a question I have put off too long
Preface: This entry is, essentially, a follow-up to my May 13th entry in which I stated my current intellectual goals and ambitions. to reiterate: I wish to mix: politics, language, and history. I hope to achieve this, by understanding the sweep of Modern European History (roughly 1500-present) by a deeper understanding of, in particular, Spain, Germany, and Russia. My current goal, essentially, is to get a master's or PhD in comparative European history.
I hope you enjoy your journey, but when it is done, then what?
When all is said and done, I wish to help achieve the following:
educate a new generation of scholars;
show people that history is alive and breathing;
help popularise history for the masses;
the (successful) dissemination of whatever knowledge I gain;
These are all lofty and vague goals. I guess what I'm saying is, I want to be the best scholar and academic I can be, with whatever level of education I end up with. I hope to help transmit my passion. Above all, though research is what "pays" and it is publish or perish, I want my teaching to matter. I really, truly, deeply, hope to touch the lives of as many individuals as possible.
I know I'm not the best scholar out there. I'll never be as good as any of the ones I read and admire. BUT, I can serve as a bridge. A link to the future, if you will. I want someone to stand on my shoulders and correct whatever errors I made and work whatever theories I postulate into something tangible and real.
But, like I said, that is only part of the picture. I hope to also be more politically active (hence I am canvassing right now) and hope to do language related work as well.
Interests I have yet to explore: pedagogy, historiography, history and language, etc.
I never want to stop growing or evolving. But, I worry.
I hope you enjoy your journey, but when it is done, then what?
When all is said and done, I wish to help achieve the following:
educate a new generation of scholars;
show people that history is alive and breathing;
help popularise history for the masses;
the (successful) dissemination of whatever knowledge I gain;
These are all lofty and vague goals. I guess what I'm saying is, I want to be the best scholar and academic I can be, with whatever level of education I end up with. I hope to help transmit my passion. Above all, though research is what "pays" and it is publish or perish, I want my teaching to matter. I really, truly, deeply, hope to touch the lives of as many individuals as possible.
I know I'm not the best scholar out there. I'll never be as good as any of the ones I read and admire. BUT, I can serve as a bridge. A link to the future, if you will. I want someone to stand on my shoulders and correct whatever errors I made and work whatever theories I postulate into something tangible and real.
But, like I said, that is only part of the picture. I hope to also be more politically active (hence I am canvassing right now) and hope to do language related work as well.
Interests I have yet to explore: pedagogy, historiography, history and language, etc.
I never want to stop growing or evolving. But, I worry.