In the beginning of this class I was very excited to learn about our International Policies and just how the world works in regards to procedure. I had heard a lot of things but didn’t quite understand the language.
I began to grasp the concepts a lot better throughout the semester. It began with the very first chapter of the book when it said how to think like a political scientist by identifying the different fallacies that are used often, and also learning what an argument is and having evidence to support your argument. I have learned throughout my life that many people have a belief on how something should be run or done different but have a hard time justifying their beliefs using evidence to support themselves. Oftentimes they run into one of the fallacies listed in my text.
Another thing that I know I will be able to use in my life is the Five Very Powerful Questions. By learning these five questions I am able to ask myself deeper questions and understand perhaps “who is benefiting? Or what is this an example?” Or how is this related to that?” In regards to politics I found it to be interesting that this is where the “educated people” have developed the mindset to think critically. Learning these questions will help me in my future when learning different things in the news.
Throughout the semester I was able to learn new vocabulary. Some of the terms I have heard and some that I haven’t. Learning these vocabulary words such as nation-state, empire, and the different levels of analysis was essential for me in order to understand and grasp the concepts that were presented. I also thoroughly enjoyed learning about WWII and the many international issues that had been dealt with. One thing that kind of jumped out at me as I was reading throughout the text was how real all of the wars seemed to me, and how not so long ago they all really were. I think that as we get older we tend to forget about our past. But throughout the semester everything has felt more real to me.
Now that I have finished this course I am able to say that I have a pretty sturdy base and I have learned more in depth how to think critically and the right questions to ask myself when I am brought to a certain discussion. I am able to understand how.. “This is related to that,” when certain issues are brought to my attention.
As I reflect on this course and throughout the other courses I have taken this semester, I am able to understand more clearly how really small I am in this great big world. I am able to grasp a bigger picture of the outside world, and not just the world of me and my little family. In the readings from my Humanities class, I was able to learn to think more critically and use that in this class as well. I was taught several different tools as to better learn how a critical thinker debates issues.
This is a small world where everything seems to be intertwined with one another. That is the biggest idea I discovered this semester.
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