Since I have gotten myself pretty far behind, due to a barrage of term-papers and assignments that I have fought through over the past 4 weeks, I have decided to skip in time a bit, up to week 12 I believe. The four weeks in-between were mostly comprised of me honing my weakly work schedule. It is so interesting to look back at how overburdened I felt ding the weekly assignments, ONLY, during the first half of semester one of this thing we call a masters program. But now, it is a walk in the park. I don't have a care in the world on weeks that I only have to read ~400 pages of content and around from 7-10 pages of informed discussion/reflection content. Yeah, that is a per-week estimate, for anyone who might be interested in this program at some point. By the way, I would still fully recommend it. It is worth it. Ooh, and a rundown of some grades that I received during the time skip that I am about to embark you upon. For my Comparative Politics Midterm I got a 93. For Conflict Management's midterm I got a 87.5. Although this is not the "A" I had hoped for, I am still pleased, as I have seen this as by far the most demanding course of this semester.
I also must share this link to an eye-opening documentary that covers the global water shortage crisis that is emerging. It looks at it from many views, including environmental, political, and as a means to assert structural violence on the poor. You need to watch this. I guarantee you will learn a thing or many. The bad thing is that it is not free. You must order it or find it at a library (cough it is on thepiratebay.org cough), but it is well worth the price. You can find it here:
http://www.bluegold-worldwaterwars.com/
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Week 7
Getting late on posts. I am hitting crunch time in the semester.
Looking back at week 7, one of the most interesting things happened during the weekend as a few of us met to study for our Comparative Politics midterm, which was a few days away. The studying was typical and I left feeling a bit more prepared for the task ahead. However, the discussion before we launched into the material was excellent. Since we are primarily online, we do not have the opportunity to discuss the way in which classes are going, how well we seem to be preforming, or what concerns we have. So, we actually spent the first half-hour of the meeting kinda debriefing from the past 6 weeks. It was such a load of to see the others were struggling with some of the same issues that I have been having (I know, my misery must come with company). Essentially, we all left with a boosted morale and a bit better a sense of comradery. Also, I found out that out of the group of 7 or so of us that I had the best score among us! Hazzaa!
Looking back at week 7, one of the most interesting things happened during the weekend as a few of us met to study for our Comparative Politics midterm, which was a few days away. The studying was typical and I left feeling a bit more prepared for the task ahead. However, the discussion before we launched into the material was excellent. Since we are primarily online, we do not have the opportunity to discuss the way in which classes are going, how well we seem to be preforming, or what concerns we have. So, we actually spent the first half-hour of the meeting kinda debriefing from the past 6 weeks. It was such a load of to see the others were struggling with some of the same issues that I have been having (I know, my misery must come with company). Essentially, we all left with a boosted morale and a bit better a sense of comradery. Also, I found out that out of the group of 7 or so of us that I had the best score among us! Hazzaa!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Week 6
Most of my unique efforts this week were centered around my test in International Relations & Governance. This was test posed a big hypothetical concern for me, and I am sure for everyone else within the program. First, this test will be our introduction to the testing style of this professor, Dr. Collins, which is good reason for any serious student to be concerned. In retrospect, he did an excellent job setting expectations for it. He told us it would have several "answer by phrase" questions, a few short answer (a paragraph) questions, and two essay questions. The test was given during a 25 hour window, in which we would have exactly 2 hours from pressing "begin exam" to complete all questions. This was spot on. Still, my awareness was exacerbated by the fact that this would be the first test of this program, period. What was I to expect from a masters level test. I knew that my expectations for readings and amount of material were low, and the amount of time that I dedicate to each class is large. Would my knowledge be challenged in a way previously not fathomed by me?
To prepare, I first studied all of my notes from power-point, which essentially are provided to us as on outline of key and secondary concepts by our teacher. This went over well, as I eluded to last entry, because the content of this course fits into a tight knit diagram. After this point, I looked over my notes that I took on assigned readings. Where these were unavailable, I supplemented by skimming the writings, trying to fit in whether each was more liberalist or realist, and if the scope of the writings were on the individual, state, or international level of analysis. After finishing studying, I let my mind wonder for a couple of hours. And then it was time. The two hours flew by, as I was fully involved in what I was doing. I knew all of the answers, at worst after a few moments of contemplating. So how did I do?
Like I mentioned, two of the responses were essay style, each worth 30 points (out of 100 possible points). I like essay format tests because you can prove your intimate knowledge of the material. At the same time, this could translate into a detriment, as you may write about one small but crucial facet of the question, while the professor wishes for a more broad explanation. The inverse can apply as well, where you write about the topic in general, when your prof would really prefer a more direct application. You can never really tell until it is too late. Regardless, I was happy with how the first test went, from the moment I hit submit. When asked by friends/family how I did, my response was, "I definitely did not do bad. In did good, it is now a question of how good."
I got a 93 :)
To prepare, I first studied all of my notes from power-point, which essentially are provided to us as on outline of key and secondary concepts by our teacher. This went over well, as I eluded to last entry, because the content of this course fits into a tight knit diagram. After this point, I looked over my notes that I took on assigned readings. Where these were unavailable, I supplemented by skimming the writings, trying to fit in whether each was more liberalist or realist, and if the scope of the writings were on the individual, state, or international level of analysis. After finishing studying, I let my mind wonder for a couple of hours. And then it was time. The two hours flew by, as I was fully involved in what I was doing. I knew all of the answers, at worst after a few moments of contemplating. So how did I do?
Like I mentioned, two of the responses were essay style, each worth 30 points (out of 100 possible points). I like essay format tests because you can prove your intimate knowledge of the material. At the same time, this could translate into a detriment, as you may write about one small but crucial facet of the question, while the professor wishes for a more broad explanation. The inverse can apply as well, where you write about the topic in general, when your prof would really prefer a more direct application. You can never really tell until it is too late. Regardless, I was happy with how the first test went, from the moment I hit submit. When asked by friends/family how I did, my response was, "I definitely did not do bad. In did good, it is now a question of how good."
I got a 93 :)
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Week 5
Hmm, I managed to fall behind again. Oops. I do not kid when I say that this program has a lot involved with it.
So, I will try and be brief. The crux of this week for me was being the discussion leader alongside David. Our studies in Conflict Management this week involved human needs theory and structural violence. Human needs is what it sounds like. Picture Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. Except, in the realm of poly sci, we see people aggressively trying to entertain all of their needs at once. Maslow might be rolling in his grave. This was a neat throwback topic for me, considering my psych undergrad. More recently (during week 7) I have been listening to an CD lecture while in the car that reminded me of the power of self-actualization. I am in charge of my self. I will graduate with a 4.0. Haha. Anywho, violence covered structural, cultural, and direct violence. I spent a lot of time thinking about how hate is perpetuated by way of cultural violence during this week. It wasn't really related to IPM at all. I just found myself thinking about how we treat immigrants in our country, whether legal or not. This focuses most on Latin American immigrants. It isn't like our subtle little hatreds (and yes, we all have them and participate in cultural violence) are limited to the US. This is worldwide, it always has been, and it always will be. So, I made a bit of a pact with myself to try and put myself in the shoes of Latin Americans. I will think about the cold early mornings, outside of home depot, or a large gas station. All that they want to do is work, and work hard at that. Yes, it is challenging right now, and you could argue that they are taking jobs from rightful US citizens in this time of economic straights. If you want to work that badly, get your ass out there with them, learn a trade. They aren't above it, they are human, you are too, thus, you are not above it. Dang, I went on a rant. One with no clear point either. It is late.
So, I thought that it was really engaging to read my co-students postings, think about their position, and offer some direction for their future explorations. This is what I liked most. While it was time consuming, I felt it time well spent. However, it was this week that I noticed that the instructor can be a little too blunt. Confrontational maybe. I am sure she is just trying to play devils advocate, but I have reconnoitered with some other students, and I am not alone in this sentiment. It feels like the professor may see us as, to borrow someone others words, stupid. My jury is still out on intentions, but I will make note of it here. It may have to wait for my post 1st semester debriefing to avoid conflict. After all, I have given all of my profs this website info. Shhhh. They might be spying on me right now.
At any rate, I got full credit for this exercise. I am very proud of this. Next week is my first exam, which I began studying for. It is in my international governance class, which I feel I have a very good grasp on. All of the information to date falls so nicely into theories and levels of analysis. Theories being: realist, liberalism, and the neo's of both, with a few sub groups in there as well. We look at all of these through 3 levels of analysis: individual (1st), state (2nd), and international (3rd). Look at that! I just studied with my blog! Too bad I have already taken the test and got my grade back in real time...
Till next week.
So, I will try and be brief. The crux of this week for me was being the discussion leader alongside David. Our studies in Conflict Management this week involved human needs theory and structural violence. Human needs is what it sounds like. Picture Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. Except, in the realm of poly sci, we see people aggressively trying to entertain all of their needs at once. Maslow might be rolling in his grave. This was a neat throwback topic for me, considering my psych undergrad. More recently (during week 7) I have been listening to an CD lecture while in the car that reminded me of the power of self-actualization. I am in charge of my self. I will graduate with a 4.0. Haha. Anywho, violence covered structural, cultural, and direct violence. I spent a lot of time thinking about how hate is perpetuated by way of cultural violence during this week. It wasn't really related to IPM at all. I just found myself thinking about how we treat immigrants in our country, whether legal or not. This focuses most on Latin American immigrants. It isn't like our subtle little hatreds (and yes, we all have them and participate in cultural violence) are limited to the US. This is worldwide, it always has been, and it always will be. So, I made a bit of a pact with myself to try and put myself in the shoes of Latin Americans. I will think about the cold early mornings, outside of home depot, or a large gas station. All that they want to do is work, and work hard at that. Yes, it is challenging right now, and you could argue that they are taking jobs from rightful US citizens in this time of economic straights. If you want to work that badly, get your ass out there with them, learn a trade. They aren't above it, they are human, you are too, thus, you are not above it. Dang, I went on a rant. One with no clear point either. It is late.
So, I thought that it was really engaging to read my co-students postings, think about their position, and offer some direction for their future explorations. This is what I liked most. While it was time consuming, I felt it time well spent. However, it was this week that I noticed that the instructor can be a little too blunt. Confrontational maybe. I am sure she is just trying to play devils advocate, but I have reconnoitered with some other students, and I am not alone in this sentiment. It feels like the professor may see us as, to borrow someone others words, stupid. My jury is still out on intentions, but I will make note of it here. It may have to wait for my post 1st semester debriefing to avoid conflict. After all, I have given all of my profs this website info. Shhhh. They might be spying on me right now.
At any rate, I got full credit for this exercise. I am very proud of this. Next week is my first exam, which I began studying for. It is in my international governance class, which I feel I have a very good grasp on. All of the information to date falls so nicely into theories and levels of analysis. Theories being: realist, liberalism, and the neo's of both, with a few sub groups in there as well. We look at all of these through 3 levels of analysis: individual (1st), state (2nd), and international (3rd). Look at that! I just studied with my blog! Too bad I have already taken the test and got my grade back in real time...
Till next week.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thwarted
So, I got some bad news yesterday. The MSIPM "Students" page will not feature a link to my blog. :( I wish I could make an angrier emoticon, but I cannot remember any off of the top of my head. Feel free to reply to this post with the angriest emote you know.
At any rate, one of my initial reasons for undertaking this side project, that is my blog, was to help in advertising myself for practicum/internship positions. I had figured that companies that decided to dedicate a position to our program may look through each students bio. They would see mine and say to themselves "Wow, that is different!". Then they would click the link and be like, "OMG, my life has just changed for the better!!!". But alas, I will have to resort to letting potential employers know during my interview or including on my resume.
There is, however, a silver lining that I have realized. I now no longer need to worry about any issues that I may encounter when being critical in this blog, as it is not in anyway affiliated with KSU. This is a good thing, especially because I am beginning to get very frustrated with a professor of mine...
At any rate, one of my initial reasons for undertaking this side project, that is my blog, was to help in advertising myself for practicum/internship positions. I had figured that companies that decided to dedicate a position to our program may look through each students bio. They would see mine and say to themselves "Wow, that is different!". Then they would click the link and be like, "OMG, my life has just changed for the better!!!". But alas, I will have to resort to letting potential employers know during my interview or including on my resume.
There is, however, a silver lining that I have realized. I now no longer need to worry about any issues that I may encounter when being critical in this blog, as it is not in anyway affiliated with KSU. This is a good thing, especially because I am beginning to get very frustrated with a professor of mine...
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Pocrastination?
My girlfriend is working on her undergrad for education. She wants to teach. More specifically, she wants to teach history or science to middle-schoolers (subject subject to change). She was telling me about an article that she had read about learning habits, which I have beside me and will read in a few. Additionally, she mentioned that her teacher had asked the class about procrastination. Who was guilty of it and who was not. It turns out that studies have shown that procrastinators have a tendency towards perfection. They say that you put things off because you do not have the addequate time to get them done correctly in one sitting. Pretty neat, but that is not why I chose to write on the matter.
What has happened to me and the good old days of being a procrastinator? I used to view myself as the few, the proud, the procrastinator. I would claim that my best work came when I was stressed out and under sever time constraints. The validity of this is highly debatable and is probably false if put under a microscope. In fact, I had the troubling woe that I would go full-tilt in this program for about two weeks, but inevitably go back to my old ways. But I have not, can not, and will not. Nowadays, I never have to ask myself, "what in the world is my classmate talking about." I have already read it too! Wait a minute, am I turning into an adult here...
On a more serious note, I try not to let myself be proud of improvements that I have made too often However, this is a great sign. This realization may actually confirm that this is my true passion. Of course there are times when I go, "ugh, 15 minutes is over. I had better pick the book back up." I do pick the text up, and to me there is not another option. I love having minor epiphanies. Well, at least positive ones.
What has happened to me and the good old days of being a procrastinator? I used to view myself as the few, the proud, the procrastinator. I would claim that my best work came when I was stressed out and under sever time constraints. The validity of this is highly debatable and is probably false if put under a microscope. In fact, I had the troubling woe that I would go full-tilt in this program for about two weeks, but inevitably go back to my old ways. But I have not, can not, and will not. Nowadays, I never have to ask myself, "what in the world is my classmate talking about." I have already read it too! Wait a minute, am I turning into an adult here...
On a more serious note, I try not to let myself be proud of improvements that I have made too often However, this is a great sign. This realization may actually confirm that this is my true passion. Of course there are times when I go, "ugh, 15 minutes is over. I had better pick the book back up." I do pick the text up, and to me there is not another option. I love having minor epiphanies. Well, at least positive ones.
Week 4
This week I got to meet face-to-face with one of my teachers, Dr. Hallward. The purpose of the meeting was to dicuss leading the class in discussion during week 5. I am leading the material with David, one of the people in my program whom made a strong impression on me during orientation. I enjoyed most getting to chat with Dr. H about her background and her application of her studies. I also learned that she did a bit of field work leading up to earning her doctorate. One of her experiences was as an assistant with the United Nations. I cannot wait until I can say that I have had similar involvements. David had formulaeted a question already about the "ground zero mosque". For the purposes of the meeting, I was more concerned about the big picture, as in how to lead my cohorts through critical analasis of their interpretation of the material. By the way, I am leading discussion over Human Needs Theory and voilence: cultural, direct, and structural.
One anxiety that I am feeling at the moment is a bit of mixed feedback that I received in one of my courses. On my first attempt at an exercise I was told to provide more reflection. I responded in kind. Next attempt I was told to provide more direct reference to the material. Okay, I need to find a better middle point. Then, I am told that I need to provide more reflection. Back to square one? I don't exactly think so. I am here to master material. So, I better get to doing it. I can feel my technical writing style come back slowly from college 1.0 and reflecting on subject matter feels very positive for retention. My grades haven't been bad in any sense, they just need to get better. I am off to sharpen my sword.
Outside of this, I am plugging away at my courses, consuming information. And I am still enjoying it. I believe that I have found a good pace that gets the assignments turned in, builds knowledge, and keeps me from suffering burn out.
I have established two goals for Week 5:
1) Try to arrange a face-to-face with my other two professors
2) Master my discussion lead material to effectively guide my classmates through the excercise.
And with that, my friends, this blog is up to date! The idea came late (second day of orientation) so I have had to find time to get current. It has been well worth the time spent because I feel that this e-journal is a great release of stress that might help out a person or two.
One anxiety that I am feeling at the moment is a bit of mixed feedback that I received in one of my courses. On my first attempt at an exercise I was told to provide more reflection. I responded in kind. Next attempt I was told to provide more direct reference to the material. Okay, I need to find a better middle point. Then, I am told that I need to provide more reflection. Back to square one? I don't exactly think so. I am here to master material. So, I better get to doing it. I can feel my technical writing style come back slowly from college 1.0 and reflecting on subject matter feels very positive for retention. My grades haven't been bad in any sense, they just need to get better. I am off to sharpen my sword.
Outside of this, I am plugging away at my courses, consuming information. And I am still enjoying it. I believe that I have found a good pace that gets the assignments turned in, builds knowledge, and keeps me from suffering burn out.
I have established two goals for Week 5:
1) Try to arrange a face-to-face with my other two professors
2) Master my discussion lead material to effectively guide my classmates through the excercise.
And with that, my friends, this blog is up to date! The idea came late (second day of orientation) so I have had to find time to get current. It has been well worth the time spent because I feel that this e-journal is a great release of stress that might help out a person or two.
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