Seeing this as one of the requirements for a passing grade is refreshing to see listed. We sometimes forget, as students, when we are navigating new courses, job opportunities, and everyday life, that it is vital to feed our minds with ideas that don't initially come to mind. Thinking deeply and forming connections with past readings and courses has helped me tremendously as a student when it comes to passing a class. I believe it's excellent that you brought this to students' attention in hopes of them succeeding within your course.

This is an excellent requirement for an A in this course. Being able to work well with others while standing out beyond the number of words on a page, and more importantly, how you convey and explain your writing, is a more effective way for a student to demonstrate their potential beyond the ideal requirements for a paper or worksheet. I believe that, in certain circumstances, where we have requirements for our writing, such as "500-word minimum essays" or limiting phrases, ultimately leads us to being more unfocused and uninteresting writers. This is an understandable requirement for an A, which is still achievable.

Seeing this as one of the requirements for a passing grade is refreshing to see listed. We sometimes forget, as students, when we are navigating new courses, job opportunities, and everyday life, that it is vital to feed our minds with ideas that don't initially come to mind. Thinking deeply and forming connections with past readings and courses has helped me tremendously as a student when it comes to passing a class. I believe it's excellent that you brought this to students' attention in hopes of them succeeding within your course.

The idea of Gorbachev working in a field where there are benefits and security is clearly demonstrated in this paragraph. We see more of the good and effectiveness that Gorbachev has begun to enhance with China. Increasing trade and the opening of borders definitely give Gorbachev some credit; however, what caught my attention was that, despite some basic things flourishing, the Soviet Union's relationship with China remains somewhat rocky and distant. This is not to say they can't work together (which they undoubtedly have and can), but it's the question asked as to why tensions can't decline and relationships grow stronger for the benefit of resources. One of my biggest takeaways from this paragraph is how, even though things are not perfect within their feelings and restrictions towards each other, there is still a balance that is acceptable to maintain consistency and keep things working for both sides.

Due to Gorbachev's extensive pride and loyalty towards the Soviet Union, I sense that the author fears that Gorbachev would rather keep and enforce based on previous Soviet Union orders to fix the problematic pressures there are economically rather than bringing in new possible solutions that would better fix the issues but may be to new or skeptical or rely to much on the people. I sense that the author subjectively feels that Gorbachev would rather respect and preserve the power of the Soviet Union and not risk the idea of giving the people too much power to make executive decisions.