So I had my first class last night. The first class in my quest to complete my twenty-some-odd-year unfinished BA. "Bodies, Beauty and Culture."
In the outline it is described as "critically rethinking your understandings of the body as a biological object, embodied space, and a cultural representation constructed through visual media, language and institutional practice." I think this is going to be a wee bit more involved than determining whether or not I can say "fart" in my daily comic strip.
I think it's going to be interesting. The day before class I read part of the introduction in the required text. (until the Neocitran I took for this horrible cold I'm battling kicked in and I fell asleep) I'm intrigued.
When the prof began, I have to admit I was feeling panicky inside. Some of the stuff she was saying made me think I'D MADE A HUGE MISTAKE AND WHO CARES ABOUT BUCKET LISTS AND COMPLETED BA's? But I calmed down a bit as the lecture went on. A bit.
The subject matter is interesting and I'm sure I won't have any trouble understanding the readings. What I am worried about is the writing. I keep seeing phrases like "applying critical feminist theories" being bandied about. The word "critical" is used a LOT and I don't think it means my usual definition of "critical". Even more problematic than the "critical" part is...what feminist theories????
I don't know if I will have the lingo and the depth of....what?...analysis required.
I did see something about assistance for writing skills mentioned in the outline and I have a feeling I might have to make use of those workshops. You know...in my spare time.
The prof asked us to answer three questions on a sheet of paper to hand in to her. One of the questions was why we were taking the course. I didn't think it was appropriate to mention the term "bucket list". I can't remember exactly what I wrote but it was something about completing my BA after 20 years and broadening my thinking...or something.
She also asked us what we hoped to get from the course. I said I WANTED to get an A but would be happy with a B. (I'll even be happy with a C but I didn't write that) Then I thought...that's probably not what she's actually asking...so I added that I was interested in the subject matter and that I wrote a women's comic and hoped it would give me new ideas and help my writing. I also wrote something like, "I just hope this course isn't beyond me." At least, I think that's what I wrote. Actually, I'm sure that's what I wrote because I regret writing that. It was a knee jerk response and there was no time for editing. You can't photoshop the written page. Thank goodness we didn't have to sign our name.
The third question she asked was what we planned on doing to achieve our goal. Well...I'm going to do my best...but again, I don't think that was the type of answer she was looking for. I said I would do the readings and participate in seminar.
I think I'm going to have to stop worrying about what I THINK she wants to hear and just go with my gut. Or maybe I shouldn't?
I made six pages of notes during the lecture. The student beside me (in her fourth year of Sociology) made a few notations on about three-quarters of one page. I don't know what I need so I just wrote everything down that I could. Also...I'm hoping some of the notes will become fodder for strip ideas but I'll have to see about that.
Now...here's what REALLY has me concerned. We have to work with a partner to facilitate a seminar. First off, I don't know ANYONE. Second, I'm only taking one class so I'm not really around to get together with a partner. Third...HOW THE HELL DO YOU FACILITATE A SEMINAR?
I also will have to work within a group of four to do a poster presentation at the end of the term. The sociology student told me that's nothing to worry about. She said it's just like in high school...you just do a visual type project on a bristol board. I hope my group...if I can find one...will just let me draw some cartoons.
At the end of the lecture, the sociology student slapped her book closed and said, "Well, that seems pretty straight forward."
"Does it?", I asked her.
"Oh yeah", she says.
I thought to myself...well, I'm glad you think so.
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