Eh, why not?

You might as well get the whole Edmonton perspective on things, right? Prepare yourselves!

ENG 377

Hello Canadian drama. Why do you not exist, according to many people throughout our history? What's up with all the British performance groups, and the blasted brain drain sucking everyone off to Broadway? We just need the government to subsidize travel costs and provide a bit of funding, but not enough that any theatre organization would become dependent. And if you think building a bunch of theatres will help, well, it's a start but not a solution.

Yes indeed, a course on Canadian theatre and peformance. It's just been history so far, but still interesting in its own way. Of course, reading actual plays ought to be much better but it's not a bad start. This course should be decent. A lot of reading before each class in order for discussions, but overall pretty digestible. The fact that I usually don't say much in my groups (because they all talk over each other/don't stop until it's time to present to the class) kind of helps, in it's own way too (Nyx, Rubin, just think Stovel's groups only I don't have you to talk to so I just sit and think about my excellent point).

My only major woes come from the group presentations and 'creative performances' that are required. Will I know my group? Doubtful. Oh joys of public speaking...

Quote from class: "We will be studying OVERTLY GAY material during this course. I am not trying to convert you, but if you feel uncomfortable with this subject I suggest you transfer out quickly."

ENG 217

Hell in the form of English. I think I would switch out if I could, but there is no alternative at this point so I'm stuck. We study criticism, and the goal is that we all become scholars. The reading is painful. The prof is EVIL INCARNATE. In his twisted dry humor, he said he wanted to literally kick our asses in order to make us to the reading, but since that wasn't allowed he would do it by making the course entirely dependent on the reading. And the first text we use isn't in the bookstore :(

Quote from class: "Scholarship hurts like love."

FS 205

Which is to say, film studies. It's twice a week, three hours a class, one of which is watching one or more movies. So far, it's been long but fun. The prof has a bit of an accent to get around, but she's really enthusiastic and she doesn't disagree with whatever answer you give so long as you can back it up (or admit when you've made a mistake). I do wish it wasn't a night course, but it's doable. I just have to make sure to keep up with the reading (story of my life this semester).

Quote from class: "Arnold Schwarzenegger would certainly not be called an actor of realism."

CLASS 221

Sweet Zombie Zeus, this is my best class. A lot of play reading and a softspoken instructor aside, it's mythology. I don't think I can go wrong here, just because I have a pretty firm basis already. I know a lot about Heracles (and no, Nyx, she hasn't yet asked if anyone could name all of his labours), so that's great. I get the comparisons to Oedipus (as much as I wish I didn't) and the supposedly 'hard' Symposium was already touched on last year. This is academic GOLD!

Quote from class: "Heracles almost kills his father, which is shown as the worst possible act to commit, whereas Oedipus goes all the way and we see what happens to him."

FREN 111

Bonjour. Je m'appel Jaques Cousteau. Je suis de Alsace-Lorraine. Comment ca va? Moi? Je suis en forme et stresse. Au revoir. A demain.

It's pretty good. I've hit the same stage as I did in Japanese, where I understand more than what I can think of to say, but that should go away as I study my brain in to a puddle of French goo. So, so far so good. Onward and upward.

Quote from class: "I once called someone a potatoe couch instead of a couch potatoe."

And now, I must go and read a play and/or type up a film journal. Salut!