Summer 2007
Well, it's that time of year again, except this year I'm not going back down to the Coast as I've done for many years in the past. Now that classes are out until August (classes don't resume until August 20, which is much later this year), I actually decided to take some summer courses in order to knock off some requirements for my Master's degree. Thus, I'm taking "French I" right now (the June Semester) and will be taking "French II" during the July Semester (which ends on August 6/7, depending on when the final exam falls). I will probably do this again next summer and take "French III" and "French IV," except the only difference will be that the university will be footing the bill as long as I lecture some courses in the process.
This week I finally found out what I will be doing this fall for my assistantship. Although my actual concentration for my M.A. is in early-modern European history (with a minor in East-Asian history), the department really needs instructors for introductory-level United States History courses. Thus, this fall I will be teaching three sections of "Early U.S. History" (HI 1063). The good thing is that all three of these classes fall on the same day apparently, Wednesday, one at 8:00, 10:00, and then 12:00 noon. Of course, I also have to schedule office hours (I will try to spread them out a little so that people will be able to attend at least one time if they are unable to attend the others due to conflict), grade quizzes, tests, and homework, as well as prepare the lectures and discussions. Overall, I think it will be very enjoyable and a good experience. Of course, it all works out since they are paying my tuition, paying for my books, and giving me a nice salary on top of it. Plus, I get a mailbox in the History Office as well as an office in Allen Hall which I'll be sharing with another TA/Instructor (Allen 218).
Well, aside from that, things have been going well...French has been a relatively easy course. I thought it might be a little harder, just because it met every day and I figured we'd have a lot of homework, but it's actually pretty easy-going. We do have tests every week, but it's still not that difficult. During the day I've just been going to class, running errands on campus or in town, and doing a lot of reading in preparation for the fall and also to build up my own personal knowledge for my area of expertise (European History/Asian History)...In other words, this will help me for my thesis, which I'll most likely start working on in the Spring of 2008.
Since Laura has been coming up here most weekends (except that one where she came down to the Coast to visit with my family and I), I think this coming weekend I'm going to go down to Vicksburg to stay with her...In the end, that'll be nice and also it will save her some traveling money and all.
Well, that's about it for now!
This week I finally found out what I will be doing this fall for my assistantship. Although my actual concentration for my M.A. is in early-modern European history (with a minor in East-Asian history), the department really needs instructors for introductory-level United States History courses. Thus, this fall I will be teaching three sections of "Early U.S. History" (HI 1063). The good thing is that all three of these classes fall on the same day apparently, Wednesday, one at 8:00, 10:00, and then 12:00 noon. Of course, I also have to schedule office hours (I will try to spread them out a little so that people will be able to attend at least one time if they are unable to attend the others due to conflict), grade quizzes, tests, and homework, as well as prepare the lectures and discussions. Overall, I think it will be very enjoyable and a good experience. Of course, it all works out since they are paying my tuition, paying for my books, and giving me a nice salary on top of it. Plus, I get a mailbox in the History Office as well as an office in Allen Hall which I'll be sharing with another TA/Instructor (Allen 218).
Well, aside from that, things have been going well...French has been a relatively easy course. I thought it might be a little harder, just because it met every day and I figured we'd have a lot of homework, but it's actually pretty easy-going. We do have tests every week, but it's still not that difficult. During the day I've just been going to class, running errands on campus or in town, and doing a lot of reading in preparation for the fall and also to build up my own personal knowledge for my area of expertise (European History/Asian History)...In other words, this will help me for my thesis, which I'll most likely start working on in the Spring of 2008.
Since Laura has been coming up here most weekends (except that one where she came down to the Coast to visit with my family and I), I think this coming weekend I'm going to go down to Vicksburg to stay with her...In the end, that'll be nice and also it will save her some traveling money and all.
Well, that's about it for now!