At the beginning of the term, I wasn’t quite sure where this class would lead, or what I was expecting to take away from this class. I can honestly say that this class has really opened up my mind to a whole new level of art, and art participation. I completed my undergrad in 2009 at Southern Oregon University, so it had been some time since I had been in any kind of academic setting. It was refreshing for me to be able to think critically about various topics, and to learn what my peers had to say on these topics as well. At SOU, there weren’t any folklore courses offered, so this was my first time experiencing any kind of art-based critical thinking through the lens of a folklorist.
Prior to this course as well, I had been under the assumption that all forms of art were in jeopardy of dying out as new forms of technology are created. As if technology is taking the place of art in our societies, and in our daily lives. I now can see, that my prior assumptions and preconceived notions were incredible far from the truth. Art is present in every corner of our individual worlds. It is true that certain paradigms in art have shifted dramatically, but that does not change the fact that it is still art. I am incredibly pleased with the information that I was introduced to during this course. I feel as though it has made me a more critical thinker, and a more well rounded individual.