I read a new Young Adult book every week for class (YA Lit). It really is quite wonderful to say - I have to do my homework now and then to plop down on the sofa with an entertaining book :) I've been enjoying this class for the most part. We just finished the book In the Name of God. The protagonist is a devout muslim girl. I liked the angles of the story - she was devoted to her religion, and also a teenage girl. It was thought-provoking and I would LOVE to teach it to a high school class - get them thinking and talking.
The other class is Sociolinguistics - a graduate seminar focusing on male/female language. Also an interesting class. The teacher has come out of retirement to teach it and I appreciate her in many ways. She knows so much - she was around when this field really starting booming in the 70's. The only problem is that she has so much information she finds it difficult to stop talking :) There hasn't been as much room for discussion as I would have liked. But the reading is facinating. And I have decided on my research paper - I'm going to explore the feminization of the Christian church. Why is the church so predominately female - when did this phenomena start - and why, linguistically, does the church seem to be attracting more females than males. I have a couple theories, but I have to see where the research leads.
Anyway, such is my academic life right now.
The other class is Sociolinguistics - a graduate seminar focusing on male/female language. Also an interesting class. The teacher has come out of retirement to teach it and I appreciate her in many ways. She knows so much - she was around when this field really starting booming in the 70's. The only problem is that she has so much information she finds it difficult to stop talking :) There hasn't been as much room for discussion as I would have liked. But the reading is facinating. And I have decided on my research paper - I'm going to explore the feminization of the Christian church. Why is the church so predominately female - when did this phenomena start - and why, linguistically, does the church seem to be attracting more females than males. I have a couple theories, but I have to see where the research leads.
Anyway, such is my academic life right now.
Love YA stuffs. Annie thinks I should write and illustrate YA novels. :P I'm pretty sure I want to stick with literature for munchkins.
Can't wait to hear about your research!
I would love to read your paper when you are done. I hadn't thought about the fact that more women than men are entering the church. Most men may be as a result of their wives bringing them along. Yes definately share your paper when you are done