Spring 2019
The 9/11 Loss and Redemption class satisfied the aesthetic expression under the Civitae pillar requirement. In this class, we analyzed different works, such as TV shows, commercials, books, and movie trailers. More specifically, the class made connections to the event of 9/11 by analyzing throughout the semester All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, American Widow by Alissa Torres, and A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.
Through these works, we interpreted different analytical skills, such as looking for symbols, agency, power, and themes. To gather an understanding, the professor will make us write in one sentence the title of the work, author, subject, and theme. We learned how to write two essays by using a subject sentence, an analytical sentence (like stated above), and evidence to back it up.
Later in the semester, we had a panel based on the three works we had read. The professor put students in groups to prepare themselves for the upcoming panel. Then, students submitted questions from each book and the professor asked each group questions. The students in the groups had to work together to answer the questions in a span of one minute. The purpose of this was to be able to answer questions and to be able to make connections, as well as helping one another.
At the conclusion of this course, we had to come up with a topic that linked to 9/11. It could be illustrated in a form of a brochure, paper, video, song, poem, or graphic. I decided to write a paper on how nursing was affected by 9/11 by using personal experiences from nurses and correlating it with the three different novels we read in class. It was very saddening reading about their descriptions of the scene and emotions endured during a difficult time. Moreover, it was interesting to find different elements in the books that referenced 9/11. This showed that authors today still remember what happened and they incorporate it into their works. This could be a way of coping, such as Alissa Torres writing about her husband that passed away. On the other hand, it can be used to show remembrance, such as the character of Sasha in Jennifer Egan’s book. More connections are made in my paper that is attached below.
Overall, we learned how there are different platforms that have a connection to 9/11. Our society is shaped the way it is because we live in a post 9/11 society where there are a lot more laws, security, and awareness. Because of the works we watched and read, we gathered a deeper understanding of how 9/11 has affected different individuals in many ways. Whether that was from losing a loved one or living in New York where the tragedy occurred. 9/11 will continue to alter the way people think because it impacted our society greatly.