Final Observation

Date observed:	11-16-07
Date entered here:	11-16-07
Context (choose one):	individual
Activity:	thinking on the semester
Observation:	While thinking back on the semester in this class, I experience a feeling of content. Coming into this semester I was all ready confident in my skills as an arguer. At the end of the semester, I feel that I improved upon these skills and learned the true meaning of them. As improvement took place with current skills, I learned of new techniques and how to properly use new and old techniques in arguing. The skill that I believe improved the most was my ability to fully and critically analyze another's position and argument. Using the skills that I all ready knew of and the ones that are new to me, I will continue to argue effectively and maturely.
Teacher’s comments:

Observation #8

Date observed:	11-8-07
Date entered here:	11-9-07
Context (choose one):	whole class & field
Activity:	discussion of infidelity
Observation:	In class it was widely observed that mostly everyone thought the opposite sex cheated more than their own. This is a controversial issue that has always been in existence. But, what I noticed, when pointed out, was that this belief of the opposite sex being the guilty one stemmed from individuals' own relationships. I previously learned in a psychology class that our beliefs are formed around how easily we can recall certain memories about a topic. For instance, when I asked Brandy, "which sex cheats more?" She immediately responded with, "men!" This was most likely due to the fact that all she could recall was the instances in which she or someone close to her was cheated on. This was the general belief in the classroom and in the conversations I had with other individuals until the idea of how easy it is for a female to cheat was brought up in the discussion. After very little denial, the belief that it is easier for a woman to cheat was unanimous! After coming to this realization, some individuals actually changed their opinions to, it is in fact, woman that cheat more. They then followed this statement with, women are just better at being able to conceal their acts of infidelity; which is why it appears that men cheat more because they get caught more! As sad as it is to say, this statement may very well be true. My new question is, why is it that men get caught more than women, or why are women better at concealing their sexual indiscretions?
Teacher’s comments:

Observation #7

Date observed:	11-1-07
Date entered here:	11-2-07
Context (choose one):	small group
Activity:	discussing mediation topic, relationships
Observation:	As my group was discussing the topic of relationships, we were also scanning through the text book in search of anything that peaked our interest or that just stood out to us. I saw the statement, "college males say physical attractiveness is the main criterion in deciding to have sexual intercourse, while women consider social and economic status when deciding to have sex with a man." After reading this I was disturbed and strongly disagreed with the statement. I immediately consulted the other groups members and engaged in discussion over the statement. I had always believed this to be true in the case of women in search of a relationship partner. But when it came down simply to just sex, I thought their criterion was the same as males for the most part. After engaging in discussion with the females in my group, I learned that their criterion was similar to males in terms of physical attraction, but they also took into account social status, not so much economic status as the text said. It made me think, do men also take into account social status? As class ended, I found this question still in my mind after I had went back to my room and I began to wonder some more. I came to the conclusion that men do take into account social status, indirectly. Women's social status is based primarily on their physical attraction. Think about it, most of those at the top of the social hierarchy are physically attractive. So a women's social status and physical attractiveness are cohesive. Therefore, men and women's criterion for sex is all most one in the same, if not the same. In a more self-analytic approach, I believe my emotions on the situation evolved from the widely used stereotype that men are shallow and women are more deep and intellectual. The statement from the book just seemed to concur with the stereotype and I disagree with both. So by me proving that the book was wrong, it was me unconsciously disproving the stereotype, defending my gender, and establishing equality in beliefs about the two sexes.
Teacher’s comments:

Observation #6

Date observed:	10-26-07
Date entered here:	10-26-07
Context (choose one):	individual
Activity:	Reading class textbook
Observation:	The content of the first box simply states what a mediation consist of; most of it apparent knowledge if you think about it. So in return, I agree with the information presented in the first box. The one statement that I am really drawn to is the last one. It states how the extent to which mediation can be achieved is dependent upon opposing parties desire to find an adequate solution to their stalemate. This is of interest to me because of the situations that I have witnessed and the historical events that have taken place in which one or all parties were not sincerely interested in finding a solution. The entire second box is also of interest because it presents the questions that need to be answered in order to arrive at a valid conclusion that will satisfy all parties. Without the answering of these questions the mediator will be lost and have no idea how to go about mediating the situation.
Teacher’s comments:

Observation #5

Date observed:	10-12-07
Date entered here:	10-12-07
Context (choose one):	individual
Activity:	arguing with self
Observation:	I should make Clemson's basketball team because I am a good player that can be used in any system. My attributes and skills make me a unique basketball player. I have the size of a small forward or maybe a power forward. My intended position is small forward. Although I may appear to be just another player on the court, with my size, I have the dribbling ability of a shooting guard. I have the shooting touch and range of a shooting guard also. I have the post moves of a talented power forward or center. Some may say that these talents are good but not necessary for my intended position. Little do they know, this is the exact reason why I am a significant threat to the opposing team's defense. I pose mismatches all over the court; too quick for most big men and too powerful for most guards! So what about my defense you say? I play great off-the-ball defense; my man defense is good also. I am a very versatile player that any coach should be reluctant to have!
Teacher’s comments:

Photo Essay

Clemson takes great pride in its football team!
Here is a link to my photo essay.

Photo Essay overview

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1626519,00.html

This was an interesting photo essay on the different types of food people eat around the world. It simply consists of a combination of photos with a few lines interesting facts at the bottom. It provided the viewer with a visual conception, rather than the same literary essays. After viewing this photo essay, it made me wish that we, as students, were required to do more essays of this type instead of writing. I got the general feeling that the world is truly bigger than what happens and goes on here in the U.S. It also gave me a visual perception of the different cultures and preferences of others. Some families consume so little, it makes me realize how blessed my family is.

Observation for week 4

Date observed:	9-21-07
Date entered here:	9-21-07
Context (choose one):	pair
Activity:	Argument on braiding my hair.
Observation:	The person that was supposed to do my hair today suddenly decided that she wanted to take a nap before she went to work. Suggesting that I come back tomorrow and get it done. So we began to argue over the topic and noticed the types of appeals she was using. She first made that statement that she was tired and that I should come back tomorrow. I countered that, and she had no comeback to my rebuttal of her reason. Then she stated that I should sympathize with her because she had had a long night. I immediately recognized this as the pathos in her argument. I countered that with the statement that she should sympathize with me because she suggested that I come over today; my attempt to appeal to her emotions. I then stated the logos and ethos of my argument, that she should uphold her obligations and be a person of her word. As you will see, I came out the victor of the argument because I am now on my way to get my hair done!
Teacher’s comments:

week 3 observation

Date observed:	9-11-07
Date entered here:	9-14-07
Context (choose one):	individual
Activity:	Sitting in room after class
Observation:	The main thought process that went into selecting a movie for the assignment was, to select a movie that I could talk or argue about according to the characteristics that we determined made a good movie. First, I simply was brainstorming on the movies that I had seen that I thought were outstanding. Once I thought of one, I related it to the list of characteristics. Next, I thought of the movie Rush Hour 3. After thinking about the movie and then relating it to the list, I determined this was one that I could possibly choose. Then I thought about all the main points that we listed for a good movie and related it to them. Once I had gone through each one, I knew that this was the the one that I was going to select. Finally, I looked it up on the computer to determine it's genre. Immediately following, I vaguely thought about how much fun it would be to watch the movie again.
Teacher’s comments:

Observation for week 2

Date observed:	September 6, 2007
Date entered here:	September 7, 2007
Context (choose one):	individual
Activity:	Walking to my room
Observation:	On the topic of movies or tv shows, I would rather write about a tv show. This is mainly due to my knowledge of tv shows and comfort level on writing about something I know. With tv shows, they cover a broad range of topics, therefore allowing for more elaboration on certain topics. Another reason I would like to write on tv shows is because of the possibility that I can choose the Sopranos. I would feel extremely comfortable writing about that show because I have seen every episode and its my favorite show. If by some chance I do not get to select the Sopranos as my show, due to whatever reason, I will most likely select The Wire as my second choice. Either way, The Sopranos or The Wire will be choice for the tv shows.
Teacher’s comments:

observation for week 1

Date observed:	Monday 8-27-07
Date entered here:	Wednesday 8-29-07
Context (choose one):	individual
Activity:	Reading The Aims of Argument
Observation:	As I was reading, I began to notice that there is truly an art to arguing! Previously, I thought of arguing as simply persuading someone to believe something that they feel differently about. After reading chapter one, I realized that I knew very little about arguing. The discovery of this newfound art made me want to learn more about it and try it on someone. Overall it left me with a positive perspective on the course and eager to explore how well I could perform in an argument using this method.
Teacher’s comments: