Today I had my oh so wonderful political science class yet again. Nothing out of the ordinary happened in there today. It was just another boring day, but there was one thing the instructor said that I found blog worthy. Someone asked about our midterm and what exactly was required for it. I swear we go over it every single time we have class, but maybe I am wrong.
Anyway, the instructor explained that for our midterm, we have to write three, one page papers. In each of these papers, we have to take a stance on some controversial issue such as abortion or gun control and support our opinion. Then the lady asks how many references we have to have. This is when the instructor surprised me. He said that we didn't have to have any sources. WTF? How can you support your opinion if you don't have to prove that what you are saying is fact. This means I can make anything up...hmmm...I can see it now in someone's paper..."half of all people who buy a gun shoot someone." These papers will turn out to be just like the debate over seatbelts where supposedly according to one of my classmates the same amount of people die wearing their seatbelt as those who don't in car accidents. I am sure they will be interesting papers to read, but let's face it, they probably won't be the best arguments. Oh well, it isn't my job to read them....thankfully.
Showing posts with label Political Science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Political Science. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Oh the Joys of Political Science...
I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday but keeping up with tradition, I figured I needed to blog about my political science class. God bless it. As always, I took notes, and this is how the class played out. Enjoy!
2:30-Instructor is talking with eye patch man about computers and not having used them and having to learn how.
2:33-Class begins. Joy.
2:35-Instructor begins by saying that some people did really well on the last test, and others didn't do so hot. WTF? It was an open book test!
2:40-Went over more of the worksheet that he was giving us answers to the last time we had class.
2:44-Not really paying attention....but instructor says that Jean Jacques Rousseau and Charles de Secondat are the same person....well at least he thinks so. I don't follow the logic of them being the same person...Maybe it's because they had similar beliefs? I don't know.
2:50-And once again, the questions begin from the ladies in the front.
3:06-Instructor hands out more worksheets....when he gets to me, he comments on my shirt (Kansas City Chiefs shirt) by saying that the Chiefs didn't do too well, but at least they did better than the Rams. I nod my head and he chuckles while walking away.
3:14-COLORING TIME! We actually got to color our maps....kind of reminds me of elementary school, but it's coloring so I wasn't going to complain.
3:20-Take notes off overhead....happen to notice that Canada is spelled Canadia...neat.
3:29-Went over the story of Pocohantus....secretly hoping we will get to watch the movie.
3:31-Talk about John Smith and his love affair with Pocohantus. I almost couldn't resist raising my hand to ask if there was a talking willow tree that Pocohantus turned to for guidance. I refrained though.
3:34-Lady in front asks questions about the Pocohantus story....watch the damn movie!
3:45-SWEET FREEDOM! :D
2:30-Instructor is talking with eye patch man about computers and not having used them and having to learn how.
2:33-Class begins. Joy.
2:35-Instructor begins by saying that some people did really well on the last test, and others didn't do so hot. WTF? It was an open book test!
2:40-Went over more of the worksheet that he was giving us answers to the last time we had class.
2:44-Not really paying attention....but instructor says that Jean Jacques Rousseau and Charles de Secondat are the same person....well at least he thinks so. I don't follow the logic of them being the same person...Maybe it's because they had similar beliefs? I don't know.
2:50-And once again, the questions begin from the ladies in the front.
3:06-Instructor hands out more worksheets....when he gets to me, he comments on my shirt (Kansas City Chiefs shirt) by saying that the Chiefs didn't do too well, but at least they did better than the Rams. I nod my head and he chuckles while walking away.
3:14-COLORING TIME! We actually got to color our maps....kind of reminds me of elementary school, but it's coloring so I wasn't going to complain.
3:20-Take notes off overhead....happen to notice that Canada is spelled Canadia...neat.
3:29-Went over the story of Pocohantus....secretly hoping we will get to watch the movie.
3:31-Talk about John Smith and his love affair with Pocohantus. I almost couldn't resist raising my hand to ask if there was a talking willow tree that Pocohantus turned to for guidance. I refrained though.
3:34-Lady in front asks questions about the Pocohantus story....watch the damn movie!
3:45-SWEET FREEDOM! :D
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Political Science is Slowly Sucking Out My Soul
As you may have read before, my political science class is an absolute box of fun. I can't think of any other way I would want to spend an hour and fifteen minutes twice a week. Every single day in there is a joy. Here are the notes from today's class:
2:21-Long talk about sharks between the two people in front of me.
2:25-The three chicks next to me all compare to see who has the most key terms done. Apparently it is a fierce competition.
2:27 Two people in front of me start to talk about McDonalds. They get really fired up about it. One chick mentions, "If it tastes good, you should eat it."-I would have to disagree along with the many nutritionists in the world who would go nuts if they heard that statement.
2:30-Instructor walks into room.
2:31-Two ladies in front of room begin to ask questions.
2:37-Instructor says something about how the Chicago police gets the job done and a lot of heads being busted.
2:39-Instructor mentions something about women truck drivers. I note that every single example he gives, I wasn't alive for. He refers to the 70s as being a few years ago.
2:45-We discuss good Japs and bad Japs....and how we should start using gold again instead of paper money. I think I will pass on that one.
2:49:-Two chicks in front of room ask more questions. I am already counting down the days until I am done with this class.
2:51-HUGE debate started over whether or not wearing seatbelts and helmets if driving a motorcycle should be a law. Most of the class thinks it shouldn't be a law....I thank God I am not wearing my Arrive Alive shirt today.
2:53-Healthcare lady in front of room argues with chick in my row (same chick who told me the Constitution quiz was easy.) Healthcare lady argues that it should be a law because we have to absorb the costs of the injuries as we pay insurance premiums.-a valid point I think. The chick in my row argues that it is their choice and if they get in a wreck, they have to deal with the consequences. Healthcare lady tries to point out that in the end we all end up paying for it through insurance. Chick in my row keeps arguing the same thing. She is obviously not getting it....but all the power to her for being opinionated.
2:55-The battle rages on.
2:57-Eye patch man says that there are some places the government shouldn't intervene and seatbelts are one of them.
2:59-Girl in back of room gives the statistic that just as many people die when they are wearing their seatbelts in an accident than when they don't.-What the hell?
3:00-Healthcare lady goes nuts over the previous statement.
3:02-Look at clock. What did I do to deserve this? What kind of sick joke is this?
3:03-Debate switches to be about health insurance.
3:04-Chick in my row says something about how she has a disease and is having to pay ten thousand out of pocket....totally irrelevant to the current discussion...I am sure she isn't paying it either. I am sure it is her parents.
3:07-New debate begins....No Child Left Behind...everyone who voices their opinion is against it, yet somehow they manage to argue with eachother! SHUT UP already!
3:10-Somehow the discussion went from liberals and conservatives to school breakfast.
3:15-Another new debate...lowering the drinking age. Most people agree it should be lower, except chick in my row. She argues that it won't be any better. Guy with no shoes on argues that in Europe they have almost no problems from having a lower drinking age and it would remove the exciting feeling of it being illegal. Girl in my row changes her argument and is now for lowering the drinking age...am I seriously the only one who noticed that she totally changed her opinion?
3:17-Instructor is laughing. He is thrilled at the debate. He says we are his most opinionated class. Yippee.
3:20-Instructor says, "Conservatives and liberals are not evil."-Thank you for clarifying...I was really worried there for a minute.
3:25-Worksheet time!!!!!
3:26-Start to go over worksheet together, which means that the instructor talks about each question and gives the answer. Neat.
3:45-SWEET FREEDOM! God Bless my class.
2:21-Long talk about sharks between the two people in front of me.
2:25-The three chicks next to me all compare to see who has the most key terms done. Apparently it is a fierce competition.
2:27 Two people in front of me start to talk about McDonalds. They get really fired up about it. One chick mentions, "If it tastes good, you should eat it."-I would have to disagree along with the many nutritionists in the world who would go nuts if they heard that statement.
2:30-Instructor walks into room.
2:31-Two ladies in front of room begin to ask questions.
2:37-Instructor says something about how the Chicago police gets the job done and a lot of heads being busted.
2:39-Instructor mentions something about women truck drivers. I note that every single example he gives, I wasn't alive for. He refers to the 70s as being a few years ago.
2:45-We discuss good Japs and bad Japs....and how we should start using gold again instead of paper money. I think I will pass on that one.
2:49:-Two chicks in front of room ask more questions. I am already counting down the days until I am done with this class.
2:51-HUGE debate started over whether or not wearing seatbelts and helmets if driving a motorcycle should be a law. Most of the class thinks it shouldn't be a law....I thank God I am not wearing my Arrive Alive shirt today.
2:53-Healthcare lady in front of room argues with chick in my row (same chick who told me the Constitution quiz was easy.) Healthcare lady argues that it should be a law because we have to absorb the costs of the injuries as we pay insurance premiums.-a valid point I think. The chick in my row argues that it is their choice and if they get in a wreck, they have to deal with the consequences. Healthcare lady tries to point out that in the end we all end up paying for it through insurance. Chick in my row keeps arguing the same thing. She is obviously not getting it....but all the power to her for being opinionated.
2:55-The battle rages on.
2:57-Eye patch man says that there are some places the government shouldn't intervene and seatbelts are one of them.
2:59-Girl in back of room gives the statistic that just as many people die when they are wearing their seatbelts in an accident than when they don't.-What the hell?
3:00-Healthcare lady goes nuts over the previous statement.
3:02-Look at clock. What did I do to deserve this? What kind of sick joke is this?
3:03-Debate switches to be about health insurance.
3:04-Chick in my row says something about how she has a disease and is having to pay ten thousand out of pocket....totally irrelevant to the current discussion...I am sure she isn't paying it either. I am sure it is her parents.
3:07-New debate begins....No Child Left Behind...everyone who voices their opinion is against it, yet somehow they manage to argue with eachother! SHUT UP already!
3:10-Somehow the discussion went from liberals and conservatives to school breakfast.
3:15-Another new debate...lowering the drinking age. Most people agree it should be lower, except chick in my row. She argues that it won't be any better. Guy with no shoes on argues that in Europe they have almost no problems from having a lower drinking age and it would remove the exciting feeling of it being illegal. Girl in my row changes her argument and is now for lowering the drinking age...am I seriously the only one who noticed that she totally changed her opinion?
3:17-Instructor is laughing. He is thrilled at the debate. He says we are his most opinionated class. Yippee.
3:20-Instructor says, "Conservatives and liberals are not evil."-Thank you for clarifying...I was really worried there for a minute.
3:25-Worksheet time!!!!!
3:26-Start to go over worksheet together, which means that the instructor talks about each question and gives the answer. Neat.
3:45-SWEET FREEDOM! God Bless my class.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
A Great Day In PLS
Besides Intro to Baking, I also had Political Science. After my baking class, I came home and took a shower before heading back to the college for Political Science. I quickly put on clothes, grabbed my shoes, and ran out the door.
I drove to OTC and got out of the car to walk to class. I started walking and just happened to look down at my feet. I had on one blue shoe and one black shoe! Now tell me that doesn't take talent! I just laughed it off and walked the rest of the way to class.
Once I got to class, I sat down and started to look over the material we had covered on Tuesday. I knew that we had a quiz. After studying a little, the instructor gave us the quiz and told us we could use our notes. Simple enough.
I was quickly done with the quiz and handed it in. In return for handing in my quiz, I received an assignment that was for extra credit. When I sat down and looked over the assignment, it turned out to be a 25 question quiz about the Constitution. I started and quickly realized I couldn't remember hardly anything I learned my freshman year in Coach Madden's class.
I was struggling to think of the right answers, when the instructor announces that once we were done with the extra credit, we were free to leave. With that announcement, I just said screw it about the quiz, after all it was extra credit, quickly finished, and headed out the door. I was in my car by 3:00, which meant I had only been in class for 30 minutes! If class goes like this for the rest of the semester, maybe, just maybe, I might survive!
I drove to OTC and got out of the car to walk to class. I started walking and just happened to look down at my feet. I had on one blue shoe and one black shoe! Now tell me that doesn't take talent! I just laughed it off and walked the rest of the way to class.
Once I got to class, I sat down and started to look over the material we had covered on Tuesday. I knew that we had a quiz. After studying a little, the instructor gave us the quiz and told us we could use our notes. Simple enough.
I was quickly done with the quiz and handed it in. In return for handing in my quiz, I received an assignment that was for extra credit. When I sat down and looked over the assignment, it turned out to be a 25 question quiz about the Constitution. I started and quickly realized I couldn't remember hardly anything I learned my freshman year in Coach Madden's class.
I was struggling to think of the right answers, when the instructor announces that once we were done with the extra credit, we were free to leave. With that announcement, I just said screw it about the quiz, after all it was extra credit, quickly finished, and headed out the door. I was in my car by 3:00, which meant I had only been in class for 30 minutes! If class goes like this for the rest of the semester, maybe, just maybe, I might survive!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Political Science Will Be the Death Of Me...
So today was my second joyous day in political science. I don't think anyone could truly understand how wonderful that class truly is until they actually sat through it with me, but I will try to give you an idea.
2:20-Arrive at class, sit one chair away from a chick who wasn't there last time. She says hi. I say hi back.
2:22-Eye patch man walks in...doesn't sit by me. Yay!
2:25-A friend of the chick sitting next to me walks in and sits directly behind us. They begin talking, and the chick next to me tells the girl to move up by her. The girl replies by saying that another friend is coming and looks at me. I offer to move down so the three musketeers can sit by each other. I am such a nice person.
2:30-Instructor walks in.
2:33-Attendance sheet is passed around
2:34-Start discussion where we left off
2:35-Two older chicks in front of room continually ask questions.
2:43-Two chicks continue to ask questions.
2:50-Instructor says that ten percent of our age group will vote in the next election...that means ten to twelve of us sitting in room will vote. There are only twenty something of us in class. Nice math skills.
2:53-Chicks continue to ask questions...getting on my nerves.
2:55-Had to go over which candidate is conservative and which is liberal.
3:00-Glance at clock. Are you kidding me? Only thirty minutes have gone by? What kind of sick joke is this? God help me.
3:08-Went over what Congress is....Clarified that Congress includes both the Senate AND the House of Representatives.
3:11-Ponder if projector screen cord is long enough to hang myself with.
3:15-Chicks still ask questions...I look around for something to throw at them.
3:18-One of the chicks get fired up about Native American rights...even though we are discussing something entirely different.
3:19-Other chick mentions that we gave Native Americans blankets with smallpox.
3:20-Instructor chuckles and says, "Yes, we did do that."
3:33-Instructor mentions something about a boy in his class not wearing socks and later on in his life he went to jail for murder.
3:40-Instructor says there will be a quiz next time over the material... I am so tempted to raise my hand and ask if the sock thing will be on it, but I refrain.
3:45-SWEET FREEDOM!
And that, was my political science class
2:20-Arrive at class, sit one chair away from a chick who wasn't there last time. She says hi. I say hi back.
2:22-Eye patch man walks in...doesn't sit by me. Yay!
2:25-A friend of the chick sitting next to me walks in and sits directly behind us. They begin talking, and the chick next to me tells the girl to move up by her. The girl replies by saying that another friend is coming and looks at me. I offer to move down so the three musketeers can sit by each other. I am such a nice person.
2:30-Instructor walks in.
2:33-Attendance sheet is passed around
2:34-Start discussion where we left off
2:35-Two older chicks in front of room continually ask questions.
2:43-Two chicks continue to ask questions.
2:50-Instructor says that ten percent of our age group will vote in the next election...that means ten to twelve of us sitting in room will vote. There are only twenty something of us in class. Nice math skills.
2:53-Chicks continue to ask questions...getting on my nerves.
2:55-Had to go over which candidate is conservative and which is liberal.
3:00-Glance at clock. Are you kidding me? Only thirty minutes have gone by? What kind of sick joke is this? God help me.
3:08-Went over what Congress is....Clarified that Congress includes both the Senate AND the House of Representatives.
3:11-Ponder if projector screen cord is long enough to hang myself with.
3:15-Chicks still ask questions...I look around for something to throw at them.
3:18-One of the chicks get fired up about Native American rights...even though we are discussing something entirely different.
3:19-Other chick mentions that we gave Native Americans blankets with smallpox.
3:20-Instructor chuckles and says, "Yes, we did do that."
3:33-Instructor mentions something about a boy in his class not wearing socks and later on in his life he went to jail for murder.
3:40-Instructor says there will be a quiz next time over the material... I am so tempted to raise my hand and ask if the sock thing will be on it, but I refrain.
3:45-SWEET FREEDOM!
And that, was my political science class
Thursday, August 21, 2008
How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay....a Journey into Political Science
The second class I had today, was none other than good ol' political science. From looking at the book, I could tell it wouldn't be too difficult. I was just wondering what kind of people would be in my class.
When I first entered the room there were only three or four people in there, but it quickly filled up as more and more people entered. I was just sitting there minding my own business when all of a sudden an old guy with an eye patch walks in. Now I have nothing against people with eyepatches, I just found it rather strange that his highly resembled that of a pirate.
As he walked down the center aisle, I was silently praying he didn't sit next to me. I mean, after all, there were several other empty seats. But low and behold, he did sit right next to me. We didn't say a word the whole class time. He kind of scared me. I did however, have to keep myself from staring at the eye patch. I couldn't help but wonder how it would look if I painted on a skull and crossbones with some white out.
To keep myself from staring, I looked at the other guy who was sitting next to me. He looked to be about my age. He was drawing mountains on his paper. It was neat, I guess.
Finally class started as the instructor took role. He mispronounced my last name even though it isn't that hard. After taking roll, he passed out index cards where we had to write some information about ourselves and give our contact info. Then we went right into going over the syllabus. The syllabus didn't look any different than ones you would see in high school. On it was the basic course objectives and grading scale. There was also the rules for an essay we would have to do.
When we got to the point where we were discussing the essay, he explained that it would be our midterm and a due date would be given later. It was going to be a series of opinion papers. We had to take three controversial issues, pick a side, and write why we believe what we do, supporting it with facts. I was thinking it was going to be difficult until he said that they only had to be a page each, and MLA format was optional. Piece of Cake.
As we continued to go over the syllabus, we came to another portion that said something about writing five essays for a portfolio. The instructor then told us that portfolio was just a fancy term for binder. Then he explained that the five essays were going to be difficult, but we have the whole semester to do them. Then he said the length they had to be and I about cracked up right there. They only have to be 250 words minimum with a 500 word maximum! How hard is that?! Apparently it was hard for some in the past, because he went on to say that he has had people trying to cheat that minimum, but he will catch it.
He then decided to give us his secret method to writing a good paper. Waiting for some intellectual wisdom, I waited eagerly. Then he said, "Write a five paragraph essay." He then proceeded to explain how to write a five paragraph essay and even how to write a paragraph starting with the topic sentence and following with supporting details. Neat. Thank you oh wise sensei of college writing.
As the class progressed, I couldn't help but think that my instructor was exactly like Coach Madden, my 9th grade Civics teacher. In fact, I felt like I was repeating that class over again. I am not trying to be mean. He did seem like a nice guy. He had taught high school for 34 years, and he was now teaching part time at the college. The only problem I had with the class was that I felt like I was back in high school. I came to college looking for something to challenge me, and so far, it's not looking too good. But who knows, I could be surprised in the end.
After one full day of classes, two things are for certain. College will definitely be an experience, and of course, it will be great writing material!
When I first entered the room there were only three or four people in there, but it quickly filled up as more and more people entered. I was just sitting there minding my own business when all of a sudden an old guy with an eye patch walks in. Now I have nothing against people with eyepatches, I just found it rather strange that his highly resembled that of a pirate.
As he walked down the center aisle, I was silently praying he didn't sit next to me. I mean, after all, there were several other empty seats. But low and behold, he did sit right next to me. We didn't say a word the whole class time. He kind of scared me. I did however, have to keep myself from staring at the eye patch. I couldn't help but wonder how it would look if I painted on a skull and crossbones with some white out.
To keep myself from staring, I looked at the other guy who was sitting next to me. He looked to be about my age. He was drawing mountains on his paper. It was neat, I guess.
Finally class started as the instructor took role. He mispronounced my last name even though it isn't that hard. After taking roll, he passed out index cards where we had to write some information about ourselves and give our contact info. Then we went right into going over the syllabus. The syllabus didn't look any different than ones you would see in high school. On it was the basic course objectives and grading scale. There was also the rules for an essay we would have to do.
When we got to the point where we were discussing the essay, he explained that it would be our midterm and a due date would be given later. It was going to be a series of opinion papers. We had to take three controversial issues, pick a side, and write why we believe what we do, supporting it with facts. I was thinking it was going to be difficult until he said that they only had to be a page each, and MLA format was optional. Piece of Cake.
As we continued to go over the syllabus, we came to another portion that said something about writing five essays for a portfolio. The instructor then told us that portfolio was just a fancy term for binder. Then he explained that the five essays were going to be difficult, but we have the whole semester to do them. Then he said the length they had to be and I about cracked up right there. They only have to be 250 words minimum with a 500 word maximum! How hard is that?! Apparently it was hard for some in the past, because he went on to say that he has had people trying to cheat that minimum, but he will catch it.
He then decided to give us his secret method to writing a good paper. Waiting for some intellectual wisdom, I waited eagerly. Then he said, "Write a five paragraph essay." He then proceeded to explain how to write a five paragraph essay and even how to write a paragraph starting with the topic sentence and following with supporting details. Neat. Thank you oh wise sensei of college writing.
As the class progressed, I couldn't help but think that my instructor was exactly like Coach Madden, my 9th grade Civics teacher. In fact, I felt like I was repeating that class over again. I am not trying to be mean. He did seem like a nice guy. He had taught high school for 34 years, and he was now teaching part time at the college. The only problem I had with the class was that I felt like I was back in high school. I came to college looking for something to challenge me, and so far, it's not looking too good. But who knows, I could be surprised in the end.
After one full day of classes, two things are for certain. College will definitely be an experience, and of course, it will be great writing material!
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