AAS assignment

Self-Reflection:

Do you wish to have done differently in AAS100 Introduction to Asian American Studies?

Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) was especially interested in the issues involving virtue, education and idleness. He believed that to be truly human, humane and humanistic, one has to constantly examine oneself—how NOT great thou art. Being reflective on oneself allows the person to be able to live harmoniously with others; being open-minded enables one to listen to the wisdom of others. In short, he claimed SELF-EXAMINATION as the essence of true education (Fiero, The Humanistic Tradition, 2006, vol.3, 144). He further criticized the wars that the 16th-century Europe was pursuing for its territorial expansion as human diseases—acts that showed little self-reflection and self-examination on Europe’s part. He identified the self-righteousness of the 16th century Europe’s expansionism as more savage-like than the “savages” they claimed to have found in the New World. In other words, for Montaigne, a person, an institution, and a nation without self-reflection/self-examination is the true “savage” or “a horseman going astray.”[footnoteRef:1] [1: Chu Hsi, the 12th-century Chinese Neo-Confucian philosopher, commented on the importance of “plumbing,” i.e., channeling, principles into practicing them in one’s daily life through self-examination and self-reflection. “Plumbing real principles includes the effort of self-examination. If one merely talks about plumbing the principles of the myriad things in the universe without being concerned with self-examination, he is like a horseman going astray, as it says in the I-shu, 유서, 遺書” (Commentary on the Great Learning by Chu Hsi). ]

You are going to write your self-reflection paper as honestly as you can. Show your self-examination at its best form, with critical eyes to assess your effort and performance in my class up to now and give yourself fair and objective marks [show the highest form of your honesty, integrity and accountability!]

Part A: First, circle your best scores/having a heart-to-heart conversation with yourself

Grade/comments A/6 B/5 C/4 D/3 F/2-

High------------------------------------Low

· Attendance: Logging in on time and staying

For the entire duration of class A/6 B/5 C/4 D/3 F/2-

· Virtual civility/politeness/sensitivity to classmates A/6 B/5 C/4 D/3 F/2-

& Instructor

· Turning off all electronic devices (cell A/6 B/5 C/4 D/3 F/2-

Phone, I-Pad, I-Phone, Laptop, etc.)

· Informed/active participation A/6 B/5 C/4 D/3 F/2-

· Keeping up with readings A/6 B/5 C/4 D/3 F/2-

· Turning in assignments on time A/6 B/5 C/4 D/3 F/2-

· The quality of your assignments A/6 B/5 C/4 D/3 F/2-

· Interaction with instructor/office visits, etc. A/6 B/5 C/4 D/3 F/2-

· Interaction with other classmates A/6 B/5 C/4 D/3 F/2-

_____________________________________________________________________________________

PART B: Your self-reflection. First, read (a) “Thank You” by Alex Haley and (b) “White Lies” by Adler, Rosenfeld, and (c) the NYT article on “A Is an A Is An A…” and watch (d) “What Teachers Make” by Taylor Mali and (e) “Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” by Randy Pausch.

Then, reflect on how AAS100 Introduction to Asian American Studies has helped you learn more about YOU—(a) the subject matter, (b) your educational pursuit, (c) your capacity to be accountable, and (d) your relationship to others (= classmates, instructor, neighbors, and “others” of the world ). Finally, reflect on (e) what things you wish to have done differently in AAS100. Cite in your reflection all the YT videos, WTs, and when relevant, AAS100 course readings and films/videos (3 pages; Times New Roman 12; word-processed; double-spaced).

Be realistic and HONEST: Remember Dante’s idea of conscience; he placed the Seven Deadly Sins as offenses against love. “Pride” and “lust” are two of the Seven Deadly Sins!!!