But enough rambling. I've finally gotten all of my classes figured out and attended each of them at least once (which, oddly enough, is apparently kind of a rarity for classes in January here), so I can finally give an honest opinion on them.
We were told coming over here that we should expect aloof professors who are more interested in their research and writing than their classes, and that we'd have to do most of the work ourselves outside of the classroom. Yeah, well, that's not the case. The professors are really, REALLY similar to Pomona's, in that they really engage with students and take into account individual opinions. The only big difference is how disorganized some of them are, but considering that some of them have classes with hundreds of students, I think this is justified.
Going into the classes themselves, the rate of transfer is about 1 1/2 classes per American class, so I'm enrolled in six for the semester. This sounds like a lot, but the time I spend in class and on homework really isn't much more than at home. In general, most of them just require that you show up having done most of the recommended reading. But this may be an unbalanced perspective, given that I don't have any science or math classes.
Speaking of which, enough dancing around! Onto the actual classes I'm in!
First in the week is Japanese Philosophy. I know, not very Irish, but my thoughts on it were that I know next to nil on any kind of Eastern philosophies, and this would be a good chance to learn more without getting massively bogged down with obscure reading like I would in Pomona. Given, there is a lot of obscure reading, just not quite so much at a time. We started the class by examining the fundamental beliefs in Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism, and then taking a closer look at how Japanese culture differs from our own. It really requires you took to question the some of your fundamental beliefs in the purpose of each individual within a society, and what rights we consider to be fundamental (as well as what duties these rights require of us.) For example, fundamental to everything is the idea of Buddhist Causality, which is kind of like a mix of Newton's Third Law of each action having an equal or opposite reaction and Chaos Theory, but on a more fundamental level. This takes into account the enormous and unlikely series of events that had to take place for any one of us to be here, and the equally huge consequences of everything we do. As such, everyone adopts a way of life that tends to be much more conservative and well-mannered, since that one bad meeting or decision can come back to hurt you years (or even lifetimes in the case of reincarnation) later.
Shintoism relies on the idea of Kami spirits which exist in literally anything that someone could consider to be phenomenal, spiritual, beautiful, or even just really interesting. Especially big rock that kind of looks like a pig's head? Got a Kami for that. Beautiful waterfall? One for that, too. Huge manmade temple, graveyard, battlefield, anything can have a Kami, and many have multiple. This brings about a certain need for respect of all things that the West often neglects. I guess the biggest difference is that, while Americans are taught that to be an individual with rights and your own way through life is the best way to live, the Japanese are taught that being one with your community and world and respecting those things greater than you is the ideal life. It's no wonder each thinks the others are weird.
Oh, and Shintoism is a religion of life, which means lots of big, obvious phallus in their sacred temples. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Wow, I wrote a lot on that class. And that's one of six! I'll make the others a bit shorter...
Next is Philosophy of Film, which looks at...well...the philosophy of films. It's kind of hard to explain. It's not so much about the plot as it is the shots, the angles, the music/score, and the purpose behind it all. Why did the director choose to open with this scene? Why do we focus on this character ( or a part of this character) so much? Films give us a glimpse into a world in which we can only speculate from the sparse images and sounds we are shown; just about everything we infer about the setting or the characters is hinted at at best. In truth, each film is only a series of still photos that when placed together, provide the illusion of movement; half of what we see in a film is just the darkness in between the slides, but our brain only picks up on the moving picture.
I was kind of hoping to come to some sort of conclusion on this line of thought, buuuuut I got nothing. It's a bit early in the class to try and bring it all together, so just take what you will from it.
Next is Introduction to traditional Irish Music, which has been very interesting. So far, we've looked at the different instruments traditionally used in Irish music, and listened to several examples of different play styles. Most are what you'd expect; lots of flutes and whistles, drums, fiddles, accordion-like instruments, etc. I don't know many of the musicians, but the style tends to be very difficult to play. You get the feeling that most of these people have done this their entire lives, and unlike in America (minus Native Americans), the traditions and legends stretch back thousands of years.
Speaking of myths and legends (or not!) next is Celtic Religion and Mythology. This was kind of my hobbyist/nerdy class that really doesn't have much to do with my major, but just looked so interesting! And I haven't been disappointed. We've spent the first couple weeks focused on historical evidence and descriptions of the Druids and their place in Celtic society. Julius Caesar, who fought them and wrote down first-hand accounts of their practices, gave us a good idea of their leadership/religious/philosophical/military roles, as well as the spiritual rites and practices. Apparently the druids were very busy, but had considerable power and sway to make up or it. There are even records of druids from opposing clans stepping out in front of their clan's armies, talking things over, and stopping a war before it even starts. Of course, records exist of the opposite too. Teaching in their sacred oak groves, special rites for gathering holy mistletoe, sacrificing people in order to read the future based on their death spasms (not making this up), the druids had a lot to do. But under all of the crazy rituals and the like, the base job of the Druid was teaching the next generation the verses and rights of the natural religion and debating, and discussing the moral and natural philosophies of the Celtic culture. Oh, and it's important to take all of this with a grain of salt, since the records we have aren't 100% reliable; believe what you will.
Next up is Intro to Irish History, which is your basic Irish-history-for-people-who-don't-know-jack-about-Irish-history history course. I was worried this was going to be kind of boring, but the professors have been good at getting us involved in the struggles the Irish people have had to go through, particularly during the Great Famine and the subsequent mass emigrations mostly to America, but really all over the place. This means that, just about everywhere you go, say Haiti or New Zealand, there will most likely be a small group with a strong Irish heritage and a passionate patriotism for the homeland. This has been very interesting, with the only side effect being a new found simmering hatred for any and all things British. Just about everything bad that happened to the Irish has at one time been connected (truthfully or not) back to their British lords. Nowadays not so much outside of the most conservative Irish families, similar to what we have in the US.
Last is Questions in Moral Theory, which is much, much more interesting than it sounds. I thought this would be one of those classes that would be very important to my major but not particularly exciting, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the entire purpose of the class is to take a deep look at the ethicacy of poverty. Like, does our status as a rich country mean we have a responsibility to help third-world countries? Should we expect recompense for this, or is it just the 'right thing to do?' We examined the Moral Contractualism (like the social contract) as well as some different reasons why we should/n't be doing more than we are. One thing I thought was particularly interesting was the idea of the Veil of Ignorance, which I had often heard of but never really understood. So, the idea is that each person can set the exact world they live in; the laws, the resource management, the organizations, gender and racial institutions, the importance of one's appearance, etc. However, you are missing all crucial information as to where you fit in this world; what social class, race, gender, looks, athleticism, really anything about yourself. As such, you will have to live under whatever cruel or unfair laws you set; so, it would be natural for someone under the veil of ignorance to pick the most extensive and equal laws for everyone, since he/she has no idea how well off he/she will be. Unless they want to play the odds and end up ultra-poor, sick, hated, and futureless, (or get lucky and be a dictator) that is.
We also looked back at older ideas of virtue ethics, like Aristotle's ideas on what makes a good or excellent human being rather than a legalistic set of what one can or can't do. A good person, he reasons, will have no trouble following just laws. Overall, I think this may end up being one of the most interesting and enriching courses I will ever take (meaning that after I finish it I will be more indecisive and wishy-washy than ever before, but hey, that's ethical philosophy for ya), and I really look forward to where the professor takes this.
Since I've been focusing all on classes, here's a bit on life in Cork. I know this has been long; bear with me, almost done. :D
The room is nice, especially as the weather has warmed up a bit. I was never really cold, but the weather sure made for some uncomfortable midnight bathroom trips. Coooooold toilet seats...
We're so close to the city center that just about everything I need is only a short walk away, which has been really nice when it comes to buying groceries without a car. Oh right! And practically no place in Ireland offers paper OR plastic bags! You're supposed to bring your own reusable bags to save the environment. The first time this happened, it was only my respect for my major and the environment that kept my jet-lagged, sick, irritable self from pulling the impatient teenage cashier over the counter and demanding his shirt to use as a bag.
More on the weather; you really can't predict it. At all. This week, 2 days have been foggy, 2 beautifully sunny, 2 rainy, and one absolutely storming. And in no real order; you wake up, look outside, and decide how many layers you need. But really, I don''t mind rain too much. It was worse when the sidewalks were all slippery from the uncharacteristically cold and snowy winter. This didn't last long, but each day it snowed (or thawed) I saw no less than 8 people slip and fall on the sidewalk. I'm proud to say I never fell, despite often saying this to others and tempting the heck out of fate. It may sound crazy, but I'm actually really enjoying getting out of the Southern California lukewarm weather bubble and into some real winter weather. Not having the seasons change kind of throws me for a loop.
I wish I had pictures, but my camera has been on the fritz. So, heres an overlarge online picture of the church I walk by each day to class, St Fin Barre's Cathedral:
There's a lot more I can say about pub culture, sports, and the people themselves, but I've just looked back at this entry and seen how long it really is, so I'll leave off with this: pints aren't actually pint-sized, rugby is fun and brutal (though not as brutal as the sport of hurling), and the people would be personable if it WEREN'T SO BLOODY COLD.
Talk to you all soon.
P.S. I forgot, here's my address for people who want to know:
Deanshall, Apartment 10
Summerhill
Crosses Green
Co Cork.
(no zip codes in Ireland!)
Also, I'm reliably on Skype every day, user name Kory Hook; just remember the 8 hour time difference, please. : )
