Socrates (bust grec). Photo courtesy of Sebastia Giralt

Why this quote you ask? It has followed me all throughout my education. I learn tougher and tougher concepts that attempt to answer questions and only more questions come to my mind. It is a life-long struggle. I believe this to be true.

Why that picture you ask? Because it's Socrates and I like it. And he looks to feel grumpy, just like me. Thats's why.

That was my attempt of a transition into a rant about midterms. So here goes:

Last week I silently applauded myself for successfully scheduling classes that have papers in lieu of exams. Except, it was pointed out to me today that I was wrong— dreadfully and disappointingly wrong. Ahh...must be that time of year again: Midterms.


One word: Yuck

Of course, the one class that I have a midterm exam in also has a paper due on Monday. That means I will get very little sleep this week, and I really hope that it does not mean I will miss out on too many Halloween festivities.

Unfortunately for me, this also means that I will be selling my football ticket for the game on Saturday so I will have more time to work on my paper. This paper calls for 20 peer-reviewed journal sources. I need to form a thesis that is:

1) substantive
2) specific
3) contestable

It is much different than forming a thesis in high school classes, but if you can successfully form a thesis that encompasses all three of these guidelines you will do well and look extremely scholarly. Guaranteed.

We are allowed to choose our topics as long as we talk about development policy. I chose to examine the effects of Neoliberal policies on development in Cambodia; I will specifically focus on sweatshops and the textile industry. If ‘neoliberal’ means nothing to you, then no worries…unless you are an Economics, International Studies or other Humanities major. Have fun with that.

Also, my midterm exam is Wednesday (today is Monday) and I am catching up on my reading that I missed last week because I was out of town for a funeral. Office hours are useless at this point.

Curious about what I am reading? (I am sure you are not but I am going to put it up here so others can suffer along with me). Hehe

Here is an excerpt:

“The dialectic of this sequence of contradictions and reforms is used to analyze the agrarian question in Latin America: it’s origins in the social class and economic structures of peripheral nations in relation to international forces, its economic and social dimensions and the dynamic of transformation through time, and the implications it has for the design of political programs” (de Janvry 2).*

* de Janvry, Alain. The Agrarian Question and Reformism in Latin America. 2nd. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1981. Print.

No worries, I didn’t expect you to understand more than five words of that. It took me about 3 separate courses to be able to understand the concepts and I am still learning. Actually congratulations if you read it, period. I didn't really expect you to read it.

Nonetheless, as much as I complain about the reading and work that this class entails, this professor is the best I have ever had. Seriously. I took another one of his classes and, though it called for an intense work ethic and advanced analytical skills, I loved it. He teaches at a level higher than I have experienced before. Part of the reason may be because it is a 600 level class which is open to grad students (I didn’t know that undergrad and grad students can be in the same class!).

Moral of the story is, if you are willing to learn and are passionate about the subject, hard work and all-nighters are worth it.

Now I will keep reminding myself that as I attempt buckle down and concentrate. My exam is 22.5% of my grade. Ah!

….I’m out of coffee

Good luck on midterms! Remember it’s all a part of the process of a college education, this is what we pay for! Haha..
 

peace,

~Amanda~