INTRODUCTIONWhen I was assigned the task of writing a reflection paper on my experience in this course, I wasn't sure what to write . I struggled with the idea that I had to write down my feelings about what I learned in class and that I had to read literature and then interpret those readings in journal entries to my classmates. This left me a little intimidated. So to get the ideas flowing, I went back to the beginning. I looked up the “First Week Letter” to the student and re-read the course description and objective. Dr. Doe stated in the letter that “we will read a variety of literature for a better understanding of the ideals, values, and attitudes of world civilizations” (First Week Letter to Student). Little did I know that this involved many stories on themes such as “Tradition and Innovation”, “Gender and Identity”, “War and Violence”, “Race and Culture” and finally “Individualism and Community”. Also in the "First Letter of the Week," Dr. Doe states that these topics are "as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago." This still seems pretty daunting to me, but I agree with Dr. Doe. All of these topics guide us while helping us achieve the goal stated in the “First Letter of the Week,” “to identify and examine the interconnections between literature, history, and culture.” And why does "First Letter of the Week" say it's important, "To enhance our awareness and appreciation of the relationship between literature and the human condition." » Discussion At the beginning of the semester, I stated that I am not a great reader but would like to be. I believe that reading values...... middle of paper ......speed and has freed me to see ideas in a different way. It gave me the opportunity to read literature with an open mind. When I look back on my years of limited reading, I realize that I did not actively read the book. I just went through the motions and only read what was necessary. This course helped me develop my ability to read a piece and understand the hidden messages. It helped me lose my simplicity and routine practice of taking everything I read literally. Now my mind has been greatly opened. I feel like I learned a lot and greatly developed my skills in literary analysis and writing. Challenge Question Toni Morrison says: “We must recognize that what we call “literature” is now pluralistic, just as society should be. » (580). Do you think that literature is a vector of social change? For what?