Chenny did a great job on her Teach-In, major kudos for taking this project on by yourself! Your power point slides were very clear and easy to understand. You were extremely comfortable and relaxed in front of the class. You also did a great job linking all three articles together. I would be careful about trying to speak over a video clip as it can be difficult to hear you. I think the intention to have a class discussion at the beginning and end of the presentation with the “opposite” slides was a great idea however I don’t quite understand the purpose of that particular exercise.
The idea of wearing a veil to me is so foreign yet it is a topic I find extremely interesting. I really liked the Veil Diaries clip that you showed and you obviously did a great deal of research regarding the different opinions regarding the veiling of women. I also find it interesting yet disturbing that France has banned the wearing of full face veils in public.
Difference Theory is a difficult concept to understand and I still don’t have a full understanding of this concept. Perhaps some more examples or a greater discussion would have helped a bit. You did a terrific job, congratulations!
You did very well presenting your teach-in. The readings on Muslim difference expand well beyond the social constructs of gender alone and you did a good job tying the topic into the focus of the class.
I liked your inclusion of videos within the presentation. The clips were well chosen, relevant to the topic, and provided a great visual representation of the veiling to those who are not as familiar with the practice. Your explanation and analysis was very well thought out and articulated in your presentation.
During your teach-in, I think you could have spent a little more time explaining the Frye article on difference theory and constructing a positive category. While you did talk about the ‘man’ versus ‘not man’ concept early in the teach-in, the reasoning behind those classifications could have been more involved in the conversation.
One suggestion that I could make would be including a group discussion on positive categories. While it is clear something is A or Not A, asking for examples or further discussing the examples you provided may have helped conclude the discussion.
It is extremely difficult to present alone and overall, your understanding of the material and use of video kept me engaged and interested during the teach-in. Nicely done.
Chenny, you presented a very good Teach-In! I liked that you started your presentation with an interesting question. Your presentation skills are strong; your voice was clear and articulate. I could always understand what you were saying. The videos you showed at the beginning of the presentation showed a great variety of opinions. The “reconstruction of difference” concept was very well explained and the additional “5 women” video complemented it well. It really deepened my understanding of the veil/unveil. I am not sure if I agree with the fact that Muslim men are always linked with violence. One drawback for me was that the category exercise was not quite clear to me, even with the right answer. However, the way you explained something versus not-something was excellent. You talked about France banning the use of the veil in public in 2010 – that was particularly interesting! The concluding sentence on your last slide was perhaps a little too long and complicated could have been explained more. However, I feel that overall your presentation was clear, enjoyable, interesting and in depth. Thank you for giving a great presentation, Chenny!
First off, let me start by saying that your presentation last night was excellent and very well prepared, you did a great job. The articles were confusing, but you did a great job explaining everything and relating the material to the articles.
The presentation began with the Frye article about difference, where Chenny explained what difference was and how we see “A” and not “A.” Although at first this seemed confusing, when Chenny related the concept to the Macdonald and Gender Blueprint article, it made sense. The explanation on how America viewed Muslim women and veils related well to difference, and how Muslim women are seen as different and often alienated from mainstream American society. The video of what people thought of veiled women showed that American are conflicted in their definitions of alienation and beauty.
The second video played, the reconstruction of difference, showed 5 stories of how muslim women wear their veils as well as their various reasons either for style or religion. They explained that they used their veils as tools of creativity because, regardless of what americans think, muslim women have “freedom of choice” in this country and are free to wear, or not wear, their veils how they please.
After 911, Chenny explained that a lot of muslim women faced criticism and further explained how and why through her video clip of muslim women and the hijab. This shed light on how Muslim women felt that regardless of what happened on 911, they still felt that they should not have been discriminated against for they served as good friends and good Americans.
Along with Muslim women, Chenny explained how muslim men are often seen as different, and how they are changing their lifestyles and appearance to become a “modern Muslim man.” Television shows and advertisements showed the modern muslim men without the beards to show the world that not all muslim men should be stereotyped and discriminated against.
Chenny related thE Muslim culture to her explanation of difference by examining opposites. She said that the opposite of man is not man, and the opposite of black is not black. She felt that words and people should not have opposites but rather plurality, which is an internal structure with differentiated elements. This means that when people hear of Muslims, they should consider that various types and styles of muslims such as veils or modern Muslim men, instead of stereotyping their culture as different.
Hi all,
Thank you for your opinions! It is my honor that you enjoyed my teach in and learn something. For those who pick to do analysis 2, I hope that my teach-in give you some idea in linking your interview to the article.
Particularly, all of you mentioned that I didn’t do a good job in explaining Frye’s difference theory. I have to say that I really tried my best to explain that. The theory, which is even not a theory and I just conclude it as Difference Theory. What Frye want to explain actually is an A/not A dichotomy. At first, he pointed out that the dichotomy is unreasonable and a positive category with logical interior structure should be conducted. However, later on he stated some weakness of the positive category of woman. I tried to convey the above message to you and sorry for confusing you.
For Mark, your suggestion of conducting a group discussion is good and I just forget about that. I really need that instead of a class discussion.
For Shirin, it is my fault to suppose that all of you can easily understand my last slide. It is just what I think and I should explain more on that.
Overall, thank you for your compliment me on my presentation!
Chenny did a great job on her Teach-In, major kudos for taking this project on by yourself! Your power point slides were very clear and easy to understand. You were extremely comfortable and relaxed in front of the class. You also did a great job linking all three articles together. I would be careful about trying to speak over a video clip as it can be difficult to hear you. I think the intention to have a class discussion at the beginning and end of the presentation with the “opposite” slides was a great idea however I don’t quite understand the purpose of that particular exercise.
The idea of wearing a veil to me is so foreign yet it is a topic I find extremely interesting. I really liked the Veil Diaries clip that you showed and you obviously did a great deal of research regarding the different opinions regarding the veiling of women. I also find it interesting yet disturbing that France has banned the wearing of full face veils in public.
Difference Theory is a difficult concept to understand and I still don’t have a full understanding of this concept. Perhaps some more examples or a greater discussion would have helped a bit. You did a terrific job, congratulations!
Chenny,
You did very well presenting your teach-in. The readings on Muslim difference expand well beyond the social constructs of gender alone and you did a good job tying the topic into the focus of the class.
I liked your inclusion of videos within the presentation. The clips were well chosen, relevant to the topic, and provided a great visual representation of the veiling to those who are not as familiar with the practice. Your explanation and analysis was very well thought out and articulated in your presentation.
During your teach-in, I think you could have spent a little more time explaining the Frye article on difference theory and constructing a positive category. While you did talk about the ‘man’ versus ‘not man’ concept early in the teach-in, the reasoning behind those classifications could have been more involved in the conversation.
One suggestion that I could make would be including a group discussion on positive categories. While it is clear something is A or Not A, asking for examples or further discussing the examples you provided may have helped conclude the discussion.
It is extremely difficult to present alone and overall, your understanding of the material and use of video kept me engaged and interested during the teach-in. Nicely done.
Chenny, you presented a very good Teach-In! I liked that you started your presentation with an interesting question. Your presentation skills are strong; your voice was clear and articulate. I could always understand what you were saying. The videos you showed at the beginning of the presentation showed a great variety of opinions. The “reconstruction of difference” concept was very well explained and the additional “5 women” video complemented it well. It really deepened my understanding of the veil/unveil. I am not sure if I agree with the fact that Muslim men are always linked with violence. One drawback for me was that the category exercise was not quite clear to me, even with the right answer. However, the way you explained something versus not-something was excellent. You talked about France banning the use of the veil in public in 2010 – that was particularly interesting! The concluding sentence on your last slide was perhaps a little too long and complicated could have been explained more. However, I feel that overall your presentation was clear, enjoyable, interesting and in depth. Thank you for giving a great presentation, Chenny!
First off, let me start by saying that your presentation last night was excellent and very well prepared, you did a great job. The articles were confusing, but you did a great job explaining everything and relating the material to the articles.
The presentation began with the Frye article about difference, where Chenny explained what difference was and how we see “A” and not “A.” Although at first this seemed confusing, when Chenny related the concept to the Macdonald and Gender Blueprint article, it made sense. The explanation on how America viewed Muslim women and veils related well to difference, and how Muslim women are seen as different and often alienated from mainstream American society. The video of what people thought of veiled women showed that American are conflicted in their definitions of alienation and beauty.
The second video played, the reconstruction of difference, showed 5 stories of how muslim women wear their veils as well as their various reasons either for style or religion. They explained that they used their veils as tools of creativity because, regardless of what americans think, muslim women have “freedom of choice” in this country and are free to wear, or not wear, their veils how they please.
After 911, Chenny explained that a lot of muslim women faced criticism and further explained how and why through her video clip of muslim women and the hijab. This shed light on how Muslim women felt that regardless of what happened on 911, they still felt that they should not have been discriminated against for they served as good friends and good Americans.
Along with Muslim women, Chenny explained how muslim men are often seen as different, and how they are changing their lifestyles and appearance to become a “modern Muslim man.” Television shows and advertisements showed the modern muslim men without the beards to show the world that not all muslim men should be stereotyped and discriminated against.
Chenny related thE Muslim culture to her explanation of difference by examining opposites. She said that the opposite of man is not man, and the opposite of black is not black. She felt that words and people should not have opposites but rather plurality, which is an internal structure with differentiated elements. This means that when people hear of Muslims, they should consider that various types and styles of muslims such as veils or modern Muslim men, instead of stereotyping their culture as different.
The above is about Moss’ comments.
Hi all,
Thank you for your opinions! It is my honor that you enjoyed my teach in and learn something. For those who pick to do analysis 2, I hope that my teach-in give you some idea in linking your interview to the article.
Particularly, all of you mentioned that I didn’t do a good job in explaining Frye’s difference theory. I have to say that I really tried my best to explain that. The theory, which is even not a theory and I just conclude it as Difference Theory. What Frye want to explain actually is an A/not A dichotomy. At first, he pointed out that the dichotomy is unreasonable and a positive category with logical interior structure should be conducted. However, later on he stated some weakness of the positive category of woman. I tried to convey the above message to you and sorry for confusing you.
For Mark, your suggestion of conducting a group discussion is good and I just forget about that. I really need that instead of a class discussion.
For Shirin, it is my fault to suppose that all of you can easily understand my last slide. It is just what I think and I should explain more on that.
Overall, thank you for your compliment me on my presentation!