Final Blog... Can't believe it

This Class has been one of the best classes I have taken so far at Folsom Lake.

The first Episteme, shows how through many different aspects we were able to learn about our government, which bodies govern, and how each one effects each other. It was a less direct, yet equally informative approach.

The group work was a huge part of the class, and it allowed us to work on our social skills, and also our group management. Whether it was making laws, to creating our national anthem, it required team work and for us to gel as a group.  I believe it allowed for the whole class to become closer together, rather than a typical class environment.

To further the group work allowed us to play the Nation state game, and strategize in terms of how to attack, and if we wanted to form alliances in order to create the best way to gain law points.

This continues on in the fourth section, which has to do with "street smarts" this relates to the actions we took, and to make sure that they would give us our own personal gain in order to create the best situation for ourselves as a group.

This class was truly something different then I had taken before, but it was one of the greatest. It was a more free environment in which we could throw around our ideas, and Professor Ellerman's ability to hear out our opinions, and his sense of humor made it truly enjoyable. It was a great class and I look forward to taking more of his classes in the future.

Out of all the classes I had this semester I enjoyed this one the most. Out of the genius that was and is this class the nation state game was the best or most educational for the area of knowledge the greeks called Phronesis. The social aspect of this class was by far the most dominant and i believe most productive for society. Professor Ellerman definitely has a different way of teaching but was the most influential and original teacher I have ever had. This class did not focus to much on the other greek terms for knowledge but I believe I have come out of this class with way more experience and knowledge than in any of my other classes on how to be a productive original member of society.  

  

1. The learning chunk of this class was the weakest in comparison to group work ect. There was some in class discussion about laws but for a 16 week class it was minimal ( like one day of course work). However, as we built our groups , blogs, presentations, and read the newspaper  a lot of content was available. In fact, the more you were involved in the group as a student the more you could get out. To sum it up the content was available if you were willing to work for it. I wish we could of used the text more... it was really well written and could have started some good class conversations. Also I spent quality money on that book, at least one  to  two nights of tips on that text!!!! I don't work two jobs to buy a book we don't integrate into the class:(
2. If feel like this was one of the greatest strengths of the class. In fact, I feel like I have learned more soft skills in this college course than any other. In my personal opinion I think I still took a lot away from this class because of all the interaction within the class. I have never felt more comfortable or interconnected with other classmates. I usually study very hard, stress out, and make no attempt to befriend/network within my courses. It was really unnatural to have a lack of text, written work , and in class exams; but when I look back at the semester I feel that so many classes give you that black & white structure. This class was definitely different but I learned a lot when working with people. 
3. I really enjoyed the film and felt that it was really applicable to the class and really everyone could get something out of it. At times it was a heart jerker! Unstructured time is really all the same; you can utilize it or just mess around. 
4. The Nation State game at times did rely on cunning or street smarts. I would argue that at times though this game was hit and miss. Some times this game was very proactive and productive; others, it involved only one group member (dice rolling game).