Trickle Drops

Spring Semester

School starts this week, and I'm not looking forward to it. Last semester kicked my butt, and this one will not be any easier. But, hey, I need the training if I want to be a librarian, so I have to go through this veil of tears. ugh.

This semester I'm taking my second, required survey course, which will focus on intellectual freedom, the Patriot Act, the Post Office, etc.

I'm taking a class that is combined with the English Dept., and is on 20th Century bestsellers. The theme is: Christianity's influence on 20th Century America. I'll be creating bibliographies and writing critical reviews, etc. on these books. Our first book was written in 1906. Thomas Dixon, Jr.'s The One Woman. I've been reading it to try get a head start, and it's about a Congregational priest who is also a socialist and his trials and tribulations with the other, more conservative deacons and members in the church. Because of my background in studying 19th century Unitarians, I'm familiar with Christian Socialists, so this is well-traveled ground for me. Oh, and also this priest is married to a conservative woman, but has fallen in love with one of his "comrades," so there's that issue. Hence, the book's title.

My other class is advanced Cataloging. WooHoo!

But there is one exciting development this semester: I've been approved for a Practicum, in which I will do original cataloging for some artifacts at the Krannert Museum. I've seen the art pieces and they range from Native American tools, to Chinese silks, to African sculpture, to Attic Vases. This is going to be important experience, plus just sheer awesomeness.

So let the semester begin.

posted by Tracy @ 10:08 AM