This week has been a long one for me. I’ve been lecturing this week in addition to doing my own research and working part time, so it’s fair to say that the University has really taken over all of my free time. Not that there was much to begin with, but … well, now there’s none whatsoever. I’m looking forward to the Christmas holiday already! Of course, some of that could be down to not even really knowing what month it is.
This week’s lectures were on the difference between libraries, museums, collections, and archives; about metadata and its uses in all of those contexts; and about what the practice of archive is all about. My students were second-years (so, sophomores in the U.S.). I hope that they’ve managed to absorb something, but I have no evidence of it, because they patently refuse to engage with the subject in any substantial manner. Oh, sure, they’ll ask a question when it becomes too painful to sit in silence as I wait for someone to ask something, but they just don’t seem to be grasping things all that firmly.
I happened to notice this plaque on the wall outside my department. Who knew – Isotopes were first introduced at Glasgow, and in the room where we meet for seminars! I guess it makes sense – we’re the Humanities Advanced Technology Information Institute – but, well, it’s not like anybody has even mentioned it, much less made a fuss about it. What a cool / strange thing!
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Just think what future plaques can be attached to your homes!
I know what you mean about the students. The thing is that some of them do get it but only long after they’ve left the classroom. Things stick more than we think.
I remember having a young lady in my class that seemed pointedly bored as we were discussing television/film and sterotyping etc and how we do it in our daily lives… Imagine my surprise a couple weeks later reading one of the dailies to see a letter to the editor complaining about peoples’ behaviour and making assumptions and saw thoughts that I had expressed in class contained in the letter written by the same bored student 🙂 she was listening afterall.
Very cool! I love knowing great facts about where I live and work. That feeling of pride helps you get through the tough times, like when the students won’t speak up, hee hee.
It may be cold, but it sure looks beautiful. For whatever reason the weeks of late have been full to the brim for so many people. Guess we can all zone out at Christmas. Who knew about the Isotopes? Another little known fact, Willard Libby, who went to school nearby, invented carbon dating and won a Nobel Peace Prize.
You students sound typical…plus you are a deep thinker…they may only be surface thinkers and don’t know how to follow yet.