Recently in back to school Category

Having not posted anything of substance in a while, I thought it was about time that I did so.

I got my test from my class back. During class, before "giving" the tests back (aka just putting them all on a table and letting us sort through them ourselves), the professor made a comment about how he found that tests were harder as he got older, but papers were easier. I was worried that it was a hint about my performance.

Instead, I was pleased to find a "100%" on my test - apparently I did better than I had worried about.

I still, however, have not decided on a topic for my paper. There are many many movies to choose from - some good, some bad - ok, many bad - but all crying out for my attention. I figure I'll give myself one more week, then just decide and devote some time to writing it. It's only 6 pages, so it shouldn't be impossible to do, but if I keep putting it off, I'll find myself in trouble all over again - and I don't want that.

Today was the first test for my class. Ten multiple choice, and then eight essay questions - nothing but fun.

I think that I did ok on the test. The part that will save me is the partial credit thing - if it wasn't for that, I'd be really worried. Well, ok, not really worried, but maybe a little concerned. I think it'll be ok in the end though - and that's all that matters.

One of the things I have to do for this class is write a paper, applying the "frontier myth" to a movie not covered in class or the textbook.

Oh yeah, this is probably a good time to describe the class. "Anthropology of Media" is both a Journalism and Anthropology class. It looks at the "frontier myth":
There is some barrier that must be crossed into a savage or dangerous place - a new world of hope and promise - that must be "tamed" in order to realize the goal of progress.

What it comes down to is that there are recurring themes in the news and entertainment medias, and that this is one of them. The best example is the cowboy - he goes out and takes care of the Indians (aka savages) and either tames or conquers them so that society can spread and thrive. Damn, I should have used that in my test answer!

Anyway, a good example of this sort of thinking is how JFK managed to inspire the US during the Cold War - he used the "war" and arms race with the Russians as a "frontier" to inspire the people of the US to help "conquer" the savages - in this case, the Russians. Even today, politicians and those in Hollywood use the myth to further their own needs and goals and all of that.

But back to the paper I have to write. I need to apply this myth/theory to a movie, but I can't decide which one to use just yet. There are many choices out there, and many of them seem to be good candidates - but at the same time, I want to choose a movie that's just a little bit unusual, or not seen by many people, or.... well, something that requires a little thought. Any suggestions?

A lot has changed on campus since I last attended college.

Since registering for college to complete my degree, I've gotten a couple of pieces of mail. Two notable ones:
An invitation to the Senior Week activities. As a senior, I'm allowed to partake in the activities and all that (for a price, of course) - but that was to be expected, I guess.

A letter addressed to "The Parents of Adam Gerstein," but sent to MY home address, not my parents. This was an invitation from the Associate Dean of Student Affairs (who I once worked for as a Resident Advisor) to my parents - aka who the school thinks is funding my re-education - to buy a lovely frame to put my diploma in when I get it. A very nice sentiment, but they want like $90 for the thing....

Makes me wonder what kind of offer I'll be getting next.

So, in an effort to make my life more interesting and just finish up some of the older things on my Colosal Todo list, I've decided to go back to school. It's a little known fact - until now - that I still haven't finished my college degree. I was supposed to be done almost 10 years ago, back in 1996, but, well, it didn't happen.

So, anyway, after discussing what I need to do to finish things up, I'm back at good old SCSU for one last class: Anthropology of Media. It's a journalism class, lest you should get the wrong idea that I'm studying Anthropology or something. (Which is an interesting field, and how I met my wife - a story for another time, perhaps).

Anyway, the whole process of getting back into the college life is pretty interesting in it's own right - let me share....