I came into ANSO of the Senses because I thought it would be interesting and good for poetry. My favorite poetry is rich with “thick descriptions” of sensory detail, and I wanted to learn to pay attention to the senses.
The class was structured in three main sections: emplacement, embodiment, and entanglements.
My favorite parts of the term were the readings and activities about embodiment and power relations. We read Marcel Mauss on body techniques, a piece that really opened my eyes to the way that all of our movements are taught to us, implicitly or explicitly. They are part of our “habitus,” a deep pattern of habits shaped by our social and cultural context and history.
Our first correspondence dealt with habits of studying. Examining my study habits, I found that I didn’t like them that much. Paying attention to the sensory experience of the places I study helped me to think more deeply about what works for me and what doesn’t.
Our third correspondence was a participant observation (or observant participation) of a group event. I chose to observe the Venture Boldly event. Jaylen and Asha were also there, doing the same thing, although I didn’t realize it then. I just saw them in the crowd and figured they were part of the event.