Introduction

This learning tool is intended to give you an opportunity to reflect on the concepts and feelings you're experiencing during this course. What you write in your journal is confidential; however, in class you will be asked from time-to-time to discuss your experiences and reflections with classmates.

Each item below contains one or more questions. When you print this document, place each item on a separate page. You should write at least one typed (double-spaced) page on each item unless otherwise noted.

Please keep up-to-date on the entries and bring this journal with you to class each day in case we want to discuss the issues raised here.

Item 1

The video "What is Race?" discusses the controversies around issues of race in America. How do you understand these issues? What questions do you still have than you need to explore further?

Item 2

About which "-ism" or "-isms" is your video group talking? On which "-ism" do you want to focus? Do you think you will get your way? Why or why not?

Item 3

By now your -ISM (N.) group should have discussed a particular "-ism" on which you will probably focus. Analyze the development of your -ISM (N.) group thus far? Think critically about your group--it is intended as a living laboratory of group process. How did the group form? Who took leadership roles? How was diversity (of opinion, gender, learning style, etc.) managed? What has your role been in the group?

DO NOT simply gossip about your classmates. Be sure to explicitly use the terms and concepts discussed in this course (in the readings, lectures, and/or videos) to describe and analyze your group's development as a functioning learning community.

(This response should be a bit longer than the previous ones, approximately two pages.)

Item 4

Social and cognitive psychologists suggest that stereotyping is unavoidable in normal human interaction. Give some examples from your own experience which illustrate this point.