Arianna Dunkley

(Win)tering my First-Year Classes

For any of my readers interested in pursuing a major or courses related to government, this post may be of interest to you! This term, I am taking Introduction to Public Policy (PbPl 005), Writing 5, and Spanish 2. For context, students at Dartmouth typically take 3 classes each term, which consists of a 10-week period. 

A writing class is a requirement for first-yeatrs to take in the fall or winter, which is followed by a mandatory seminar in the winter or spring terms. These classes are part of your 3 classes, and there are many subtopics to choose from with myriads of professors teaching them. Thereafter, if you apply for Humanities 1 and 2, Writing 5 and Seminar, or Writing 2 and 3, each writing class structure operates similarly, and you would take them across two terms. I am on the Writing 5 pathway, and my course's theme is Writing at the Limits of Democracy. Although it is only moving towards the second week of classes, I highly enjoy this class and encourage other incoming students to take it. We facilitate intellectual discussions about political issues and connect them to dynamics in literature. Our current assignment is to read The Cat in the Hat for President: A Political Fable by Robert Coover. I am looking forward to immersing myself in a nostalgic children's book transformed into political interpretation, especially as a prospective Government major.

Due to Public Policy being a minor that has piqued my interest, I am taking Introduction to Public Policy. At the beginning of each class period, we discuss current events in the policymaking and governmental realm, expanding my knowledge on issues going on in the world. This is my second government class at Dartmouth, but it incorporates interesting readings that broaden my perspective on policy. The workload can be challenging if I allow myself to procrastinate, but I have been doing a better job of completing the readings efficiently. 

My third class is Spanish 2, a continuation of my language pathway (I took Spanish 1 last term). There are different pathways in the language department at Dartmouth, but language is a requirement in general, even if you completed a path in high school. For instance, even if you are exempt from taking Spanish courses, you still need to complete your language requirement by taking another language (such as two terms of French). I admire the language department for this requirement because it expands my opportunity to apply for Language Study Abroad programs and become skilled in Spanish without it feeling like a chore. 

I am looking forward to progressing more in my classes throughout the term, and I believe that through resilience, I will be able to enjoy all of them! Likewise, I am ecstatic to share more about my course load in another post. Stay tuned!