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Day’s Verse:
All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life wias the Light of men.
John 1:3 – 4
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On Wednesday I went and talked to one Professor Fontanella about doing an ISP (Independent Study Project, or some such) that he described as exploring “How photography became a visual language;” it would be titled Consuming Products and Politics, and would focus on finding the discourses within various types of advertising and political photographs or images. This sounded half interesting and half like a load of hooey, but I had to decide immediately if I wanted to take the class from him or not. I said yes and the appropriate forms filled out, but not turned in. Then I started thinking about it and decided that a) I did not want to overload, although it might not have been that big a deal; b) The class started sounding more like a load of hooey and less like an interesting way to spend 14 weeks; c) It could cause issues with overloading if I had to also prepare for my MQP D-term. So I sent Professor Fontanella an email explaining that, and he replied cordially that was fine. But I CC’d the email to my advisor, Professor Trimbur, and he shot me an email:
As your advisor, I wish you had spoken to me before making this decision. I think you’re making a mistake and missing a wonderful educational opportunity.
What am I to say? “Gee, sorry”? “You sure are right, I will email Prof. Fontanella and change my mind again”? I just have no idea what to do now; he has thown me into a quandry of self-doubt from which I fear I may only emerge if I do send the mind-change email. Darn it.
– KF –
Don’t second-guess your decision. I think the advisor was miffed that you didn’t talk to him first but he doesn’t give any convincing reason to upset your schedule that way. Maybe *he* would take the class, but he’s not you. Talk to him more, if you like, but don’t automatically reverse your decision. This kind of thing will always be happening, in one form or another. You made this decision in good faith, using your best judgement and if it just plain doesn’t sound interesting to you, that’s enough reason not to take it. Lots of things are a “wonderful educational opportunity.”
Don’t second-guess your decision. I think the advisor was miffed that you didn’t talk to him first but he doesn’t give any convincing reason to upset your schedule that way. Maybe *he* would take the class, but he’s not you. Talk to him more, if you like, but don’t automatically reverse your decision. This kind of thing will always be happening, in one form or another. You made this decision in good faith, using your best judgement and if it just plain doesn’t sound interesting to you, that’s enough reason not to take it. Lots of things are a “wonderful educational opportunity.”
Can I have that course please? I would jump at the chance. You make your own hooey, so won’t, and then create something wonderful. I am soooo envious.
Can I have that course please? I would jump at the chance. You make your own hooey, so won’t, and then create something wonderful. I am soooo envious.