Let me start off by telling you what program I am in because it has most likely changed since I last told you. I am a third year student at the University of Waterloo doing a Joint Honours with Peace and Conflict Studies & English Literature (with a Global Context Specialization- which means I DON'T focus on BritLit. Canadian Literature is great) and a Women's Studies Minor.
Yeah, it's long, but every thing of those is incredibly important to me. I'd love it if I had time to do a Psych minor as well, but that's not feasible right now.
When am I graduating? Well... That's to be determined. Turns out I'm the kid who will not take a full academic term. I did that twice, and it wasn't enjoyable. It's hard to focus on your work when you have two part-time jobs, extra-curriculars, friends and a boyfriend... So 4 courses (plus voice lessons and choir) ends up being 5.5 credits a term and a much happier Janessa.
That being said, I am probably going to graduate August 2014. IF I manage to get the right courses for English in Winter term, it'll be fine. However, what they said they would give me in Fall term isn't happening, and I only have one required course next Fall... So... December 2014? It's all good. At least that means I know for sure I will be taking time off before Masters.
Peace and Conflict Studies
I was drawn to PACS because of my Mennonite, pacifist background and the way it would allow me to integrate my International Development interests with my faith. I have struggled with this program because it has often felt too focused on "Feelings." I don't like that crap. However, this year I am the Peer Leader/Academic Adviser for Frosh PACS students living in Grebel. I get to plan fun and educational activities for them, edit papers, and give guidance. I love this job. Seeing PACS through their eyes has given me a different perspective on my program and made me appreciate it more.
How is PACS useful? Well, look at all the troubles of this world. Someone needs to solve them. PACS is an inter-disciplinary program which means that I get to take lots of different classes from different departments which means that we have a better over-all perspective. And even though I hate Conflict Resolution classes (feelings, again) I am even more trained for my work as a camp counsellor.
I was drawn to PACS because of my Mennonite, pacifist background and the way it would allow me to integrate my International Development interests with my faith. I have struggled with this program because it has often felt too focused on "Feelings." I don't like that crap. However, this year I am the Peer Leader/Academic Adviser for Frosh PACS students living in Grebel. I get to plan fun and educational activities for them, edit papers, and give guidance. I love this job. Seeing PACS through their eyes has given me a different perspective on my program and made me appreciate it more.
How is PACS useful? Well, look at all the troubles of this world. Someone needs to solve them. PACS is an inter-disciplinary program which means that I get to take lots of different classes from different departments which means that we have a better over-all perspective. And even though I hate Conflict Resolution classes (feelings, again) I am even more trained for my work as a camp counsellor.
English Literature
Did you know law schools would prefer English or Philosophy undergrads to Legal Studies students? We know how to judge what is right and what is wrong. I also have a unique perspective on history. My favourite example is my Modern Canadian Literature course last term. I got to see how Canadians had no real identity for a long time. The Americans were defending the Frontier, Canadians were shacked up in their garrisons, terrified of the scary wilderness around them. Also, I get to read lots of cool things for class. Finally, English papers are so much harder than every other Arts papers. It's not just content, it's style and how you argue your point. I could get 20% higher for the same paper in PACS (should I diss my other program? Hey, it's my blog.) so I have to work so much harder to get good marks in English. One of my friends wrote an article a year ago complaining about how people would say, "Oh, I was good at English in high school. I love BS-ing papers." That's not a thing. You had some figment of an idea and then made it into something. Also, just because you were good at it in high school doesn't mean you are university-level. I know lots of people who had good grades in high school English but I've read their papers. They need tutorials.
Did you know law schools would prefer English or Philosophy undergrads to Legal Studies students? We know how to judge what is right and what is wrong. I also have a unique perspective on history. My favourite example is my Modern Canadian Literature course last term. I got to see how Canadians had no real identity for a long time. The Americans were defending the Frontier, Canadians were shacked up in their garrisons, terrified of the scary wilderness around them. Also, I get to read lots of cool things for class. Finally, English papers are so much harder than every other Arts papers. It's not just content, it's style and how you argue your point. I could get 20% higher for the same paper in PACS (should I diss my other program? Hey, it's my blog.) so I have to work so much harder to get good marks in English. One of my friends wrote an article a year ago complaining about how people would say, "Oh, I was good at English in high school. I love BS-ing papers." That's not a thing. You had some figment of an idea and then made it into something. Also, just because you were good at it in high school doesn't mean you are university-level. I know lots of people who had good grades in high school English but I've read their papers. They need tutorials.
Women's Studies
I saved my favourite for last. I took an English/WS class in first year, but didn't bother taking WS 101. In third year, I fell in love and I wish I could redo my undergrad with that as my major. Women's Studies has given me a whole new language with which to describe my world. The people are great, I've made more friends in WS in a term than I did all 3 years in English (PACS doesn't count, half of them are from my rez). Feminism is about more than women fighting for equality. OH, WAIT, it's about EQUALITY! For everyone. Race, gender, and class. Black feminist theory is different than lower class lesbian feminist theory. You'd better believe it. We're not all scary. But make a gender joke in front of me, and I will not think it's funny. I'll call you out and it will be incredibly awkward.
I saved my favourite for last. I took an English/WS class in first year, but didn't bother taking WS 101. In third year, I fell in love and I wish I could redo my undergrad with that as my major. Women's Studies has given me a whole new language with which to describe my world. The people are great, I've made more friends in WS in a term than I did all 3 years in English (PACS doesn't count, half of them are from my rez). Feminism is about more than women fighting for equality. OH, WAIT, it's about EQUALITY! For everyone. Race, gender, and class. Black feminist theory is different than lower class lesbian feminist theory. You'd better believe it. We're not all scary. But make a gender joke in front of me, and I will not think it's funny. I'll call you out and it will be incredibly awkward.
Yeah, I am in a lot of things most people think are useless. But I love them, and I am getting so much more proud.
Arts have been incredibly important to me even though it has taken me a while to get to that point. The Arts department has many strengths, just like Engineering, Science, Environment... Whatever you're in. Don't bash people's programs. Why would they be there if they weren't useful? Yeah, that's right. Terrible rhetoric, but it's the truth.
Yes, I will be going somewhere with English/PACS/WS. I will be an amazing writer because of English and be able to argue everything, I have a unique perspective on the world and tools with which to analyze and build.
It's interesting how many PACS people have the same issue with it "being too focused on 'feelings'". (OK, two data points here, but I think it's more widespread, especially if you include people who would be doing it except for that factor.) That seems like something it would be good to address more broadly...I mean, all PACS profs are involved in Actually Doing Things About Conflict IRL, but there's so much to talk about that you can get sucked into it for what feels like forever.
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