So I intended to write and post this blog two months ago, but let’s just say I’ve been busy. I told myself at the end of last semester that I wouldn’t push myself as hard this semester; I honestly didn’t think I would, but I have. I’m obviously addicted to keeping busy.
First my Learning French Culture Through Cuisine class. While this class technically counts as a Global Studies elective, I took this class as my one and only “fun class.” I knew it would be a good class; I know the instructor and he enthusiastically assured me it’s a great class. He couldn’t be more right! Despite the fact that he could make a mundane class entertaining, I love what we’re studying. We’ve learned about how France’s geography and regions, as well as its history, have contributed to the nation’s cuisine. On top of this, a friend from my French classes last year is also in the class 🙂
My other French class is equally excellent. The professor is so outgoing and enthusiastic it’s hard not to love the class and the professor makes attending a Friday class completely worth it. I had high expectations of her and she has absolutely exceeded them! She’s been extremely supportive, influential and helpful in my desire to improve my French and continue learning even after I graduate next month. She’s been a driving factor in my desire to spend January studying in France. (And my French Cuisine class pushed my wanderlust into overdrive.)
The first of my Global Studies classes is ridiculously depressing because the topics can all be summed up as “Humans are destroying the world and in denial they’re doing so.” The professor is entertaining as he’s hard of hearing and constantly asking us to speak up. He also frequently sidetracks on tangents related to that day’s discussion topic. This class also includes a lot of great people who I have/had classes with and who are in French, including a Parisian 🙂
The hardest class I have this semester is my other Global Studies class. It’s a really small, only four people, online class on Intellectual Property. I know the professor for this class as well because I worked for her for three years. The topics are extremely heavy in economics, so this class isn’t as interesting as my others.
My fifth class is Honors: Im/Migration in the Age of Globalization can also be quite depressing since the topics include border control and human trafficking. If the professor allows us to dictate conversation on our own, we have very lively discussions (albeit border lining on off-topic). She’s also one of the first instructors who’s attempted to regulate my speaking during class; I’m conscious of my classmates wanting to speak, but if no one wants to talk, then I will. She doesn’t see it that way and prefers to call on students so they’ll speak up in class. I grudgingly accept her decision.
Finally, there’s Media Graphics. This is a really time intensive class because I’m learning Adobe programs through the assigned projects. Thus far, I’ve learned more about Photoshop and learned a lot more about Illustrator. Personally, I’m a fan of Photoshop and InDesign, but I love what Illustrator can do; I’m just not as adept at manipulating it. I’ll continue learning during the next project though. Hopefully that will help. Yet again, I know this instructor because I took a class with him last semester. Of the two, I prefer this class; there’s more organization and clearer learning goals. I learned from the class last semester, but I’ve certainly learned more this semester.
In addition to these six classes, I also work and have an internship. As I already said, “I’m obviously addicted to keeping busy.” There are only six weeks until the bittersweet ending though, so hopefully I can find time to enjoy my remaining weeks as an undergraduate college student. Oh and find myself a job; that might be helpful. Now as fun as this has been, I need to continue working on homework.
The next post will have something to do with French…
Bethany Blount 