BASILISCO, Glen S.

10:00-11:00 AM MWF
March 14, 201
My Summative Course Evaluation
The three topics and lessons in this course that I personally find to be interesting and
relevant are The Struggle of the Muslim People in the Southern Philippines: Independence or
Autonomy, Citizenship and Elections and Voting.
For the first article, I find it to be informative and highly relevant especially today to
explain the current events in Mindanao. Well honestly, in viewing the situation, I first thought
that the conflict in Mindanao is just a simple problem between two different religionsChristianity and Islam. The article widened my eyes to the situation. It was not just about
religious difference after all. Its about the assertion of life, property and more importantly
identity whose roots can be traced long before the arrival of Spanish colonizers. I realize how
evil we are in trying to steal something which we do not own in the first place using a system
that we made and imposed on them. And then we call them Filipinos. And in their resistance,
we had the audacity to label them as terrorists. This is insanity.
But times have past. The imperial system had triumph. Muslims are becoming the
minority of Mindanao. The armed struggle will definitely continue. However, what I liked in the
article is that it offered possible solutions that can be navigated and explored. The article offers
hope. It says that despite this current conflict, we can still envision a peaceful Mindanao.
The article on citizenship struck me, especially on Etzionis discussion. We always
clamor for our rights in every aspect of our being. But we barely ask ourselves, as to what is our
responsibility as citizens to our state. I can see the manifestations of individualism in our
Philippine society. We focused too much to ourselves. This is very evident on the prevailing
corruption of public officials in the government. Etzioni provided a powerful reminder that we
must not forget that we are part of a community, and while we do have rights to assert, we also
have reciprocal responsibilities to our state. I think that if every Filipinos will embed this in their
conception of them being Filipinos, we can grow and become a developed country.

With the upcoming elections, I found the article elections and voting interesting. It gave a
comprehensive discussion on the macro, meso, and micro lens in understanding elections and
voting. In addition, it also provided analytical tools in which we can explain the strategies, if not
the election results.
The lesson, or the article that I find to be least interesting is the cultural analysis of
protest. Although I understood some of the parts, I wasnt able to grasp the whole idea. This may
be the reason why I find it to be least interesting.
There are two topics or issues that I would like to integrate in this class. First is the
understanding of the culture of poverty. Most of the discussion in the course is about the
systemic impact of inequality to people, that poverty exist because of inequality. Although I
firmly believe that it is indeed true, what I would like suggest is to incorporate articles (if there
are any) about poverty being a community issue. Can a community help thrive poverty, or can it
reproduce poverty. Im also interested in understanding poverty using the spatial turn, if there are
any articles that discusses so.
Another similar topics that I want to include is Racism and Colorism especially in
Philippine society. I hope theres an article about racism, colorism as a form of violence,
imperialism, consumerism, ethnic cleansing, or even genocide. Why are we Filipinos so fond of
whitening product? Are we escaping history? Is there any connection with African slavery and
our attempt to cover ourselves with foreign colors?
I would also love to include the cancelled fieldwork in the course. I think the lessons in
the class will be better appreciated if an outdoor activity will be supplemented.
My most unforgettable experience/moment in this course is during my first oral
presentation. I think that was the first time I presented a report in the class without bringing any
notes in front. For me this is my greatest personal learning. You dont need to bring any notes.
You just have to study hard and trust gut.
In terms of mastery of the subject matter and teaching competence and classroom
management, sir Coronel exhibited an excellent performance. I am just amazed almost every
session on how he can explain and interpret mind-boggling articles and provide relevant

examples in the Philippine society. I am just wowed at his examples which I did not see
firsthand.
Sir Coronel also cultivates a strong bond with his students, and ensures that he is
available for concerns and inquiries of students. He is very generous in providing his resource
materials which is very expensive when bought.
While I found his teaching style and strategies to be effective, such as lecture, individual
presentation, and dynamic interaction, I find it stressful in the long run. It was stressful when
quizzes, paper, and one reading all happens in the same day.
The subject is very stressful and time consuming. It made me to stress-eat a lot. But
despite this, I would like to say that I really learned a lot. It completed my Political Science
study. It allowed me to view things from a different lens. There are a lot of social realities that
that was very blurry and incomprehensible at first, but turns out to be very political.
Thank you sir for your time and effort. I can feel your passion in educating us. I will try
my very best to imbibe and embody all my learnings in this class. I want to become a catalyst for
change. Hopefully, I can prove to the devil that I am priceless.
More importantly, your teachings made me to value the discipline of studying and the
need to seek for better and excellence. I may not have accomplished and showed it to your class,
but I promise that the quest will continue. Thank you very much.