We're into about our twelfth week of the second semester now, so there are just about three more weeks of classes to go this school year (but we'll be going well into January because of the New Year holiday and exam period etc.).
So things are shaping up and getting close ... One thing that has been a lot of work--and a lot of reward for me, and, I hope, my seminar students--has been editing and advising eight of my fourth-year seminar students' graduation theses (sotsugyo ronbun). The first edit for each person, of course, was very time and energy consuming... The papers needed a lot of work on their English, as well as a fair amount of encouragement for the students to think more deeply about their topics. But I've finished all those first edits. The second edits were much easier.... And now I've started the third ones! The deadline for them to submit their theses to the office is December 20 at noon. I think, I THINK that all eight students will finish comfortably... Their topics are pretty varied:
I've had a good time learning or remembering or thinking about their topics with them! I am glad that so many students challenged writing graduation theses: eight of my thirteen seminar students did it, when in the past I've been lucky to get one or a few... On a lighter note--in the first year Introduction to American Culture and Literature class, I was able to introduce my Buzz Lightyear and Woody dolls at the end to demonstrate the presence of science fiction elements in fantasy stories.... ANYWAY, the semester and school year are finally (finally? it really seems to have been the blink of an eye...) drawing to an end.... And Christmas is coming!
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Jefferson Peters (JP)
Can you find me in the picture above? Archives
December 2023
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