Class today
First day of class today. Only one class, which was Urban Political Geography. It sounded kind of interesting, but I only really took it because it was the only non-400 level class that wasn't closed. So, I get in there, and the prof is already talking about the course. Moments after I sit down, he starts going over the research paper.
So, this paper is one of those full-blown research papers--cover page, abstract, statement of your methodolgy, scholarly journals and sources only. Oh yeah, and its 5000-7000 words, or something like 20 pages, and is worth 66% of the grade in the class.
To say that I was shocked is an understatement. This is a 300 level class, and he's busting out graduate-level work. My department LOVES to pull this kind of shit--this is something like the third class I've dropped out of because the prof is like "Welcome to GEOG201, your grade will be decided by a 30 page research paper on polar bears and why they love the color white, LOL." On top of that, I took an almost instant dislike to the professor--neatly groomed, anal retentive, plastic smile plastered on his face, gabbling on and on about theories, all but intellectually masturbating in front of us--it just got under my skin in a way that I've rarely felt before. So yeah, I gave that class the good ol' Double Deuce and switched to the biggest lecture class of the quarter, Geography of Disease and Health.
I really am in the wrong field. Something tells me that I would have been much better off in a non-scientific field. I just don't see and approach things like a scientist does. A scientist will look at something, mince it up into tiny little bits, then scrutinize the hell out of each and every bit, then argue with his/her fellows for a number of years about how all those little bits fit and work together. I approach things by looking at something and trying to understand it as a whole, then take notice of all the little bits in that system that make it all work. Intuitive rather than investigative. Its the best idea I can come up with as to why such meticulous research drives me literally insane.
So, this paper is one of those full-blown research papers--cover page, abstract, statement of your methodolgy, scholarly journals and sources only. Oh yeah, and its 5000-7000 words, or something like 20 pages, and is worth 66% of the grade in the class.
To say that I was shocked is an understatement. This is a 300 level class, and he's busting out graduate-level work. My department LOVES to pull this kind of shit--this is something like the third class I've dropped out of because the prof is like "Welcome to GEOG201, your grade will be decided by a 30 page research paper on polar bears and why they love the color white, LOL." On top of that, I took an almost instant dislike to the professor--neatly groomed, anal retentive, plastic smile plastered on his face, gabbling on and on about theories, all but intellectually masturbating in front of us--it just got under my skin in a way that I've rarely felt before. So yeah, I gave that class the good ol' Double Deuce and switched to the biggest lecture class of the quarter, Geography of Disease and Health.
I really am in the wrong field. Something tells me that I would have been much better off in a non-scientific field. I just don't see and approach things like a scientist does. A scientist will look at something, mince it up into tiny little bits, then scrutinize the hell out of each and every bit, then argue with his/her fellows for a number of years about how all those little bits fit and work together. I approach things by looking at something and trying to understand it as a whole, then take notice of all the little bits in that system that make it all work. Intuitive rather than investigative. Its the best idea I can come up with as to why such meticulous research drives me literally insane.