1. Spanish and Portuguese and Latin American History might be the best undergraduate majors; they seem to be more research oriented than the other majors and to attract more independent people. I realized this one semester when I was teaching in Comparative Literature and Women’s Studies, both, as well, at the senior and graduate levels … More Further Iconoclastic Remarks
A third of the semester is gone. One of my five classes (remember, I have five classes and five graduate committees, and administrative work and a major grant proposal and research, and in order to do this work I must fight obstruction daily) — well as I say, one of my classes did a really … More On Enemy Propaganda
Scene: Christmas party. Person: So what are you doing for Christmas, Z? Graduate Student Zero: The main event is, go to the MLA. Professor for whom I am a Research Assistant [overhearing]: That is a bad idea. You have not filed your dissertation. You will have no interviews. Graduate Student Zero: I have seven. Do … More Further Examples of Poor Advice
Consider the condescending tone taken toward faculty here. Blended learning can be a dirty word among some members of your faculty. The fears of embarrassing technical snafus, poor student attendance, and job insecurity often enter the discussion when it comes to using lecture capture in a blended learning model. This web seminar will explore why … More Déguelasse
I spent too much time poring over microfilm and now I have to finish grading. I don’t know how long it will take but if I say 5 minutes per exam that will be 300 minutes or 5 hours. That was for effect but the audio is better here. Axé.
I would say you have to commit to whatever you do, from mowing to centering clay to swimming to shore or rowing to the end of the lake; people know this. Committing to do your best – not the best, but your present best – is, in my experience, also the most expedient way of … More On Commitment
I have shorted out a motherboard and I am sad. One must be practical but I feel very sorry for my computer, which I had had only a short time and which I really love. I let it be hurt and I feel terrible. I want to say, though, that the lines of the liberation … More Intrapsychic
I Now that assistant professor from my other department has written about 30% of our grant and done a really good job of it, too. If we win, it may be because of him and I am tempted to write our (i.e., my other) department chair to say so. When I first met this assistant … More Laughing and Singing
I really feel like sending a memo to my department chair but (a) this is Saturday, (b) it has not been solicited, and (c) everyone else has apparently written related memos this week and I doubt one more, no matter how good, true, or beautiful, would be helpful. So I will publish the main points … More Comme Undine
All my Portuguese students this semester are women. I threw the men out in the spring by giving them Bs. They were good but not serious. I am dealing with two Golden Boys right now — you know the type, they were designated Golden Boys at birth. They have had advantages and that is why … More On Golden Boys
coldhearted scientist وداد 