HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE

STUDENT SELF EVALUATION

Student Name Katherine Watier Term Spring 1998

School/Course# SS 132 Title Religious Movements & Social Change

Instructor Sue Darlington

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This class was one that grew on me. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting, but I found it difficult to adjust to Sue's teaching style and to understand the religious theories presented early in the class. At the same time, I was adjusting to the pressures of juggling two jobs off campus with a full course schedule. I have to admit that I often took "mental health days" early in the semester that I'm sure only hindered my understanding of the concepts presented in class. I also have a personal vendetta against the dynamics created in East Lecture Hall, and I began to get more involved in class when we moved to a classroom. I struggled with all of the papers and the corresponding theoretical articles in order to understand the concepts enough to comment on or respond to. It wasn't until the unit on liberation theology and the group debate that I was really able to get involved in the class dynamic and discussions.

Without a doubt, the most positive aspect of this class was my involvement in my final paper. Utilizing the theories presented in class and by comparing the events I researched with the case studies we studied in class I was able to "discover" and give specific evidence for the emergence of a new religious movement that is gaining precedence today in America. Not only was it exciting to write about a virtually unresearched phenomena, but it was gratifying to be able to apply the concepts in class with a real life situation of social change.