Last Lecture for now

Today was the last session of the human development course I taught this semester. To wrap it up, I asked the students to bring in something about a life story, real or fictional (novel/movie clip/article, etc.) to relate to some aspect of the course.  I loved what they came up with.  It ended up taking the whole class since everyone had given it such thought and had so much to say.  If you have a few minutes, the links (I starred the ones that were especially compelling) are wonderful:

• Father of the Bride 2 -- middle adulthood, Levinson's theories of midlife change
  
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower -- attachment, identity formation in adolescence (Erikson, Marcia)
  
• *Mean Girls clip (3:43-5:27)-- identity moratorium, adolescent social aggression
  
• Smashed -- Erikson's intimacy vs. isolation stage, inhibited by alcoholism
  
• song "Time of Your Life" -- developmental transitions, exceptions to set theory
  
• **About Schmidt final letter-- Erikson's ego integrity vs. despair in mid adulthood
  
• song Mr. Larkin by State Radio -- older adulthood, prejudice
  
• Old School -- exceptions to older adulthood preconceptions
  
• Goonies -- middle childhood Erikson's industry vs. inferiority stage
  
• *the Last Lecture -- loss, ego transendence, Erikson's generativity, 
  
• Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius -- early adulthood and Erikson's intimacy vs. isolation
  
• When I am an Old Woman -- older adulthood, theories of positive aging
  
• **The Giving Tree (2) -- lifespan development, attachment, Erikson's stages
  
• *Guys and Dolls -- (first few minutes of documentary of Lars and the Real Girl-type relationships) social work practice, culture/microculture, Erikson's intimacy/isolation 
  
• Tuesdays with Morrie -- ego transendence and generativity
  
• Archie comic book -- adolescence transition, scaffolding, conceptions of adolescence
  
• Dalai Lama -- moral development, ego transcendence, older adulthood, "good death"
  
• Mr. Rogers -- social learning theory, attachment
  

It feels so great to be done but I'm going to really miss that class, those students.  They were very patient & accepting of this green, nervous, shaky-voiced first-time prof.  

class of idealistic, passionate grad students + human development course content =

life affirming and hopeful alchemy

Comments

[Anna]

Annie, Wow, good stuff. I would love to take a class from you. Keep up the great work.

[the wrath of khandrea]

i am really looking forward to reading one of these links a day. please don't post anything else until i've finished.

i am sure you did a phenomenal job. i would take your class even if it didn't fit into my major. and for me to step outside myself like that... now there's something.

[cbentley]

Thanks for the great list. What a wonderful idea. I'm sure they enjoyed sharing, and what a wealth and breadth of variety in there. I'm going to work on my list.
We are very proud of you and would love to have been in the classroom with you! Brava!

[Bridget]

What a fun assignment. Congrats on getting through your first class. You are amazing.

[Robin]

This motivates me to check out a few PhD programs. I have been interested, off and on, in teaching college.

Thanks for the post - and the amazing picture! Is that your daughter?

[seven smiles]

What an interesting class.

{Obviously(per previous commentors), I'm not alone in wishing I could have taken that class from you!}

Congrats on your accomplishment. Those students are better for having had you as a teacher. :)

[Michelle]

good for you, and I too would have loved to be a student in your class.

[smart mama]

oh love it- you know my penchant for devel theory- I love good extensions- finding practical examples of it in everyday!