School Update - Midterms
WHEW! I’m glad that’s over with.
I didn’t have a midterm exam in my composition class, but ’tis the season to begin work on my final paper. I’ve narrowed the subject down to public treatment of atheists, though I’m not sure how to make it specific. The paper is going to focus on how atheists are treated by politicians (Elizabeth Dole and George H.W. Bush will make an appearance), how they’re treated in the media, and the social hostility they face. My first paper in the class dealt with this topic as it related to a specific Op-Ed piece, and the instructor loved it. Anyway, I have enough extra points to drop an entire letter grade and still pass with an A.
I also have a perfect score in my art class. I’ve received positive comments and high marks for the artwork I’ve turned in so far (amateur though it is, still not bad for a non-major). I aced the exam and correctly answered the bonus question for a maximum amount of ponits. Next, I have to turn in a modernist styled pop art drawing/whatever which should be modeled after the style of Andy Warhol. I’ve also started work on my group presentation, which I decided to do solo. I was asked to join a group, but I thought this would be more of a challenge. I went with an artist (or artist collective, it’s hard to say at this point) whose work I don’t understand at all, named “Assume Vivide Astro Focus.” Go ahead and Google it. You’ll find some colorful, crazy stuff.
Got an A on the philosophy exam, and according to the sheet I received I’m scoring well above most of my classmates. I’m pulling an A in the class, though I’m not sure how after that midterm. I didn’t have as much time to study since I was working on that Journal Star thing, an art project, some papers, and a billion other things. I did ask the instructor about his experience earning a master’s in philosophy, since I’m strongly considering taking that as a second major. He recommended it and suggested a book to polish my writing. Score. Anyway, I’m working on a paper to turn in next week. It ought to be better than my last one.
Political Science class–as far as I know, I’m getting an A in this. We haven’t had much to turn in recently. I haven’t had much time to work on my research for my final paper, but I’m making it a priority starting next week. There’s a ton of footwork involved and some original research and interviews. I’ll need to make some phone calls to see if I can set something up.
Anyway, one of our assignments is to go to two meetings, either of them being at the state or local level. I went ahead and attended the city council meeting Tuesday night. After some email correspondence, Bill Dennis over at the Peoria Pundit was gracious enough to let me tag along with him, let me take home a stack of papers concerning the agenda and each item therein, and even clarified a few things while the proceedings were going on. Afterwards, he introduced me to Councilmen Montelongo, Sandburg and Manning, which he totally didn’t have to do, but I was grateful for anyway.
Gotta say, I have a newfound respect for the man after watching the liveblogging process. Talk about dedication. Anyway, my report on the event is shaping up very nicely. Many thanks to the Rolls Royce of Peoria Politics for helping maximize the experience.
Time to study for the Federalism exam tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Tags: Midterms