Hey everyone! Happy belated 2021! It has been a while since my last update, and I apologize immensely for that. My last semester of college was tough, I'll admit it. I took a full course load; six classes including two marathons. For the last few years, prior to the pandemic, I shared what courses I took, so last semester I completed International Marketing, Fashion Marketing, Operations Management, Legal Environment of Business, Shakespeare Tragedies and Romances, and Prayer and Liturgical Life (a theology course). When I created this schedule, I did not think it would have taken the emotional toll it had (i.e lots of hours at my desk), but I did enjoy most of these courses. Due to a COVID-19 outbreak on my campus, many of my courses were virtual for over a month instead of in-class, and that made it significantly harder. The good thing about all the challenges I faced is now I am better at time management and now know how to plan appropriately for my new semester.
Here's what I am taking this semester:
For those who don't know, I am a junior Marketing and English double-major, with a minor in Women & Gender Studies.
Edmund Spenser
For my English major, I am fulfilling a class for one of the pre-1800s literature courses. I don't know much about Edmund Spenser but in this weekly marathon (from 4:00-6:30pm), I will be learning all about him. I have all six books of 'The Faerie Queene' that I will be reading this semester.
Nineteenth - Century British Novel
This course fulfills an English requirement along with a WSG course as well. Since my study abroad to London was canceled, reading British literature and watching period dramas is the closest I will to roaming the streets of England this semester. In this course, I'll be reading Persuasion by Jane Austen, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot, Our Mutal Friend by Charles Dickens, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, and Dracula by Bram Stoker. I am very excited about this course, and interested because some of the books will be talked in through a feminist lens due to the Women's Studies curriculum. As of late, I've been very interested in Jane Austen as well after watching Emma (2020) starring Anya Taylor Joy, and Pride & Prejudice (2005) which stars Keira Knightley.
Digital Marketing
This semester, I am only taking one marketing course and I am very excited to dive into 'digital marketing'. I've been technically marketing my blog for years, and now it's time I learn about more in-depth skills I can utilize to expand my reach. I am also working as a marketing intern, so I will directly apply what I am learning in my asynchronous online course to my actual life. Some topics I'll be covering is creating a website (something I've been doing since I was thirteen), Search Engine Operations, and how to increase engagement to social media.
Introduction to Desktop Publishing
I like to believe I am a very tech-savvy person, as I am part of a generation that grew up with technology, but I have never had the opportunity to learn and play around on Adobe Creative Suite. This course meets twice a week for three hours each time, and I will be working on creative projects that will teach me how to utilize InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. I am very excited because I think these skills will help me in the careers and internships I am applying for. My first project is due February 11, so if it comes out well, I'll maybe do a series of what I am working on!
Introduction to Women & Gender Studies
I have wanted to take this course since coming to college. As you all know, I learned a lot about feminism and gender when I was in my all-girls high school, but it has been almost three years since I graduated, and it's finally time I take a course on that topic. This is also the first class that is mandatory for the minor, and if I like it...I'll continue to pursue it. I am very interested in the topic of gender, and I think this will help me have a better perspective of the world around me, and especially how I connect with people.
Internship Course
I was very fortunate to receive a scholarship through a global internship program called CAPA. In this program, I'll receive 3-credits towards my degree, along with having an internship. Although I haven't started the internship yet (I'll hopefully talk about my experience in May), I think it will be a great opportunity to gain some experience in marketing. The company I'll be interning for is in Essex, England, and I'll be virtual from Rhode Island.
This is just a small snapshot of my schedule for this semester! I am very fortunate to only have classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. On my days off, you can catch me applying for internships, catching up on reading (I have so much this semester!), working in the library, and more recently being a server at a bar.
New blog posts coming this week!
xx
Christina Madeleine
