the practice space?
NO CLASS Tuesday, March 27th-PRECEPTORIAL ADVISING
Week #11: Roots of Yoga: Primacy of the Mind & The Yoga Sutras (3/29)
Readings:
Yoga Discipline of Freedom (book) (3/29)
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (BLOG) (3/29)
-background to Classical Yoga
-meditation as enlightenment
-Film: Doing Time, Doing Vipassana (3/29)
Week #12: Classical Yoga: Meditation and Samadhi (4/3-4/5)
Due: Essay: The “Science” of Yoga/Yoga as a Practice for “self-healing” (4/5)
Due: Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Yoga as “meditation”: -Is yoga used as a form of meditation in your practice space(s)? If so, ow is meditation practiced? explained? If not, why do you believe meditation is absent from your "yoga" practice?
-Pranayama -Kumbacka (breath retention and suspension)
-Foundations of Tantra (4/10)
-Bandas, Mudras and the manipulation of energy (4/12)
Due: Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: What is the role of the body? How is the body approached and how is the body seen as a vehicle for experience of the divine?
Week #14: Yoga and Divine Sex (4/17-4/19)
Readings: Burley (XEROX): “Sex & Sexuality in Traditional and Contemporary Yoga” (4/17) The Kama Sutras: The reality of Tantric Sex Practices The Science of Yoga, Chapter 6 Divine Sex (4/19)
Due: Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Pranayama & Practice: -How is pranayama taught/practiced in your practice space(s)? What is the purpose of breath work in your practice space? Is breath the "focus"of your practice? Explain why it is, or is not.
SPIRIT
Week#15: Be Here Now: Yoga as a Spiritual Practice (4/24-4/26) Readings:
The Science of Yoga, Chapter 7 Muse (4/26) -Film: Ram Das: Fierce Grace (4/24) Is Yoga a Religion?-Durkheim and spirituality as the trump of individuality
Due: Essay: Epic Truths, The Bhagavad Gita, The Yoga Sutras & Hatha Yoga Pradipika (4/26)
Due: Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: -Is yoga taught as a spiritual practice? How is spirituality defines and expressed in your practice space(s)?
Week #16: Karma Project Presentations (TBA)
- Karma Projects/Presentations Due (TBA)
Due: Final Practice Journals: Theme: My Yoga Experience (TBA)
Assignments:
All assignments and due dates are noted on the syllabus. I will not accept late assignments (without good cause). Assignments submitted by email to yoganine@comcast.net. I reserve the right to amend any due dates or assignments based on the needs of the class. YOU are responsible for knowing about any changes to this syllabus! (I will try to avoid these).
Assignments ARE NOT OPTIONAL. Failure to complete any assignment may result in a failing grade for the term. If for any reason you cannot complete an assignment on time, let me know BEFORE the due date. Here is the list of legitimate reasons to for late assignments:
Your own death---or the death of a loved one (obit required)
Sickness---(Doctor’s note required, call before you miss class)
Hot Datein Court (You are not the defendant in a felony or misdemeanor-Note required for subpoena)
Therefore, I suggest you take the following precautions: Muzzle your dog, tune up your car, fix your computer and buy extra ink cartridges, save and email your work to yourself in three formats, check on your ailing relatives, eat right, and above all, don’t procrastinate. If you do have a legitimate excuse (listed above) I need to get a call BEFORE the assignment is due.
ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY:You will FAIL this course if you do not attend. I will take attendance every class session. Missing class, even with an excused absence may result in a demotion to your grade. The experiential nature of this class requires that you attend every session. There is a wait list for this class so, please do not make excuses.
CLASS ETIQUETTE:
ØSmoking Breaks are not allowed. Quit smoking...it is bad for you!
ØDaily bathroom breaks are discouraged. Pee before you attend, I do.
ØEating of food LOUDLY is just outrageous. (Do not eat a heavy meal BEFORE class when we are to do physical practice. Physical practice sometimes makes students ill on a full stomach.)
ØSleeping in class is inappropriate and hurts my feelings.
ØALL PHONES ARE TO BE TURNED OFF! The professor will answer cell phones. Please inform me if you have an emergency.
ØLate arrival is rude, get here on time. (If you are always late—leave early, constant lateness will result in a grade demotion).
ØDo NOT leave during class unless you have an emergency!
ØPLEASE PARTICIPATE IN CLASS DISCUSSION & COME PREPARED TO WORK.
ØExpress your opinion directly and with compassion and respect for others.
Requirements:
1)Readings & Class Discussion
It is critical that you come to class prepared. This is a SENIOR LEVEL SEMINAR course. You will EARN your grade in here by carefully preparing for class and participating fully. Refer to reading study sheets to “guide” you & take notes on your readings. =deductions to grade will be made based on poor class preparedness. =10%
2)Class Attendance - mandatory attendance-ready to practice w/mat, etc.
Students must come prepared to do a physical yoga practice. This will entail that you have the following:
oYoga mat (mandatory)
oYoga Block (4” foam is best)(suggested)
oThick wool or Mexican blanket for sitting (suggested)
oYoga strap or old necktie / dynaband / etc.(suggested)
DATES:
·Kris Waldron (Bikram Yoga) -2/8
·Annie Stiver (Iyengar Yoga) -2/15
·Loren Russo (Ashtanga Primary Series) -2/22
·Jenn Kretzer (Sivananda Yoga) -3/8
·Marcello Spinella (Insight Meditation) -4/5
3)4 Rhetorical Essays (5 pages each)=50%–Yoga Ancient & Modern (9/23)
–Community & Ritual Space (10/21)
–Yoga As Science & Medicine (11/18) – Epic Truths: The Bhagavad Gita, The Yoga Sutras & The HYP (12/10)
4)Practice & Practice Journals(weekly on your blog-due FRIDAYS)
Yoga class attendance should be documented by your yoga teacher by initialing the practice log. Reflections can be made informally, before and/or after class, but should be re-evaluated for these journal submissions. Journals will be submitted on BLOGS…which you will construct and posted EACH WEEK by the day after you attend practice. Final reflection will be due in your blogs on the last day of the term =25%(final write-up due 12/16)
Thinking critically is one of the best skills you can acquire in your college education. You WILL forget 90% of the information presented to you, BUT it will all be worth the cost of your tuition if you can gain skills that will serve you in your professional and personal life.
Critical thinking can be defined a the ACTIVE, PERSISTENT and CAREFUL consideration of knowledge (facts and opinions) (Dewey). It is a way of reflecting on what you and others believe and why you believe it. It is a way to learn how to be persuasive and articulate, but also how to judge the information that is constantly presented to you throughout your life with confidence.
Here are the important elements of critical thinking we will want to always employ in class:
In any discussion consider these:
·The purpose of the argument
·The question (s) which are being posed
·The assumptions which underlie the argument
·The conclusions that are drawn from the argument
·The consequences of these conclusions
When you present an argument in verbally or in writing, remember to go through the following steps as one way to PRACTICE critical thinking:
·State your position fully and clearly
·Elaborate on your point by expanding your position and clarify your points if needed
·Illustrate your point and exemplify your arguments
Without critical thinking and discussion, your points and the points of any author no matter how famous, are JUST OPINIONS. Persuasion comes when an argument is understood (WHAT), explained (WHY), and illustrated (HOW).
Our opinions and feelings are important, but in discourse they must be supported. It is also important that we feel comfortable having open and free conversations with consideration to POLITE and APPROPRIATE language and interaction with others. You will NEVER be judged negatively for your statements or opinions in class, but these should be presented carefully and mindfully when subjects might be sensitive in nature, as they often are in this class where we QUESTION our VALUES, BELIEFS and IDEALS.
You are all novices! Give yourself a break and remember that learning is a process and critical thinking like writing takes practice. You will be rewarded in this class for your EFFORT in this process and practice, not your perfect execution of it.
