This blog is a requirement for a course I am taking, Democracy in Africa. We will be studying democracy specifically within the geographical context of Botswana and joining other themes of HIV/AIDS, alternative energy policies, and development, and then taking what we’ve learned and looking back at our own home, Detroit, through a service-learning project.
To be honest, I’ve never written a blog before. It’s a bit intimidating.
So I dive into this course and experience, head first, arms up, squeezing my ears, hoping to just break the water enough to let my weight slip in so as not to disturb the surface.
Heck, I don’t even know how to dive. But that’s beside the point. In some ways.
A little about me (more will come along when it’s appropriate): age, 21; occupation, full-time student; location, Detroit; major, anthropology. Academic interests: photography, Spanish, sexual promiscuity within the religious context, Pentecostalism, videography.
Some goals: I’d like to make these some of entries focused on my personal reflection, but for the most part, I’d like to make them more of an open inner discussion on the relative course topics and themes that appear throughout the readings. Topics which I have never studied before so intensely—HIV/AIDS, democracy, gender politics, these issues will be with me now more than ever. So why did I decide to participate in this course? Because learning is still fun. Even as a senior undergraduate student, learning something completely new is fun! And gratifying.
Anthropology is always telling us to be holistic. To examine subjects relative to other subjects and contexts. To put on a wider lens. And so, Dear Readers, I dive into this class and experience. So I invite you to walk the board with me, and whether we know how to make a perfect pike or not, let’s give it our best and try something new. Even though you may not be traveling with me or taking the course, I encourage you to leave comments on the posts with your thoughts, feelings, musings, or just a general salutation.
So I’ll leave you with my new favorite phrase in Setswana: Ka goreng? (“why not?”)
hey girlie!! welcome to the blogging world! i have blogged since i was like 16 so it’s no big deal … there’s just more blogs out there! 🙂 I am excited to hear more about this class …
General Salutation! I look forward to learning some things with you through your blog!
Congratulations on your very first blog! I know that your experience in this course will be life changing. I look forward to working with you in the class.
Great intro to this course and who/what you will be studying. I will certainly be looking at this blog often.
I look forward to following your blog and reading about your journey! So many door are going to open for you because of this!
Best of luck!
Hey Lara, I just read your blog…it something that I’m looking forward as the class progress and particularly during our trip. You have an amazing gift through your photography, thus; I can’t wait what you will capture during this amazing journey.
I figured out how to comment!
And, I have to say that your ideas about imagery and how important image is to the efficacy of a nation is really compelling. I really love how you think outside of the box and I can’t wait to hear your other thoughts on this topic!