First Year Students

The Path: Culture through Metaphor

Simpson Colloquium 101 G -The Path: Culture through Metaphor
M T TH F   1- 2 PM

The path has been a popular metaphor for life. It is full of twists and turns, choices and roads not taken.   Often the journey takes you someplace you did not seek and it challenges you to grow in ways you did not anticipate. This course will explore the metaphor of the path in various cultures through the study of literature, art and film. We will think critically about cultural perspectives and values throughout our studies and seek to trace our own life’s path and the possibilities that lay before us.

Take this course if you have your life planned out, if you are just along for the ride or if you have no idea where you are headed. What better time to think about your path than when you begin the new adventure of college life? Hopefully your eyes will open to all the possibilities that lie ahead and allow you to make informed decisions about your journey.

Meet Your Professor
Tracy Dinesen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Spanish Tracy Dinesen

I grew up in a suburb of Denver, Colorado and after high school, attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. Boulder was a fascinating place and I loved my courses, especially Spanish, thus my major. I left Boulder in 1998 wondering what I should do with my life (surprise - we don’t all have it figured out) and so I worked several jobs, exploring careers. After a long-term substitute teaching position in Spanish and French, I knew I wanted to teach.

I attended the University of North Texas in Denton to complete my master’s degree. After finishing the Master’s program in Spanish I moved on to Texas Tech University, home of the Red Raiders. After my years at Texas Tech I was very fortunate and excited about being given the opportunity to move to Iowa and become part of the Simpson College community. It is truly a great place to work and call home.

In my spare time I love to spend time with my family, I still read voraciously, and love to use power tools. My latest completed project was a kitchen. I also love taking cooking classes and have even taken classes for cake decoration (obscure and messy, but tasty). Also, it might be a little odd but I love vampire movies and tales about witches. This quirk is obvious when you visit my office and find a life-size cardboard cutout of Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 

Meet Your Destination LeaderKaitlyn Mathiesen
Kaitlyn Mathesien

Hello everyone! My name is Kaitlyn Mathiesen and I will be your Destination Leader for “The Path.” I will be a sophomore for the 2012-2013 school year! I am currently double majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology with a minor in Spanish. Along with being your destination leader, I am involved in SARA (Sexual Assault Response Advocates) on our lovely Simpson campus!

I am a laid back and positive person, and I am absolutely willing to talk to you about any questions or concerns you may have, whether they be about school or just life in general! I am a people person, so if there’s anything you want to talk about I’m all ears!

I am from Waukee, Iowa (about 30 minutes away from campus) so I’m really close which means I get to see my wonderful family a lot! I have a younger brother, two cats (one very overweight and one who is kind of obsessive compulsive), and a Boxer puppy who is super cute and fun! In my spare time, I enjoy watching almost any show on TLC, but my favorite is “My Strange Addiction.” I also watch basically any singing competition shows (X Factor, American Idol, The Voice, etc). In addition, I like spending time with my friends, going for walks, and taking naps. I am roommates with my best friend since eigth grade, and we have a ton of fun together! I absolutely love ramen noodles and have an awesome way to make them that makes them even better! I enjoy learning new things and meeting new people, so I’m looking forward to meeting all who will be in “The Path!”

I am on Facebook, so feel free to add me as a friend or message me! I would like to get to know you all before we meet in the summer!  

Antonio ReyesMeet Your Writing Fellow
 Antonio Reyes

 My name is Antonio Reyes, and I am from Des Moines, Iowa. I attended North High School and graduated from there in 2009. I am currently an English major who plans on going to graduate school and get a M.F.A in poetry. I enjoy reading literature and writing poetry. I am part of the Sequel committee which is in charge of selecting creative writing and art work from Simpson staff and students and publishing it in our Sequel Magazine . Besides reading and writing, I enjoy going out with friends to various locations here in Indianola, as well as enjoying a game of ultimate Frisbee during a warm day. I enjoy listening to all types of music from  The Black Keys to anything by Wale. Anything that you can jam and bump to, I pretty much have it! Any more information about me, you can find on F acebook or Twitter @Antoniothatsme .   

Last Updated: 5/10/12