Modules

If you're wondering if I study at all, I'm here to tell you that I do. For proof, here are some of my books. Classes (modules as they call them here) are much different from the ones I have taken in the United States. Lectures meet once per week and some modules have a seminar that reviews the lecture. There is usually a lot of preparation that goes into a seminar- a lot of reading and questions to reflect on- and then you meet with your professor and a couple of other students for a discussion. The only grades you receive for most modules are for a paper and a test, however, if you are unprepared for a seminar or do not participate, then you may be docked points from your final grade.

Thus far my favorite module is gender and culture. Right now we are discussing how the media effects our perception of gender, so we have been looking at advertisements and news stories. We have been looking at how much of our identity is embedded in the media. Certain advertisements convince us to buy products, not just for the product itself, but for the image that it portrays. If we buy a sweater that was on sale, it makes us look like someone who is practical and smart, but also someone who is stylish. Our identity is caught up in the products that we buy.

So, between all of my weekend travels, I do a lot of reading to prepare for my essays and my one seminar. I am enjoying learning in a new way, but it takes a while to adjust and learn how to prioritize everything. Overall, I really like my professors and the content of my lectures.