Almost two weeks done. Been kinda busy tryin to get into the learning mode. Well, I guess I'm always in the learning mode, but now it's structured. Boy, is it structured.

Today I want to talk about English class. It's ok, it's all about writing about things we read. I hate it, but it's necessary. I read for enjoyment, I don't read to critique. I write cause I feel I must get something off my chest, such as now, not because I have to. To begin though, I have to say something about one of my Western Civ books. There are two required for the course, one deals with chronological history, as one would expect from a History text. The other, however, is filled with excerpts from the 'sources'. Herodotus, Thucydides, Sappho. Well, in the introduction to this 'source' book, there is this statement. I may have mentioned it already way back when, but now it's relevant to why I'm writing now. Ok, so it's the Preface. Not sure what the difference is, guess that's why I'm in school. Anyway, here's the quote...

"It seems important that such work should not remain isolated in courses on Women's History but should be drawn into the mainstream of teaching on the evolution of Western society. One purpose of this book is to make this task easier. We have included many readings that deal with women's roles and family relationships, and every chapter contains material by or about women."

Now, my point in bringing this up is that the authors feel it needs to be mentioned, all this stuff about women and history. Someone feels that women haven't been mentioned enough in history, and that it's important to talk about women in history. I would agree that women with regard to history are just as important as men. What I don't understand is how we get the notion that women have been neglected so much that it warrants mentioning it every time we turn around. It is just dwelled on a little too damn much, in my opinion. Sure, all this stuff about women in history, everything we know should be reflected in the source material that is required reading. I'm not sure why it needs to be brought to my attention that extra effort has gone into making this happen though. I believe history is boring unless included in the discussion is the effects women have had on historical events.

Ok, so to my point about the English course. We have our first writing assignment. We are to pick from among seven stories or excerpts and tear apart the one we choose in any way we see fit. Ok, so that's not quite how it's put across to us. 'Textual Analysis' is what it's all about. Me, I'm going to tear the shit out of whatever it is I read. Why, because I've never done it before, my writing blows, and 'deep reading' is involved. At least I think that's what it's called. Can't remember the specific term used. Whatever it is, I don't practice.... I remember, it's called 'close reading'... I don't do it. Anyway, to get back on track, of the readings I glanced at, and of the readings we've already done, they are ALL about women, all center around a woman or female or females. I haven't looked at every single reading yet, in depth, but that's what it's looking like. I'm going to have to read everything and choose one to write about, so I'll know by tomorrow, if I can get all the reading done. I have a lot of reading to do, and I have a lot of time tomorrow between classes. That's the plan for tomorrow morning. Got everything loaded on the Clie PDA, so it will be with me wherever I go.

I glanced at some of the stuff we are supposed to read in the future, and chapter 5 of Grapes of Wrath is in the list. Can't remember, I wonder if that chapter deals with Rose of Sharon.....