You have been an awesome professor and have taught me things I didn’t expect to learn in taking this class. Having to write this blog post and reflect on this semester has made me realize I learned more than I thought I had. This has been my favorite class to come to and I have felt so comfortable; that it has made for a more positive learning experience. The time always went by quickly and left me excited and looking forward to coming week after week. I have a 3 hour business class that compared to this one feels more like 6 hours and I can’t wait to get out and go home.

Episteme

I have a broader and better understanding about the laws that govern us, our rights as humans, and the powers that make up our government. Learning about our rights and what it means to have those rights is an extremely important bit of knowledge that I don’t think is taught enough to us as we grow up. Without this knowledge it makes it hard to function in society.

Techne

Working in our blog groups was a fun and positive experience and where I learned and grew the most. Working with others and depending on and trusting them to do their part is a hard thing to do. Once we all started to get to know each other and everyone showed that we were each committed to putting in the work expected of us it got a lot easier. We

Phronesis

I learned so much in this area. Social skills and emotional intelligence factors are a major part in what shapes the communities, states and country we live in. Laws are created and influenced by social issues all the time and what cause a need for those laws.

Metis

When it comes to being part of society and co-existing with people it takes more than acquired book knowledge, You have to be savvy and cunning to influence and negoiate what you want. Just because someone looks smart on paper doesn’t make them smarter than the hustler who is a high school dropout. When going out in the world and trying to apply what they have learned from books you have to have be able to work with others and a lot of that comes from “street smarts”

Thank you for an enjoyable and positive learning experience this semester!!

Final Blog

First of all I would like to thank Professor Ellerman, Andrew, and My Empire for probably one of the most entertaining, yet knowledgeable classes I have yet to take in my infinite quest for knowledge.

Pertaining to what I have learned in the class, I feel that with regard to Episteme I know have the knowledge of the constitution and laws to a greater level having actually researched it and writing my own Constitution.

 As far as Techne is concerned, I know now how to blog and use You Tube! I have learned so much from the video clips from class and have a greater understanding as how to use technology to my advantage.

Phronesis.... What can I say? Watching "This Emotional Life" no matter how outdated it was was to say the least educational. It really made me think about so many topics pertaining to relationships and interpersonal skills. I would have actually watched more of it, both in class and if I had the opportunity at home.

And finally Metis... To say the least the Nation State Game is cutting edge, and entertaining. This class gets so much "street cred" from me. I have taken other classes with Professor Ellerman that I have also thoroughly enjoyed. I would highly recommend this class to any of my fellow schoolmates.

Final Blog I would like to acknowldge that your class is the first class in my college career that I did not miss one class, the reason is because I was excited every week for the new information we would discuss. Episteme, I enjoyed reading the constitution, the last time I read the constitution was when I took government in highschool, which was over a decade ago. Therefore, it was new information. I enjoyed the way in which we learned the content in your class may differnet ways, through reading, video, and the news paper. This helped me retain the content. I enjoyed learning about differnt laws and right to bear arms. Techne, First, your class structure helped me learn how to use a blogging site, and how to email a spreadsheet. which I had no previous experience with before your class. I was the group leader which initially stressed me out. However, I adjusted quickly. I think I was codependent leader at first emailing people asking why they hadn't turned things in. Then after a couple weeks it was evident who was doing the work and who was not going to. I feel that I was able to accomplish a fear of mine in your class. I was able to allow my group to count on me to turn in there work if completed and leave the rest up to them. I definately learned new skills for working in a group. However I did find myself a little reserved. Which is differnt. Phronesis, I enjoyed watching the emotional life. Thank you for spreading it out over the semester. I was able to retain the information much easier than getting all the information at once. I think my group worked efficently with the free time at hand. I learned about compassion and acceptance, thanks to the emotional life. Metis, the NationState game was intersting and exciting. I apprecated how it was parallel to real life. The national disasters were like the curve balls we experience in real life. I found my self nervous and suspicous of everyone that was not in my group. I think the game help my group to bond and form comradery. It was interesting to see how each team handled it differently. Thank you!!

The empire Anthem Video

Here is the link for the Final presentation of "the Empire" anthem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYAHcjw2SjY&feature=youtu.be

FINAL BLOG

Thank you for this amazing class Professor Ellerman.  The fact that I was able to not just sit and "make it" through a three hour class, but truly enjoy this class, for me speaks louder than words.  I truly enjoyed your style of teaching evoking the students to participate in discussions.  This class was a unique experience and will be one of those classes that I will remember fondly.
EPISTEME- thank you for having us read The Constitution of the United States of America.  From that moment on when someone asked me if I had ever read the Constitutions and I said "Yes" I was no longer lying.  I enjoyed learning the difference between Federal Enumerated Powers and State Police Powers.
TECHNE- I enjoyed writing these blogs they are allot of fun.   I get to speak my mind and debate with people in a civil manner.  I get to see different peoples points of view without the cloud of judgement I would have face to face with someone.  I also learned how to work better with others and the importance of group dynamics.
PHRONESIS- I learned allot about my self in this area.  I have always been book smart and high functioning so whenever I get put into groups for any reason I always end up being overbearing and really in peoples face to get the task at hand done.  When put in groups with less then average ambitions I always end up doing most of the work and I get resentful at the group.  I saw this starting to play out in our group but after the midterm I found myself putting faith in my fellow country men and women.  I have found this to be an amazing experience because they have done a great job and I am not burnt out from doing all the work.  I have somehow been taught to chill-out(If you know me at all you will know how amazing that is).
METIS-The Nation State game was an unique experience.  I found the interacting with other nations to be very interesting and spoke to my mentality.  Every time some nation would want to trade or make a peace treaty I would always be incredibly suspicious.  So we went another route and became isolationist which costed us some law points.  This also reminded me the importance of relationships in all aspects of life.  I am a firm believer in the statement "Its not what you know its who you know."

My only criticism is that I wish we could of spent more time discussing issues.  I truly enjoyed our group discussions.

We the people of the empire,

marching victoriously

securing freedom from outside tyranny,

our nation represents individuality, integrity, and influence

WAIT A MINUTE.

YO-THAT'S WHACK.

THIS IS THE EMPIRE BITCH,

EM-EMPIRE BITCH,

EMPIRE BITCH,

EM-EMPIRE BITCH,

EMPIRE BITCH,

EM-EMPIRE BITCH,

CHECK YO'SELF BITCH.