Independent Study...

[citoyenneclark.livejournal.com]

So I just found out that I can do an an independent study on something French Rev. related for school next year. Instead of taking a history class, (ie: Anatomy of Revolutions) I'd work for a semester on some sort of large paper. Here are some of my ideas, what do you guys think? Any other ideas? I've got 2 options for a faculty advisors each one is interested in different aspects.

Option 1) Professor one is more interested in cultural trends, and stuff like symbolism in the french revolution, and social aspects. (eh.....not my favorite area) She's interested in me writing my paper on the historiography of the French Rev, or how the French Rev is viewed through popular culture, compared through history. (ie: How was it viewed during the 3rd Republic, vs. Vichy France?) However, she's easy to work with, downside, likes Simon Schama.

Option 2) Professor two is more interested in political, economic and military history. Ideas for paper are: The CPS and planned economies, or how it operated as the world's first war bureau. Or the French-east India trading scandal (helped the downfall of the dantonists/hebertists.) and trade during the era. These topics seem a little more academic than say writing about pop culture. However he's rather hard to work with, (Socialist, and not in a good way, more the totalitarian type, and runs things according to such)

So...what do you guys think? any other paper ideas?

Comments

[maelicia.livejournal.com]

These topics seem a little more academic than say writing about pop culture.
Ah! I feel insulted!! My historical specialisation!!! ;)

Both look interesting. I have no personal opinion on which you should choose though. Depends what you want to do with it, if that work would prepare you for later studies, or if it's just for fun (well, and to get a good grade too, I assume). I don't know. I know more of the first type, obviously. I'd really need to focus more on political/economic/military history someday... I'd have to know how the CPS really worked! Hm, reminds me a friend of mine had suggested to me an idea like this once. Oh, despair: so many ideas, so little opportunities, only one specialisation possible...


P.S. I like how you describe that socialist prof. Are you sure he's not just rigidly anal-retentive? Totalitarism explained through Freud. Win.


Edit: Typos, argh. Am not focussed. Need more sleep.

[citoyenneclark.livejournal.com]

Well, that was also a factor, honestly, I don't really want to do something that I know your already doing. Feels like I'm encroaching on your research turf or something. I'm liable to get things thrown at me. XD

[acolnahuacatl.livejournal.com]

I'd say go for the one you'll enjoy doing the most. Not only will you get a good grade because you enjoyed writing it, but maybe you can engage in conversation with your professors.

Also, your Totalitarian Socialist professor makes this Democratic Socialist shed a lone tear :'|

[citoyenneclark.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the scary thing is, he claims he's a Democratic Socialist, and carries a membership card for the Socialist Party of America. Who knows.

[acolnahuacatl.livejournal.com]

Good lord he's hardcore. Sounds like he needs to lighten up?

[maelicia.livejournal.com]

I'm reading trying to figure out in this gif why the "con", "serv" "li" and "arian" are circled.... Two seem almost self-explanable but with typos, and one only works in French, so hm....

[acolnahuacatl.livejournal.com]

Actually, don't think too hard about it. It's from th Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In this episode he was making fun of Glenn Beck. But just concentrate on Jon's actions. American politics take too long to explain and trigger heavy....

[celine-carol.livejournal.com]

Haha... As soon as I saw the board, I knew he was making fun of Glenn Beck, but then I saw what was circled, and was like 'this makes no sense'... And then I realized that since he was imitating Glenn Beck, he shouldn't be making sense. XD Gotta love Jon...

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

I vote for doing whichever is of most interest to you. After all, if my experience is any judge, most of the work will be done on your own, so being able to put up with the topic is probably more important than being able to put up with the professor (though that can be more of an issue on extending projects like thesis-writing, just so we're clear). And boo to your second professor for giving us socialists a bad name. D:

[nirejseki.livejournal.com]

Hee, independent study! That'd be awesome, and you must keep us updated if you go through with it. : )

I would definitely do the second, though, if I were you - you like the topic more, which is more important than liking the teacher, and both subjects are cool, interesting (and, okay, I'm biased - I really want to read those essays!). And keep in mind that someone who likes Simon Schama - while perhaps originally easy to work with - may not remain easy to work with; the French Revolution, as we know, tends to bring out the vicious side of historians. XD

[lacommunarde.livejournal.com]

Sounds awesome! I'd probably go with the second option. It sounds like you'll end up hating the first teacher by the end of it (or as soon as you begin to get onto the subject of Schama). Besides, if the type of history being asked for is not really your area, it's going to involve a few, large, headache-inducing misunderstandings between the teacher and yourself. But either way, it's your choice.

And btw, I want to have gone to your school *runs off with it*