Howdy, y'all! I'm Alex, a queer and trans student from Tennessee. This year I'm involved with a lot: I'm serving as the Production Manager for the Dartmouth Rude Mechanicals, acting as Social Chair for Amarna, rushing Phi Tau, giving tours on campus, exploring the offerings of the Dartmouth Outing Club, joining Farm Club, getting more involved with the O-Farm and sustainability on campus, and generally enjoying my second year here at Dartmouth!
As a theater-kid-turned-English-major who already loved Shakespeare before taking this class, highlighting this as my favorite class of the term is a no-brainer. This class is completely accessible to anyone who is has never read Shakespeare while still being an engaging class for seasoned Shakespeare enthusiast. Class time is mostly devoted to discussion of the texts, and I feel like I came out of the class with a strengthened ability to analyze the themes present in Shakespeare's works as well as a better comprehension of the nuances of language used in the plays.
Before this class, my experience on the technical side of theater was severely limited. I've been acting onstage for a decade, and even though I knew that productions would be impossible without what goes on behind the scenes, actually learning how to DO what goes on behind the scenes was another experience entirely. THEA 40 is an incredibly fun and informative class, and I can confidently say I have a much more comprehensive understanding of what it takes to make a show come together. And next term, I'll have to opportunity to apply my new knowledge and skills as Production Manager for the Rude Mechanicals, Dartmouth's student-run Shakespeare company! I can't wait!
In this class we read stage plays through various lenses. These lenses comprised a general overview of the different readings of a play necessary in order to get it from script to stage: reading as actors, writers, directors, designers, dramaturgs, etc. I had an amazing time I feel my foundation of theater knowledge has been enhanced by what I learned in this class! I've been able to apply this knowledge as I continue to read and write plays in my spare time.
The Undergraduate Deans Office has an incredibly popular 'Take a Faculty Member to Breakfast or Lunch' program that allows students to (you'll never guess…) take a faculty member to a meal once per term! It's meant to facilitate student-faculty connecting, and it thoroughly succeeds. It's a really easy process, and a testament to Dartmouth's commitment to building relationships between student and faculty, facilitating networking and entrances into fields and careers, and making those connections all accessible.
Step 1: Choose a Professor or Faculty Member
This is truly the hardest step of the process. My first term I had an incredibly difficult time deciding, because I loved all three of my professors. All three created great class experiences, were engaging instructors, and were all very passionate about their work. I would've loved to sit down with all of them, but alas, that's not how it works. On the brightside, you can pick professors who you aren't taking a class from in your current term, so I could always meet with them later!
If you're having trouble deciding, here's a few tips: You can choose based on who's field you're most interested in, or who you may want to take more classes with. This goes without saying, but it should be a professor you'd genuinely like to sit down and talk to. And — if that sounds intimidating, you can also sign up to do the meal with other peers, as a group! That way it won't be a 1-on-1 conversation with the professor, which can make things a little less intimidating.
Step 2: Ask a Professor
Once you've decided who to invite, you'll have to ask them. This can be through email, through an office hours visit, during a conversation before or after class — there are various options, and all have their merits! Go with what you're most comfortable with.
Step 3: Plan Time and Day with Professor
Students and professors alike have busy lives and cluttered schedules. For me, it just took a few emails back and forth to figure out where our schedules were open at the same time! Like the last step, use whatever mode of communication works best for you.
Step 4: Voucher Form
DartHub is the online portal for just about everything a Dartmouth student could need — including the forms you have to fill out to get the meal vouchers for the 'Take a Faculty Member to Breakfast or Lunch' program. It only takes a few minutes and a few clicks, and then voilà! A free meal with a professor is in your future!
Step 5: Get Lunch!
There are two destination options for these meal vouchers:
Foco — also known as '53 Commons, this is the main Dining Hall on campus. Most students eat here pretty frequently.
Pine Restaurant — one of the fanciest restaurants in town, and it has deliciousfood.
I'm not saying this choice is a no-brainer, but… well, to each their own.
(My professor and I went to Pine.)
Step 6: Talk
Unless you plan to eat your meal in silence, you'll probably end up talking to your professor. So, a overview on talking:
"Speech occurs when air flows from the lungs, up the windpipe (trachea) and through the voice box (larynx). This causes the vocal cords to vibrate, creating sound." — Mayo Clinic
In all seriousness, the next step is to meet up, get the meal, and just talk! Make conversation — this isn't an interview, so you don't have to have questions or answers prepared. Discussions can cover Dartmouth, faculty research, other classes they teach, their experience in their field, etc. — and of course, they'll likely ask you questions as well. If you picked your professor right, this is the part where you get to relax. Order your food and enjoy a good meal with great conversation.
In Conclusion:
Getting a meal with a professor is a great experience, and I look forward to taking advantage of this program each term!
At Dartmouth, there is an undergraduate requirement for language; after all, it is the liberal arts! Fulfilling this requirement looks different for various people and I will focus on my experience.
Traditionally, Dartmouth students take three courses during a term, but I decided to take four courses this term! Learn about course load and the academic system at Dartmouth.
As I approach the halfway mark of my Dartmouth journey this spring, I find myself reflecting on the significance of distributive and world culture requirements in shaping my academic experience.
This is my final term before senior year, which is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. One thing I am excited about is the classes I am taking this term, so let me tell you more!
This is part two of me "nerding out" about my honors thesis! If you want to learn more about independent projects, theses, or the humanities at Dartmouth, check it out!
