Hi everybody! I am going to give you guys a little insight into my Core 1 experience at Scripps. I will address this year鈥檚 topic, share my perspective on Core 1, what Core 1 is like virtually, and my biggest takeaway from this course.聽
What is Core 1?
Multiple different professors teach Core 1 in various areas of study. For example, my professor is an Assistant Professor of French Studies at Scripps. The broad topics of Core 1 are rotated every three years. This year’s topic is 鈥淭ruth.鈥� Some of the texts we are reading include Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong, Maus by Art Spiegelman, Othello by Shakespeare, and so many more.聽
Core 1 but Virtual:
For Core, our recorded lectures are posted every week on Friday, and we need to have our weekly readings done and lecture reviewed by our first day of class the next week. Each discussion group of Core 1 is a little different. In my discussion class, our Professor will prompt conversations with the whole group and split us into breakout rooms to discuss our discussion question for that week or anything that we have been thinking about the text or corresponding lecture. Each week the professor who gave the week鈥檚 lecture holds a virtual Q and A session on Tuesday before class. The Q and A provides a space where students can ask questions about points made in the lecture or pose questions about the text itself.
My Perspective on Core 1:聽
My favorite text so far this semester has been Maus 1 and 2 by Art Spiegelman. This text is written as a book within a book. While simultaneously tells a story in the past and the present makes it stand out for me. My favorite part of Core is during discussion class and being able to hear other people鈥檚 thoughts about the same text and compare and contrast why we each see or read things this way.
My Biggest Takeaway from Core 1:聽
Core has taught me many things already, different writing techniques, how to write a good discussion question, how to have fruitful discussions on topics you might not know a lot about or might be uncomfortable talking about. On top of that, my Core professor has shown us how to communicate with professors and supported us in our first-year experience. Another thing Core has taught me is not to apologize for my ideas. Being confident in my thoughts and beliefs, even if it isn鈥檛 fully baked, has been helpful skill not only in Core but also in my other classes.聽
I hope this has been useful in helping your understanding of Core 1! Stay tuned for future blog posts from other admissions ambassadors and me. If you have any more questions about Core 1 or want to hear more about my experience, please contact me at [email protected]
Until next time,
Sam