Response

http://mcurtisnotes.blogspot.com/2007/05/my-response-to-brendas-blog-banning-of.html
Ok, anyone could pretend to be someone else when wearing full veil but I do think that Amina Azmi was treated wrongly. She was, as far as I know employed as a teacher while wearing her full veil so therefore it was not her that was at fault here. Most people believed that she should not teach because of this, but she could be the best teacher around (Einstein was sacked from 2 teaching jobs because of his handwriting, imagine him as your teacher) I think she should have kept her job. As for the fact that anyone could pretend to be her, Anyone could pretend to be a supply teacher or something like that it if someone wants to get into a school, they will do.

Questionnaire

Age? 30


Sex? Female

What is your degree subject (both if joint)? English

Does ‘Being Bad’ relate well to the other modules you are taking? Not really

If so, how? And if not, why not? It just isn't very english based

Have you found ‘Being Bad’ too demanding, too easy, or at an appropriate level?

at appropriate level

Do you think the list of topics covered on the module was appropriate?

Yes

Are there any topics not included in the module that you would like to see included?

Celebrity role models???

Do you think that the format for classes has worked well? Yes

What did you think of the module team? Ok, at least they have a sense of humor and happy to help

Do you think it would have been better to have had more:
Small group discussions? No
Discussion and debate among the class as a whole? No
Information and talk from lecturers? Yes

The approach taken in the module is interdisciplinary (drawing on perspectives from English Literature, Film Studies, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies and Politics): do you think this a useful way of approaching the topics covered in the module?

No

Do you think that interdisciplinary modules are a good idea?

Not at all

Do you think you have benefited from the interdisciplinary approach taken in the module?

Definitely not

Would you like to see more modules that cover this kind of subject matter?

No

Are you planning to take the follow-up module PH2004 ‘It Shouldn’t Be Allowed’ at level 2?

No I am sticking to the English based modules.

Would you recommend ‘Being Bad’ to a friend?

Only if they were studying philosophy

Do you think that the blogs (web logs) were a good idea? Yes I learned a lot from these

What did you think of the other assessments (e.g. would it be better to have one longer assessment rather than two shorter ones?)?

No they were ok, It was good to be able to choose what you would prefer to do.

What have you learned from the module?

Not much really, only bits from the body modification lecture as I found this one interesting. How to do weblogs.

What parts of the module have you found most useful and why?

?????

What parts do you think were a waste of time and why?

Most of it as far as uni goes. I came to uni to study English and thought that's what i would be able to do, so for me the whole thing was a waste of time but i did enjoy it all the same.

Are there any other comments you wish to make regarding ‘Being Bad’?

I probably would be less negative about this module if i didnt feel cheated into taking it by removing the English modules i came here to study.

Assignment 3

I mentioned in an earlier blog that as a group we had been thinking of doing a poster for the assignment. We did do one on body modification which turned out quite well. (Picture above) Along with the poster we decided to do a questionnaire asking what people thought about it and whether they made instant judgements about someone based on their appearance. The findings weren't exactly suprising, the younger people were, the less of an issue facial piercings became. We asked "Should first impressions count?" I personally dont think so but should they?

Body modification

Well I'm not sure if any of the web logs I add now are going to be worth anything, being so far behind but it's got to be worth a try. Having decided not to leave uni and come back next semester (if they'll have me) i thought i should try and catch up. The lecture I enjoyed most was a few weeks back on body modification. I'm sure there's a fair few people out there who don't realise they have modified their bodies in some way, which i find quite amusing.
The extremes that some people go to are actually quite scary though and in a lot of cases not very attractive. For assignment 2 I was looking through some websites and discovered some pictures of the most pierced woman. God knows why she has done it but she looks hideous. I'm sure she could get in the Guinness Book of Records for a different reason if she tried. If I can find it I will add a link, it's definitely worth a look if you haven't seen it already!!
I must admit I have tattoos and have had piercings in the past (much to my families horror) but I think that too many can sometimes look tacky and also give people the wrong impression about the kind of person you are. Although this is wrong, it's just the way society is unfortunately.
People should be able to express their personalities however they wish without being judged or stereotyped because of the colour of their hair, or their piercings etc. Not everyone who does these things are bad, it's just the attitudes of those who don't understand that is!!


http://www.elainedavidson.com/

http://www.bmezine.com/pierce/bme-pirc.html

Gambling

Ok I missed this lecture as my youngest had an accident at school and I had to fetch him. He does have a brilliant black eye to prove it. All im going to say is "you should see the other boy" No seriously he only banged his head.

I would say I wasn't really a gambler but according to some who went to the lecture I most definitely am. Gambling to me is betting on the horses or going to the casino on a regular basis, this i dont do. I do however do the lottery and occasionally do the fruit machines in pubs. Well if this is the case then i'd better stop. I can see why people gamble, but why they become addicted I dont know. All I can say is there must be something missing in their lives to thrive on the excitement of thinking 'yes this time im gonna win' only to be let down for the millionth time. My excuses for doing it are there's always loads of change to get rid of on a night out and drinking too much is bad for you, and as for the lottery it's only £2 a week so where's the harm in that? It's not as if i'm lying to cover up any debts i've got into through gambling and i'd never borrow money to bet with anyway. It's definitely not worth it!

Comment on abortion

http://bloggers-better-know.blogspot.com/

Ok the image gets the point across but is it really necessary? There are women out there who dont really want an abortion but for some medical reasons it's better to terminate the pregnancy. For them that picture is like their worst nightmare!!! If abortions should be stopped what happens if for instance a woman is raped and becomes pregnant from this? should she keep the baby as a constant reminder, letting him/her grow up without a father, and then let them later find out how they were concieved and what kind of a man their father really is. Ok I know this is going to extremes but I dont think an issue like abortion has such a simple answer. I agree it shouldn't be made so easy and shouldn't be seen as a last resort but in certain cases (generally very few) it's the better option.

Religion

Well to be honest i'm not that religious. I don't go to church or anything like that but do believe in God. I don't preach it to my children to me it's something they will make their own decisions about, just as I did. My Dad's a Catholic and mum's a Christian but we wont go there. I don't push my beliefs on to others and wish they wouldn't do that to me or my children for that matter. My daughter's nearly 13 and studies R.E at school much to my annoyance, (i'd prefer her to study something she will actually use when she leaves school) but today she has come home with a letter stating she HAS to go to a Sikh temple and she has to pay. I'm not completely against this but i am like, Why??? She doesn't want to go, from what she says most of the class don't want to go and if there are any Sikhs in the class don't they already go????
Well in my opinion she isn't going to benefit from this experience and she shouldn't HAVE to do this. Ok this isn't really being too religious but i need to rant about this one!

I do think that religion has a lot to answer for, and people take it to extremes. Why do people feel the need to knock on doors to preach their beliefs. Don't they think that if others wanted to know about it they would find out about it in their own time and go to the church etc on their own. Even walking around Birmingham is a nightmare as there are always people stood round with boards preaching about God. Infuriating or what, all I want to do is shop not be harassed by some random with nothing better to do than exercise his vocal chords. In my opinion this puts me off religion not draws me to it.

Comment to another blog

Masterbation

http://allornot18.blogspot.com/

I'd just like to say that this blog is great. i've read all of it but had to comment on your one about masterbation. I cant think of a name for a female masterbator either, good question. I think you're wrong to say that mates dont talk about these things though. After the lecture me and my non-uni mates were talking about it and after a few drinks had a pretty lengthy chat. Non of them were bothered about being so open about what they do, when or where after all we're mates and tell each other everything, or so we thought. I disagree that 'it's seen as weird, more so for a man.' I think its more of an issue if a woman admits to doing it as there are magazines for men all over the place but where are the ones for women?? But then again lets face it men need help from women with almost everything so why should masterbating be any different.

Infidelity

I think this is a difficult argument and although I am now completely against it, I must admit I have been unfaithful to a previous partner. I think alot of it has to do with age. When I was younger I didn't really see the fact that what I was doing might hurt my boyfriend, I suppose I was selfish and just wanted some fun. Looking back life was just pretty dull and needed livening up a bit. I knew it was wrong but to be honest didn't care at the time. Now i've grown up and i'm happily married (most of the time) I would never contemplate being unfaithful, I don't think i'd be able to live with the guilt. I do believe that people who are unfaithful no matter what the reason are selfish and deserve to be caught out. The secrecy may be fun for a while but there is more to life than that.

FIELD TRIP!!!!

I've been trying really hard to think of somewhere fun, interesting and bad to go for the field trip, and failed miserably! The only thing I could think of was a day/night betting at the dog races. Ok possibly not the most exciting or original idea (like smoking whatever and running round a field naked like I read on someone elses blog) but good fun all the same. To be honest i'm not too fussed where we go, as long as it's not paintballing. (Although the idea of inflicting pain on some innocent person could be interesting). So please don't choose to do it, i'd be gutted!!!!!!!

Last weeks lecture

Last weeks lecture wasn't quite what I expected, but good fun anyway! It was slightly personal and I learnt a few things about a few good friends. Definitely enough said!!
Anyway on to the assignment...
I'm thinking about doing a poster, maybe masturbation isn't the best subject to do here, but could be interesting so not ruling it out just yet. I have discussed the idea of doing this assignment with a group of friends, so just waiting to hear from the subject leaders to see if this is ok. subjects that have been mentioned for this are tatoo and body peircing, infidelity and of course masterbation although one of us is not so keen on this but im working on it. Oh well i'm sure there will be more to write after todays lecture so see you soon.

Masterbation

Well this is a very touchy subject, excuse the phrase, but there are many different views. Some people think it's ok but there's quite alot of controvercy on the subject. Talking about the lecture with friends and family I have had mixed views. I found that alot of it depends on age as well as gender where men find it more acceptable. Only a few friends will admit to doing it but I think they would be more honest after a few drinks. I might have to try this out! How cruel am I eh? I have read a couple of Blogs where people have admitted to what they do and how often but i'm afraid I just wont be commenting on anything like that here. I'm one of those who think that things like this are pretty personal and should be kept to yourself. Obviously unless you've had a few drinks and are in the company of good friends!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvPE5j4PoQ0

I've added a link to a good song associated with this topic. Not quite as good as the vapors - turning japanese but it's a good one anyway, video is probably pretty good from a lads point of view too!

Hi fraggle
http://sarahfraggle.blogspot.com/
I'd just like to comment on your blog about smoking. I wish like you I had never been tempted to smoke as unfortunately I have been smoking for a fair few years now. I have to say it was completely my choice to start but didn't realise the concequences back then. I did see it at the time as quite a cool thing to do but looking back it wasn't. I agree that more should be done to stop children from smoking in the first place but unlike you if ever my children start i'll be mortified, but what can i say, "do as I say, not as I do" thats always a useful phrase!! But seriously I know all the dangers involved and how hard it is to give up, so if you can tell me how to cope with kids and not smoke it'd be a great help!!!!!