Archaeologies of Empire rocks my world. I must say it's a bit pretentious to call it "Archaeologies of Empire" rather than "Archaeology of Empires," but no matter. I'm glad I like it because I basically have to take it. Actually, I've really enjoyed everything I've shopped, which poses a problem. I'm pretty confident I'll get into my Native American history seminar, though I have yet to hear anything definitive which is driving me crazy. Assuming I do, then I have two seminars and my senior project, and need one more class. I really, really like Ethnohistory and Archaeology, which is a small-table non-seminar with the new big guy on the council, Rod McIntosh, who's delightful. The class seems relatively easy - a take-home final paper based on field trips and a debate are our major grades - especially compared to the alternative. Said alternative is a grad seminar on Complex Societies cross-culturally, team-taught by Richard Burger and McIntosh. This doesn't meet until Tuesday, so I have to wait forever to check it out. So here are the pros and cons of these classes.
In favor of Ethnohistory and Archaeology
1. Not a seminar = slightly more relaxed. I will have major papers due in History and in Empires, thesis not withstanding. >_<
2. Really cool syllabus and field trips (!)
3. It would preseve my afternoon-classes-only schedule of love.
4. Thematically unlike anything I've taken here while still being relevant. By contrast, CompSoc seems perhaps too similar to Richard's spring seminar I plan to take on the Origins of Peruvian Complex Society, which I would prefer to take because of its immediate relevance.
In favor of Complex Societies
1. Taking a grad seminar is hardcore.
2. Especially one, in the fall, that's being taught by the man who's getting you into grad school.
3. It would mean no class on Monday or Friday.
*cue Jeopardy theme*
Also, my friend and I collectively lost 2 library books last semester, which will cost $110 apiece. And I swear it was not my fault, but since I was foolish enough to check them out and lend them out, I deserve to pay my share.
Have I mentioned that Frappuccino Light is the best thing since sliced bread? Actually, it's better than sliced bread. I can cut my own bread; I can't concoct a 110-calorie caffeinated milkshake.
And does eating Splenda by itself constitute an eating disorder? Because, well...yeah. Then again, last year I was eating instant coffee by itself, which must be worse, though I'm not sure why. Ah, college.
I love Yale. I really, really love Yale. I just wish the weather were this nice all year. But then it would be Stanford. With personality.
