Mission Statement

Two important educational values that propel my learning are questioning and the ability to think deeply, both critically and abstractly. These values allow me to more fully understand complex social issues that have occurred in the past, as well as those occurring today. The ability to understand past issues and events is important when trying to understand social problems and issues occurring today. Throughout my education, the ability to raise questions and seek answers has enabled me to learn, understand, and to creatively come up with solutions and solve problems. Often, discovering an answer to one question, or arriving to the solution of a problem, leads to more questions. Constant question asking and answer seeking has pushed me to continue to learn, it has strengthened my problem solving skills, and has enhanced my ability to think critically.

In both the English and Ethnic Studies departments at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I have been able to strengthen my reading, writing, and communication skills. Through the many differing courses I have taken in both, English and Ethnic Studies, I have learned how diverse the world truly is, and how difficult it can be to fully understand social problems and global conflicts. Through reading, and questioning what I have read, I am able to more fully understand these complex issues and current events.

Throughout my education, and my life, I have continuously sought out answers through reading. I have learned, and continue to learn, through creative works, newspapers, memoirs, non-fiction books, and scholarly articles. In reading a variety of different texts I am able to grasp various experiences, opinions, and facts. Reading has also enabled me to view the world from an array of diverse perspectives. Knowing that individuals have their own distinct experiences, opinions, and ideas, has improved my ability to communicate, and discuss different ideas and opinions with others, regardless of the differences between us.

Also, in regards to reading, my close reading skills have greatly improved since becoming an English major. Until I began taking different courses in the English department, I had never closely analyzed and read a text. One professor that has taught me, and continues to teach me, the importance of this skill is Dr. Rutledge. The first course I took with Dr. Rutledge was American Literary Traditions. In that particular course we read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Nella Larsen’s Quicksand, and a variety of different articles, poems, and court cases. Each of which we were required to read closely, to pay attention to details, and particular word choices made by the author’s. This changed the way in which I had read up until that point in my life. Learning to closely read and to pay attention to details, has improved the way in which I read and interpret different texts. Paying attention to details is an important skill to learn beyond the classroom, and reading, as it is applicable in problem solving and a variety of different tasks.

Currently I am taking the Ethnic Studies Senior Seminar and an English/Ethnic Studies Independent Study with Dr. Rutledge. In both classes the importance of close reading, questioning, and thinking critically and abstractly are emphasized. These skills I use in my courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as well as outside of the classroom and in my everyday life. Through them I am able to more fully understand complex issues and problem solve more effectively.