Pourquoi le français?

I am now at a point in my academic career where I must pick a language to take up to the 203 level. My options at PSU are Japanese, German, or French. One would think that my natural inclination would be Japanese, but many things have changed since I started going to college. I have put most of my childish things behind me. I am no longer mystified by the Japanese people or the mythos of the samurai. The anime and manga I used to enjoy sit dormant on my bookshelf and are slowly replaced by old tomes depicting the antiquities.

As I have been developing my understanding of history I have gone from a military historian to having interests in cultural history as well. This goes well in hand with military history as one often effects the other. Besides the new found interest in cultural history I have gained a lot of interest in French history. I should clarify that it is an interest rather than an infatuation such that I had with Japan. I decided that I needed to have some proper reasoning before choosing one language over another.

• I have taken a bit of first year Japanese, so getting back into it while starting over would be relatively easier than it was the first time around.
• Both of my Sisters speak German, they could be a valuable asset in assisting me with the language, but neither have gone far in college level German.
• I have a friend who speaks excellent French who could potentially help me if I was struggling, though I should not expect it as such things are always circumstantial in my life. That aside I took two years of it in high school and was asked to join the second year AP French class before the teacher went on hiatus.
• If I were to take my scholarship so far as to be able to visit archives I would want to be able to translate the natural language. English will take me far in this endeavor but I need something besides English. French is spoken in more areas of my personal interest that offset the English speaking areas. German was close, but its areas outside of Germany are more in eastern European nations of which I have little interest.
• A particular interest of mine which has seen little research is Frances role in the Cold War.

So French it shall be. May it take me far.

Winter 2010

Classes Ill be taking:

History of Western Civ: 102

Physical Geology 210

Classic Movies 135/365

The Classic Movies class is full but Im going to show up day of and try to get permission to be in it anyway. Ive got great reviews on the teacher and Ron is already registered for the class so if I get it, its going to be a great hit. Its a 135 and 365 level class mixed into the same movie showing/class time I wonder if there will be any difference in the expected work load....

I dont know what to expect in the Physical Geography class. All I know is that the professor, Lafrenz, has high reviews and my room mate sean took a class with him last term and really enjoyed himself.

History of Western Civ 102 will be a continuation of what Ive done this past term in 101. Im taking it with the same professor, Galety, who I generally like. Im looking forward to this class a lot.

Lost Comments

David,

I found these comments about your paper (the dream paper) and realized they never got to you. Thought I'd send them this way.

I think you're working from a strong place - playing at detachment for the sake of perspective/empathy for others is profound work, and your desire reflects a maturity that belies your years. I just want to remind you that it's in our nature to operate out of egocentricity; monks and nuns make their life's work out of what you're talking about, so there really is no "default setting", is there? Maintaining awareness/consciousness/detachment is a lifelong journey, a destination we return to over and over. You know this, I think; however, I get the feeling you want to land on the perfect perspective and just stay....but humans aren't like that, are we?

In terms of education, there's so much to learn/become passionate about. You can begin with your writing. You need to work on comma placement, and compound words so your lovely ideas can be expressed at the level they deserve.

cheers,

Wendy

First thoughts on WR115

First thoughts on WR115

The class seems pretty interesting. Like a more fun version of the writing aspects taught in Ways of Knowing.

The teacher is a total hippy. Which is nice. I like her as a teacher thus far. I can tell this is her first time teaching, her lesson plans dont last for the duration of the class. We've been let out early twice now. I think she has been hoping that we would have more in class discussion but our class doesnt seem super interested.

To her merit.... I do like the tuxedo shirt look. It works well for her. And she brings a mason jar of home brewed tea. Proof positive that I'll get along with her.

To her demerit... she doesnt like people to use computers in her class and seems to think that most professors feel the same way. In my experience thus far most teachers dont care at all.
She seems unprofessional in some of her manarisms but I think thats just due to her being a new teacher.

EDIT:
Almost forgot to mention, there is a gorgeous girl in this class. Going to try to get to know her.

Fall Term 2009

Here comes the Fall Term:
I registered late so I had to grab what classes were available...

WR 115 (Intro to college writing) Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00am to 11:50am
HST 101 (History of western Civ) Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00pm to 1:50pm
UNST 228I (Family Studies) Friday 9:20 am to 11:50 am
UNST 228J (Mentor Session for Family Studies) Friday 1:00pm to 1:50pm

Ready to kick some ass this term.

Summer Term

Summer time and Ill be taking two classes.

HUM399-Vampires in Film and Fiction. Its a web based class where we read books and watch movies then talk about it online.

PHL 399-Philosophy of Sex and Love. A friend of mine said the instructor is really good and apparently sexuality classes are life changing in college.

So there you have it. Not really necessary classes by any means, but I want to have a few fun summer courses.

End of Spring Term

UNST Ways of Knowing A
Philosophy of Life and Death Issues A
History of the French Revolution C

3.33 BABY!

Could have gotten an A in the history class but I screwed around early term and had a bad test. Also didnt do a bunch of the online discussion questions, Im just not used to thinking about getting online for homework. Well Ive learned and it wont trip me up again. I should have had a 4.0. Ill get it next time.