Dave's Website

 HUMANITIES

HUMANITIES 1100

In this class, as a final project, we were asked to think of specific unanswered questions that we have had or now have as we finished up this course.  We were then required to research the subject and find some answers to these questions.  Finally, we were required to write a 1,000 word report and produce a 2-3 minute creative presentation.  These can be viewed in the files below.  

Reflection

The holocaust is a great example of the key subjects studied throughout this course such as religions, marginalization, racism, freedom and responsibility, war, and death.  It is often difficult to review tragic historical events.  On the other hand, it is also easy to forget them.  It is however very important that we do not forget them!  These things need to be remembered so that similar tragedies can be prevented!  This is one of the things that has come to my attention as I proceeded through this humanities course.  I have also learned of the necessity to view the different beliefs, traditions, cultures, races, and religions of others with respect.  The disrespect of others as well as feelings of self-righteousness and superiority have historically led to crimes against humanity, like the holocaust, and will continue to do so if we don't learn from the past and thereby change the future.

The subject of this course project reflects my desire to understand the world, the reasons things happened, and the effect they have had.  I have found that, for me, the research concerning a specific subject that I'm interested in is far easier and more enjoyable than the research of a required subject.  Jewish religion and history was a common topic throughout this course and it has become apparent to me that the Jews have influenced the whole world.  I consider myself to be a religious person and being of a Christian faith I have some understanding concerning the Jews.  This humanities course, combined with the research of this project, has given me the opportunity to see, observe, and somewhat understand things from a Jewish perspective, to learn about their beliefs, and to view some of their history.  There is so much information and history concerning the Jews.  This is especially the case when researching the holocaust!  It has been difficult deciding what information to include and what information to exclude.  This course project is therefore a small taste of the causes and effects of the holocaust.