I Can't Wait for Next Semester!

I just finished up my JanTerm class on Prenatal Development, where I wrote my final paper on the importance of long-term exclusive breastfeeding to the development of healthy infants. I also finished up JanTerm by changing where I live, to a single room in Enfield (one of the nicest on-campus neighborhoods.)

Next semester I'm taking a class on evolution, one on an HIV/AIDS media campaign, and another class on economics and capitalism. However, what I'm really excited about is my Independent Study. I'm doing "Jewish Text Study Through a Feminist Lens." I'm working with a Jewish studies professor who is awesome and our Campus Rabbi. Here's the course description and expectations:

This course will be an in-depth study of Jewish texts, primarily the Torah, through feminist, queer and women-focused lenses. We will read the Torah parsha (weekly reading), discuss it in hevruta (paired learning), and write a dvar (response) every week. Students will be expected to prepare and lead shiurim (learning discussions) for the rest of the class. In addition, there will also be weekly reading from relevant articles and books, and we will write responses to them. The course will culminate with the hosting of a Shabbaton open to the whole Five College community, where will we share our learning. This course will require participants to think critically about Jewish texts, both the Torah and modern commentary on it and Jewish life. Participants will be expected to do high quality work and to engage with the texts. We are expected to be present, both physically and mentally at class meetings, and to inform the class in advance if we need to be absent. Due to the nature of this independent study, it is very important that we do the reading and come prepared to class. We will also hold each other accountable for responsible behavior during class (i.e. no Facebook.)

I can't wait!!

JanTerm at Hampshire

Hampshire has a month-long semester during January, titled appropriately enough "January Term". JanTerm provides the opportunity to take one class intensively for the month for full credit. Classes meet for 3-8 hours a day, every day. JanTerm is optional; some people come to campus, others don't. Some people take a class, other people fill their time with work, sports, clubs or other activities.

JanTerm is my favorite part of the year. It has been a great time to get to know people who I've been wanting to for an entire semester and to spend more time with friends. I'm taking a class on Prenatal Brain Development that fulfills my Cognitive Science requirement, and surprisingly enough, I'm really enjoying it. It is truly a Hampshire science class, with all the real world applications, discussions about ableism, and deep questioning. I am learning a lot and so glad I decided to do JanTerm!

The only not so amazing thing about JanTerm is the bus reduced bus schedule. It makes it really really hard to get to Mount Holyoke for hockey practice. But that just gives me an excuse to have sleepovers at Mount Holyoke, so it's all good.

Driving by Consensus

My family's idea of a good vacation is taking a road trip and going camping. In the last couple of months we haven't been on any extended road trips, but we have had several long drives together. We all pile into our minivan and head off. Often there is some squabbling over who sits where, but it's pretty much guaranteed that my dad drives. After too many times of someone offering him driving advice, he started to joke that we should just drive by consensus. "So, everyone, should we pass this car? How about making this right turn? Do we all agree that we should drive faster?" As my mom points out, it's only funny if you've grown up in communal housing where everything is decided by consensus (but if you have grown up in communal housing, it's hilarious.)

I recently took the defensive driving course at Hampshire in order to be certified to drive the 12-seat college vehicles. It was a two hour course taught on Sunday night, a little like a mini driver's education class focused on the specific challenges of driving large vehicles. We watched a movie, discussed what we learned, and then we had to take a test to show that we knew the material. Being Hampshire, we took the test by consensus.

Dancing around the Classroom

One of my classes this semester is on African Diaspora formation, identity, and culture. It is my tutorial class, which means that it is really small (only 8 students) and we are all first years. The class that meets next door to us is on protest traditions in American music. Earlier this year, our classes combined to sing the Black National Anthem together. Because this class is on music, they often play music, loudly. Our professors are friends, and the music is rarely distracting, so it hasn't been a big deal. However, last week, the music they were playing was very loud and kept interrupting us. Not to be outdone, we decided that we were going to battle, and put on a speech by Marcus Garvey. A couple minutes into the speech, the other class's music is off, and we turn off Garvey and congratulate ourselves on our victory.

Less than a minute later, the two teachers come dancing into our class with the radio over their shoulders. And then the rest of their class follows, dancing around our classroom to the tune of African resistance music. Needless to say, our class lost the battle, and we also couldn't stop laughing.

This is Hampshire in a nutshell.

So much to say!

It seems like I'm just starting to get the hang of Hampshire, and it's already time to register for spring courses! (Thankfully, I have a super-good registration time... unfortunately, it is 6:20am.) I've only been at Hampshire for a couple of months, but I'm already building a life here, and really like what I'm doing.

My classes are all on fascinating topics, and it amazes me every day that I'm actually able study what I am: women and economic development, middle east politics, Arab nationalism, genocide, human rights abuses, Africa, diasporas, Haiti, religion, imperialism, and so much much more! Next semester I am going to be doing an independent study on Jewish texts through a feminist lens, and I can't wait!

I am also a signer (Hampshire-speak for one of three people who run a student organization) for Aliz: Queer Jews and Allies, involved in the Jewish Student Union, and play ice hockey for Mount Holyoke, and spend a fair amount of time hanging out there. I also have a great work-study job on campus with wonderful people, who happen to feed me all the time. I've been going back to Boston to see family quite a bit, and I will be back again in two weeks for Thanksgiving vacation!

Starting Hampshire College (and then coming back home)

And now Amherst. What a long journey is has been to get to Hampshire College, but I'm so glad I'm here! (And so glad I had that journey!)

This past week has been orientation, non-stop and all the time. While I've been learning fascinating things about Hampshire's academic structure, student life, educational philosophy and a bunch of arcane policies during orientation, I can't wait for classes to start! Unfortunately, the first day of classes was this past Wednesday, Erev Rosh HaShannah. I went back to Cambridge for Rosh HaShannah, so I have to wait until this upcoming Monday to start my classes.

I was at college for less than a week before going home! I'll blog again when I've actually done some stuff!