Fall 07 wrap up with grades

The following is a wrap up of the classes that I took for Fall 2007 at Judson University. This post had the original listings and which books I used (and how much I paid) as well.

Quick Stats: I now have 48 credit hours to my name with a cumulative GPA of 3.375.

BST101 - Intro to Old Testament. Dr. Bob Erickson. GRADE RECEIVED: B.

I learned very little in this class. We had three grades from three tests, and that was it. I received a 93/100, a 74/100, and a 96/100, which is an average somewhere around 87/100.

College lesson learned: Never purchase all of your text books beforehand. I bought a new Bible for 29.99, and a brand new book for 22.99, both of which I did not open. I was able to borrow the main text for the class - I'm glad too, that would have been another 54.99 down the drain (Thanks David!).

HIS480 - History of the U.S. since 1945 to present. Dr. Craig Kaplowitz. GRADE RECEIVED: B+.

This was the most challenging course I took this semester and yet, it was my favorite. I am also most proud of this B+, as I feel I worked my tail off for it. I was expecting to receive a high C to low B, so a high B is especially rewarding. Kaplowitz is an engaging, approachable professor. He is extremely knowledgeable and can deliver his thoughts in a clear concise manner. He assigned a load of written assignments. I have 13 that I uploaded to Google Docs. 3 of those were medium sized papers (1800 - 2200 words), while most were one pagers. One was a research paper, but was only required to be of medium length. I read the most for this class as well. We made it through all four of the texts assigned (three were smaller volumes of primary source material, with some analysis, while one was a full text).

College lesson learned: Don't let your advisor sign you up for whatever... This was a high level class that will end up being nothing more then credit fodder as it does not count toward my final degree. And, it was stinking hard! Albeit rewarding.

HIS262 - History of Civilization II 1500 ad - 2000 ad. Dr. Craig Kaplowitz. GRADE RECEIVED: A.

I enjoyed this class. Kap did a good job with a subject that is boring to most people. (Not to me!) If you are going to take History of Civ II at Judson, and you will if you want to graduate at JU, take it with Kap. We had three medium length papers, in addition to weekly assignments, but there were NO TESTS, NOT A SINGLE ONE. We made it through the text, make use of the online resources with that text book (Worlds Together, Worlds Apart), it can save you a bit of reading.

College lesson learned: Make friends in your class. They can take notes for you when you miss, and even turn in papers when you know your going to 'be sick' that day.

MED240 - Writing for the Media. Professor A. Paul Mouw. GRADE RECEIVED: B.

Prof. Mouw is a wealth of experience, if a bit eccentric. If you are struggling with how to write, don't take this class. The lack of feedback after assignments will not help your style improve unless you seek out Mouw. If you are decent at writing, this class can show you ways to make your writing more effective. I took away a new insight for using different voices for different mediums.

College lesson learned: 8am classes stink. If you can take an alternative to a general ed requirement, do it! I took this class in place of my ENG102, and it was a lot of fun.

SOC151 - Intro to Sociology. Dr. Tim Johnson. GRADE RECEIVED: B-

Notes are critical, especially when you have a professor that writes things he wants you to know on the whiteboard. I took more notes for this class then 3 of my classes combined, the only other course that rivaled was HIS480. Johnson's notes are crazy... and they don't make sense unless you are there to hear the lecture. So, copy exactly what he writes... and then take your own notes on top of that. Johnson's tests are hard... mostly because he incorporates things from the reading that you may, or may not discuss in class, and expects you to know them. There were concepts, names, and readings that I was being introduced to for the first time while reading the study guide for the test. Without the study guides, and my notes, I would have failed every test we took (2, plus final). I am excited to expand on some of the ideas introduced in this class with Johnson next semester as I take Cultural Diversity.

College lesson learned: Get out of the classroom! As part of this class, I did an optional service learning experience. I went several times to feed the homeless in Elgin, and also went brown bagging in the city. Those experiences greatly enriched my learning.

Book total for Fall 2007 was $317.51 USD, I got back about $111.00 USD. THAT IS A NET LOSS OF OVER 200 DOLLARS FOR ONE SEMESTER. Half of the books I returned I did not read in great detail. One I never even opened. Most went for less than 40% of what I paid.

College lesson learned: Your campus bookstore is a blood sucking leech of convenience! DO NOT SHOP THERE, DO NOT RETURN YOUR BOOKS THERE! The only thing worthwhile about Judson's bookstore is that they sell clothes with the name Judson on them. I will be getting all of my books off of half.com or someplace similar for next semester. I will also try to inter-library loan as many as possible as well - you can't beat free.

So, all in all, a good semester. I'm thankful for my scholarship, and am in prayer that it will continue. If you are in the spirit of giving, you can paypal me some money and it will go for school required medical insurance and books for Spring 2008. If you want to make it tax deductible before the end of the year, you can give to my International Teams account which helps support the wage I receive and can serve to differ my travel related expenses this next Spring. Either way, an email to chrismwarren at gmail dot com can point you in the correct direction.

Cheers until 2008!

Grades - Midterm Fall 2007

So, I only have a few weeks left in the semester, four weeks plus finals week. We also have a half a week break for Thanksgiving... Here are my grades at midterm (a little over a week ago I got these). I should already be registered for my Spring 2008 courses but, thanks to lackluster advising, I have no idea what I need to take. I was hoping to get down to the registrar today and see about sorting it myself, hopefully I can on Monday.

If you have forgotten, here is a longer description of each class, as well as the texts used for each one.

Midterm Fall 2007:
MED240 (Writing for the media) - B
SOC151 (Intro to Sociology) - NR (not reported) but, I would guess low A on a test grade, paper grade, and work that I have gotten back.
HIS480 (History of the U.S. since 1945) - B
HIS262 (History of Civilization II) - A-
BST101 (Intro to Old Testament) - NR, but just got test back, which is the only grade we have received, 93%. So, A.

Assignments I turned in Thursday, Nov 8th 2007:
ARE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS OUT OF CONTROL? (HIS480)
Holiday Memories (MED240)

Yankowski - What are you doing NOW?

Its been three months (and a few days) since I moved to Elgin. It has been a good three months... I've been in school, reading a ton, writing a ton, and learning a ton. (And working a fair clip too!)

I had approached this time as a time of training, a time for education, a time to prepare myself for service.

But - I've had that view challenged.

Mike Yankowski can to speak at Judson University last week for our Spiritual Enrichment Week which is a focused time of sequential chapels. Mike was here speaking about his experience on the streets of America as a homeless man. He spoke of the obstacles he had to deal with, and the experiences that came out of that - the obstacles that were sometimes places there by Christians, experiences that were sometimes made negative by Christians.

However, one of Mike's main themes for the week was "what are you doing now to serve Christ?" This thought echoed in my brain all week.

"The only appropriate place for us to manifest our theology is the present." - Mike Yankowski.

Matthew 25:14 is the parable of the talents. The Master has given us resources to use today. Those who use what they have earn return, and are rewarded... But, the one who simply hides his talent away while the Master is away is rebuked for at least not earning interest on the money entrusted to him. We cannot wait for tomorrow.

NOW. Yes, while you are in school.
NOW. Yes, while you are learning.
NOW. Not in the future, not next year, not next week or even tomorrow.
NOW. What are you doing today to live out your faith.


Heaven help me... Am I doing enough?

The assignments I promised (and the reasons I am sleeping in the picture above):
Essay 2 FINAL "The Effect of Colonization on the New World" (HIS262) Thanks to Stacie, Deb, and Jake who helped edit the final draft for me. I didn't get it out in enough time for a serious edit.
Article Outline - Berkowitz, "Television" (HIS480)

Same thing, two weeks later...

Ha.

I was no good at updating the last couple of weeks. Even after I was critical on another's blog! Guilty. Flog me in the street!

Random:
Last week or ealier:
- Worked the PlanetWisdom Conference while it was in town. (I flirted with some girls from Bethany College of Missions, they tried to recruit me... I decided I am very happy at Judson - now, if I could just work out that flirting thing at JU... hmmm)
- House sat for my boss, she has three dogs, one of which requires medication 3 times daily. I am allergic to one of those dogs at least. More reason I don't like pets.
- Fall Break came and went.
- Got Under The Overpass by Mike Yankowski. He was here at Judson for "Spiritual Enrichment Week." More on that to come... I guarantee.
- Finished up Exiles by Michael Frost. << href="http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Halo3/Default.aspx?player=djjubei1">Here is the proof (although, my actual exp is way behind on the interwebz. Bungie! My stats are borked - again!).

Today:
- Ate at a greasy fast food restaurant called "Jester's" - Got a haircut, and got 4 bucks off the haircut (because it was monday, not because they made an 'accident').
- Learned NEVER to say "Large" at McDonald's. (This also marks the first McDonald's I have had since seeing Super Size Me... I only ordered iced coffee... and it was still wayyyyy more then I was expecting.)
- Got rejected for a library card... For the second time. Thx Gail Borden.
- "Getting an abortion is easier then getting a library card, seriously!" D. Schlager.

Assignments!! Cuz itz THURZDAY... wait... TUEZDAY!

STUDENTS STRUGGLE WITH ALCOHOL (MED240)

The next one I worked really hard on... and I hope I get a good grade. The link will be updated after final edits, but here it is for review (its due in 13 hours). I better get an A! ... erm... I think my work is worthy of high marks professor... :)
Essay 2 FOR REVIEW "Colonization's Effect on the New World" (HIS262) Essay 2 FINAL.

I missed a few this past week. I have one more for tomorrow. I will get them all caught up tomorrow night - and maybe a picture of my not-so-new new haircut if you are lucky. I'm tired.

Its Thursday - That means a couple of one page papers. Woot.

Here are a couple of assignments due for today. If you read my HIS480 Analysis Paper from last week, this week's is a bit more objective, and less crazy. But, hey, crazy worked. I got a 9/10 on it last week... Although, Dr. Kaplowitz did suggest a new approach. :)

CRONKITE LOSES FAITH IN LBJ AND VIETNAM (HIS480)

Document Assignment - Chapter 6 (HIS262)

I am almost done reading Michael Frost's Exiles. And, I can see why a good friend of mine really liked the first two parts, but didn't stomach the next two as well. I will put a mini-review up when I am finished. I've read too much for one week, and I still have one more article (don't think 3 paragraphs, think 15 pages) to read for tomorrow. I have been reading since about 5pm, stopping only to write the two above assignments. I love being in school! Leave me a comment... I like them!

Hey... Homework!

Wow... Its been a week. I'm tired. Simply put.

Last weekend I spent in the city with some students up from John Brown University. Saturday night I spent in a gay bar learning about the homosexual community and the problem of male prostitution. Sunday I went to an all Spanish speaking church, learned about the Hispanic community over lunch. Sunday night we talked about racial reconciliation between whites and blacks... I had some misconeceptions shattered. Namely... How whites think we have made progress toward real reconciliation, but blacks think we have not made very much progress. Monday I learned about Muslims and Hindus living in America, that they are here, and they have an agenda that is eerily similar to Christians. I also bought a Dostoyevsky book at a Russian bookstore.

I haven't really caught up yet... Here are a couple of assignments turned in this week.

Globalization in the Modern World: An Introduction (HIS262)

Document Assignment - Chap 5 (HIS 262)

JOHNSON PLAYS ON SENATE'S GRIEF (HIS480)

I got a grade back on my "Facade of Consensus." I got a B+

I am happy with that. Ok... Sleep now. Maybe after school tomorrow I can finally feel caught up a bit on homework... Wait... Sleep will have to wait a little longer... I have a Sociology test at 9:30am...

Yay for school work!

Here is a couple of assignments due Thursday afternoon.

I have an upcoming media article (expect it by Tuesday), as well as an essay for my History of Civ II (HIS262) class.

FAIR PLAY FOR THE US ECONOMY (HIS480)

Document Assignment - Chap 4 (HIS262)

And... I swear to get something about the homeless breakfast up this Friday. I swear it. I have just been distracted.

History Papers - And a photo.

I have written my first tougher paper of the semester for my History of US since 1945 class (HIS480). It's about 1500 words, entitled: The Facade of Postwar American Consensus.

Here is the thesis:

In the late 1940's and 1950's, America showed signs of growing popular consensus regarding what was good for the nation. This consensus, or general agreement, was shared by many flocking to suburban America and, although policy implementation among parties differed; shared by many national leaders. This is true - however, consensus was not shared by all, most notably, the impoverished, African Americans. This era of consensus would not last long. [read the rest of the paper on Google Docs by clicking here].

As this paper marks a real attempt to write a quality paper, I would appreciate all feedback. I wish it wasn't due for a week so I could revise it based on critique, but alas... It is due at 1pm, today (and I already emailed it to my Prof. haha).

I also had a primary source document assignment for History of Civ II (HIS262).

Document Assignment - Chapter 3 (HIS262)

Re: The picture. I whipped up a little Gimp/Picasa magic last night as a creative response to feeling the pressure of the paper. Stop the Traffik has been on my mind a lot lately... I have a cool story about a recruit I talked to earlier this week too... So I hope I can get that up soon.

The Classes, The Books.

Right, so I said I would give a brief about each class... Here it is.

BST101 - Intro to Old Testament. Dr. Bob Erickson. A survey course exploring the "older testament." The nicest man you have ever met, is also the slowest speaker you have ever met. Class meets Wednesday nights 1730 - 2030.
Books: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, ISBN 0-19-528883-4 (New - $32.99 USD); Encountering the Old Testament by B. Arnold and B. Beyer, ISBN 0-81010-2176-6 (Used - BORROWED) ; Readings from the Ancient Near East by B. Arnold and B. Beyer, ISBN 0-8010-2292-4 (New - $22.99).

HIS480 - History of the U.S. since 1945 to present. Dr. Craig Kaplowitz. My only upper level course this semester, I am thoroughly enjoying it. We picked up right at the end of WWII, with a brief touch on the 20's, and 30's for context. Interesting stuff for sure. I love learning about the Cold War, and it is fun to be learning about America during that time period. Class meets Tuesday/Thursday 1300 - 1415.
Books: The American Paradox: A History of The United States Since 1945 by Stephen M. Gillion, ISBN 0-618-66086-0 (Used - $47.75 USD); Lyndon B. Johnson and American Liberalism by Bruce J. Schulman, ISBN 0-312-42633-4 (Used - $12.00 USD); The Rise of Conservatism in America, 1945 - 2000 by R. Story and B. Laurie, ISBN 0-312-45064-8 (Used - $16.00 USD); The Movements of the New Left 1950 - 1975 by Van Gosse, ISBN 0-312-13397-9 (Used - $12.00 USD).

HIS262 - History of Civilization II 1500 ad - 2000 ad. Dr. Craig Kaplowitz. General history... But, I think Kap makes it interesting (And there are some cute girls that make it quite bearable!). Class meets Tuesday/Thursday 1430 - 1515.
Book: Worlds Together, Worlds Apart by R. Tignor et al. ISBN 0-393-97746-3 (Used $68.00 USD).

MED240 - Writing for the Media. Professor A. Paul Mouw. It is replacing my upper level English requirement, and it much more interesting my opinion. Class meets Tuesday/Thursday 0800 - 0915.
Book: FeatureWriting.Net by Michael Ray Smith, ISBN 0-9748319-2-1 (New - $19.99 USD).

SOC151 - Intro to Sociology. Dr. Tim Johnson. It was Intro to Psych. or Intro to Soc. Enjoying it so far. I will be doing a "service learning experience" as part of this class. Class meets Tuesday/Thursday 0930 - 1045.
Book: Sociology, Tenth Edition by Rodney Stark, ISBN 0-495-09344-0 (Half.com - $65.00 USD).

So... Yeah... That is the brief. Book total was $317.51 USD. I had enrolled in a math class also, but then I was going to have to pay extra tuition... so I dropped it, but not before I dropped $105.99 USD on the text book off of half.com. I'm just going to keep it, I will take the class next semester. I got out alright with the near $320 total for books, but I actually spent closer to $475 with the math book, and I was able to borrow one and return that book for some money back. $300 is reasonable, $500 is not.

I'm also reading a book for a small group that I have started going to. I'll write about that next time.

On School...

In my last post I put forth and responded to a question of poverty. It was required for my Intro to Sociology class... I wanted to post it here, and I decided to... But, that got me to thinking... I am beginning to write a lot for my various classes. So, that lead me to decide that I am going to publish anything that I write up for a class on Google Docs. Some things are trivial, some things will seem disconnected unless I explain the context of the assignment. I have chosen to publish everything in an ongoing effort to be transparent in all I do, but more importantly... I want your feedback.

Feedback. Below are links to all the articles/papers I've written in the first three weeks of class. Most of them are outlines and one pagers. I have my first extended history paper due in a week. But, I love interaction. You have a viewpoint that is different than my own... but is valuable. Maybe I missed something huge, tell me. Maybe something struck you as funny, tell me. Maybe I am flat out wrong, I pray you tell me.

Out of the six documents below, by far the Poverty one seems the most important one for a discussion. The others are either outlines, or written "as a columnist," which may or may not truly represent me. One specifically (Sept 13th Analysis Paper for HIS480) was written from the perspective of a happily married columnist in the mid-1950's.

In the future, I will put links to new articles/papers in their own posts for easy feedback commenting.

Edgar Outline (HIS480)

Sept 13th Analysis Paper (HIS480)

Sept 6th Document Assignment Chapter 12 (HIS262)

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Report (MED240)

Edgar Article (MED240)

Poverty Question (SOC151)

In my next post... I promise I will tell you something real. Like... What school I am attending, how things are going, and what the heck HIS480 is and why I am in it. Promise.