As a disclaimer, this is the only class at Trinity that I have taken for “fun”. I didn’t understand the point of taking an elective until I took COMM2302. I have pushed myself more in this class than any other common curriculum class because I took it simply to learn something new and exciting. One of the topics that I wish we could have spent more time on is psychoanalysis. I realize this isn’t a psychology course, but I would like to delve deeper into how the media utilizes subliminal messaging and psychoanalysis in the modern world. I also really enjoyed the last week when we talked about global youth movements. I had no idea that this was a world-wide phenomenon, and I would love to learn more about it.
My favorite readings were the Chuck Klosterman articles. My favorites were “This is Emo” (which can be attributed to my obsession with Lloyd Dobler) and “The Awe-Inspiring Beauty of Tom Cruise’s Shattered, Troll-Like Face.” Klosterman’s writing feels spontaneous, original and exciting. He’s funny, but not in an annoying way, and his arguments are thought provoking. I love his pop cultural references because he writes about them in an a refreshingly intimate way, like when he wrote about reading Entertainment Weekly on the toilet.
My least favorite article was Jean Baudrillard’s “Precession of Simulcrae.” Admittedly, the main reason I didn’t like this article was because it genuinely stumped me. Meaning, I read it three times and I still had no clue what he was saying. Also, could the title be any more pretentious? I would consider this reading the antithesis of a Klosterman reading. Baudrillard’s writing feels contrived and esoteric.
How I felt when reading
Baudrillard’s article.
However, I will say that once Dr. Delwiche explained the fable about the map I was intrigued. At first I thought Baudrillard was saying that as the map decays, people start thinking that the world underneath is real, when really it’s a simulation of the real world that the map had pinpointed. After glancing over it again, I’m starting to think that he’s saying as the map decays, everything becomes a simulation and nothing is real. Please don’t quote me on this, because I could be way off base. The point is, the concept of simulation versus reality in terms of this map fable made me think about who gets to determine what is a simulation and what is real? Even in class, some people argued that the map was the simulation and the empire underneath it was real. As much as I disliked the reading, Baudrillard’s philosophical writing enticed my mind to think in a unique way.
For future semesters, I think alien invasion and puzzles would be really intriguing themes. Alien invasion would be entertaining for everyone, but I think that puzzles would lead to some really interesting and intense class discussions.
Even though I’m graduating, I still feel like a kid.
While I really enjoyed this course and my time at Trinity, I am incredibly happy to announce that I will be graduating on May 18th. I have had a few interviews, but no luck yet. I’m trying to stay positive, as I have a few more interviews coming up. I will be moving back home with my parents right after graduating. It feels strange finally admitting it. I have also been told by my mother that I will be out of the house and employed within a month. Sadly, my codependency must come to an end. I don’t feel ready for the “real” world (is anything real?), but I don’t think many people do right before graduation. As cliche as it may sound, I am grateful that I will be getting my diploma in a few weeks, that I am healthy, and that I am loved. I don’t like talking about my future because it feels so uncertain right now, but I feel like I’ve finally grown up now that I can take a broader look at life and just be grateful.
COMM 2302 (Spring 2013) 