Chapter 13, Appreciating Diversity, Nov. 28-Dec. 4

This blog is not due until Nov.28-Dec. 4.  Happy Thanksgiving!

One of the most exciting scientific accomplishments of this century is Human Genome Project which is the cataloging of human genes. This will lead to great understanding of the human body and advance medical science. One of the most important findings is that while human beings differ in outward appearance, the genetic structure of all human beings is 99.9% identical. These researchers agree that there is only one race, the human race. 

However we continue to struggle with the concept of appreciating diversity, and discrimination and prejudice still exist in many forms. For example, you may have been discriminated against because of your ethnic group, religion, height, weight, gender, disability, or even academic skills. For this discussion, give an example of a circumstance where you have experienced or witnessed discrimination. Any ideas on how to reduce discrimination? 

I will share an example of discrimination that I experienced. I started my doctoral program at USC when I was 8 months pregnant. After the first class the professor took me aside and suggested that I drop out of the program because of my family situation. I was really angry and decided to show him that I would finish. I am happy to report that I was one of the first three students to finish the program. Since I had a family, I had no time to waste.

At Cuyamaca College, we have many Chaldean students who are Christians who have emigrated from Iraq to avoid religious persecution. Since the attacks of 9-11, this group has faced discrimination at our college and in our community. Whenever there is anything about terrorism in the news, many students who are from the Middle East suffer discrimination even though they have nothing to do with terrorism. Any comments on this? 

Appreciating diversity was an issue in the presidential campaign.  You can share your thoughts on this also.

This week you can make one post of 200 words (instead of 2 of 100 words each) if you want since the topic of appreciating diversity or describing incidents of discrimination might need more words.  

Chapter 12, Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

Chapter 12 contains health information for college students in the areas of nutrition, avoiding addictions, protection from disease, getting enough sleep and dealing with stress. It is based on the premise that we will be living longer in the 21st Century. Also a college education is a big investment and it is important to enjoy the benefits over a long lifetime.

Here are some ideas for discussion. You can also add any topic related to health or college and career success. You can make one comment of 200 words or two comments of 100 words each.

These facts are well known: 

•         Smoking causes lung cancer.
•         One out of three Americans is overweight or obese.
•         Illegal drug use is addictive and limits success.
•         Not getting enough sleep is harmful to health and learning.
•         Not practicing monogamous or safe sex can lead to STD’s including AIDS.

Knowing this information, why do people continue to smoke, overeat, take illegal drugs, miss out on sleep, or practice unsafe sex?

Assume that you are writing magazine article, "The Five Most Important Steps to Maintaining Your Good Health." What ideas would you include in this article?

Share some of your intention statements for maintaining your good health. 

Watch any of these videos and make a comment about one of them:

Jaime Oliver: Teach Every Child about Food

Know the Dangers of Not Getting Enough Sleep

How to Make Stress Your Friend
Sleep to Remember, Remember to Sleep

I wish all of you good health! 

Chapter 11, Thinking Critically and Creatively, Nov. 7-13

For the first post, give an example of a fallacy in reasoning. Here are some examples.

When my children were very young, I would tell them to brush their teeth in the evening. I told them that if they did not brush their teeth, the sugar bugs would eat their teeth all night and eventually their teeth would turn green and fall out. By predicting dire consequences, we try to influence behavior. This is an example of using slippery slope. Maybe some of you child development majors would have a better way of getting children to brush their teeth, but this worked for me. 

When my daughter was in middle school, she died her blond hair black. I asked her why she did it and she said that she was tired of blond jokes. She was the victim of the stereotype that all blondes are dumb. 

You will also find many examples of fallacies in reasoning in commercials.  Take this supplement, eat what you want, don't exercise, and lose weight.  Buy this expensive cream and you will look younger.  

Here are just a couple of recent examples of fallacies in reasoning in politics: all refugees are terrorists, all Mexicans are criminals.  There are lots of fallacies in reasoning in the current political campaign.  Can you describe some of them?  One that I see all the time is appeal to authority.  Just because a presidential candidate says it, it must be true, even if the facts are different.  

For your first post, provide other examples of fallacies in reasoning from commercials, politics, or your own personal life.  

For your second post, respond to this creative thinking exercise.  

Review the information on creativity and brainstorming and have a little fun with this exercise. Provide at least 3 answers to these questions:

How is a peanut like you? Here are my answers.

1.  A peanut is wrinkled, like me.

2.  A peanut is curvy like me.

3.  I have a hard outer shell and a soft inner shell.

How is a peanut like going to college?

1.  In every classroom there are at least 2 nuts, the instructor and at least one student.

2.  The squares on the peanut remind me of rows of chairs in the classroom.

3.  There is usually something good on the inside.