Gee Reading

Gee Reading

Questions for Discussion and Journaling 

3. Gee's definition of a discourse is the main idea. In exact quotes he feels that discourse is the way of being in the world. Discourses are the bases of yourself and how you react to the environment around you. His definition of discourse seem to be a bit confusing, I understand what discourse is, however the way he presents the information is a bit confusing at times. He explains how discourses are affected by other discourses, so there is no such thing as a full "pure" discourse. It's the idea again that nothing is original and everything is an embodiment of it's own. 

5. Primary discourse is the initial discourse. It's the way we first use make sense of the world and interact with others. According to Genn the primary discourse is our original and home based sense of identity. We don't learn about this discourse but by being apart of it with family. Secondary discourse is the idea of 'school', the whole idea of learning through an institution. Dominate discourse are basically the mastery of secondary discourse at a place and time with social "good" basically shallow points. While non dominate discourses  is society at large. 

11. Metaknowledge is gift of understanding what discourse is and how to relate it to yourself and society. The value is basically not being ignorant. It's the sense of knowledge and understanding that few people don't seem to understand or overlook. Metaknowledge allows valuable abilities that include understanding that many people often overlook. 

13. A discourse I would love to be apart of is the world of doctors. I've always found the topic extremely interesting. However useful it is, I know because my lack of skill in science will forever keep me out. I always found the idea of understanding the human body so interesting. It's an incredible skill, almost talent to have. I don't think I will ever be accepted because the fact that my understanding will never full be there. I can never process that much information. I think i wouldn't be accepted because the foolish questions i might ask, or the fact that i constantly use WebMD when I'm sick. I've never tried to really become part of this discourse, I've learned through my chemistry grades, it would never work out. i've never felt like a pretender at all, I've always accepted my grades and faults.

Applying And Exploring Ideas

3. Dear Mrs. Katz,

Even though my grades weren't great in Chemistry. I've always felt that you shunned out of the discourse community for chemistry. It's unfair and inevitable that I realized I had no future in the medical field. Unfortunately you've never realized the importance of being a community, discourse or not. it's important to realize that not everyone is born into the same talents as you are. Your way of teaching and explaining did not reach all students, for the most part it never reached me. I've never had as much trouble as I had in that class. The idea of a discourse is differences and strengths. I never felt you understand that, and i just wanted to let you know that I've always wanted to be good a chemistry and I'm simply not because your non existing efforts to help me reach my goal. If I ever go back to high school again, it would be great for you to include me when you're teaching. Hopefully with a ton of practice and tutoring I would be able to understand chemistry. 

Sincerely, 

Joy Trinh

4. Two different discourse I belong to is the discourse of myself at home with my family and the other when I'm with my parents. All my life I've always spoke Mandarin with my parents. I'm extremely polite and respectful with my elders. I've never raised my voice or even disobeyed. However when I'm with my friends I'm loud and obnoxious, i only speak english. Anyone who saw who I was with my parents and how I am with my peers would be in full blown shock. Even though it's difficult I understand there are boundaries and I constantly jump in-between them. Sometimes I'll act up around my parents and sometimes i'm super polite with my peers. It's difficult to 'navigate' these discourses but overtime, it becomes easier and more expectable.