Literature, Class 14: Period 3, Thursday, December 18

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

"Welcome to our last class together," Miss Bennet said, smiling around the room at her students. "This semester has been an enlightening experience for me, and also a rewarding one, and so I must thank you for that. I confess, I shall miss our discussions, although I assure you, I will not be hurt if that sentiment is not as widely shared."

"This week is set aside for final exams. I would like to discuss that, for a moment. To have the important detail dispensed with, first: you will not be having a final exam, at least not in the traditional sense. There is a paper on which I've asked you a few questions; they are not aimed towards ascertaining what you know and what you do not, so much as inquiring as to your experience with this class. Answer them as honestly and as freely as you like. The only question which will affect your grade is the first, and all that is required of you, in order to pass this class, is that you tell me one thing that you have learned this semester.

"You may be wondering why I have chosen this method for your final -- and I would imagine that many of you are relieved, and I will hope quite earnestly that none of you exhausted yourselves studying. You have my apologies for not making it clearer, last time, that we would not be having a conventional final, except that I did not decide until a few days ago not to have one. I believe I was concerned that I was falling short of my obligations, in some regard, if I declined the option.

"Therefore, I should like to share why I did not, if you will indulge me." Her eyes were dancing in a quite playful manner. "It may be your last class with me, but I do hope that listening to me blather on about my thought processes still falls short of having to take an extensive final exam.

"Each of you took this class for a reason -- whether that reason was as simple as a paperwork mishap, or a desire to understand literature further, or perhaps a belief that this class would be less arduous than one focusing on science. Whatever your reason, you came to this class to participate in the process, and to learn about literature. Asking you to prove that in some manner seems ..." Elizabeth frowned. "Rude, I suppose. I trust that each of you came here, attentive, and willing to learn. If you have not learned, I suppose that is as much a black mark against myself as any of you.

"Further, each of you had a different background when starting this class. Some of you read frequently, in your spare time, and some of you may never have lifted a work of fiction before this class. If I should test you on intricate details, knowledge of esteemed authors and classic works, then those of you who were already familiar with such works would have a clear advantage. I would not be testing you on what you learned here, but what it is that you learned without my assistance.

"Lastly, literature is highly subjective. It seems, then, that I would have to ask you either flat questions of rote memorization -- the name of a poem we discussed, or the particular year that a playwright was born -- or to do some form of detailed analysis on a specific work. The former holds no interest to me, and only tests your memory. For the latter, I would need to expect as many varied responses as there were each of you. Perhaps the works I selected would not speak to some of you; should you then receive worse grades than your classmates? The whole process is far too involved, at that point.

"Instead, you will find two pieces of paper on your desk. One has a few questions that you must answer; that is your final exam. The other is optional, and contains its own instructions. When that is finished, I should like to talk with you, about literature and this class, but only if you are interested in staying. There is no penalty for leaving once you have finished with your exam. The choice is yours."

"One last concern: your research papers are on a table by the door. Do please find yours when you leave, if you would like to see it."

Comments

Sign In (LIT-14)

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

With an icon that you really, really love.

Re: Sign In (LIT-14)

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope Wilhern

During the Lecture (LIT-14)

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

Scribble notes, speak (briefly) with classmates, do a dance of joy that there is no final.

Re: During the Lecture (LIT-14)

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope listened intently to Miss Bennet, giving her her undivided attention.

Re: During the Lecture (LIT-14)

[withoutverona]

No final; that was good news Romeo listened with appreciation.

Re: During the Lecture (LIT-14)

[senor-chado.livejournal.com]

Chad had actually studied a lot, but he wasn't disheartened at all to find out that there'd be no formal final, although that made him a little nervous. He'd always been good at tests for some reason, but never so good at just voicing his opinions on things.

Re: During the Lecture (LIT-14)

[morpherboy.livejournal.com]

Marco was very, very happy there was no final. His notes had been less the legible.

Re: During the Lecture (LIT-14)

[death-of-hope.livejournal.com]

Anemone was a bit relieved. Even after a year at school, she still wasn't the best at the whole 'studying' thing.

Re: During the Lecture (LIT-14)

[sarcasm-guy.livejournal.com]

Sokka practically squealed with glee; Ms. Bennet was AWESOME!

Re: During the Lecture (LIT-14)

[raspberryturk]

Reno didn't know the first thing about studying. And he'd had that kind of week. And he was tired, dammit.

So the news that there wasn't going to be a final was taken with a bit of a grin, and he settled back into his seat, satisfied.

Re: During the Lecture (LIT-14)

[carsexual]

Sam was so relieved there was no final, he didn't even have words.

Re: During the Lecture (LIT-14)

[spiritandsword]

Annja was taking notes as she listened.

Re: During the Lecture (LIT-14)

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Liir was glad. The idea of a final for this class terrified him as he never seemed to answer something fully unless asked a few questions besides the first.

Discussion: This Class (LIT-14)

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

Was this class helpful and informative for you? Were there topics you feel we should have addressed that we did not, or ones that you wish we had addressed in greater detail? Were you particularly fond of any of the authors we discussed? Do you wish that we had a final exam?

Anything and everything you would like to discuss about this class is very welcome and should go here.

Re: Discussion: This Class (LIT-14)

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"It was very informative, especially for me, given that my experience with literature was limited to my own collecton of some three hundred books. I've not heard of some of the authors discussed, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to learn about them, even though my particular favorite will always be George Rockham. I think I had told you once that he was a nobody with a single book credit to his name. But I love him."

She paused only briefly.

I think having a final exam would have been accepted by this class easily, though I'm not bothered that we didn't have one." Penelope grinned. "This was a comfortable class, certainly."

Re: Discussion: This Class (LIT-14)

[gameknowsgame.livejournal.com]

"I think the class provided a great deal of insight into how literature works and why we like what we like," Blair said. "I of course respect your decision about the final, though I do wonder how that will affect our grades?"

Re: Discussion: This Class (LIT-14)

[senor-chado.livejournal.com]

Chad sat for a long time, thinking very carefully. He came up with a few things to potentially say: some of them were very good and insightful. Some of them not so much. But when he finally felt like he'd stretched his brain as far as it could go, he had settled on just one thing.

"...I would have actually have liked a final exam," he admitted.

It would be a lot easier than this opinion stuff.

Re: Discussion: This Class (LIT-14)

[sarcasm-guy.livejournal.com]

"Helpful and informative, yes," Sokka answered, "but more importantly, it was interesting and FUN. Not as fun as TV, but almost." This was, of course, meant to be high praise.

Re: Discussion: This Class (LIT-14)

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"I enjoyed this class a great deal," he said quietly, "and it certainly helped me think about reading more."

Your Final Exam (LIT-14)

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

(Please do note that only the first question counts toward your grade: be as honest as you would like.)

1. Please state one thing that you have learned as a result of this class.

2. Was there anything this semester which surprised you, or which you felt was unexpected in some way? What, and why?

3. Do you have a new appreciation for (or understanding of) literature as a whole, any individual authors, using the library for research, or anything else we may have covered in this class? If so, what?

4. Why did you take this class? Do you feel you have achieved that goal? Why or why not?

Thank you for being such an informative and delightful class.

Re: Your Final Exam (LIT-14)

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

1. Please state one thing that you have learned as a result of this class.
I've learned that my perception of a particular piece of literature can be broadened. That listening to others point of view is both beneficial and thought provoking and allows me to open up, and in that, essentially giving me something new to read. But without this, then my opinion will always be just that, and most important to me.

2. Was there anything this semester which surprised you, or which you felt was unexpected in some way? What, and why?
Everything about this semester surprised me, but I'm saying that very lightly and in general about all my classes.

I found surprising the vast amounts of literature out there. I could read every single day for the rest of my life and probably not make the tiniest of dents. I find that amazing.

3. Do you have a new appreciation for (or understanding of) literature as a whole, any individual authors, using the library for research, or anything else we may have covered in this class? If so, what?
The library was wonderful. I'd never been in one so this experience for me was truly amazing.

4. Why did you take this class? Do you feel you have achieved that goal? Why or why not?
I took this class for the simple reason that I enjoy reading. And knowing that I was going to learn about authors and literature I've never heard of, was something I couldn't resist.

The Other Sheet of Paper (LIT-14)

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

The other sheet of paper is blank except for a small paragraph:

This paper is for anything that you wish to say, signed or unsigned. I will take all comments to heart.

Anything that you'd like to add goes here: about Miss Bennet, about the class, about the lovely weather we're having in Fandom this week. This one is completely optional, and as anonymous as you would like, so have at it.

Re: The Other Sheet of Paper (LIT-14)

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope did indeed write on the other sheet of paper.

I would just like to say that I find you an engaging teacher, Miss Bennet. Your insight and intellect have only encouraged me and I will no doubt carry this with me always. Thank you for teaching that there is more to literature than the words upon a page and that there is more to a story than what I can perceive at first read.

On a more personal note, I would like to tell you thank you for making me feel that I fit in, for lending to me your shawl, and for encouraging me in your soft spoken manner. You've enriched my life and I probably cannot say thank you enough for that.

-Penelope Wilhern

Your Research Papers (LIT-14)

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

They are sitting on a small table, and have been marked up the way you would expect had you given them to a tutor to proofread for you. The grammar has been noted, and there are lengthy comments in the margins as though the paper is really a conversation between the two of you. Something such as "This is an intriguing point you raise, but I wonder if the consequences would not be more severe than anticipated?" would not be out of place. There are no grades on them, but the back of the last page has a few paragraphs of observations.

Re: Your Research Papers (LIT-14)

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope found her research paper and stood aside, reading over it carefully, finding what Miss Bennet had written, interesting.

Speak to the TAs (LIT-14)

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

Tell them they did an awesome job this semester.

Speak to Miss Bennet (LIT-14)

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

She would like to hear anything that you have to say.

OOC (LIT-14)

[clevermsbennet.livejournal.com]

You guys rocked my socks. Thank you so much for being awesome as hell.