Pruyn's Seminar Log for 11/30/16

Notes for Seminar on 11/30/16

(Juwan Edition)

1:16: Private Free Write

1:23: Focused free write: “What would you do if you were invisible?”

• Limitations of being invisible (Jawan)

• No one is visible in the dark (Isaiah)
• Problem as to how others see the invisible man(DaShanae)
• What comes from being a black man, end up in a bad spot (Venecia)
• The laughter shows how it could express his dominance (Kaila)
• Thinks he would be indifferent (DaShanae)
• It varies based on the situation that makes someone’s skin tone feel invisible (Nicole)
• Humanity of black people was taken when they came to America (Venecia)
• Not being acknowledged feels like you’re invisible (Kylar)
• Turned them into a circus act (Venecia)
• Develop an emotional attachment to the kidnapper [Stockholm Syndrome] (Kylar)
• (Not gonna lie, that’s some freaky bull)
• They cling to the memories of that person even though they treat the other horribly (Kaila & Jawan)
• Accepted the situation (Isaiah)
• Sees him as the way to freedom (Juwan)

2:09 End of Juwan’s Lecture

Pruyn's Seminar Log for 11/14/16

Notes for Seminar on 11/14/16

1:59 - Discussion About the Election (again -_-)

• Neither of the two candidates was the best choice, but Hillary was the “better” option (Tamia)
• Hillary didn’t put in much effort, got too overconfident (Isaiah)
• Trump seemed like the most “real” candidate to people that supported him (Kaila)
• Some points on economics were agreeable, but it’s too difficult to look past his racist comments (Trinity)
• Many white people’s true colors were exposed when he won (Christina)
• Society has become more of a Republican society than a democracy (Jawan)
• Nothing is done since he isn’t in office yet. Protests won’t work until he’s actually in office and what actions he’ll do. (Christina)
• Gets people to vote. Makes people more active in politics (Jawan)
• Trump has to be impeached based on what actions he’s done (Christina)
• Small part feels manipulated (Kylar)
• Half of America still voted for Trump (Trinity)
• 80-85% of rural people came to vote and voted for Trump (Christina)

2:30 Discussion about Research Proposal

Kaila's Seminar Log for 11/2/16

Pruyn’s Seminar Log for November 2, 2016

1:19 Focused Free Write (General description of the Grant writing /  Most interesting thing)

• The dialogue between the people (Jawan)
• Both articles connect how African-Americans’ works became discredited (Venecia)
• Pushing people down to nothing can make them think creatively (Isaiah)

1:30: Making Connections

• Connection to Black Lives Matter
• Trying to protect Black America (DaShanae)
• Suppressing people from having their freedom of speech. Cameras haven’t helped with crime (Venecia)
• Disgusted that Muslim women and children would be terrorists (DaShanae)

Black America’s State of Surveillance (Opinion Piece)

• Racial hierarchies are set up to keep people from speaking out (Kylar)
• Worried about terrorism (Ms. Pruyn)
• Realize what our initial fear is and understand that it’s wrong (Jawan)
• Minorities aren’t that frightening to other minorities (Isaiah)
• Subconscious systemic racism (Ms. Pruyn)
• Double consciousness and black people create another identity (Kylar)
• A debate about race ensued until…  2:23 pm

2:23 Research Paper check-up

Anything from that conversation has substance and should be posted? Leave a comment down below!

Seminar Log for 10/24/16

1:25-1:51 Focused Free Write

• (Jawan) A community is stronger at a young age, but solitude can help as you mature
• Relationships help encourage people to do things they wouldn’t do
• Middle school joining the baseball team and practice for the pitcher
• (Kylar) Choosing between solitude and community is unfair to choose
• (Isaiah) Community is more successful because they show you your mistakes
• (Venecia) “Find your way back” The group didn’t make it back but would’ve been more lost if she was alone
• (Juwan) Community is better since communicating with others is a greater skill
• (Kim) Solitude helps you think and community can give you their input.
• (DaShonae) Solitude can help a person think through and community can share their ideas
• (Tobi) Wouldn’t have been able to
• (Antoine) Restart the project when he found out he was doing it wrong
• (Kristina)
• Solitude helps with essays and assignments
• Groups good for track meets (Team sports)
• Compromise, as some cases depend on one way or the other
• (Tamia)
• Helps make important phone calls
• Fed ideas off each other and passed
• Community is more important because having different types of food in a restaurant for example and it helps to give feedback
• (Alex)
• Solitude is best for writing essays
• Community is best for things like construction
• Prefers community over solitude (Cannot recognize success without others)

1:52 - Looking at Solitude and Society (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

[Definition] Transcendentalism: Philosophical movement that says divinity spreads through all nature and humaneness. Usually progressive.

• Everyone is god’s children, so they should communicate with each other (Isaiah)
• Don’t be ashamed of who you are (Juwan)
• Some substances can withstand nature, but others need to be kept in something to stay pure (Ms. Pruyn)
• (Note line of interest, “Few substances are found pure in nature.”)
• Needed isolation to work their abilities because if in groups, there wouldn’t much concentration (DaShonae)
• Being part of the society means to be civilized and cultured or you’re seen as “uncultured swine” (Kaila)
• Promoting people to be part of the community as more worthy than those who isolate themselves (Kylar)
• Fit society’s norms and not worry about anything (Isaiah)
• Easy to be the same type of person you’re surrounded by (Alex)
• Cherishing that one person that stands out from everyone else (Antoine)

Where’s the Thesis?

• Having a balance between the two (Kylar)
• American Independence vibe (Jawan)

2:18: On Privacy by F. Gonzalez-Crussi (2015)

• Observing Anglo-American culture (Kylar)
• Individual rights that aren’t noted but should be (Jawan)
• Separation between people (Venecia)
• Not enough privacy (Kylar)
• Privacy is still enveloped in society (Venecia)

What’s The Thesis?

• All people have an inner space and must be protected or they would lose a part of themselves (Venecia)
• We could know who we are of given the idea from others (Isaiah)
• Change the makeup of ourselves as we see fit (Jawan)
• Some cultures shouldn’t decide what another sees privacy (Jawan)
• Judgemental of American culture at first, but eventually becomes neutral (Kylar)
• Could it possibly be a binary? (Venecia)
• What is more important? Inner self, or outside perception of yourself? (Jawan)
• Double consciousness is a way to help them survive (Kaylar)

2:46 Research Paper Info

Sorry for the late post. Hopefully, posts from me will be more timely. If I missed anything that you remember from that day, please leave a comment below.

Pruyn's Seminar Halloween Special (10/31/16)

Seminar Log Halloween Special

(Smells like readings.)

1:15 Start of Kim’s Lecture

1:16: Private Free Write

1:19: Focused Free Write

What is Solitude and Is It A Good Thing?

• Person isolates themselves. Person gives themselves time to get together (Venecia)
• Solitude is a good thing in moderation (Kaila & Antoine)
• Being in solitude is a bad thing and can help you with your mistakes (Isaiah)

1:24: Active Reading to Ode on Solitude [130]

• Boring because possibly talking about a farm (DaShanae)
• Things that would lead to being a loner (Isaiah)
• Enjoying solitude and living the way things are (Kim)
• Content with dying alone
• Wrote the poem when he was 12 years old (Kim)
• Many children pick on people with disabilities (Tamia)
• Morbid for a 12-year-old, didn’t expect it from a child but an old man instead (Ms. Pruyn)

Opinions?

• Enjoys being in solitude and enjoys the things around him (Tamia)
• Finds innocence and peace (Isaiah)

Why?

• Someone having defects is seen as scary and no one wants them around (Isaiah)
• Connection to Hunchback of Notre Dame [Published in 1831] (DaShanae)
• Most people didn’t defend living in the country (Ms. Pruyn)
• A way to soothe his force of solitude (Isaiah)
• People with disabilities are accepted now, but still keeps a distance
• Be in solitude but manage it as well (Kim)
• Does knowing the background of the poet changes your view on the poem?
• Becomes personal at the end of the poem (Jawan)

Was It A Way to Deal With The Situation

• Finding a way to deal with it (Juwan)
• By being alone, he had no one to be around and was an event (Tamia)

1:42 Privacy by C.D. Wright

• Not respecting other people’s privacy (Venecia)
• Personification of the poem (DaShanae)
• When someone walks in, they want to know more about that person (Isaiah)
• Talking about the nature of privacy (Kylar)
• Brought a train of thought out (Kim)
• Stream of consciousness (DaShanae)
• About a woman dying, each section alluded to it (Kim)

How Does The Poem Connect to The Title

• Does connect because when a family member dies, the family or close friends need their privacy (Alex)
• Look through a glass dress and violates a person’s privacy (Isaiah)
• Focuses on the moments before death, seen as the ultimate privacy (Ms. Pruyn)
• “Cake” (Dashanae)

2:00 ~End of Kim’s Lecture ~

2:13: Free Write Loop

• Privacy is violated every day, and in ways we allow consequences to happen (Alex)

“Black America’s State of Surveillance”

• Black people’s privacy is invaded because of their skin (Venecia)

“Deep in the Swamps, Archaeologists Are Finding How Fugitive Slaves Kept Their Freedom”

• Leadership emerged in the communities (Venecia)
• After the Haitian Revolution. When they arrived in Louisiana, they made up their own independence (Christina)
• Swamps are usually found in the swamp (DaShanae)
• Just because there’s no written history, doesn't mean it shouldn’t be ignored (Kylar)
• How limited history can be (Jawan)
• Rather have mosquitoes than lashes on your back (DaShanae)
• Keep mind intact, you’d still have privacy in your mind (Isaiah)
• Is it worth risking your life if you still have your mental privacy?

History of Louisiana

• French Quarter started off as a fort and everything else was mostly swamp (Christina)
• Everyone else would live around the edges. (Venecia)
• Slaves built the French Quarter (Christina and Antoine)

The rest continued into a debate. If I missed anything, please comment below.