Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is a complex novel that relates the events surrounding the relations, lives, and loves of a middle-upper class English family in the late nineteenth century.
In Pride and Predjuice life is not all fun and games. There are many pressures in life: mothers with high expectations for a good marriage and a girl's own expectation of what life and hopefully marriage will be like.
The first sentence in this book is impressive. It reads: “It is a truth well known to all the world that an unmarried man in possession of a large fortune must be in need of a wife”. The undertone is very clear: the foundation of the marriage at that time is not emotion but possession.
The characters have their own personalities. Mrs. Bennet is a woman who makes great efforts to marry off her daughters. Mr. Bingley is a friendly young man, but his friend, Mr. Darcy, is a very proud man who seems to always feel superior. Even the five daughters in Bennet family are very different. Jane is simple, innocent and never speaks evil of others. Elizabeth is a clever girl who always has her own opinion. Mary likes reading classic books. (Actually she is a pedant.) Kitty doesn’t have her own opinion but likes to follow her sister, Lydia. Lydia is a girl who follows exotic things, handsome man, and is somehow a little profligate. When I read the book, I can always find the same personalities in the society now. That is why I think this book is indeed the representative of the society in Britain in the 18th century.
Compared to the past, although the marriages of economic needs have decreased rapidly, the concept of “money determines everything” is still rooted in some people’s mind. A lot of parents try hard to interfere their children’s marriages. Education background, possessions, jobs remains the main reason that may influence one’s marriage. Marry for money is still a big problem in our society. We can’t help thinking: can money determine everything?
After reading the book, I think I have understood more about the word ‘prejudice’. Even though I considered prejudice to be a very bad thing, I'm a prejudiced person myself. I didn’t have a good impression on the movie so I didn’t read the book until now. I only like to do the things I like. Every time I meet somebody or something, my thoughts about it depend merely on my past experience and my mood of the time. I'm a person thinking by heart not by brain. What is worse, I didn’t consider that as a bad thing. I thought everyone was like that. Everyone has his special way to observe the world. So it's individuality, not prejudice. But something is wrong here. Though everyone can judge in whatever way he likes, he can't ignore others. You can like what you like and hate what you hate, but you should be objective when you meet the external world. I think we should consider things in a well-rounded way, not just whatever we want but also that is acceptable by others.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Core curriculum
As college students and classes diversify, it has become more and more difficult to set up a core curriculum that balances between freedom of choices and the indispensable common knowledge foundation colleges ought to provide. Many have reached the consensus that we should have a core curriculum but debated on the issue of what a core curriculum should be. In particular, Harry R. Lewis argues that accomplishing the core curriculum in college should allow one to become responsible citizens who do not only act for self-interest but also contribute to the society.
If we take his arguments, a core curriculum should be focused on U.S history, U.S politics, democracy principles, current domestic and world issues, U.S government system and related subjects. We cannot deny that these courses are beneficial for one to become a well-educated citizen. But he does not explicitly say to what extent we should study these subjects and how much space would be left for free choices. The more time students spent on learning these, the less likely they are to go in depth of fields they are interested in. In fact, how many students would actually want to study the courses under this core curriculum and really put efforts in them? At least, I could argue that for those who don’t enjoy politics, a core curriculum like this wouldn’t give the optimum outcome.
Lewis is expecting people to become responsible citizens after college. He implies that responsible citizens should not only be those who do not go against the law but also who actually do something good for the society. There’s nothing wrong to be a responsible citizen. But how much would the study in college core curriculum be taken into account of what really shapes one’s personal values? To say the very least, four years of college is only a small proportion of time out of one’s life. Beside the knowledge taught in college, people’s background, cultures, families and friends, difficulties they encounter are all important factors that vary how they think and act. Therefore, a core curriculum should to a limited extent but does not necessarily transform one’s personal values.
On the other hand, if we agree that Lewis’ interpretation of core curriculum could make people responsible citizens, why can’t we also argue that other types of core curriculum would achieve the same result? For example, a liberal art core would fit just as well. By studying a wide range of selective courses, students would be able to look at things from different prospective that also help them to hold positive values and become responsible citizens.
I think what Lewis discontent is that many people go to college only for the purpose of getting good jobs. He regards this as act for self-interest. But acting for self-interest and being responsible citizens do not contradict with each other. In fact, a person who works hard and succeeds in his own career is most likely to bring benefit to the society.
In my opinion, a core curriculum should be as it is now – based on students’ major but also requires a certain amount of liberal art courses to expand their knowledge. Students who choose to come to college deserve to pursue the study of their own interest. Even though every course has its own value, taking well-rounded courses with no depth can result in learning nothing. So even in a liberal art core curriculum, the courses should be selective. In reality, because of increasing demand for specialization in the job market that requires the depth in the student's major field of study, a core curriculum in college nowadays should mandate a far smaller proportion of a student's course work than in the past so that students can be focused on their own majors.
Idealistically, every kind of core curriculum has the reason to be best for college education. However standing on a student’s point of view, what is practical is far more important than what’s theoretically true. Yes, we come to college to learn knowledge, to be well-education or maybe contribute to the society. But we are also here to fulfill our own goals and prepare ourselves for our future lives. Don’t we have the right to spend more time on what we are interested in and what we can do well than to study reluctantly what we don’t like?
If we take his arguments, a core curriculum should be focused on U.S history, U.S politics, democracy principles, current domestic and world issues, U.S government system and related subjects. We cannot deny that these courses are beneficial for one to become a well-educated citizen. But he does not explicitly say to what extent we should study these subjects and how much space would be left for free choices. The more time students spent on learning these, the less likely they are to go in depth of fields they are interested in. In fact, how many students would actually want to study the courses under this core curriculum and really put efforts in them? At least, I could argue that for those who don’t enjoy politics, a core curriculum like this wouldn’t give the optimum outcome.
Lewis is expecting people to become responsible citizens after college. He implies that responsible citizens should not only be those who do not go against the law but also who actually do something good for the society. There’s nothing wrong to be a responsible citizen. But how much would the study in college core curriculum be taken into account of what really shapes one’s personal values? To say the very least, four years of college is only a small proportion of time out of one’s life. Beside the knowledge taught in college, people’s background, cultures, families and friends, difficulties they encounter are all important factors that vary how they think and act. Therefore, a core curriculum should to a limited extent but does not necessarily transform one’s personal values.
On the other hand, if we agree that Lewis’ interpretation of core curriculum could make people responsible citizens, why can’t we also argue that other types of core curriculum would achieve the same result? For example, a liberal art core would fit just as well. By studying a wide range of selective courses, students would be able to look at things from different prospective that also help them to hold positive values and become responsible citizens.
I think what Lewis discontent is that many people go to college only for the purpose of getting good jobs. He regards this as act for self-interest. But acting for self-interest and being responsible citizens do not contradict with each other. In fact, a person who works hard and succeeds in his own career is most likely to bring benefit to the society.
In my opinion, a core curriculum should be as it is now – based on students’ major but also requires a certain amount of liberal art courses to expand their knowledge. Students who choose to come to college deserve to pursue the study of their own interest. Even though every course has its own value, taking well-rounded courses with no depth can result in learning nothing. So even in a liberal art core curriculum, the courses should be selective. In reality, because of increasing demand for specialization in the job market that requires the depth in the student's major field of study, a core curriculum in college nowadays should mandate a far smaller proportion of a student's course work than in the past so that students can be focused on their own majors.
Idealistically, every kind of core curriculum has the reason to be best for college education. However standing on a student’s point of view, what is practical is far more important than what’s theoretically true. Yes, we come to college to learn knowledge, to be well-education or maybe contribute to the society. But we are also here to fulfill our own goals and prepare ourselves for our future lives. Don’t we have the right to spend more time on what we are interested in and what we can do well than to study reluctantly what we don’t like?
Friday, October 16, 2009
body language
I am really excited after reading a book which taught me not only how to read others’ body language, but also how to communicate better using nonverbal techniques. I also learned useful skills when interpreting body language in different cultures. Actually, what people send by body language is just as important as what they speak verbally.
What impressed me are the various hints of emotions on humans’ bodies. From head to toe, even slight movements in any part of body can suggest one’s feelings or opinions. Even more interesting are the tips distinguishing genuine facial expressions with fake ones, such as judging a genuine smile by whether it reaches the eyes. Being able to read and interpret these body signs, we will have a better initiative in our business interactions.
In addition, body language is also essential when we present ourselves. Just as we are reading others’ body languages, others are judging us in the same way. Thus, the ability to naturally send out appropriate messages by nonverbal language is vital to success in business world. To achieve this goal, we must thoroughly explore each action of our bodies, for example, giving a firm handshake to indicate our confidence, or leaning forward and looking at others’ eyes to show interest. Such body signs are very helpful in establishing positive images.
Finally, the discussion of body language in different cultures is extremely important. With economic globalization, effective communications between regions and cultures have become increasingly more significant. In various cultures, some bodily actions can have different or even opposite interpretations, which can result in misunderstandings and conflicts. And the frequency of touching and space between each other are both quite different from country to country. In these situations, we must be aware of the diverse translations of body language.
In conclusion, what I find most significant in Goman’s book are the mechanics of both reading and using body signs as well as the tactics of understanding body language under different cultural backgrounds.
What impressed me are the various hints of emotions on humans’ bodies. From head to toe, even slight movements in any part of body can suggest one’s feelings or opinions. Even more interesting are the tips distinguishing genuine facial expressions with fake ones, such as judging a genuine smile by whether it reaches the eyes. Being able to read and interpret these body signs, we will have a better initiative in our business interactions.
In addition, body language is also essential when we present ourselves. Just as we are reading others’ body languages, others are judging us in the same way. Thus, the ability to naturally send out appropriate messages by nonverbal language is vital to success in business world. To achieve this goal, we must thoroughly explore each action of our bodies, for example, giving a firm handshake to indicate our confidence, or leaning forward and looking at others’ eyes to show interest. Such body signs are very helpful in establishing positive images.
Finally, the discussion of body language in different cultures is extremely important. With economic globalization, effective communications between regions and cultures have become increasingly more significant. In various cultures, some bodily actions can have different or even opposite interpretations, which can result in misunderstandings and conflicts. And the frequency of touching and space between each other are both quite different from country to country. In these situations, we must be aware of the diverse translations of body language.
In conclusion, what I find most significant in Goman’s book are the mechanics of both reading and using body signs as well as the tactics of understanding body language under different cultural backgrounds.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
C&E and C&C outline
C&E outline
The reason for the high drop rate in the college
1 academic failure
1.1 student fail in their course discourage them to continue.
DETAIL
some student fear even they try their best they still can not get the degree.
some student get low score feel lose interests and confidence in studying
both may cause student drop college and go to the society earlier.
2 working
2.1 some student drop their class because they feel it's time to have a job
DETAIL
some student feel they have enough knowledge for their work and they think they feel working experience is more important.
like sales man or other job which depends on your communication skill instead of some academic knowledge.
3 Follow personal interest
3.1 some student have specific interest that if he put all his heart and soul in it there will be a time conflict with his college studying.
Details
Like Bill Gates
CONCLUSION
academic failure, working, personal interest are the main reasons for the high drop rate of college in USA
C&C outline
Climate difference between Shanghai and Champaign
THESES STATEMENT the different performance between Champaign and Shanghai during spring, summer and winter.
1 spring
1.1 spring in shanghai always comes early at the beginning of the year.
spring in champaign always comes late and do not last a long time
1.2 at the end of spring, it is always rainy in shanghai
it is very common to experience tornado in champaign during spring
2 summer
2.1summer is the longest season in shanghai which could last 5 month and it is always hot and humid
the summer in champaign is always cool and the weather is changeable.
3. winter
3.1the winter in champaign is freezing and lasting , the first snow always begin on December and the snow do not leave until march.
it is rarely snowing in shanghai. the lowest temperature always just touch 30 F. and become warm quickly
CONCLUSION
Even though there are huge differences between the weather in shanghai and champaign. but they have the beauties just belong to them self.
The reason for the high drop rate in the college
1 academic failure
1.1 student fail in their course discourage them to continue.
DETAIL
some student fear even they try their best they still can not get the degree.
some student get low score feel lose interests and confidence in studying
both may cause student drop college and go to the society earlier.
2 working
2.1 some student drop their class because they feel it's time to have a job
DETAIL
some student feel they have enough knowledge for their work and they think they feel working experience is more important.
like sales man or other job which depends on your communication skill instead of some academic knowledge.
3 Follow personal interest
3.1 some student have specific interest that if he put all his heart and soul in it there will be a time conflict with his college studying.
Details
Like Bill Gates
CONCLUSION
academic failure, working, personal interest are the main reasons for the high drop rate of college in USA
C&C outline
Climate difference between Shanghai and Champaign
THESES STATEMENT the different performance between Champaign and Shanghai during spring, summer and winter.
1 spring
1.1 spring in shanghai always comes early at the beginning of the year.
spring in champaign always comes late and do not last a long time
1.2 at the end of spring, it is always rainy in shanghai
it is very common to experience tornado in champaign during spring
2 summer
2.1summer is the longest season in shanghai which could last 5 month and it is always hot and humid
the summer in champaign is always cool and the weather is changeable.
3. winter
3.1the winter in champaign is freezing and lasting , the first snow always begin on December and the snow do not leave until march.
it is rarely snowing in shanghai. the lowest temperature always just touch 30 F. and become warm quickly
CONCLUSION
Even though there are huge differences between the weather in shanghai and champaign. but they have the beauties just belong to them self.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The auto-tech
With the development of the automatic technology human are living a life much more convenient and comfortable than centuries ago. Today, if you want the water come out from the tap, you only need to shake your hand in front of the infrared seniors. However, just like every coin have two sides, the auto-tech also bring a lot of potential danger to people’s daily life like the residents of a dorm all thrilled standing with pajamas outside the building in the morning at 5 am just because a burned egg activate the sensitive fire alarm . Actually, to some instant the unreliability of the auto-tech, cost more but also easy to break and make people undue relying on auto-tech.
The unreliability of the auto-tech is the first problem of the auto-tech. Owing to the too sensitive (sometimes less sensitive) senor, the machine or system always makes mistakes. For instance, a flap on the bonnet can start the car security system or a burned steak can cause the fire alarm ring. Those are all very emergency situation. If we find it give a false alarm a couple of times, we will lose trust to it like the old story ‘The boy who cried wolf”. In other word, people will reduce their sensitivity to the auto-system and think the system make another mistake. What make things worse, mentally people thought they have done some preparation but in fact they do not consider it serious. Thus the unreliability of the auto-tech some times make the product bring not only rarely benefit but some trembles.
Besides the unreliability of the auto-tech, another problem is auto-tech product takes more cost and is easily broken. In spite of the much higher price of auto machine than the normal one, the quality of the auto machine is a crucial problem, because we always find the auto is always easily broken. Mostly, the monitor is the most possible to be out of order, for example the life of the auto tap only last half of the normal one, the light or sound controlled switch unfortunately not only itself probably has a short life but also it make the things connected to it like the bulb easily broken. Thus the poor quality of the auto products was attributed to a much rising in price for the company has to pay more for inspection and repairing and the product itself as high-tech already cost a lot.
The most dangerous and potential problem is it do harm to human either mentally or physically by undoing reliance on it. With the rapid development of the auto-tech in recent years, our life became more and more rely on the benefit of auto-tech. Today, we produce thousands of merchandise by auto-production line which makes a huge company run with only a few workers. We use robot bomb, defusing robot and diversely kinds of military robot to fight a war. However, that benefit contributes to make people stage in that comfort and convenience. We want our car to drive anywhere automatically; we want to get our favorite food cooked by a Robert whenever we are hungry; we become more and more greedy and hardly want move and think. Like in the movie ‘Wall-E’, yet people do not need to do any thing but just touch their controller and you can get anything you want. People lose some basic ability like moving and laboring. Even those looks like further question, nevertheless, today more and more machines take the job of former factory workers because of economical reasons. Thus the extremely reliance on auto-tech results in people losing their job and feuded by the national government and moreover they may begin stray in the street, take drugs, or even make crimes.
In a sum, we should think about the auto-tech more serious, because all those bad effect and worries of the auto-tech really are occurring or will happen. Actually, what hardness that I mentioned above is only part of its effort. So when we or the government look at those high-tech products do not let it outside benefit likely faint you.
The unreliability of the auto-tech is the first problem of the auto-tech. Owing to the too sensitive (sometimes less sensitive) senor, the machine or system always makes mistakes. For instance, a flap on the bonnet can start the car security system or a burned steak can cause the fire alarm ring. Those are all very emergency situation. If we find it give a false alarm a couple of times, we will lose trust to it like the old story ‘The boy who cried wolf”. In other word, people will reduce their sensitivity to the auto-system and think the system make another mistake. What make things worse, mentally people thought they have done some preparation but in fact they do not consider it serious. Thus the unreliability of the auto-tech some times make the product bring not only rarely benefit but some trembles.
Besides the unreliability of the auto-tech, another problem is auto-tech product takes more cost and is easily broken. In spite of the much higher price of auto machine than the normal one, the quality of the auto machine is a crucial problem, because we always find the auto is always easily broken. Mostly, the monitor is the most possible to be out of order, for example the life of the auto tap only last half of the normal one, the light or sound controlled switch unfortunately not only itself probably has a short life but also it make the things connected to it like the bulb easily broken. Thus the poor quality of the auto products was attributed to a much rising in price for the company has to pay more for inspection and repairing and the product itself as high-tech already cost a lot.
The most dangerous and potential problem is it do harm to human either mentally or physically by undoing reliance on it. With the rapid development of the auto-tech in recent years, our life became more and more rely on the benefit of auto-tech. Today, we produce thousands of merchandise by auto-production line which makes a huge company run with only a few workers. We use robot bomb, defusing robot and diversely kinds of military robot to fight a war. However, that benefit contributes to make people stage in that comfort and convenience. We want our car to drive anywhere automatically; we want to get our favorite food cooked by a Robert whenever we are hungry; we become more and more greedy and hardly want move and think. Like in the movie ‘Wall-E’, yet people do not need to do any thing but just touch their controller and you can get anything you want. People lose some basic ability like moving and laboring. Even those looks like further question, nevertheless, today more and more machines take the job of former factory workers because of economical reasons. Thus the extremely reliance on auto-tech results in people losing their job and feuded by the national government and moreover they may begin stray in the street, take drugs, or even make crimes.
In a sum, we should think about the auto-tech more serious, because all those bad effect and worries of the auto-tech really are occurring or will happen. Actually, what hardness that I mentioned above is only part of its effort. So when we or the government look at those high-tech products do not let it outside benefit likely faint you.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Life in UIUC(first jorunal)
I have never imaging my first mouth college life just passing away. The campus seems to get familiar with my strange face. My roommates become friendlier and ease to live with me, the classmate in the discussion class get to be used to my accent and like to ask for my opinion. Actually, this not my first experience to being freshmen, but I was still feeling such excited with so many people with various background and my vivid courses. People from every corner of the world get together just for studying and acknowledging there really existing a wide range of cognition to the things. What I make me eager to see more are the text books, the different style of instrument, and living pace.
I should have the qualification to state my opinion about the different between the China’s and the US’s for my double freshman experience. Firstly, the text book here is much better than that in china, not for the decorative pictures but the content. Before the first week I went to bookstore to get all my test books, I have never seen any test book at such unreachable price that almost destroys my credit card. However, recently, I feel it real worth it. Those days I was preparing for the proficiency test for math 221.Although I have leant it before but you know, at least, I used a different language to take the test. So I read the book seriously just like the first time to learn the knowledge. What come to me is the content is real well-organized, and the editor exactly knows how to make it easier for its reader to understand. Like in the chapter of derivative, it state the method how to derivative different function very systematically. In comparison, the test books I have used have no such patience which only gives you a lot of proof of kinds of function.
The second thing amazed me is that the class can be so interesting and interactive. I have taken five classes, however the instruments according to different class or different professor are totally different. For instance, in the physic class the professor makes pre-lecture for you to accept the idea for the class, in the class he make a lot of vivid trails and encourage us to share our opinion with our neighbors which help us to get deeply understanding of the knowledge.
。。。to be contiuned
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
A introdution to Steven
Hello everyone, I am Steven coming from a China. My Chinese name is Guangyuan Shi. At the end of this semester i will be 20 years old, kind of elder than other students. Currently I am a freshman with major in mathematics which is my favorite subject since elementary school. Actually I didn't go to university directly after i graduated from high school.But thanks to the encouragement from my friend , Alex Nee, who now is a suffer-more student in UIUC , I can stand here to meet every one of you here. I live in Illini Tower now,located on the Chalmers ST near Fifth ST. My roommates is a handsome chinese boy. We knew each other through the IEI course held on the campus this summer.If you like playing poker or such kind card games, my room will be a right place for you.
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