2a UC Berkerly

1.Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points
Yes

2.Contains the sources you used with links to these sources .25 points
Yes; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_California,_Berkeley

3.Contains a brief paragraph how it connects to your study of humanities. 1 point

From what I've learned from Paulo Freire, we have the freedom to better a way of life and if we are given that, we have to use our power as a human being to stop oppression. UC Berkeley is the place where history has been made. Here is where major protest and defiant happened. People did this because they needed to be heard and they used their power as a human being to make life better for themselves as well as others. They were defiant so they can be heard from the government; they were defiant because if not, the government would have total control. They needed to have a position in the law.

4.Contains the following "analytical elements"

A. Observation

I chose the University of California, Berkeley because of its historic events that occurred in California that contributed to humanities. I feel that my choice on this place displays perfect connection to California culture. From the 60's of countless protests of the Vietnam war to now and days with the environmentalists trying to save the trees from being cut down. This place has always defied the rest of American culture; California has always been on the other end of the stick. If we were to walk upon the campus, we would see many different nationalities because everyone from all over the country wants to go to this school. We see the award winning professors talking to one another on how to further benefit American lives and technology. From million dollar research facilities to the green trees and grass, UCB seems to have everything. We see students and their dedication and their hard work because UCB is one of the prestige public universities in the world and it results in brilliant minds the world as to offer.

B: Interpretation

My choice is about the defiant of mainstream America by protesting; the ability to oppose government through a non-violent procedure. UC Berkeley is known for very large protests dating back to the 60's. Students protested the Vietnam War to speak out on the nation’s involvement in the war. They're using their Free Speech freedom to oppose and keep the higher political powers in check. Theses days there are still protests going on at the campus. Environmentalists have lived in the trees on the campus for more then a year trying to save them from being cut down. The school decided to cut down the trees to build a new athletic center. The environmentalists are just delaying the process and costing the school millions of dollars in court fees. These two examples are perfect for Paulo Freire and it would make him happy. Each are challenging the authorities and displaying freedom of opinion. Freire wants everyone to show their power to oppose oppression and that’s what theses people are doing. These students are using their full power to assert themselves in the decision making.

C: Judgment

I feel like this choice is very clear cut. If you think of California culture, other then the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, you think of liberals and protests which UCB is full of. What led me to his decision was what I thought happens in California a lot. We just recently allowed gay and lesbian couples to be married. We had the life loving free hippies during the 60's and 70's. We have all sorts of nationalities in this state. We have Asian Culture everywhere, we have Mexican heritage dating back to the old west. We have always defied mainstream America, so what better than the one place that does that than UCB.

D: Questioning

The University has had output in brilliant minds since the university started. Having 2 fields medal winners, 8 noble prize winners and 227 American Academy of Arts and Science fellows. I wondered years from now if this place will output brilliant minds that will mend the world. Will this university ever down slope in academics? And when will the next major protest will be...?

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced?

I've learned that Lauren wants to learn from different people points of views. It is important to understand different people because everyone is different. Being able to go into the mind of someone totally different cultured and philosophy is exciting because everyone believes that what they do is right. If we are able to understand different people, we can help build a better human world. This relates to mostly cultural context because what we don't understand we fear but if we were to understand their point of view, it will be easier to accept everyone of different culture.

"Learn other peoples points of views."-Lauren
http://lvale13.blogspot.com/2008/06/assignment-1a.html