More than previous courses, this course took me across time and space. I did not expect the different time periods and locations I would learn about, especially each's historical context. In some ways, this course could be taught as a history course as well since it explores histories that are not commonly taught or talked about, at least in my experience. Developing research excursions was really helpful in this regard, as it allowed me to explore more deeply topics that I was particularly interested in.
If anything about this course changed me, it's that I have a wider perspective on current social justice concerns. Beyond the Western point of view, I have a better understanding about how issues regarding class, gender, race, religion, sexuality, etc. have varied throughout different time periods and geographical locations. This is important because these alternate experiences regarding social justice can help inform actions and beliefs in the present about those same topics.
Finally, one of my biggest surprises from this course was our 'field trips' to Archives and Special collections. I knew basically nothing about book and print history before this course, and did not realize how many resources the university library had on these subjects. Whether it was getting a tour of the basement vault or looking at different book materials under microscopes, those visits ended up being some of my favorite class periods.
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