----- Original Message -----
From: Sarah Thurman
To: jeannecurran@habermas.org
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2003 4:55 PM
Subject: Hello Jeanne!

HI Jeanne my name is Sarah Thurman, and I'm in your Sociology of Knowing class. I also had the pleasure of having you last fall for Women in Society and Law in Society. I am responding to the page you have on your web site about your grading style. I remember last fall when I first walked into your class and hearing we have no test. I was immediately skeptical, and thought it was a lie. I was also scared because I was use to the "take a test to examine what you have learned" model. I didn't even know there was another other type of measurement for learning. But after the class discussions and your responses to my questions and submissions, I felt reassured in myself. I became to understand the concept of structural violence, and how it effects me, and others in everyday situations. That semester was probably one of the best semesters at school I have ever had. I loved our discussion, because it open the door for me to understand others points of view, and I felt like I learned so much. I still remember discussions from class I had with you, Pat, and my classmates about women's issues, sorority hazing, structural violence, the future Iraq war, and different sociological theories from WEB Du Bois and many more. Now that I am in your Knowing class I am starting to learn about the concept of answerability. I am once again being force to think for myself in your class. I feel as if, in my other classes, I should not question what is presented to me, and many people I know feel the same. The idea of an instructor listening to my claims and opinions is liberating. Bringing Answerability to many of the people in my life (not just professors) excites me, and makes me believe we could have more open minded people walking around who question things, because they want or need to. Sorry it got a little long. I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday. Sarah Thurman

PS- was looking on your site and found a short cut to a web site called Brief Reporter for law briefs- very interesting!