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End of Class Reflections

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Dear Student, Before throwing yourself into English 1CH, let me set the stage for your journey ahead—a path that will transform how you relate to writing, media, and personal growth. What you are about to experience is much more than another boring English class but, rather, a chance for personal growth. As you begin, be prepared to deconstruct your view of news and media. You will soon learn that news is not simply facts but a complex combination of perspectives, truths, and potential biases. The course will challenge you to become a more discerning reader, teaching you the importance of seeking diverse sources and understanding the nuanced narratives that shape our understanding of the world. You will learn the power of rhetorical analysis. You are going to discover the anatomy of an argument: how to cut up communications with surgical precision, explore logical, emotional, and ethical appeals (and when they are used incorrectly: fallacies); understand the structure of arguments; and...
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Our Broken Healthcare System

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 1. Introduction: The State of American Healthcare Comprehensive Overview of Healthcare Challenges Anecdote “Take Aimee Snyder, a 28-year-old graduate student at the University of Arizona. She got preoccupied with choosing her courses and missed the sign-up deadline for health insurance by one day. Then she started having leg pains and shortness of breath. "My leg swelled up to double the size and turned purple," Snyder says. But she didn't seek care because she couldn't imagine how she'd pay the emergency room bill. After hobbling around in pain for several days, she discovered she could get a discount on her hospital bill and went to the ER. Doctors found an extensive blood clot in her leg, with pieces breaking off and going to her lungs. She could have died within hours. Luckily, she's fine, but she's had to pay more than $15,000 in bills so far, and she's had to borrow from her family and use student loan funds to pay them.” (Knox and Neighmond) To...
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Unlocking MIT

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 Is college really worth it? What does it take to get into the most prestigious schools in the world? In an illuminating interview, a top MIT admissions officer shed light on the unique qualities that make the Institute of Technology one of the best universities in the world, as well as the holistic approach the admissions committee takes in evaluating prospective students. For community college students, particularly those at Foothill College aspiring to transfer to MIT, this insider's perspective offers invaluable guidance on navigating one of the most selective universities in the world. At the heart of MIT is an intensely intellectual environment where students find themselves surrounded by peers and faculty who embody the unofficial motto of “IHTFP” - “I Have Truly Found Paradise” (among other interpretations). As the admissions officer explained, MIT really stands out for its relentless intellectual energy and the way it channels that energy into practical applications and re...
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Santa Clara University Open House

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 On Saturday, October 19th, Santa Clara University (SCU) transformed its 106-acre campus in Santa Clara, California, into a showcase of academic potential and student life during its Annual Open House. From the early morning hours until late afternoon, the university welcomed thousands of prospective students and their families. The day began with an opening ceremony, where the Bronco Band and cheerleader dancers set an enthusiastic tone that would define the entire event. Dr. Michael Rodriguez, SCU's Dean of Admissions, emphasized the open house's core mission: “Our open house is an opportunity for students to visualize themselves as part of our academic community and understand the unique educational journey we offer.” Unlike other colleges, SCU wants their Open House to be more than an information session; they want students to experience what life at SCU is like. In addition to the opening speech, a current SCU student shared about the university’s Jesuit heritage that emph...
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The True Threat of Polarization

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As artificial intelligence has advanced, warnings have emerged from within the tech industry. Among these critics, technology analyst Evgeny Morozov stands out for his bold stance against artificial general intelligence (AGI). In “The True Threat of Artificial Intelligence,” Morozov presents a comprehensive critique that goes beyond surface-level concerns about AI safety or ethics, arguing that the market-driven ideology poses the primary danger in AGI development. Through his systematic dismantling of Silicon Valley's approach, he warns that so-called AGI-ism threatens to corrupt the entire project of intelligence augmentation. While Morozov employs effective organizational structure, targeted audience appeals, and logical reasoning, his overly antagonistic and emotional approach ultimately undermines the article's potential to foster meaningful dialogue about AI's future. Morozov's organizational strategy powerfully sets up his argument against AGI-ism. His introducti...
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The State of News

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We consume the news like junk food—fast, addictive, and ultimately unhealthy. But what if we started treating it like a fine meal instead? Although news began with the goal of promoting self-government, it now produces distraction and division. News’ future depends on thoughtful consumption and restoration of key values. Journalism’s ideal was to provide citizens with the information for self-governance. In The Elements of Journalism, the authors state that journalism has helped maintain democracy through transparency and accountability. They say that democracy needs journalism to inform citizens, and journalism needs democracy to survive. However, as news organizations shifted towards a business model driven by profits and clicks, this mission became secondary to revenue. "It is no surprise their corporate self-interests began to ignore the democratic good," the book notes, a reflection of how journalism’s purpose has been distorted. Social media has only worsened the proble...
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