Final Post

Hello, my name is Nathan Zielinski, and for my final presentation, I want to look back on what we accomplished in Freedom class this semester and how much these experiences shaped me as a student. This class was different from anything I’ve taken before because it pushed us to participate in ways that went far beyond typical lectures or worksheets. The EOTOs, the blogs, the discussions, and even the way we used A.I. in the classroom all challenged us to think, communicate, and analyze information in deeper ways.

Live Photo from Brown v. Board

Live Photo from Plessy v. Ferguson

One of the biggest takeaways for me came from the EOTO presentations. Standing in front of the class and teaching a topic ourselves wasn’t just another assignment—it gave us the chance to understand what it feels like to lead the room and take responsibility for the learning environment. It forced me to prepare carefully, speak clearly, and organize information in a way that actually made sense to others. It was uncomfortable at times, but in a good way—the kind of discomfort that helps you grow.

What made it even better was the collaborative aspect. Working with partners and sharing ideas made presenting less stressful and a lot more rewarding. Instead of feeling like I was facing the room alone, I had a team beside me, which boosted my confidence and made the experience more enjoyable. By the time we reached the end of the semester, I realized how much these activities helped me improve—not only as a speaker, but also as a thinker, a writer, and someone who knows how to connect with others in an academic setting.

One of the moments that stood out to me the most was the role-play court cases we did. Every time we stepped into one of those cases, it felt like we were part of something real and meaningful. I wasn’t just reading about history—I was defending a case, forming arguments, and trying to convince a judge. I had to prepare an actual script, practice my lines, and work closely with my group to make sure we covered every important point. We talked through strategy, divided up roles, and made sure our arguments connected smoothly. What made it even better was the competitive side. Our group ended up going 2–0 for the year—we never lost a single case. That made the whole experience even more rewarding, because it showed that our preparation and teamwork really paid off.

Gone With The Wind 

My second-favorite part of the class was when we watched presentations, documentaries, or movies and then wrote detailed blog posts reflecting on what we learned. At first, I didn’t think I would enjoy writing so much, but these blog posts pushed me to slow down, think deeply, and really connect with the material. I noticed myself becoming a stronger writer because I had to explain what impacted me, what ideas stood out, and how these stories fit into the bigger picture of freedom and equality. It also made me a better listener—during videos and presentations, I had to pay close attention to details, emotions, and themes that I would later write about.

Overall, these two activities—the court cases and the reflective blog posts—helped me grow the most in this class. They taught me how to communicate clearly, work with others, think critically, and express myself in a meaningful way. And because of that, Professor Smith’s Freedom class has definitely been one of my favorites this year.

Claude AI

One thing I really appreciated in this class was the blog assignments. Even though writing prompts are common in many courses, these blogs actually let us add our own voice and style. The 300–500-word length made them much easier to write than long essays, where you eventually run out of things to say or start repeating yourself. When A.I. was allowed, it helped me organize my thoughts—but when Professor Smith said it wasn’t an A.I. assignment, it was clear we had to rely on our own writing. My recommendation is Don't get caught up and do it yourself.

Overall, this class taught us far more than just the lessons in the textbook. The EOTOs challenged us to think from different perspectives, the blogs let us express ourselves honestly, and learning how to use A.I. responsibly prepared us for the future. Thank you, Professor Smith.