Over the last few weeks of this course, my journey to the finish line has brought me a feeling of pride and accomplishment. The battle with all my responsibilities, my hobbies and likes, my lazy side, my motivated side, has all clashed. It was hard to gain control of my footing, as it felt like if I were to stop running, all would collapse, and I would not be able to move again. Sweet victory in almost being there. In cutting through the ribbon that awaits me at the finish line. I am just happy that this class helped me keep on track. That this class was not one of the weights that were weighing me down. To bask in the glory of knowing that I have almost made. That I am almost done. 

How has this course affected your learning overall? 

This course has affected my learning in my analytical skills, peer engagement, and my attitude towards learning. Firstly, my retention of knowledge has developed well as my approaches to the course, i.e., the patterns in how I first encounter then examine the information has also been implemented into my other subjects this semester. In terms of my analytical skills, I have found that I have become better engaged with the course material each week which allows a thorough and greater study of the materials and my response to it. This has complemented my journey in my writing skills as I have found more confidence and excitement in responding to classmates and writing my opinions. I find I have been able to grow in my processes towards my written work, finding my final responses becoming clearer in my points and wanted thesis. Secondly, this course has affected my learning in its expectations of engagement with peers in discussion posts. I have found that has helped in my recollection and exploration of the topics introduced each week. By engaging with my peers I have learnt to be able to summarize better, as well as understand broad concepts in brief paragraphs. This in turn has allowed for true shifts in opinions and acquired perspectives, as well as excel in participation in course material and class involvement. Which, in fact, contributed greatly to many of my “aha moments!” I have learned how to become a better student through my actual engagement with my peers. Thirdly, this course has affected my overall attitude toward learning in the aspect of emotional connection to the material. When approaching various readings or materials in class, this course is a reminder to address the study unbiasedly and with an open mind. This has effectively been implemented into other courses, as attitude strongly affects personal engagement with the course, as attitudes affect openmindedness, as the degree of prejudice towards a subject or course can influence one’s learning process as well as association with the subject matter. 

If you could speak to yourself at the outset of this course, what would you say? 

If you told me that out of all the courses I took this semester, this course would end up being the one I worked the hardest in AND enjoyed the most; I would not believe it. This course has brought to my attention just how stressful deadlines are. Managing my workflow and knowing that the penalty for handing in anything late is minor has helped in my thorough enjoyment of this course. If I could communicate to a past me at the outset of this course, I would say: 

“Yo Kimberley. This course is it. You will have so much fun, listen to Intisar and Masfia earlier about taking the course so you can just immediately get into it and not have to stress about handing in anything ‘late.’ You will have a lot of fun, even with all the discussion post and responses you need to do. It won’t be as stressful as you think, and posting discussion posts won’t be as intimidating as you think. You’ll actually do a podcast! This course will be exciting, be sure you check announcements, though and write down due dates and deadlines! You’ll do great, and this course will become an outlet that allows you to become confident in your writing and even make journal entries. The other side here is great. The beach isn’t as sandy as you think. The mount is climbable, and the victory dance is well earned. I believe in you. Trust me.”

What are the key learning takeaways from this course? 

This course has allowed for tremendous growth in examining and studying new religious movements, gaining skills in peer and course discussion, as well as the ability to reflect on personal beliefs and understandings of one’s own life by providing information and studies on case investigations regarding various theories of vast ideologies. Thie key learning takeaways from this course that I will in fact, implement in future courses and endeavours are: 

• • Creating reachable learning goals for motivation. To pinpoint my goals allows me not to lose track or sight of what I want to achieve and plan to achieve them. 
  • Documenting feelings and understanding of the course and life throughout the weeks. This had been something that I am happy to look back on and reflect on how far I have come and just how much my perspectives may have shifted. 
  • Productivity in a scheduled weekly flow chart. This will enable me to have better time management and set realistic goals in coursework.

 “AHA MOMENTS!”: 

1

When reading Marc-André Argentino’s article, his explanation of QAnon being a type of “hyper-real religion” was a very interesting term that I find does describe the effect QAnon has on its followers. Describing QAnon’s rise in popularity as a mutation, was an interesting word choice as the growth of QAnon “clearly blurs the boundaries between popular culture and everyday life.” To state that QAnon is a mutation, a term with such negative connotations, categorizes QAnon towards a more cult-like or even parasitic kind of movement. 

2

Discovering the meaning behind cognitive dissonance and my use of it. An experience I have with cognitive dissonance is with my use of TikTok. Many people are quick to tell me about its insidious effects, with it being a spying app made by China, an app that will simply rot your brain or something that will only be useful in wasting your time. Yet, I really could not care less. It is an app that gives me serotonin and entertains me. Yes, I can spend a lot of time on it when I need to be doing something else, but it distracts me in a good way and I'll keep using it until I decide I don't want to. If it was a different app with a different connotation would the amount of judgement I receive be different? If I was always on Facebook or Youtube maybe people would leave me alone. 

3

Bloom and Mosklenko say that the American education system should teach critical thinking to disinformation online. They propose this can be done by demonstrating examples of fake news and picture alterations to students, as the massive online exposure would teach children to identify online dangers through their psychological resilience. Also, implementing media literacy programs available in public libraries to help those who do not have constant access to the Internet or have a complete understanding of its dangers. I think that it is important to educate individuals as soon as possible especially when being exposed to the vastness of the internet at an early age. We teach people and children early on the importance of looking both ways before they cross the street, internet safety should be taught and implemented and required in early education just as much.

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:).

“Somebody told me I’m a failure, I’ll prove them wrong.”

– Naruto Uzumaki