A review of uni: week 1...
Writing & Culture in the C19 - *****
Monday morning's 10am-1pm course is receiving a 5 out of 5 stars for the class content and overall feel of the class after week 1. It all seems like it will be really interesting. It will be incorporating outside British history to help understand concepts of why British culture influenced certain works of literature. The 1 hour lecture seems bearable and will outline key concepts within the 19th century. The 2 hour seminars will also be enjoyable as the seminar leader has great enthusiasm for the works we will be studying. The class atmosphere seems relaxed and the class has a good group of students taking the class.
Critical & Cultural Theory - ***
Tuesday afternoon's 2pm-5pm course is receiving a 3 out of 5 stars for being a bit too abstract. The class seems like it has too lose of a structure, which can be fine in certain circumstances, especially in the arts & drama department, but I think this class will be a bit "far reaching" for myself. I will stay in the class, but it will not be one of my favourites by far... If the language was in plain English and not so difficult to understand I think it could be a much more enjoyable course, but that's the price I pay studying abroad! The professor seems like he could be either a really cool guy or a bit harsh. For the most part he seems pretty open to any idea and never really says there is a "right way" or "wrong way" to interpret readings.
British Writing & the Enlightenment - ****
Friday afternoon's 2pm-5pm course is receiving a 4 to 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. It definitely seems like my kind of class. And also being in England, it was the best idea to take a British Writing & Enlightenment course as it would be far different than any offered in the States. The lecture and seminar both take place in the same room as the class is fairly small. It is heavily populated by Americans, which is great. The hour lecture shouldn't be too much of a problem... The professor seems a bit bland, but I'm sure it will be fine all the same. The seminars get really interesting as I have to first be able to understand 17th & 18th century works of literature, and then second, be able to interpret them. I'm really looking forward to digging deeper into the class.
"...And what new wonders can ye show your guest!
Who, while on this dim spot, where mortals toil
Clouded in dust, from motion's simple laws,
Could trace the secret hand of Providence,
Wide-working through this universal fame..."
-James Thomas, 'A Poem Sacred to the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton' (1727)
