Bianca Duarte's Blog

     The digital humanities component was definitely one of my favorite parts of this class. I appreciated learning about these tools and having a large variety to choose from when working on our research excursions. I also appreciated using Neatline, Voyant, and StoryMap JS. Overall, all of the digital humanities tools were unique in their own way and I definitely appreciate how each differed from each other and allowed us to be creative with our research. My favorite digital humanities tool would definitely either be Omeka or Timeline JS. I guess I would say these are my favorite because they are easy to navigate which is one of the reasons why I am including both tools in my final printing press project. I appreciated seeing the work of my classmates as well because it opens my eyes to how we can customize these sites and make them our own.                Learning about these tools also allowed me to prac...

         Now that our 20 week course is at the end, I will reflect on my thoughts and surprise regarding this class. I appreciate the class dynamic we had as our discussions felt safe, and we were free to add any commentary on the particular topic we were focusing on. The most unexpected thing about this course would definitely be the grading contract because many of my other classes in college and mainly in high school had multiple tests regarding the novels we were reading at the time. For example, in AP English Lit, we would have weekly quizzes on the designated chapters that were assigned to read, but in this class our discussions allow us to go over many concepts and themes without having the stress of a quiz.  I appreciated the discussions a lot because I was able to listen to the thoughts and opinions of everyone which is something I did not get in high school. I also was not expecting to learn about the digital exhibits in this class, but that was a...

  As I have been reading this novel, I have made some connections between the different relationships and how these relationship dynamics are similar or different from each other. To begin comparing and contrasting Sunja and Hansu’s relationship to Akiko and Noa’s relationship, Sunja is a Korean woman and Hansu is a Korean man. In Akiko and Noa’s relationship, we all understand that Akiko is Japanese and Noa is Korean. The upbringings of these characters definitely differ as well because Yumi comes from a very poor family with many issues, and Akiko grew up in a very wealthy family where her issues during her childhood do not compare to any of the experiences Akiko faced as she was growing up.       I do realize that as a Japanese woman, Akiko’s “issues” she faces do not compare to the issues some of the other characters have faced and are currently facing in their lives. Akiko should be content as a Japanese woman in Japan, but of course she must become a savio...

  When Mozasu’s wife described being Korean as "just another horrible encumbrance, much like being poor or having a shameful family you could not cast off. Why would she ever live there? But she could not imagine clinging to Japan, which was like a beloved stepmother who refused to love you,” I was shocked, but after thinking more about the deeper meaning, I understand why she stated that. Yumi describes Japan as a “beloved stepmother who refused to love you” which is very significant and highlights Yumi’s relationship with Japan as a whole. Stepmothers are not blood related and the connection is not direct which is how Yumi feels about Japan. She does not feel close to Japan and she also feels detached. Yumi does have respect for Japan as she states “beloved stepmother,” but she also does not have a deep connection with japan simply as some stepmother to child relationships are. Yumi also could not imagine clinging to Japan because as much as she could connect to Japan and get co...