I’ve just dismissed my 1:00PM Modern European history class. I’ve now met with all seven of my classes (two sections of Women’s History, three sections of Ancient Civ, one section of Modern Europe and one section of Men and Masculinity). Folks outside the community college system are always stunned by that load, but it’s fairly standard around here. Our contract calls for five courses per semester, and we are allowed to teach up to three “overload” classes. I have a handful of colleagues who teach eight sections. There is little doubt that we would be more effective with lower teaching loads — on the other hand, institutional need and our own greed (in terms of wanting overtime) conspire together to ensure that we teach all of these sections.
Naturally, the hardest part is turning students away. My enrollment is capped by the number of seats in the room; this morning, I had 71 students show up for a class that maxes out at 40. It is hard to send folks away, but the fire code and sanity decree that I must. I usually hold lotteries for available spaces, and we are discouraged from permitting unenrolled students to hang around in the classroom for too long. Fortunately, the last day to add comes at the end of the second week, and after that, things do settle down considerably.
Because my more recent posts have been so serious, I’ll put up a little list of things I’ve been up to, and invite readers to share their own in the comments section.
Last fiction book I finished: The Photograph, Penelope Lively (terrific)
Last non-fiction book I finished: The Making of Modern Colombia: A Nation In Spite of Itself, David Bushnell (less depressing than I had feared)
Last CD I bought: John Hiatt Anthology (mixed, but the later stuff is fabulous)
Last movie I saw: What the Bleep Do We Know? Alternately bewildering and compelling, I came to scoff and left stunned.
Favorite blogs this week not yet on my blogroll: Utopian Hell and Marriage Debate.
Currently craving: Cadbury Cream Eggs and a really good chicken korma. Washed down with lots of cold diet Coke.
Current favorite Scripture passage: Mark 6:31. After seven classes, the reason should be obvious.
Off to home to check on Matilde the chinnie, and then an afternoon run in the heat of the Arroyo.
Last fiction book: “Canaan” by Geoffrey Hill. It’s poetry, does that count? If it’s a novel you want, it’s “Five Red Herrings” by Dorothy Sayers
Last non-fiction book: “Religio Medici”, Sir Thomas Browne (1635)
Last film: “Murder on the Orient Express” (1960ish),
Favourite weblog: Real Live Preacher (A Co-operative Baptist, no less)
Craving: Tea and toast with marmite
Favourite verse: ? Ecclesiastes 3:10-12:
10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12
You know, I’ve never had marmite. Always wanted to try it. When I come someday to the Antipodes to visit my relatives, and you, I expect to be given marmite.
Love the Scripture.
And if it is the Peter Ustinov/David Niven film, it’s from the 70s…
Could you extrapolate a bit on “what the bleep…?”? I have a friend who wanted me to go see it, and I was sort of game, until I did a bit of reseach on the internet. Still, I’d be open to seeing it. Is it worth seeing on screen or can it wait for netflix?
It’s an unclassifiable film, Kelly, it really is. I am sure it can wait for netflix, but on the other hand, it does have some stunning moments. My skepticism was worn down gradually,and I ended up truly enjoying it. But it ain’t for everyone.
Very well, Hugo, when you come, (Looking forward to it, whenever it is) I shall educate you. ;-) Yes, it is the Peter Ustinov version, but I couldn’t remember the year. By the way, when one buys Sanitarium Marmite, one is also supporting Adventist Relief in Africa, which is another reason to buy it! ;-) I thought you might appreciate the small nod to my inner liberal, which also writes letters against the Free Trade Agreement with China, wants a free Tibet and likes Fair trade coffee.