Countdown to the first semester of my second year is standing at 17 days. Here's what's on the menu for the next 3 and a bit months, and what I'm bracing myself for.
EDUC | Schooling Ethnic Diversity
Expectations: Readings and lectures on how Māori, Pasifika, and varied Asian and African learning philosophies complement and clash with the Pākehā-centered learning system. Classmates possess some sociological imagination, or at the least, some empathy, and like to keep discussion alive.
Worst-case scenario: Class is populated by apathetic kids who need an easy pass. Lecturer or tutor does enough to provoke a "Having scholarships for Māori and Pasifika students is racist against white people," out of them.
Probable reality: Lecturers and tutors go out of their way not to say anything contentious. Most classmates will be international students. Lecturer will often ask the question, "So, how do they do it in your country?" At least once in the semester, they will direct that question to me.
FTVMS | Gender, Politics and the Media
Expectations: Intersectionality! A crusade to actively knock down white feminism! People learning to quote Audre Lorde and bell hooks and Angela Davis to each other!
Worst-case scenario: Dudebros bleating on about females, "feminazis" and how Helen Clark "looks like a man". Final minutes of the lecture consumed on uncritically watching the latest culturally appropriating, slut-shaming, cissexist feminist~ manifesto from a pop star.
Probable reality: Lecturer repeats "Men can be feminist too!" every time, just to placate dudebros. The latest issue of Craccum will be shoved and shaken in our faces. And since it's an election year, a large portion of class time will be devoted to how Patrick Gower just talked about Metiria Turei/Judith Collins/Jacinda Ardern.
POLITICS | Public Policy: Actors, Processes and Politics
Expectations: That by the end of the semester, I'll get my head around what the course's name - and its long-winded description on the university website - actually means.
Worst-case scenario: Headaches. Regret. Sleepless nights. I finally give in to the lure of coffee and energy drinks.
Probable reality: No one else knows what the hell they're doing. The lecturer gleefully marks our work and says we're doing great, even if the class average is just a solid B. At the end of the semester, they tell us that we can rehash whatever we've learned while doing a Masters in Public Policy.
POLITICS | New Zealand Leaders, Parties and Elections
Expectations: Raymond Miller continues to be the David Attenborough of New Zealand politics.
Worst-case scenario: Raymond Miller is not teaching the course.
Probable reality: Raymond Miller continues to be the David Attenborough of New Zealand politics.
Well, this should be fun. Bring it.
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