Humanities 210 MIC/WIC- Cora Agatucci
Cultures & Literatures of Asia

HUM 210 Final Dialogue: Student Self-Assessments
& Course Reflections
Instructor Agatucci CRN 11404  11467   Term Winter  Year 2001

Part 1:  Complete the Student Survey of Hum 210 Learning Outcomes .
Directions:  Below I’ve listed the major Course Learning Objectives [i.e. Competencies] given in the Hum 210 Syllabus at the beginning of the term.  Read these outcomes statements over and circle the number on the 5-point scale that is closest to your self-assessment.  Feel free to comment on any of the outcome statements or your ratings.

Number of Students Responding: 23
Number of Students Enrolled at End of Term:  26 

As a result of Hum 210, I am able to…

1.                  … Identify some distinctive characteristics, genres, and periods of traditional and modern Asian language arts, literature, and film (e.g., early Indian epic and Chinese folk poetry,  Japanese haiku, modern historical fiction and film, etc.). 

[Student 3] “I study Asian cultures because they have been around the longest so there must be something to offer an individual.  I have enjoyed reading the poetry and also participating in the Chinese character writing.  I have learned more through my final project about Chinese marriages.  The study of other cultures is very important for individuals.  It has just been in the last years that people have believed that other technique or ways of life are correct.  This is seen in the belief of Chinese medicine and healing.  "I have also been introduced to a new style of poetry and have created some pieces that I am proud of.  I enjoy having Haiku moments.  I will study more on Asian cultures.  The next subject that I want to introduce myself to is the Chinese Astrology.  This subject interests me greatly.

[Student 4] “I gained a lot from this class.  I am glad that my other classes didn't work out so that I was forced to take this class so that my credits would be as many as I needed.  Taking this class ended up being exactly what I was very interested in at the time.  Before taking this class  I was very interested in how Asia became what it is today, and now I am interested in every detail of Asian society.  I feel that I am lacking in Asian knowledge.  We learn a lot about Europe in our everyday life but we do not learn that much about Asia, maybe that is because we look down on them?  I am not sure what the reason but I do know that I am lacking information on Asia and this class helped introduce me to much knowledge that I will build upon.  I am now aware of the basics of Asia: their religions, their economy, and their past sufferings, but I want to know more.  This class has given me an interest to learn more about the Asian cultures and relations with the United States."

[Student 5] “Asian literatures are reflective of Asian culture and in order to effectively learn about a society or culture it is best to look very closely at it's literatures.  There are several reasons to study Asian culture.  The one reason paramount to me is just to have a better understanding and awareness of cultures that I share the world with.  Understanding other cultures and the ability to communicate across those boundaries is important for all people.  it is not appropriate or socially responsible for people to be so wrapped up in their own society, that they ignore the very valuable lessons and knowledge that can be learned from other people  I believe this is ethnocentrism, right.  This ignorance leads to fear, hatred, and misunderstanding."

[Student 6] “The reason why I studied Asian lit/cultures was because I have always been facinated by India, and Japanese and Chinese gardening styles and techniques.  But I think the real value of this class came through in learning about the cultures - their religions, histories and how their literature reflects these things.  These studies helped me understand their value systems more and though their daily lives have radically different content, there is a depth there I hadn't fully realized.  I particularly liked studying the poetry, the actual characters, and history (like for Zen Buddhism, Ying & Yang, etc.)  This class is also a good basis to build further studies on....just wanted to tell you, Cora, that I really liked it and it has spurred me on to further studies.  Cross-cultural study is very important to understand another's viewpoint/outlook on life, their political theories, and general values.  Plus, in this study, a whole different world of fine arts opens up to you for your exploration.  I plan on continuing my studies, especially of Bonsai and the other garden arts."

[Student 7] “In the beginning of the course, I had a minute window into the Asian culture.  That was part of my reasoning in talking this course.  To expand that.  And I have to say that I have successfully completed my goal.  I honestly now feel like I know more, and can feel myself relating to minorities better. 
"Yes, I think that it is very important to learn about cultures.  It is important to learn about Asian studies, because you need to know about their past, so you can more easily relate.  I think that cross-cultural study is very important, because this is a big world.  And the more we know, the less judging we can be.  That is very important because prejudice and stereotypes only drag us down in the world." 

[Student 8] "The Humanities 210 course has been for me, more than anything else, a valuable introduction into the cultures of Japan, China and India.  Because there was not much time spent on any one country, I don't feel I have yet gained sufficient knowledge.  There was, however, much presented to me by way of the course packet and handouts that will allow for exploration into specific areas of interest as they arise.
"Up until beginning this course, the only exposure I have had to Japanese, Chinese, and Indian culture/literature has probably been of a commercial nature.  Even the latest 'Eastern philosophy' movement has been coopted into American society from the Asian religious beliefs and probably has developed its own spin.  It has been enlightening to know I have available to me non-commercial resources to study and integrate into my life as I need it."

[Student 9] "Reflecting on this course, I think of whether or not taking this class a benefit to my cultural studies and why.  I think it was in the aspect of broadening my over-all surface knowledge of Chinese, Japanese, and Indian culture.  Whether or not I choose to seek further interest lies ahead of me but I definetly think I reached an acceptance level and it was in every important to my studies.  I think that I will continue to take cross-cultural classes, I think it creates a better understanding of what kind of religion and culture I prefer personally."

[Student 10] "Once again this course has prompted me to explore another culture, to stop and think about my own preconceived ideas about Asian culture.  In the course of ordinary, everyday life, one becomes focused on self, family, job, etc. and may never take time to explore the world and views of others.  Cross-cultural study is so important because without an understanding of other cultures, intolerance and bigotry is bred and grows unchecked.  I do plan to continue on to the next course in the series and would love to actually visit some of the regions that we have studied.  I will also not be so quick to carry on the notion that the 'dead white guys' are the only authors worth reading.  Traditional literature is fine and important, but women, Asian, African writers enrich life so much more!"

[Student 11] "I learned a lot, before this class I didn't really care or want to know anything about Asia.  Durning the class I found out that Asia is interesting.  The literature of Asia showed me how Asian are, which conterdicted the way that I thought they were.  I had never relized that their culture was that different, but I had thought it was more American."

[Student 12] "Hum 210 has opened my eyes so much more to Asian culture that I could have imagined.  In todays world we walk around kind of stereotyping cultures.  We take from other cultures then Americanize it.  I had never heard of the Mahabharata and now I know I find myself discussing it with other people.  By taking this class I found out how naive I was, this class opened up many aspects of Asia that I want to know about.  There was a lot of reaching, which I am going to keep because I found it very resourceful, yet I wish this class was more spread out through 2 terms.  There is so much info!"

[Student 13] "I think that it's important to study a variety of other cultures and literatures, not only Asian.  With the broadened knowledge, only then can you truly understand your own.  You then are able to compare and contrast aspects creating a much clearer understanding."

[Student 14] "I have found it very useful to learn about other cultures and their religions, values, families and ways of life.  This class has given me a better look at how the Asian cultures are and what they are about.  Before this class, I didn't have much knowledge on the subject and now I have a better understanding of how they are different yet similar to us.  I believe it useful to all students to take a cross culture course because it makes us more aware of what is going around our world and not just what is happening here in our little community."
"I have enjoyed this class very much and plan on taking another cross culture class to learn even more about a culture that is not my own.  I feel very fortunate that I am able to take time and learn about others.  I think that if everybody had the time and interest to learn about others than we would not have so many problems with people being so predigest."

[Student 15] "I am very glad that I took this class.  Many people ask me why I am taking Asian Literature and Culture.  I took it because I think it is important to have an understanding of people other than Americans.  There are so many people in this world and so many cultures that I would be oblivious if I did not know anything about them.  I started cross-cultural study in African Lit/Culture and I love it.  I plan on continuing this sequence and enrolling in Lit/Culture of the Americas."

[Student 16] "For me, the study of Asia is like a link to my past and my future.  My own Grandpa was in India during the war.  He sent my Grandma and her daughters photos, stamps, money and even a beautiful tangerine-colored sari.  His experience there manifested itself as a mysterious understanding of Indian culture in our middle-class white Irish-American family.  I have always been interested in the people and places of India and have always taken advantage of opportunities to learn more about the place.  While attending a university with a religious studies department, I was able to study the religions of India, Japan and China.  By taking Humanities 210, I was able to deepen my understanding of these places by trying to comprehend a small sample of their modern literature.  The way that I have integrated the mystique of the East into my life is as a yoga teacher.  In my own way, I experience eastern ritual and concepts by assimilating music, incense, and a physical practice from India with roots that stretch back in time 6,000 years.  I very much enjoyed researching yoga practice in my Critical Review.  My focus was on ancient literature which bore few similarities to the modern Cracking India.  This book exemplified the intricate and mysterious culture of India as it is scrambled momentarily by the effects of war and violence.  How many times has this happened in the history of India?"

[Student 17] "First of all I must admit how much fun I had taking this class.  I had little expectation about what would be taught in this course, and was pleasently surprised at the material covered.  Asian culture, as with all foreign cultures, is one I had little understanding.  I have had limited interaction with people from an Asian descent, and therefore limited knowledge.  Begining with a strong background in Chinese characters and translation helped clarify the simple problems brought on by translating and cross-cultural communication.  I would say this is the experience I valued most.  Studying Chinese and Japanese language gave me an appreciation for the complexity of thier language and for those people who have devoted time and energy to translating texts.  I will no longer take for granted those individuals who learn second and third languages and the knowledge they may offer.  The course pack, although mighty heavy, was so very thorough that I couldn't help but learn a brief history of India, China, and Japan.  I was under the impression from the course name that this would be strict film viewing.  I am still pleased to have learned so much about the functions of Asia that my interest will never retreat."

[Student 18] "My reflection on the entire course is a positive reflection.  As I reflect back, my learning experiences have been positive ones.  It is a positive reflection because studying Asian cross-culture was valuable.  I learned about different cultures and how they differ from our own culture.  This expanded my views on how I see other people's beliefs and customs  I don't see them as being wrong anymore becuase they don't agree with my beliefs."

[Student 19] "There is no doubt that I leaned several things from this course, and there are lots of questions unanswered.  Perhaps that is what made this course fun and suspenseful.  The course has given me a whole new perspective on some parts of the Asian past.  For example, I knew the Japanese were terrible people during the war, but i didn't know the were that barbaric in the film Red Sorghum.  The course has given me some aspects of my heritage, I'm glad I didn't have to go through that."

[Student 20] "When I signed up for the class Asian Lit. I was to hopefully gain an entry-level position to the Asian world.  In consideration of the enormity of Asian culture I was a blank sheet of paper.  My only interaction with Asian culture was usually from a far.  Observances, casual meetings and occasional events.  Which inspired me to want to learn more of a culture that I know nothing about.  The class definitely provided what I was looking for.  I think that anyone who wants the most from life should expand their mind and environment by exploring all the peoples of the world.  The history and culture of another people can only harvest understanding and love of other cultures and give insight to your own.  Slowly and I mean slowly people of America are tearing down the wall of ignorance that American culture has built.  I find that studying other cultures like Asian, I will get the information to help others around me see their ignorance.  I do plan on continuing my education laced with classes that explore other culture.  I also want to visit and travel thus really furthering any knowledge I may have.  This summer I will be in Mexico with the Earlies.  Tring to investigate the basis of my own ethnicity.  Comparing and contrasting cultures is a great way to understand yourself and the world around you.  I am thankful that these classes are available.  I hope that other students' benefit like me."

[Student 21] "I enjoyed the novels and movies.  I really noticed the difference in the attitudes about war depending on whose point of view I was looking through.  The Japanese people implied a senselessness of the bomb in Rhapsody in August and A Pale View of Hills;  where in Red Sorghum the Japanese were the ones committing the atrocities i.e. skinning people alive, taking villagers as slaves.  The fact is in any war we all suffer not participant is innocent in the horrible happenings of war.  I also found many beautiful descriptions of the terrain and lifestyles in the novels and movies.  In the Mahabharata we watches their believes unfold by watching their creation history.  We studied such a wide variety of works I feel I could find many things to explore further."

[Student 22] "Looking back at the course I realize many things.  One of witch is that I have been fairly sheltered from other cultures.  This is due partially to my own shortcomings with trying to learn about others and their traditions.  I now realize that the topics learned about are very valuable, and even relevant to my daily life.  The films, books and lectures all add to a very fulfilling experience for me and one that I will not soon forget.  I plan to do more studying in this area weather formal or just simply taking the time to see others points of view."

[Student 22] "One of the main things I learned this term is that I need to take the time to understand others and just because someone disagrees with me that does not mean there wrong."

[Student 18] "Reading and watching Asian films and novels was beneficial.  Viewing Red Sorghum and Rhapsody in August was a learning experience.  I saw how different cultures deal with war and how they make their lives goes on.  They work with their situation.  It is different from our views but it is not wrong.
"The books we read were also a learning experience.  Cracking India and A Pale View of Hills were good novels to read.  They describe how different culture live and deal with their problems.  The novels showed their beliefs and customs and how they differ from our own.  It as a learning experience and I enjoyed it a lot."

[Student 22] "I thank you for exposing me to texts that I would have never taken the time to appreciate on my own."

Previous DRAFT of Competencies (or Student Learning Outcomes) 
& Results of Student Attitudes Surveys, used in Spring 1998,  
for Humanities 210: Culture(s) & Literature(s) of Asia &
[EOU] ENGL 390: Multicultural Literature may be reviewed at: 
  http://www.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/hum210/outcomesS98.htm 

If you're into work in progress, see also HUM 211 (very first draft-y):
http://www.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/hum211/competencies.htm 

Top of this page
URL of this webpage: http://www.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/hum210/competencies.htm
Online HUM 210 Course Resources:
HUM 210 Syllabus Course Plan Assignments Student Writing 
Asian Film Asian Links: India China Japan
Asian Timelines: India China Japan

If you're interested in other world literatures and cultures, visit these course websites:
Hum 211 - Culture and Literature of Africa 
Eng 109 - Western World Literatures (late 18th-late 20th centuries)