In “The Allegory of the Cave” there are prisoners chained to the cave since birth, just facing the wall of the cave with nothing but a fire behind them. The prisoners would always see shadows move behind them because of the fire that was placed out there but were never able to look behind them and find out what the shadows are. The prisoners think that these shadows are how to world is and that they are living things, and the fire represents their versions of the truth. But what if one day these fictional prisoners were set free and were able to see the outside world and the actual truth and learn about it? How would they act? Are they going to accept it? This fictional world is somewhat tied to the real world, people are trapped without knowing more than what they perceive as the truth, if you educate these people and show them a new truth and enlighten them would they accept or would they go back? Wouldn’t a world where everyone knows the truth to be a better one, or a world where some know the truth and control the people who are trapped in the cave?
About
Professor: Jessica Penner
Email: jpenner@citytech.cuny.edu
Class Meetings & Times: Mondays & Wednesdays, 4-5:40 PM, in Namm 521
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 – 1 PM. I’ll be available through Zoom and will send an invitation via email that you should keep all semester. Try to join my meeting at the start of the hour, not at the end—since I may be talking to other students or have another appointment after the hour is up. If those times don’t work with your schedule, we can schedule a different time. This means you’ll have to schedule an appointment in advance via email. I suggest you have multiple times in mind, since your schedule may not mesh with mine!
Course Description: A course in effective essay writing and basic research techniques including use of the library. Demanding readings assigned for classroom discussion and as a basis for essay writing.
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