GEE

QFD&J

3. As I began reading this article I didn’t feel I was going to understand Gee’s writing style. When I started reading the paragraph about Gee’s distinction between Discourse with a capital D and discourse with a lowercase d, I didn’t quite understand it. I had to re-read this paragraph several times to comprehend what he was talking. Finally I believe the message is trying to say is spelling Discourse with a capital D, is an identity kit that instructs the way we act, talk, and write. This can help us explain our sayings, doing, being, valuing, believing, and combinations. Discourse would be considered the major points defining our identity. Discourse spelled with a lower case d would be considered the stretches of language that make sense. These are the minor points that rationalize the major points in our mind. This makes sense to me and is very logical. At the same time he talks very highly of Discourses and discourses, although I feel it is an exaggerated why of saying a simple concept.

5. Discourse communities is sort of a identifying kit. This can be defined as an appropriate costume and instructions on how to act, talk, and often write. This is a role others will recognize. Some examples of Discourses are American or Russian. A man or woman, a member of a socioeconomic class, even a factory worker or a boardroom executive.  Discourses are not mastered by overt instruction, like you cannot acquire a second language by sitting in a class room. This is acquired through a second language. Apprenticeship can aid these practices. I believe this to be true because you are initially raised by your family and surrounded by their traditions. Based on the behavioral aspects, I think this is true because, most cultures have similar aspects and traits.

11. As defined by Gee metaknowledge is, the exposure to another language, having to translate it into and other wise relate it to your own language, can cause you to become consciously aware of how your first language works. This “metaknowledge” can actually help you better understand your first language.  This can enhance your composition, study skills, writing, critical thinking, content- based literacy, and a combination can lead to metaknowledge. According to Gee metaknowledge is liberation and power. This is because it leads to the ability to manipulate, to analyze, to resist while advancing. This can make “maladapted” students smarter than “adapted students” Although multiple discourses can conflict with one’s home discourse.  Metaknowledge can be a very powerful and important thing in aspects of learning. I can make a better student based on in and out of classroom learning.

13. There are many discourses which I don’t wish to be a part of. I do not wish to be part of the Discourse called Sororities.  This is a large discourse in college and every girl wishes to be in one. I feel they are dumb and girls look to find a title for themselves by joining a sorority. One apprentice I am a part of is The Ohio University Equestrian team. I love horses and personally love this discourse that I am a part of. One hard part about joining a new discourse is learning the practices of this discourse. Also fitting in with the people within a discourse is another huge part of joining a new discourse. I feel having love and passion for the discourses which you become a part of is a huge part in being accepted within a discourse. You have to love what you do to be happy, and there are people along the way which could help to with this aspect. Usually if you love the people you will love whatever you do with them, because you’re having fun. I feel it I would have to pretend to be something else then I should not be a part of this discourse community. You should be accepted for who you are and there is no need to pretend.

Applying and Exploring Ideas

3. Dear Pr. Steven Kapela,

Discourses can be explained as what we are saying, doing, being, valuing, and believing. Discourses can be broken down into many sub topics like dominate and nondominate Discourses. There is an important distinction between dominate and nondominate discourses. Dominate are secondary discourses the mastery of which, at a particular place and time, brings with it the acquisition of social goods. Non-dominate discourses are secondary Discourses the mastery of which often brings solidarity with a particular social network, but not wider status and social goods in a society at large. There are many actions you can take to help students form non dominate Discourses. I ask of you to react on a more personal level with students from nondominate discourses. I feel this would help them better relate to the society at large.

4. In everything within life there will be tensions and conflicts. Not many of the personal discourses I am involved with directly have any conflict or tension. I guess my classes and groups or clubs could have some conflict based on my work ethic. They all have the same values, beliefs, attitudes, language use, and so on because they are all a part of the Ohio University environment. I try to navigate between my Discourses by importance. I know it is more important to finish my school work before going to my activities. This avoids any conflict between my Discourses.