INTRODUCTION When I was assigned to write a reflection paper about my experience in this course, I wasn't sure what to write. I struggled with the idea of ​​having to write down my feelings about what I had learned in a class I had to read literature and then interpret those readings into journal entries addressed to my fellow students. This left me a little intimidated. So, to get the ideas flowing, I went back to the beginning. I looked up the “First Week Letter” to the student and re-read the course description and objective. Dr. Doe stated in the letter that “we will read a variety of literature for a better understanding of the ideals, values, and attitudes of the world's civilizations” (Week 1 Student Letter). I didn't know that this involved many stories covering topics such as “Tradition and Innovation”, “Gender and Identity”, “War and Violence”, “Race and Culture” and finally “Individualism and Community”. Also in “Week Letter One,” Dr. Doe states that these topics are “as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.” This still seems pretty intimidating to me, but I agree with Dr. Doe. All of these topics guide us by helping us achieve the goal stated in “Letter One of the Week,” “to identify and examine the interconnections between literature, history and culture.” And why "Week Letter One" says this is important, "To enhance our awareness and appreciation of the relationship between literature and the human condition." Discussion At the beginning of the semester, I stated that I am not a great reader but I would like to be. I believe reading is a value...half the paper......life and has freed me to see ideas in a different way. It gave me the opportunity to read literature with an open mind. When I look back on my years of limited reading, I realize I didn't actively read the book. I simply followed the suggestions and read only what was necessary. This course helped me develop my ability to read a piece and understand the hidden messages. It helped me lose my simplicity and routine practice of taking everything I read literally. Now my mind has been significantly opened. I feel like I've learned so much and greatly expanded my literary analysis and writing skills. Challenge QuestionToni Morrison states, "We must recognize that what we call 'literature' is pluralist now just as society should be" (580). Do you think literature is a vehicle for social change? Why?