Has it ever happened to anyone reading this blog that you take a class and find out that one (or more) of the class requirements is something you just plain do not want to do, and not for lazy reasons, or because it's too difficult, but because you as a person just do not want to have that experience?
This has happened to me in two class. The first was last year, in bio lab. As was expected, we had to dissect a fetile pig. Now, I know that is pretty standard and I knew it would happen when I signed up for the class, but I am not a science person and I would not have been able to handle taking chemistry or physics for my year-long science requirement (as fascinating as they are, and I do find them fascinating). So biology it was. I happened to love the classroom part and found it extremely intriguing, especially from a religious standpoint (but that is a topic for another post), however, when it came time to dissect the fetile pig, I just could not stomach it. In ninth grade when we did the frog and the earthworm, I was queasy and babyish about it, so I decided I was going to be brave, grit my teeth, and attack this requirement like a mature adult. The problem was, it actually had a negative effect on me. I have a difficult time bringing myself to eat chicken, because all I can think about are the parts of the muscles which we learned about while dissecting the pig, and they're all there in the chicken, as well. The smell of the dissection has lingered very strongly in my memory and I seem to smell it at the most random times, leaving me with a lost appetite and feeling slightly ill. Even eating foods that somehow remind me of anything inside of a fetile pig's body put me off my dinner. All in all, had I not had that experience, I would have a much healthier appetite right now.
The second class this happened in was this semester, in a class called Film and Fiction. In the class, we read a book and then watch the movie. Sounds interesting, right? Well, it is. But the choice of books have been pretty awful, in my opinion. While the teacher may find them interesting, I am having a terrible difficult time making myself either read the book or sit through the movie. Two in particular come to mind. Firstly, Dracula by Bram Stoker. The book was a great read. It was fast paced and exciting, even if it wasn't written incredibly well. The movie, however, was horrendously sexual, and I'm talking way over the top, here. It took every little implication in the book and went all out with it. I mean, I was constantly covering my eyes, and not always from blood and gore. Now, I know, I've been pretty sheltered when it comes to all that, but still, I don't have a problem with a bit of sex in a movie. Really. I just have a problem when I'm watching a movie filled to the brim with porn.
The second book/movie that bothered me is one we just finished watching the movie for (though I have yet to finish the book) called The Sweet Hereafter by Russel Banks. I started reading the book and got through the first segment (out of four) before realizing that I just cannot continue on with it. It is about a school bus accident and how an entire town deals with the loss of nearly all their children. The book is based on a true event that apparently happened some time ago in Texas. I understand how it is a very powerful and moving book, but it is not a book that I, personally, ever want to read. I just can't stomach it. So I didn't continue on in the book. Today, however, we watched the movie and it made me feel so ill inside. What's even worse, I have a terrible fear of driving. So much so that I slither out of having to do it nearly all the time. So watching a movie like this, and actually seeing the accident on screen, has not helped in the slightest, but has actually made me quite afraid to get into a car at the moment, even as a passenger. My fear of driving is something that I have been trying to get over for a number of years already. I'm so afraid I'll be held back by fears renewed due to watching that movie. And, of course, now I have to finish the book so I can actually do well on the final (and so I can submit the response paper we have to write for all the books we read).
I don't quite know what to say. I don't necessarily believe in censoring books, or activities, especially in college, but I do think schools and teachers should be more sensitive when deciding what to expose their students to. Why should a dissection be mandatory? This was biology for non-majors. I can learn all about the workings of the body without cutting anything open, thank you very much. Or why can't I have done it on a computer program? I know those exist. It just seems unnecessary for someone who isn't even going into biology to have to go through something like a pig dissection if she doesn't want to.
And as for the books/movies of the Film and Fiction class...I don't know. There isn't really any way to get around it. I mean, the teacher picked what she thought would be good pieces to study the translation from fiction into film. And they were good selection in that sense. I guess I just have to get over my fears and grow up a little. I don't know. I just know I'm having a rather difficult time in that class.
4 comments:
So, the thing about Bio lab is, in order for the school to be able to say that our science program is decent, they need to include some dissection. At least all you did was the fetal pig, bio for majors does various water animals and sheep organs. It was fun (not). And when I take anatomy next year, I have to dissect a cat.
Although, I do agree that, at least for non-majors, the school should offer a computer simulation alternative.
And as for the movies, I agree that sexual movies really shouldn't be shown, especially at a school like Stern, but I don't think the administration has any say in the syllabus, so each teacher can choose to do whatever they want.
If I don't speak to you at all before next week, have a Chag Sameach.
~Sarah
PS- I was in a mood last night so I made myself a blog, but I haven't really posted anything but an introduction
BIOLOGY ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck with your band. I hope the messiah joins now that her reign in over.
Well, dearie, where to begin...
First of all, I sympathize greatly with your plight. I am also one of those relcutant biologists, and someone who feels faint at even the mere mention of blood (no joke). When I took bio last year, I was positive that I'd never get through the pig dissection with my digested lunch undisturbed. However, I was wrong. I made it through the dissection intact, and by the end of it I was even able to treat the topic with levity. Luckily, I had an obliging lab partner who did all the work and I never actually had to have any physical contact with the specimen (which, incidentally, we named Osama). Despite my successful surmountance of that obstacle, like you I have been known to often wonder WHY vehemently non-science folk (e.g. English Majors) are forced into this repulsive task. I'm with ya, girl. But then again, if the dissection has kept you from eating evil American Chicken, maybe it's a good thing. :)
As far as the objectionable content in your film fiction class, I can relate to that as well. I am also someone who heavily censors herself, refusing to expose myself to overtly inappropriate content in either books or movies (since violent movies are also not an option for me, see above, my choice in that field is limited...which is a good thing, since I think movies are generally a waste of time anyway). I believe strongly in happily ever after, and in not making myself depressed for no reason. Books and movies are supposed to be recreation--they shouldn't be a painful experience. I took a class in American drama two semesters ago in which we read a few plays that highly offended me (there was material that was disturbing, sexual, and lots and lots and lots of profanity). We were required to attend two plays, and one of the plays was one that I found offensive and inappropriate. So I refused. Luckily, the teacher obliged and allowed me to see a different one instead. But if she hadn't, I would have simply dealt with the consequences. I refuse to let a silly grade force me to compromise my standards. In fact, the reason why I am not in that film fiction class is precisely because I thought it would force me to watch movies I wouldn't feel comfortable with. I'm sorry you have to deal with it--but hold on to your standards.
Best of luck, welcome to the blogosphere, chag kasher v'sameach, and see ya in a few weeks!!
(Sorry for the massive comment :)
Princess - Can't wait to read your blog! And yeah, I hear what you're saying about the dissection and all, but still, a computer program or something would be awesome.
Moshe - IT DOES! I happen to find biology extremely fascinating and I can't understand how people don't believe in a God when they learn all about this stuff, but what I DON'T find fascinating is cutting something open. :) And the Messiah'd better join my band. Bella wants to join, too. It can be called 'Three Singing Heads.'
SJ - Thanks for your comment! You're lucky about the whole play situation. The good thing for me is, we only have one book left and I don't think there's anything that bad about it. It's a book I actually want to read (The Hours) so hopefully the class will end on a high note. Btw, I like what you named your pig! We named ours Henry. Not as exciting. And thanks for the welcome!
Chag kasher v'sameach to you all!
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