NCLC 101: Narratives of Identity

NCLC 101: Narratives of Identity Conference Abstracts

Seminar A: Who we are-not who we are perceived to be

Alyssa Holleran, Lauren Kalinski, Jon Bashor, Helen Ray, Harriet Beitz, Laura Patten

We as a group have seen and analyzed the perceptions that society has set upon certain groups of people and their actions within society. Through our analysis we have discovered that most of the perceptions that society has placed upon groups are misrepresentations of our identities. Our central theme for the abstract group is how other peoples perceptions as well as our own shape our identity. Individually we have developed themes that correlate to our best works throughout our time in our Narratives of Identity class.

Alyssa Hollerans theme is about African American woman sacrificing artistics souls for the progress of future generations. Harriet Beitz’s theme is about how our experiences and culture form our identities, yet our appearances are how people perceive us. Laura Patten’s theme is self-reflection and the way you view perceptions of other people gives you opportunity to change. Helen Ray’s theme is about the change in the identity of a woman over the past years and the change in expectations that society has given women. Lauren Kalinski’s theme is about the communities we live in being slow to evolve as a whole and should not dictate our personal beliefs and actions as the next generation. Jon Bashor’s theme is how society perceives and views activism as something that should be passive rather than active.

All of these points come together to create a cohesive theme that dictates our personal identities. Collectively we agree that what is expected of our identities in society is not exactly how we perceive ourselves.

• Helen Ray- I am woman and so are you (4^th presenter)
• Lauren Kalinski- Keeping racism alive? (2^nd presenter)
• Jon Bashor- Societies perception of activism (3^rd presenter)
• Laura Patten- Dance for life (6^th presenter)
• Alyssa Holleran- Sacraficial division (1^st presenter)
• Harriet Beitz- A product of different cultures (5^th presenter)

Seminar B: Acceptance and Discovery Through Movies and Monkeys

Our group, Acceptance through Movies and Monkeys, discusses discovering our true identities. Whether it was an experience on our own or through the encouragement of others we all tell our stories of acquiring confidence and comfort in accepting who we are.

I’m Hannah. My digital story, “A Swim Family”, tells about how I gained confidence and courage through building friendships with my teammates.

I’m Katja. My paper, Monkey See Monkey Shoe, discusses the personal power we acquire through embracing ourselves as we are, in contrast with the restrictions reality holds on us.

I’m Tyler. My digital story, “My Giving Tree,” talks about how my father’s dedication and identity has shaped my own.

I’m Connor. My digital story “Not Too Sick to Play,” recalls an experience when I overcame sickness and stage fright in order to perform. It reminded me why I play music and made my identity as a musician more concrete.

I’m Amber. My paper, “I am what I am”, compares how the Monkey King and I found ourselves through trying to be someone else.

I’m Ian. My digital story, “Where I Come From”, is about an experience in which I suddenly discovered the place I grew up in but never realized in its entirety until I opened myself up to what surrounded me.

Our stories conclusively illustrate the idea that people ascertain their identities through specific people, places, and experiences.

Seminar C: Growing Into Our Personal Identity

Takiyah Burford, Jenna Letsch, Nick Bolelli, Bill McConnell, and Bethany Stapanowich

Our personal identity is what makes us unique. From our views on politics to the way we get ready in the morning, our personal identity is what sets us apart from everyone else and makes us individuals. Our identity is shaped by the things we have done and the people we’ve met.  More-so it may change throughout time depending on the events that occur in our lives. This is the main point our panel would like to convey: our personal identity is constantly being altered; as we encounter new experiences and new opportunities, we grow, and the way we view both ourselves and the world begins to change.

Our first speaker, Jenna Letsch, will open the presentation with her digital story, On Person Identity –an explanation of what our ”personal identity” comprises. Nick Bolelli with his Considering Our Lens paper, will provide insights into individual development vis-à-vis personal growth. Bill McConnell will present his piece, Growth of Personal Identity, which explores life being changed after a traumatic injury. Takiyah Burford will further exemplify the idea that we grow as individuals into our personal identity in her We’re All Growing, a reading response to American Born Chinese. Finally, Bethany Stapanowich will share her digital story, Every Young Individual’s Growth, to talk about how we, as young adults, grow to find our personal identity.

Seminar D: Finding Identity Through Others

Denzel White, Kiera Weaver, Joy Yang, Amy Rubina, Claudia Swain

In our NCLC 101, Narratives of Identity, we explore the different aspects of society that make up and shape one’s “true” identity. We found that an individual’s identity is acquired and formed through societal lenses, for example race, culture, class, and gender. Specifically, our panel explores and defines how influences and circumstances from our society will construe our identity. We will look at the influences of family as well as others and how those individuals will help mold and shape each one of us into our respective person. Through our various assignments in this course we have researched the idea of discovering our identity through others and their experiences, applying them to our own life and to our own identity. For example, one discovery of self is through the responsibility one is forced to take on at an early age for their younger niece. Another is a person growing up in a middle class family, receiving the advantages of that class status, and the affect this plays on their identity. Thirdly, one finds her identity through her love of music, which she acquires from her mother. In addition, another finds her identity through the love and friendship she grows to have with her younger sister. Lastly, one person was able to redefine herself by finding a sense of belonging from an unlikely group of people. All of these personal stories are expressed through either digital stories or research papers which give further insight into the minds and events of each person’s search and finding of their individual and unique identity. Identity is found through many different elements in the world around us. For our panel, we found “who we are” through the relationships we have with others, even those closest to us.

• Denzel White: More Than an Uncle
• Kiera Weaver: My Middle Class Family
• Joy Yang: The Importance of Family
• Amy Rubino: Just the Two of Us
• Claudia Swain: Becoming a Swan

Seminar E: Race: A Modern History

Megan Blatchford, Alexis Davis, Laura Dempsey, Andy McElwain, Nakiia Robeson

The wave of the civil rights movement has washed over the United States and seems to have left the nation even more segregated than it started. Although ‘white only’ signs have vanished away, segregation in school districts still persists. For example in Still Separate, Still Unequal by Jonathan Kozol, he explores the de facto segregation in modern society, specifically in minority schools. Outside schools racial profiling is exemplified in Barbara Ascher’s On Compassion, showing how people inadvertently treat African Americans. Figurehead leaders of the civil rights movement such as Martin Luther King Jr. composed works such as Letter From Birmingham Jail, and the Eulogy for Martyred Children have impacted the nation in the sixties, and made the nation believe that change was imminent. Martin Luther King Jr. had passion because of the history he lived through and was able to convey that passion through his words. Because this generation has not faced the full force of the Jim Crow era, they have not been able to breed leaders that spoke out with poignant words such as Martin Luther King Jr. As a result America has let itself slowly regress into de facto segregation.  Evident in the stereotypes the media portrays, and the amount of justice exuded by the pigmentation of one’s skin. If America is considered a melting pot, then why is race such a prominent factor in society?  It is impossible to alter America’s history, but we must learn from our past.

Seminar F: Metamorphosis

Nicole Mellott, Nicole Lipka, Shehani Krisnaratne, Jacquie Greene, Emmery Kelly, Christopher Shearin

Every experience has the ability to become a story and, while every story may not be recorded and told, there is often at least one that a person may value as worth telling. Change in one’s perspective may occur in result of family experiences, traveling to a new place, a change in cultural surrounding, or a near death experience.  These experiences shape our identities and change our perception of ourselves.

Nicole Mellott: Digital story “The Gift of Life”
Nicole Lipka: Digital story “A Special Bond”
Shehani  Krisnaratne: Digital story “A New Place, A New Outlook”
Jacquie Greene: Digital story “The Inverted Bell Curve”
Emmery Kelly: Digital Story “Who I am is Where I Come From”
Christopher Shearin: Critical Analysis “Acceptance”

Seminar G: Stereotypes in Today’s Society

Joe Abbate, Courtney Chapman, Josh Callahan, Mariya Antonova, Allie Hawkins, Tyler Henderson

This panel explores cultural shocks that have occurred specifically in reaction to immigration, racism, and general misjudgments that have become preconceived notions in today’s society. In general, these stereotypes are responses to the unknown, foreign, and unfamiliar and tend to be predefined and severely misguided. Joe Abbate will present his considering lenses paper which deals with stereotypes that are encountered by those with mental disease, as well as their obstacles to overcoming barriers set by society. Tyler Henderson will present his critical analysis which deals with the obstacles people face when attempting to overcome racism and stereotypes in general. Allie Hawkins shall analyze how racism is a prime contributor to the creation of stereotypes. Josh Callahan will present his critical analysis which deals with stereotyping races with specific focus on illegal immigrants residing in America. Mariya Antonova will discuss stereotypes encountered by those undergoing the immigrant experience in America. Courtney Chapman will present her critical analysis which deals with overcoming prejudice while trying to disprove stereotypes. Through these presentatioΩns we hope to inform about how prejudice and stereotypes from the past have held notion even to this day, and discuss their continued effects on modern society.

PANEL 2 10:35-11:35

Seminar A: Identity: Struggles in Being American

Alyssa Pham, Izbela Shafkey, Janessa Skyers, Matt Schroeder, Scott Gibson, and Thomas Gorewich

Our group project will focus on identity, specifically on the struggles that come with finding one’s American identity through the struggles of multiculturalism.  The project consists of five critical analysis papers and one digital story project.  It will be organized to begin with two presentations reflecting on American Born Chinese.  It will then move into a presentation reflecting on My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant, moving into two more presentations reflecting on Mother Tongue.  It will end with a final, personal reflection on a digital story project dealing with German-American identity.  The presentation will take place as follows:

– The group as a whole will introduce the project.
– Izbela will talk about assimilation in America, focusing on the parallels between the Monkey King and on Jin from American Born Chinese and how they relate to Jin’s American identity.
– Alyssa will continue talking about assimilation in America, concentrating on the parallels between Jin and Danny from American Born Chinese and how they relate to Jin’s American identity.
– Scott will then address My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant, bringing into focus Jose’s success and how his identity as an illegal immigrant jeopardized it.
– Janessa will introduce Mother Tongue, analyzing the language and interactions in the mother daughter relationship and how that ties into identity.
– Thomas will wrap up Mother Tongue, addressing how Mrs. Tan’s broken English and the language barrier affected her in society.
– Matt will close with a presentation on his digital story project, highlighting how his struggles with identity led to a better understanding of his American Identity.
– The group as a whole will then conclude the project.

Seminar B: A Drama Queen, A Cat Lady, A Prom Queen, An Ambitious Girl and A Christian Walk Into A Bar

This presentation will reclaim recognition from the modern stereotype. We will avoid the generic concept of the average clicheʼs. In Kathleenʼs “Not One of the Mean Girls”, she redefines the idea of a theatre nerd. She readdresses the concept as being a “drama queen” instead. Someone who, instead of being simply involved in the performance aspect, lives the life of a person who rules the drama department. The idea of a “crazy cat lady” as being a socially awkward woman who is often the punchline of jokes is redefined as an animal lover by Amanda in “Must Love Cats.” By being thought of as an animal lover the woman is respected by society instead of made fun of. In Erikaʼs “On Being the Prom Queen,” she recreates the idea of the typical prom queen. Throughout her paper she depicts the differences between past prom queens and the prom queen she represented. Hanaʼs “Ambitious Girl,” explores the meaning of being ambitious but also defines the difference between simply being labeled ambitious and actually making dreams into a reality. In Colleenʼs “I Am a Christian,” she crushes the stereotypes that are associated with Christianity. Christians are normally portrayed as being crazy and fanatical, and these stereotypes are often a false representation of how Christians really are. All of these essays show that one should not look at a stereotype from simply one angle. These essays seek to produce a counter narrative of the modern day assumptions.

Seminar C: Immergence in Culture

Christian Gaines, Mason Manuel, Madison Reale, Jenny Davis, and Diamond Mason

Our panel will discuss Immergence in Culture and how experiences, lifestyles, belief systems, etc. help shape a persons’ life.  Christian will present how immersion into a fusion of cultures creates tension and the need to navigate oneself when developing identity. Next, Mason will discuss being around a diverse community, and how a less colorful culture is rather uneventful in comparison. Having no special traditions except commercial ones, people may feel they have no way to honor their past family save for the picture frame on the window sill. Begging the question, how do foreigners who DO have these cultural aspects move from their homeland and try to fit into another, Madison will then examine how immersion in a culture is not reliant on what a person is born into, or raised in, rather mental identification with a particular culture and how it has the ability to shape a persons’ view of themselves and others. Jenny will extend on this by explaining how being immersed in a foreign culture may not only change a person’s views, but completely reshape his/her identity. Finally, Diamond will discuss how constant submergence in a culture separate from your heritage can enlighten and overwhelm someone, and that continuously attempting to identify with both past and present can help create an appreciation for the worlds’ diversity, yet create controversy. Our panel hopes to communicate the importance of culture in a person’s life, whether what he/she was born into, how he/she was raised, or identify with, and how it shapes his/her individual understanding of identity.

Seminar D: The Parallels Between a ‘Dream’ and Reality

Andrew Workman, Scott Van Zandt, Matthew Welch, Adam Woodward, Kelsey Streiff, Shannon Sturgeon

Poverty, homelessness, and the myth of the ‘American Dream’ all have one thing in common: they deal with a person’s class. Our panel assesses society’s reactions to poverty and homelessness as well as the validity of the ‘American Dream’, discussing fact, opinion, and personal experiences that relate to the matters. Andrew Workman examines the factual aspects of poverty and the beliefs many Americans hold about living conditions in “Clarifying ‘Class in America’”. Scott Van Zandt recounts Gregory Mantsios’ ‘myths’ and ‘realities’ in his essay Class in America in his own work, “Perception and Reality of American Socioeconomic Class” and questions the statistical support and subsequent conclusions made by the author. Similarly, Matthew Welch questions the myth of Horatio Alger and the actuality of encountering a one-in-a-million chance in relation to a person’s class status and living conditions in “Horatio Alger Myth: The ‘Truths’ and the Realities”. On the contrary, Adam Woodward discusses “The Reality of the American Dream” with support from personal experiences. Both Kelsey Streiff and Shannon Sturgeon discuss the sociological opinion of poverty and homelessness and their relation to an individual’s personal response and experiences in “Money and Success in America and the Economy” and “Education in Compassion”, respectively. This panel deconstructs the true nature of poverty, homelessness and the ‘American Dream’ and how all three relate to a person’s class. Our work to eliminate typecasts and misunderstanding will help to reconcile differing opinions on information that is supported by facts.

Andrew Workman: Clarifying “Class in America”
Scott Van Zandt: Perception and Reality of American Socioeconomic Class
Matthew Welch: Horatio Alger Myth: The “Truths” and the Realities
Adam Woodward: The Reality of the American Dream
Kelsey Streiff: Money and Success in America and the Economy
Shannon Sturgeon: Education in Compassion

Seminar E: Culture and its Conflicts

Ritu Dwivedy, Yu Jin Noh, Raneen Hasan, Brandon Rubin, Anne Kayser, CJ Carlson

This presentation will focus on the varied grievances that accompany foreigners as they attempt to assimilate into American society. Anne Kayser and Yu Jin Noh’s “Way Back Into Me,” through an objective and a Korean American immigrant’s perspective respectively, will touch on the novel Flight and its portrayal of the Native Americans’ generally unsuccessful cultural integration into American society. Brandon Rubin will also discuss the conflict many immigrants face while choosing to either maintain their own traditions or exchange them in favor of American culture. A further examination of this particular conflict, titled “A Picture and its Thousand Words’ Worth” by Ritu Dwivedy, will specifically focus on Chinese Americans as showcased by the graphic novel American Born Chinese. In addition to these case studies, two personal stories of struggle are included in this presentation: CJ Carlson’s “Growth in a Nutshell” centering on overcoming the adversities of his premature birth, and Raneen Hasan’s story focusing on maintaining her ethnic culture while pursuing an individual identity. This presentation overall stresses that cultural conflicts are very real and immediate to several people throughout America, be they foreign or just different, and that their choices and decisions to assimilate into society are heavily influential on personal perspective and identity.

Seminar F: What’s in your mirror?

Amber Lee, Ariel Brown, Amina Chenini, Sarah Metacalfe, Chelsea Miller, Jordan Nichols

Our identity is composed of two parts: how we see ourselves and how others see us. When you look into a mirror, can you see the most salient parts of your identity? Do others cast importance on physical traits that you do not recognize as integral parts of your personality? In some ways, perception is almost as important as the aspect itself. The context in which something is presented affects the nature of the thing. People stereotype us based on our race, gender, and subculture. Some people are denied full participation and integration into society because of their appearance. Stereotypes attempt to put individuals into a box of hegemonic ideals. As individuals, we have a choice to either accept these confines or fight against them and be branded as outcasts. Some of these oppressive stereotypes have followed groups for centuries. Stereotypes are so powerful that they can cover entire nations or regions of the world. Our fight against these stereotypes is never ending because the perpetuation of them through society is constantly being propelled by the media. Stereotypes are socially constructed; we have the power to change them.

Seminar G: Weeds of Injustice: Racism, Feminism, Genocide

Alison Peterson, Alexandra Pugh, Jacob Brenneman, Kevin McGartland, Chelsey Boulden

The issue this panel addresses is that of injustice; specifically the social, cultural, and racial conflicts that are either caused by injustice or the results of it. To explore the topic of injustice more deeply, the presenters within this panel will address such themes as the progression of injustice, the root and construct of it, as well as its complex nature and future implications.

Kevin McGartland and Alexandra Pugh, each through a study of the Holocaust Memorial Museum’s exhibits, will discuss discrimination and unwarranted prejudice. Alexandra’s paper focuses on the harmful nature of apathy and the fault of the bystander, thus warning of the perils of ‘turning a blind eye’.

Chelsey Boulden and Alison Peterson will address not only the roots of racism, but also explore how racism is often at the root of other issues. In Alison’s case, this means studying feminism through a racial lens, and thus discussing how racial injustice within an oppressed group can prevent advancement. Through The Boy in the Mirror, Chelsey will undertake explaining how, though some wish for a ‘colourblind’ United States, racial offenses are rooted so deeply in our consciousness that they are difficult to ignore.

In closing, the panel will tie together different topics concerning prejudice and move towards a future solution.

**********************LUNCH BREAK 11:40-12:20************************

Seminar A: Hard Work Does Not Necessarily Guarantee Success

Nick Sandora, Andrew Dieckhaus, Kristen Parsons

• Despite popular belief, hard work does not always guarantee success in today’s world.
• Working a job and proving yourself is not always the way employers promote their employees, employers still have favoritism.
• Being raised and basing your class off of your friends is not accurate, you have to view society as a whole.
• You cannot control life’s uncertainties. Unforeseen expenses can drastically change your life, maybe even alter your status in society
• I am in the exact same situation as Nick. I am part of the managerial class as well. This background influences how I view many aspects of the world.
• I have this notion that it is impossible for me to drop down through the class structure from where I am now to the point of homelessness. The story “On Dumpster Diving” challenged this idea. It made me realize that it is a very real possibility for me, or for any of us here. More people with college degrees have been having trouble finding jobs, and thus are stuck in homelessness.
• In the short story, the author Lars Eighner had a comfortable government job with a decent salary. After losing his job, he lost his home, and was forced to find everything he needed from other people’s trash.
• I exemplify our society’s stereotypes of those who are underprivileged
• I examine the “contrast between the dignity of [the author’s] language and the dignity of [his] circumstances.”
• I explore an aspect of society that few know a lot about
• I attempt to educate my audience on society’s lack of appreciation for the small things in life

Nick Sandora – A Viewpoint from a Wealthy Child
Andrew Dieckhaus- Inability to Become Homeless
Kristen Parsons- A Dissection on Dumpster Diving

Seminar B: Identifying with an Outward Appearance

Stephanie, Patrick, Ciara, Marie, and Jackson

On an individual level, there is so much beyond the photographs and stereotypes that Kilbourne is inflamed about. Few women want to be seen as powerless, vulnerable beings, or much worse as property of a male. Because negative stereotypes remain embedded into our culture, it is difficult to ignore the idea that women are inferior beings meant to be dominated by men.

People see me differently than the way I see myself. I see myself as Filipino Chinese individual, a unique being who is very affected by my culture but not possessed by it. Stereotypical assumptions are damaging to my social and personal worldview because they unintentionally neglect the true being underneath my outer appearance. A true and honest understanding of Asian culture will not only divert the negative aspect of Asians in social media, but also oblige people to address internal and personal emotion as opposed to the external impression.

Ethnicity is a large part of our individual identities, as it is something people can visually perceive you to be, while it simultaneously has intrinsic value that varies for each individual. Being able to feel connected to multiples ethnicities, while being a part of one specific culture within a nation can sometimes be a challenge. There is often a perception that being an American means you don’t really have a connection to the culture tied to your ethnicities, but this is not necessarily the case with everybody.

While connection to multiple ethnicities at once can be a challenge, being accepted as another aspect within one ethnicity can be a challenge too. People expect you to be what they perceive you as. To other, if you are white, then that is what you are, plain and simple, but you may see yourself as something more.

Conclusion: Ultimately, people are more than they seem, especially on the surface. Stereotypes devoid an individual of their own individuality, fundamentally stripping down their true character and replacing it with an ignorant basic understanding of what society states that person to be.

Seminar C: The Preventable Cycle of Poverty

Allen Baker, Rachael Brotherton, Danielle Kirby, Adrien Soutter, Sarah Ford,  and Abby Sabo

Imagine cold, hungry, starving children, homelessness, lack of safety or help; some people have to go through this every day. The panel has decided to explore the reasons why poverty continues to be a persistent problem and the ways that we can work to solve the problem. We have taken a holistic approach in identifying the roots of the issue, including misconceptions and stereotypes, in addition to some possible solutions.

Our first presentation, Allen Baker’s No Way Out will discuss how poverty becomes a vicious cycle that makes it difficult for a person to escape. Rachel Brotherton will present Reality, which exposes stereotypes and misconceptions of poverty. In The Heart of the Matter by Danielle Kirby will discuss the topic of compassion, and how we learn to show compassion towards others. Adrien Soutter will talk about problems in learning about poverty in his Ignorance Isn’t Bliss, But a Prison. Sarah Ford in her An American Problem will explore poverty as a societal problem, and the reasons why we cannot be apathetic towards it. Lastly, Abby Sabo will present current presidential candidates’ positions on poverty and welfare in her Poverty in Politics.

Ultimately, our panel hopes to address the issue of poverty in our society, in a way that not only expresses the problems but also inspires people to take action.

Seminar D: The Communication of Colors

Gordon Hall, Bria Woodyard, Deborah Villatoro, James Wilson, Audrey Sherfey

In this abstract we are discussing the relations between race and communication in today’s society. Gordon Hall’s “New vs. Old: Age/Race Relations” examines the generational divide between the significance of racism and how it shapes the new age’s perspective, particularly in contrast to those of our parents’, through the text, Sherman Alexie’s Flight. Further analyzing identifying with modern race relations; Bria Woodyard’s “Black in America? Misconceptions of a Modern Minority” draws from Gene Luen Yang’s “American Born Chinese” to observe how minorities may perceive their race within a culture that, under certain contexts, may not emphasize distinctions.  Deborah Villatoro’s “Combining Heritages and the Race and Ethnicities Making the Now” will discuss the concept of how a person identifies who they are because of the background and language they have grown up in using her background of discovering the race she is compared to ethnicity and the changes surrounding this. James Wilson will then interpret how Sherman Alexie’s novel Flight views the cycle of violence between Native Americans and through his essay “White Flight: Analyzing Violence in History and Flight”. And finally Audrey Sherfey’s “The Border Culture: Language and Identity” delves into the suppression of “halfway languages” such as Chicano-Spanish. Using author’s “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” she argues that assimilation rejects the use of such languages and consequentially the identities of those who use them.  We hope as a group to bridge the gap between races, and between the ideological borders erected by society that separates the groups from one another. In this way we can better comprehend and understand the identities of others.

• Gordon Hall – New vs. Old: Age/Race Relations
• Bria Woodyard – Black in America? Misconceptions of a Modern Minority
• Deborah Villatoro – Combining Heritages and the Race and Ethnicities Making the Now
• James Wilson – White Flight: Analyzing Violence in History and Flight
• Audrey Sherfey – The Border Culture: Language and Identity



Seminar E: Expectations of Gender Roles

Tori Chamberlin, Courtney Craig, Deanna Easley, Natalie Goodell, Roger LeBlanc, Conner McIntosh

Our panel is looking at the ways society’s construction of gender identity effects all peoples view on themselves and how they interact with the world around them.

Tori Chamberlin: The Immortality of Gender Roles: Since the beginning of history, men and women have specific gender roles that still hold true today. Men have always been strong and masculine and provide for their families, while women have always born and raised their children. Although some people do feel pressured to fir those roles, for most it comes naturally. These gender roles have been around for a long time and aren’t going away anytime soon.

Courtney Craig: “Feminine Goggles”-From Our Point of View:  What altered my self-confidence and way of thinking was the exposure to the idealistic images and figures of young girls who wore makeup, dressed exclusively, and came with an attitude that my parents wouldn’t approve of. After that exposure, I began to question the length of my hair, complexion of my skin, weight around my stomach and size of my chest. It changed the perspective of myself and I started to conform to the idealistic images in front of me.

Deanna Easley: Men’s Self Destructive Social Boundaries: Through the lens of a woman, it seems the social boundaries men set for themselves described in “‘Bros Before Hos”: The Guy Code” by Michael Kimmel as unnecessary and self-destructive, and ultimately disprove the belief of men’s superiority.

Roger LeBlanc: Normalize Gay in Support of Heterosexual Youth:  As a gay male I had a lens of viewing gender insecurity as an issue affecting the LGBTQ community alone, but after reading Michael Kimmel’s “‘Bros Before Hos”: The Guy Code”, I began to realize the amount of pressure heterosexual men and women face trying to live up to gender expectations. Resolving homophobia in our society would not only help gay people, but all people universally who want to express their gender identity freely without the pressure to conform to either feminine or masculine ideals.

Conner McIntosh: Taught One Way, Discovered Another:  In “Becoming Members of Society: Learning the Social Meanings of Gender” it says that sex and gender are two different things. Growing up in a Christian household I was taught that your gender was you sex, but as I’ve gotten older I see that it’s much more complicated than that.

Seminar F: Stereotyping: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Cameron Burnette, Jay Holland, Aysha Sadiga, Ryan Robinson

Our group is going to focus on the beginnings and evolution of stereotype and how we are conditioned to stereotype, the effects of stereotyping on us as a society, and how to combat stereotyping and its negative effects.

Jay Holland is going to explore judgment in children through the presentation of her digital story entitled Colors, which is about a mentally retarded girl who is isolated by her peers because of her differences and their lack of understanding.

Aysha Sadiqa is going to explain how everyone in their life has subjected to assuming and judging people through her digital story titled Everybody Judges, which is about how people assumed her abilities because of her ethnicity.

Ryan Robinson is going to explain how ethnic stereotyping has both detrimental and beneficial effects prevalent in today’s society in his paper titled, “The effects of ethnic stereotyping”, which is written through a critique of an educational graphic novel “American Born Chinese”.  The graphic novel illustrates the controversial subjects not necessarily known about in schooling systems.

Cameron Burnette is going to use his paper, “Burmingham,” which analyzes Martin Luther King Jr’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” to talk about how the famous civil rights activist approached stereotyping and discrimination that was the society’s norm and how he combated it with nonviolence.

Seminar G: The Importance of Relationships for Individual Growth

Aaron Locke, Chase Litzenberg, Rachel Kuykendall, Heather Gold, Kelsey Laster, Marriam Nasserjah

Every relationship we form has the chance to influence our lives. From birth, individuals are dependent upon others to help them to mature and develop; to grow. In terms of relationships, growth is quite simple: it means to develop understanding and acceptance of yourself and others. Without relationships, it is impossible for individuals to attain this growth. Our initial dependence upon parental figures at a young age is what kick-starts the presence of relationships in our lives. Our relationships take many literal forms including parents, siblings, friends, teachers, bosses, and significant others. However, these titles are quite superficial when it comes to truly measuring what a relationship is worth. At a deeper level, relationships are based upon entirely different principles. Relationships can be split into five different categories: Observational, Cultural, Experiential, Cooperative, and Absence-Based. Each of these types can be identified in the relationships in the life of an individual.

Each serves a different, but important, function in achieving growth within that individual. Observational relationships help to hold a mirror up to an individual, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Cultural relationships helps individuals to gain understanding and acceptance of others through cultural differences. Experiential relationships are based upon a respect for elders; those who have experienced more than the individual and from that experience, can teach. Cooperative relationships are those relationships based upon a mutual equality and contribution in order to achieve a lasting understanding of others. Finally, Absence-Based relationships are generally one-sided relationships that are based upon the reflection that exists after the loss of another. These five types of relationships all work to achieve the same goal of growth. Without relationships, growth would be unfeasible for individuals. A contrast of this growth can be seen in individuals without access to the healthy and consistent relationships noted above. It is an individual’s healthy relationship that falls under the five categories above. It is these five categories of relationships that lead to ultimate personal growth.

PANEL 4: 1:30-2:30

Seminar A

Hunter Strodel, Sara Furr, Connor, Kia Presley, Hunter King, Erin Stackhouse

In life you’re dealt a set of cards.  Those cards are the set of experiences–good or bad– that shape your identity.  Hunter Strodel and Sara discuss family structures and backgrounds that have influenced and molded the people they have become.  By being the middle child, Hunter has learned to accept her individuality within a large family. By appreciating her roots, on the other hand, Sara has witnessed what it really means to be an exceptional human being through the love of her grandmother and culture.  Through his discussion of finding his individual voice, Connor focuses his presentation on the implementation of language and how powerful one voice can be.  Continuing the theme of the power of language, Kia explores how Nancy Mairs, a self-proclaimed cripple, grapples with the realities of her condition. Her essay contains an analysis of  the linguistics of disability while describing her fight to reclaim her identity through her disease.  Concurrently, Hunter King unites the idea of fighting through a disability with strong family support. By the conclusion of his presentation, it is clear that he has learned to accept himself for the way he is.  Similarly, Erin discusses the challenges of facing gender stereotrypes he didn’t identify with. Also, he will elaborate on what the reactions of coming out as transgender to friends and family.  With a support system, he has been able to come to terms with his identity and move forward with life.  These trials and experiences we face on a daily basis, shape who we are and what we will become.

Seminar B: Theory v. Reason: the struggle for balance

Landry Ayres, Sarah Campbell, Suzanne Denbow, Christine Eastman, Ally Hand

The scope through which we view our existence, despite the clarity we intend, is nevertheless shaded heavily by our personal ethos. Adjectives therefore gain a philosophical dimension to their grammatical function, which is the key element we seek to explore in the presentations that follow.

The oft-delusional lens of the self-prescribed “druggie” in “Druggie v. Addict,” for example, demonstrates the daily struggle of rejecting flippant misnomers. Similarly, in “Being a Ginger” Landry discusses the recent surge of negativity surrounding certain labels. He also discuss the differences between individuals describing themselves as “red heads” and those who use the term “ginger” to define themselves. By taking the latter term commonly used as a pejorative, he postulates that “gingers” are able to use rhetoric similar, though not congruent, to that of the black community and the use of the ubiquitous “n-word.”

Sarah continues with this clash of asserted aesthetic norms in “Fat or Curvy: Returning to Realistic Body Image.”  As one of her crucial points, she discusses how American society has warped our definition of normal and attractive in terms of body type. She also details her own personal struggles with body image and how they are sometimes exacerbated while attempting to thrive in the professional dance industry.

This phenomenon is further explored with “The Normal Fat Girl,” in which Ally discusses the difference between being defined as fat and overweight. While explaining what is considered abnormal in our society, it is argued that any weight should be considered average rather than abnormal. Ally does not claim an identity, but rather rejects the idea of being labeled by a number.

Conversely, in “Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing” Suzanne asserts that while redefining identity is often beneficial, it’s impossible to redefine reality. Denial is no more conducive to a thriving society than blatant manipulation, though one is often deployed to refute the other. She maintains that a firm foundation in reality is the hallmark of heightened consciousnesses and the only basis for self-identification.

Though on the surface they appear to be an unhomogenized combination of personal expression, our ideas are firmly linked by the cohesive bond of self-responsibility. Ownership and self-actualization are the building blocks of introspection, and it is only through them that we are able to grow as humankind.

Seminar C: What Defines a Family

Mai Ly, Lexi Schulman, Kristen Moore, Cody Fishel, and Katie Dullaghan

People have different ideas on what makes a family, whether it be biological or otherwise. In the following presentation, there will be a showcase on the different aspects of what entails a “family.” The panel will examine the aspects of a biological family. Mai Ly will lead off with her presentation, “Key Foundations,” in which she will discuss her family’s importance to her. Lexi Schulman will present the significance of specific members of one’s immediate family in, “A Brother Like No Other.”  A transition to friends being considered family will be presented by Kristen Moore on the happiness gained from a very close friend, “A Tribute to Friendship.” Continuing the trend of friends as family will lead us to Cody’s presentation on “A Family of Friends,” in which he will discuss the role of friends in life. Finally, the project will conclude with a large group of individuals as family in Katie Dullaghan’s project, “My Regiment.” Katie’s section will show how a large group can influence one as a family. All individual presentations are designed to convey the importance of family, because after all, what is a family?

Seminar D: An Examination of Gender Norms

Elizabeth Timmermann, Avery Wolfe, Claire Thompson, Lauren Thompson, Daniella, Jess

As a group, we would like to focus on the effects, misconceptions, and problems with societal norms of gender and sexuality in both American and global culture. Specific topic areas include East vs. West sexual norms, masculine vs. feminine cultural representations, rape culture and rape rhetoric, and stereotypes in representation of parenting. In discussion of East vs. West sexual norms, Lauren wishes to explore conceptions of masculinity as expressed in Eastern culture compared with expressions in Western culture. In cultural representations of masculinity and femininity, Jess, Daniella, and Ellie will discuss media portrayal of both men and women and its effects on real-world perceptions. Additionally, they will explore negative effects of gender stereotyping on male-bodied individuals and normative gender roles. In our discussion of rape culture and rape rhetoric, Claire will discuss how mainstream American society, through language, constructs of sex, and societal norms, has created a culture that trivializes, accepts, and even fosters sexual assault. With discussion of parent representations, Avery wishes to discuss gender roles in family narratives and its effects on culture.

In addition to individual topic areas, as a panel, we wish to discuss the destructive nature of societal norms on gender and sexual expression. We seek to inform our audience of the social constructs that define gender binaries and sexual roles. Further, our aim is to persuade the audience toward an open-minded and informed view of culture and personal expression with regards to gender and sexualities.

• Elizabeth Timmermann: “The Contradictions of Gender”
• Avery Wolfe: “Gender Stereotypes in Parenting Roles”
• Claire Thompson: “A Survivor’s Take On Rape Culture”
• Lauren Thompson: “To Be Masculine, Or Not To Be Masculine”
• Daniella
• Jess

Seminar E: Mythocracy

Brian Garret-Glaser, Josh George, Laura Giles, Heather Hallman, David Kinney, Tim Milmoe

Our presentation will examine the concept of American society as a meritocracy.  We will begin by analyzing the origins of the idea through a discussion of Horatio Alger.  David Kinney’s presentation entitled “Rags to Riches” will focus on the opportunities that Alger’s characters are confronted with in Ragged Dick and how pivotal role they play in the characters’ success.  Next, Brian Garret-Glaser’s “Hollow Happenstance” will continue to deliberate Alger’s concept of a meritocracy through Ragged Dick but will instead focus upon Alger’s use of luck in his stories compared to the reality of luck.  Our current view of America as a meritocracy forces certain stereotypes upon the poor, but Josh George’s presentation, entitled “On Dumpster Diving Rejects Stereotypes,” will attempt to discount the validity of theses accusations through an analysis of On Dumpster Diving.  Laura Giles’ “Learning from the Poor” will provide a personal view into the matter, discussing her Considering our Lenses paper and how her view of the poor is influenced by her upbringing and education.  Heather Hallman’s reflection of the Lovers of the Poor, entitled “No Selfless Good Deed” will continue to break down the concept of America’s meritocracy.  In conclusion, Tim Milmoe will present his digital story, entitled “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty,” and explain his personal interactions with community service.  Through these six presentations, we will provide a full analysis of the myth of the American meritocracy, how it came to be, and perhaps discuss methods of improving the situation

Seminar F

Fay Cowper, Sean McGough, Evelyn Hernandez, Mikey Brower, Zach Fowler, Bianca Jeanty

Everyone experiences milestones throughout their lives that allows them to find a sense of self-realization and often, especially those at younger ages, life-changing events that may change perspectives and viewpoints to shape one’s future. Our group will more deeply explore those individual events, which have shaped us in one way or another, to the point that we have discovered a new sense of ourselves. This new sense of self may not have been uncovered without this life-altering event. Zach will speak about how breaking his ankle, which originally seemed to be a negative experience, would allow him to find a career and passion to eventually explore. Evelyn speaks about how, through a lack of emotional support throughout her life, she considered other peoples’ perspectives to shape a future career path in psychology for herself. Sean ponders a dream in which everyone has different perspectives and it is important to consider other people rather than solely focusing on oneself; he later goes on to acknowledge that everyone faces different milestones in their lives, which shapes their own perspective. Fay considers the effect that a small difference can have on the grand scheme of the world, and how starting off small can eventually shape one’s perspective along with a connection of the perspective of those affected. Mikey discusses a coming of age story. He compares his experiences to that of the main character of the novel Zits in Sherman Alexie’s “Flight,” and how these experiences have shaped his perspective. Bianca discusses the impact singing has had on her life and how it has shaped her perspective, the fear accompanied with her passion, and its effect on her future.

• Fay Cowper – “Be the Change You Want to See in the World”
• Sean McGough – “Problems”
• Evelyn Hernandez – “Realizing a Dream”
• Mikey Brower – “Flight to Maturity”
• Zach Fowler – “Passion In Life”
• Bianca Jeanty – “Risk and Happiness”

Seminar G: Creating Passion

Craig Bisacre, Brice Gibbs-Wilson, Brenton Randolph, Kathryn Bonanno, Alex Visio

There are many different types of passions from the passion of travel, music, or fear. Everyone has a passion which they speak highly for. Our Passion as teenagers has shaped the way we view and perceive the world around us. It makes us who we are and defines our jobs and future. Passions make distance memories that we love. Passions live deep inside us and continues to help us grow as people. Have you created your own passion?