Classes

Okay, so I've talked about the school system here at Massey, now it's time to talk about my actual classes. I'm only allowed to take four (some weird international student requirement where they think we should be outside exploring something instead of just doing homework - I don't get it, but that's just the way the cookie crumbles. Ummmm, I hope it's chocolate chip. . .)
The four classes I'm taking: Post-Colonial literature, Chinese Film, Maori Language, and Greek Mythology. It's just easier to talk about 'em independantly.

Post-Colonial Literature: I took this one because I think it may (just maybe) count towards a graduation requirement back at UNR. It so, then it has the distinction of being the sole class in my entire schedule that does. Yay. Also, I figured, hell, I'm in a colony, is there possibly a better place to take a post-colonial literature class? No, of course there's not. So here I am.

I thought that maybe I would read a bit of New-Zealand literature, ya' know, get a taste for the national identity. I was wrong. It turns out that my teacher is an Irishman, so we've spent this whole semester reading works by different Irish authors, which is actually pretty awesome, but it's not as Kiwi as I'd initially hoped. That being said, It's really my favorite class, the people in there are pretty awesome, the teacher's a good Southern Irishman, and I've learned a lot about Irish literature. I have to write two 1500 word essays and take a final. That's it.

Chinese Film: I chose this class because, as I said before, the way they have of setting up timetables at this university is re-goddamn-tarded. Seriously, I figured out my schedule for UNR fall semester today, it took about 20 minutes. Here, it took me two and a half hourse to find a class that didn't conflict with the other three that I definitely wanted to take-chinese film.

The class itself is not exactly riveting. We sit down, have a "discussion" (the quotes are quite necessary) about last week's movie, watch another niche chinese film, and leave. I say "discussion" because the teacher has this habit of taking any question aksed to him, answering the first word of the question, namely "why" or "what" and answering a completely different question for about 15 minutes. Oh, and usually "discussion" implies more than one person talking. Usually. Again, that said, I know a lot of useless information about the fifth generation of chinese film makers, and I've seen a lot of "important" chinese films that I'd never heard of before. Let's see if you can recognize any of these: Yellow Earth, Hibiscus Town, Life on a String, and Horse Thief. Yeah, didn't think so. All that's due in this class is one 1500-2000 word essay, a midterm, and a final.

Maori Language: I took this class because I figured, rightly so, that I would never be able to take this class anywhere else. Also, what better way is there to get into a cultural identity than through their language? So I took this class.

It's been totally worthwhile thusfar, I've learned how to say a lot of really basic things in te reo Maori, and it always feels really good to learn another language. It opens up unique pathways in the brain that are difficult to activate in any other fashion. It's probably been my second favorite class thusfar this semseter. I have two assignments consisting of written, oral, and listening portions, and a final.

Greek Mythology: I've had a passion for Greek Mythology for almost as long as I can remember. I've been actively reading mythology books since I was in third grade and before; it's one subject that I actively, passionately adore. So I thought it was like Christmas when an actual class was offered on one of my few passsionate subjects. My how fleeting hope is in the heart of the young.

I went to the first two classes before I realized that Phoebus had no hidden knowledge from me in this class. A trip to Delphi would benefit me naught if I were to ask questions pertaining to the material. In other words, I basically know this class already. Thus I've taken my perogative to attend every other class, and each one of those that I attend I could probably teach. Unfortunately, my conscience will not permit me to skip the class altogether. So I continue to show up, bored to tears, but feeling better on the inside. It's not that the teacher is bad either, it's just that the class is rediculously easy and therefore boring. I have to write two 1000 word essays and take a final for this class.

So there you go, my classes in summation. None of them are even slightly work intensive, but still the Kiwis here at the college stress out over 1500 word essays. It's simply astounding to me that they think that's a lot of writing. Honestly, I can't wait until I get back and can take real classes that make me work. Or at the very least, classes that make me feel like I'm learning something.

Butko out.