Hello, and welcome to my neck of the woods! My name is Brendilou Armstrong, and I am a '26 hailing from the cornfields and grassy plains of Western Nebraska. This year, I plan to involve myself in The Dartmouth and WebDCR (Dartmouth College Radio). I couldn't be more excited to set out on this expedition through college alongside all of you. Thanks for visiting my page!
If you are interested in Victorian literature in any capacity, this is the class for you! It is a course taught by the WGSS (Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) department and combines historical and political aspects into a literary seminar. The material is compelling and allows you to view female authors, including Mary Shelley, Jane Austen, and Elizabeth Gaskell, in a different perspective knowing the societal context of the time period and themes in their most popular works.
If poetic language and artistic writing styles are your forte, this is the perfect class for you! Taught by the English/Creative Writing department, Introduction to Poetry is an incredible foundation to storytelling, introducing students to poetry styles from prose to ekphrastic and written to slam. The approach to teaching the course revolved around the strategies of Robert Frost, where the Poetry Room in Sanborn Library held our class, and students' chairs were arranged in a circle rather than in rows of desks. CRWT 12 is one of the most unique and fascinating classes I have taken thus far, and as a result, has become my favorite class I have taken on campus.
Niche classes and concentrations define a Dartmouth education, and before this term, I never intended on taking an Asian art history course, let alone one with such a defined focus. Taught through both the Department of Art History and the Department of Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages by Columbia University guest lecturer Seher Agarwala, this course contextualizes sacred architectural structures of the Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic faiths. I left this course with a newfound interest in the artistic practices of East Asian cultures and an appreciation for their diverse historical backgrounds and religions.
For any Los Angeles natives or those generally wanting to delve into the history of southern California, this class is for you! Focusing mainly on the contributions of minorities to the area, this class provides insight on the seldom-discussed history of L.A. through the perspectives of non-white settlers from the 18th century to the present day. Through examining controversial films depicting L.A. (including La La Land and Once Upon A Time in Hollywood), I left this course with a deep understanding of the sacrifices made to construct contemporary Los Angeles.
If the history behind 1960s politics, fashion, art, music, and society interests you in any capacity, this class is the perfect fit for you! Taught through Dartmouth’s Humanities Department, this course covers the late 1950s through the early 1970s, focusing on the era's transformative nature while immersing students in the time period through samples of art and music. What an incredible introduction to an incredibly important decade!
Sunshine State of Mind: What am I up to this Summer?
As Week 3 of Sophomore Summer approaches its end, a brand-new selection of classes and clubs is in full swing. This term has already defined itself by its exciting, unfamiliar experiences and the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere radiating throughout campus. Here is what I have been up to during this wonderful time on campus!
When pertaining to classes, I have decided to take Spanish III, the final class in Dartmouth's Big Green Path–the required introductory language path for students who are not fluent in a language other than English. As I explained in a previous post about my spring term schedule, language classes are held for fifty minutes, four days a week, alongside an hour of drill sessions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This term, I am in the Spanish III section that begins at 9:05 am with drill sessions at 7:45 am (early, I know, but Dartmouth's campus is so peaceful in the mornings that I've learned to adapt and love waking up with the sun).
I am only taking one other class, totaling two for the term rather than the usual three. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, The Sixties, a history class taught through Dartmouth's Humanities department, occupies my morning from 10:10 am to noon. As the title suggests, the course focuses on the decade of the 1960s in American history–the political, social, and musical history. Although I have only been enrolled in this class for three weeks, it has quickly become one of my favorites that I have taken thus far.
In the case of extracurricular activities, I have decided to completely step out of my comfort zone and partake in a Sophomore Summer tradition: auditioning for and joining one of Dartmouth's many dance groups. Although I have no prior dance experience, all three types of groups on campus (dance, comedy, and a capella), maintain a more relaxed ambiance, holding auditions for anyone and everyone no matter experience level. Watch for either a blog or a vlog post about my time in a summer dance group in the very near future!
My friends and I at our dance group's kickoff event!
I have also decided to continue my position as a radio host with WebDCR(Dartmouth College Radio), a writer with The Dartmouth, and a journalist for my internship with Trill Mag.
I am so excited about the experiences that will come from these new classes and clubs and to share them with all of you, readers! Stay tuned for more on my Sophomore Summer!
Unlike some other universities, many of the STEM lecture classes at Dartmouth require concurrent enrollment in a laboratory section. What is it like navigating that time as a student?
Join me for a 5:30 A.M adventure as I hike the Gile Mountain to catch the sunrise and explore the Norwich Farmers' Market, enjoying delicious treats and a beautiful morning!
