Thesis work, planning for the future, and PhD thoughts

The comic Age of Bronze

   As it gets closer and closer to the end of my MA Degree it occurred to me that I needed to work on my Thesis. One of the principle aspects of getting a Masters Degree is that you devote a large body of time to the creation of a Thesis project that combines the sum total of your diverse research and writing skills.

Full Time Grad Student at UT Tyler

This coming fall semester I will embark on a rigorous journey. I will be taking a full load of 9 hours of graduate courses here at the University of Texas at Tyler. I will be taking Renaissance Europe with Dr. Tabri, 20^th Century Europe with Dr. Gajda, and a Seminar Course with Dr. Koster. I have had Dr. Gajda for classes as both an undergrad and as a provisional grad student last Spring. I've also had classes with Dr. Tabri as an undergrad but I've never had Dr. Koster so I’m looking forward to seeing what a class with her is like.

I’ll be taking each of these courses once a week for 3 hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This may not seem like much, but take into account on average the workload is about 1 book and review a week, in addition to a short research paper in each class (short being about 15-20 pages). Along with this, I plan on lecturing a 1945 to present history course on the shift of American politics to the right since World War II. However, the great challenge is presenting the material in a completely unbiased manner.
I may have a lot coming up this semester but I plan on enjoying every minute of it as I did last semester.

A graduate degree has the potential to take you places a Bachelors cannot. However, going for a graduate degree is not for everyone. If you are interested in pursuing such a degree here at UT Tyler it important to first figure out your goals for grad school and what you plan on doing with your degree. Second, discuss these goals with an academic advisor to see what the University can offer you. You'd be surprised at the wide array of graduate programs UT Tyler offers.  Go ahead and take a look for yourself. There might just be something there for you!

Fully Admitted Graduate Student at UT Tyler

Last week I received email confirmation from the Office of Graduate Studies regarding my full admission into the M.A. History program at the University of Texas at Tyler. This however was after Dr. Gajda the admissions adviser for the program personally emailed me about my acceptance. She also sent me the graduate school handbook so I can thoroughly look it over before I meet with her to make my degree plan. For the M.A. History program there are 2 degree plan options. Option I is the thesis route which along with the thesis courses I would also have to take some foreign language. This course is for those who are looking to go directly into a doctorate program as soon as they receive their Masters degree. However, option 2 is the non-thesis route which requires no foreign language. Needless to say I am going with option 2 since I would like to join the work force for a few years before attempting to pursue a PhD.

As I have already took 6 hours of graduate classes last semester I have a total of 30 hour to take before I receive my M.A. in History. As a graduate student you are given a maximum of 6 years to complete but I have found a way to complete it in 2 years (1 1/2 if I go full time for the upcoming Fall and Spring semesters). Taking 9 hours in a semester is full time for a graduate student. That's about 3 books a week and depending on the professors 3 book reviews a week as well. For some this can seem like quite the work load.However, as a quasi-historian that really is not a lot of reading for me. Especially since I greatly enjoy reading these types of books.

The type of writing and study I'm talking about is revisionist history. In a general sense, revisionism in history is the reinterpretation of orthodox views on the reasoning, causes, and solid evidence concerning certain historical events and ideas. If you want to know more about grad school check out my blog on historiography.

In the end, my dear readers, I will most likely graduating with my M.A. History degree in either Fall of 2014 or Spring of 2015. this all depends on how well I can handle the 9 hours I'm already enrolled in for this coming Fall semester.

Summer Plans

Aaaah, Summer - that word tends to bring up thoughts of swimming pools, beaches, watermelon, and road trips. For some however it also means school.

I am not saying that this is the case all of the time, but many people take courses over the summer to get ahead early, pad their GPA, or just for ... well, for fun!

At UTT summer is divided into two sections, Summer Section #1 and Summer Section #2. Summer #1 basically overs June and Summer #2 basically covers July. This summer I am excited because I will be taking  some courses that are new for me, mainly because I am a Graduate Student.

As we explore Summer together, have fun. Some of us will be having fun in class while some will be having fun outside in the wide world!

Last post as an Undergrad at The University of Texas at Tyler... ?

   As I write this I am one class away from finally having completed my Undergraduate Degree and also having cleared 6 hours in my Graduate Degree. Needless to say, this is a weird place to be academically.

Graduate School Searching! PART 1

   One thing that I have been actively doing recently is looking into Grad. Schools across the US to see where I want to end up! Sometimes, staying at one school is good if you're going for your Undergrad/Masters, however going to one school for three tiers of education can be viewed as a "no no," (this referring to Undergrad/Masters/PhD).

   Some things to look for are:
   - Do the departments there teach what interests you?
   - Do the faculty support your idea(s)?
   - Is the city a good place to live?
   - Can you find work on campus, or elsewhere, to support yourself?

   These are only some of the things to look into, and I will go into this more here over the next few weeks!

Learning Through Images and Media

    I recently engaged in a dialogue on different learning techniques in my Teaching Creative Writing course that I felt was worth sharing, partly because it involves my favorite subject (comics!). I want to talk about this also because of a concept I feel is that is important for everyone- do we really think about what medium we read our words in/on, and do we also think about who is supplying our words? Are these mediums and authors the source of the 'truth' we all crave, or do they just punctuate it?

---

   Allow me to explain in a little more detail, one rife with silly images and nerd-specific lore. Here is a link (and a preview) of a famous panel from the comic V for Vendetta by Alan Moore. In the comic we see the following text: [While the dialogue below is a part of the whole panel, I omitted the start just to show how the dialogue 'could' feel like it was from any source, although here I *want* you to know it is from a comic]

   Since mankind's dawn, a handful of oppressors have accepted the responsibility over our lives that we should have accepted for ourselves. By doing so, they took our power. By doing nothing, we gave it away. We've seen where their way leads though camps and wars, towards the slaughterhouse. In anarchy, there is another way. With anarchy, from rubble comes new life, hope re-instated. They say anarchy's dead, but see ... reports of my death were ... exaggerated.  

The page can be read at a larger size here

   With that example having been given there are many things to consider here with the comic in question:

--- Who wrote it? Alan Moore
--- Did Moore have an agenda with the comic? According to his interview + the forward, yes.
--- Does the comic itself express an agenda with politics?  Yes, it does.
--- Does the art have a purposeful style meant to accent the Author/Comic's 'Vision/Voice?' Yes
--- Are the opinions expressed above my own based on having read the comic? Yes

   Some people will come to certain conclusions about the language/intent of the text based on the medium that they read it in, sometimes with more/less influence given if the author is known or unknown. Given the nature of how (mainly) comics are viewed, many might classify the dialogue above as something worthy only of 'entertainment.' To some the medium defines the content without giving the chance for the content to stand alone. This is not unexpected however, but here is why I am trying to bring it up - so you can/will consider this when you read something next.

   Consider the following - Who is publishing, or who paid to publish, the book or magazine you read. If you get the author's name, Google them. Search them out, find out more! What else have they written? Is their writing consistent in its vision and voice?

   So, here is the last part of my little 'post.' Below is a speech from a popular written medium, one especially famous now on the internet. Read the dialogue and DON'T click on the link with the 'reveal' of who the speaker is until you have 'meditated' on the dialogue, etc...

   Think about if your opinion changes based on the 'reveal' at the end. It is OKAY if it you find the words of less or more importance afterwards. This is only a small though experiment and I'd love to hear your results!

   [ If you already know who is speaking because you recognize the dialogue  imagine it from other sources and think on if it is more/less important that way ... ]

 "Doesn't matter what the press says. Doesn't matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn't matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right.

This nation was founded on one principle above all else: The requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree besides the river of truth, and tell the whole world ---- No. You move."

The Reveal

New Semester

New Semester!

   This new semester is (thankfully) starting off much easier than the last one and I for one and super thankful. My last semester consisted of all my worst subjects, rolled into a squishy ball of “I hate my life.” This semester is two English classes ( yay! ), one Bio course ( ~_~ Boo! ) and an online cinema class where we watch films. No kidding!

   What makes me excited about my English courses is that they are Graduate Level courses so I will have to read/work my behind off, but I am happy to be starting the Graduate process. My other interests of mind-controlling-severity will include:

-          -Take/study the GRE test

-          -Write/commit-to-concept papers for Grad Submissions as Writing Samples

-         - Apply for other colleges

-        -  Keep on top of my Grad classes

   My book purchases this semester were also the lowest ever here at UT ( 60 bucks! ) however is because [ so far ] I only need books for one class. Not too bad.

   Despite a possible hiccup in Financial Aid, everything got fixed up very well and my funds released today. I paid for books, my storage unit, and also got myself a new laptop.

   Last semester was particularly troubling ( well, for me anyway in regards to this problem ) because I had quite a few online components and class projects which was not workable from an iPad. I rented an e-textbook which had no NOOK support on the device, thus it was for all intents useless.

   This semester while I am on campus I’ll have access to a real laptop so I can use a full version of Office, watch the films I’ll need to see for class, and upload/submit my WORD document papers, etc…

   In all, it will be a difficult semester, but only because of the extra-curricular stuff that will be possible because my physical course-work is so agreeable.  

Thinking about your future?

Just this weekend my mom and I were discussing exactly how I should be preparing for my future. This pending graduation in December is QUICKLY approaching! There's so much talk about resumes, full-time jobs, graduate school, internships, and the plethora of other post-graduation opportunities!

Luckily, The University of Texas at Tyler hosts wonderful events to help students at every step of their education. I am particularly looking forward to the Graduate and Professional School Info Panel Session hosted by Career Services. This event will take place THIS FRIDAY October 12 from 12-1:30 in the UC Ballroom! 

The information being presented includes:
     1) Information on choosing a graduate program
     2) Advice on how to move through the process of applying to graduate school
     3) Tips on succeeding in graduate or professional school

And the program will feature panel guests from The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas at Tyler, and LeTourneau University.

Personally, I am looking forward to this event. I need more information about the possibilities of my future! To save your spot, go log in to PatriotJobs. Find the event and click RSVP! This event will provide refreshments, but you must bring your own lunch. They also request that you please show up on time! :)

What are your plans for the future? Will I see you at this session? Let me know! 

The chaos of "the last semester" ...

   To some, this won't make sense. 

   To some, this will be preaching to the choir.

   To others, this will seem like I am recalling something they experienced in the past.

   This is my final semester as an Undergraduate!

Beginning of the End or End of the Beginning?

Tomorrow will be the last “first day of the semester” I have as an undergrad. In December I plan on walking down the aisle to accept my diploma and quickly jump back into the world of academia with graduate school. I’ll most likely stay here in Tyler where I am comfortable and already acclimated with the History Department and its faculty. I’ll write my thesis, get my masters, and then I’ll be on my merry way to continue my education by receiving a PhD……. Mmmmmmmmmm, It tastes so scholarly.