The Mission of The English Department: My First Thoughts

               

   As you may already know, I am a first year college student. During this first semester, I am taking an English Literature class which focuses in the human condition. I would like you to know more about my course; therefore, though this article I will be giving information and my opinion about the mission of the English Department and my course in specific.
   The mission of the English Department, in general, is to help the student evolve both orally and through written skills. From my experience so far, the professor Cynthia Pittmann, has achieved both of the goals. Through a journal, she’s helped us with our written skills. The activity consists of writing for ten minutes every day.

   At first, it was a little hard for me to write for ten minutes fluidly. I usually take my time writing because I don’t consider myself a natural writer. I can assure everyone that with two consistent months of doing this activity, I have seen great results. My writing comes more fluidly and I don’t feel rushed anymore, I can take my time and still do a great job. Also, through this blog she is exploiting our creativity to our maximum potential, which is also a goal of the English Department. Pittmann reads to us in class, and gives us things to read on our own. In class, we can see how she analyzes a story, and then in our homes we can remember the techniques she used in class to do it on our own.
   The mission of the English Department states that their goal is, "the integral formation of students in all dimensions: intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, life long learning, effective communication, appreciation and cultivation of ethical and aesthetic values, participation in the processes of the society, as well as reflection and social responsibility"

   A student of Sydney Harris once said to him (Click here to view article), that he had so much work to do that he hardly learned anything. Pittmann, on the other hand, gives us plenty of time to read, write and create. I’ve spent weeks making this blog perfect for the class, and having so much time to do it, has given me more ideas to incorporate into my blog. Also, more time to fix everything that I have done wrong. 
(She has a blog too, if you want to see it, click here.)

   To summarize, even though people fight all the time about which is the correct way to educate, I believe that the current mission statement of the English Department is achieving its purposes. Through the human condition in specific, the students learn about ethical values that can be put into practice in the real world. Consequently, being prepared both academically and morally, which is very important in today’s society.