Finally Monday!
Today I start teaching this semester’s course, still at Ashesi University College. I will be teaching one course, Social Theory, to two cohorts of 50 students each. Last year, I did a blog for my class the Social Theory Blog…although it went great and was much fun, this year, I think I will do something else. I believe in doing new stuff and developing as a lecturer. I got some inspiration from Ken Bain’s book “What the best college teachers do” (courtesy of my mother) over Christmas. Will keep you posted.
My classes will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays, one in the morning, one just after lunch. On Tuesdays I will be in my office for administration (read: grading) and office hours.
I also guide three final year students towards their final thesis. This is challenging and fun and I hope I also get to see them almost every week until April when their paper is due.
The other part of my work is research. This year, I hope to be able to spend most of Thursdays and Fridays at Legon/Institute of African Studies working towards my PhD. Thursday mornings is graduate seminars, and the rest of the time I’d spend in the library or in meetings. I am aiming for building a strong relationship with my three (3!) supervisors and putting together a questionnaire to be able to collect my quantitative data by the end of the semester. I have no idea if that is feasible, but I feel like I have been reading forever and now would like a grip on the empiry!
So, there you have my spring and my aspirations.
6 Comments
Wow, some aspirations you have there! I think it’s awesome that you CARE as a lecturer to make sure you have new stuff every time. Of course some things were so awesome they deserve to be re-done, but don’t make it a habit. And do share more about this book with me! I am quite interested. As far as your PhD goes, I have absolute confidence in you. If you need a “bouncing board” or a fresh pair of eyes (Vier Augen Prinzip), do count on me 🙂
Interesting… I wish you the best as a caring lecturer. Which area are you focusing on for your PhD??
Lovely Topic, and I love how you try to bump it up a notch to get the students REALLY interested in the subject. And from the different advise and help I have received from you, I am sure you will be a great “Handledare”. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Catalina, Michael and Natalya for the support! Michael, I am of course writing on migration… 🙂
It is thrilling to read of your academic life. I imagine that you are a fantastic teacher.
Thank you Pam! This comment means a lot to me as you were such an inspiring and demanding teacher to me. I try to be those things myself. But it is definitely a learning curve!