Last night I spent two and a half hours writing. Not typing, but writing. You know, on paper with a pencil. I was taking a midterm for my Feminist Economics class (which I absolutely love, by the way) that consisted of writing two essays by hand with a pencil goodhellwhoDOESthatanymore! I ended up with sixteen hand-written pages and cramps so severe I’m pretty sure I have sprouted advanced carpal tunnel in my hand and wrist. My fingers are sporting this odd claw-chic shape and I still don’t have feeling back in my right thumb. (Am I complaining? Why yes, actually, I am. When was the last time you lost feeling in your thumb for twelve hours? It’s whine-worthy, trust me.)
I’ve mentioned this Feminist Economics class (FemEcon) several times to several different people and the general reaction is “say WHAT?!” Without actually giving you an actual syllabus, let me try and explain.
We study economics through a feminist paradigm, with female-specific issues in both micro and macro-levels of econ. Are you still with me? We’re basically talking about the different issues women face and the gap between males and females in respect to money, wages, and economic equality. It is fascinating. We’ve talked about everything from eating disorders to domestic violence and divorce, honor killings, the “glass ceiling” of wages and promotion in the business world, micro-credit and property ownership, politics and campaigning, maternity and paternity leave after a baby is born or adopted, stay-at-home wives and mothers and their contributions to society, child care, traditional masculinity versus modern masculinity, the feminization of poverty…I could go on, but I won’t. I can see your eyes glassing over. This class is cross-listed at the University as an upper-division Gender Studies class and it is the most human look at economics I’ve ever seen. I love it.
I do not, however, love scribbling furiously with a cramping hand under a deadline. Also? Typing after such a writing marathon is still difficult–my right hand just won’t work right. I would like to place some blame on my professor, a Turkish-Israeli, Jack-Muslim* hippie with a severe nicotine twitch who used to work for the U.N. in women’s development, but she’s just too fantastic. I could never blame her for my clawed-up fist. Did you read the part where she worked for the U.N. in women’s development? Yeah. That. When I grow up, I would like to be a little like her, but perhaps without the twitch.
*Jack-Muslim is her term, not mine. Basically, it’s the Islamic equivalent to a “Twice a Year Catholic” using colloquial verbiage.
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Oh the good old days of writing. My students seriously don’t know what it was like back when we wrote notes to one another and kept diaries. I don’t miss writing midterms though. Did you have to use a blue book?
Comment by Lindz 2010 October 28 @ 11:17 amMy professor told us to bring two blue books because we could easily fill them. I brought one, and filled it, and then wanted to cry.
xox
Comment by heidikins 2010 October 28 @ 11:36 amIt sounds like an amazing course.
Comment by Allie 2010 October 28 @ 12:16 pmI do not miss writing exam papers frantically for three whole hours. I take pride in my handwriting. PRIDE. But by the time you get to the last essay… blah writing.
In case you’re curious: the last time my thumb was numb for 12 hours was after we hiked Timp. I hooked my thumbs through a strap on my back pack in a vain attempt to keep my hands from swelling up (I always get fat, monster man hands on a hike). Hands still got swollen, thumbs both got numb. WHeEEEEEE!!!
THAT totally sounds like a class I would take and love. Even with that final. Glad you survived!!!!! Hope your hands feel de-numbed soon!!!!!
Comment by Amy So 2010 October 28 @ 12:57 pmI wish you would just send me a copy of the syllabus so I can see the reading list. It sounds like my kind of course.
You MUST to read ‘Half the Sky,’ if you haven’t already.
Comment by Mona 2010 October 28 @ 2:28 pmI totally should have just come to class with you. I would have loved it. I should get a masters in gender studies; I love it so.
Comment by Lovestrong 2010 October 28 @ 9:35 pmAt least you didn’t write “wine-worthy!”
What are you majoring in to take such a kick-butt class?
Comment by Science Teacher Mommy 2010 October 29 @ 10:46 pmUck. At my law school, most people opt to type their exams (yours truly included), but there are a few old-fashioned hold-outs who write by hand. I have no idea what is wrong with those people. I can type much faster than I write, and much more legibly, and there’s no claw at the end of it all. I also have a feeling that a professor would be more likely to forgive dumb analysis in type than in serial killer handwriting.
Comment by Sra 2010 October 30 @ 7:19 pmwow, wow, wow, sounds like an amazing class to take!! wish more could look at life with a feminist view, because as you say, this is the most human way to look at it. for all genders and beings.
Comment by Pia K 2010 November 1 @ 4:52 pmDude…color me jealous! That class sounds fantastic!
Comment by Kelly 2010 November 1 @ 5:11 pmThat sounds AMAZING!
Comment by Janssen 2010 November 3 @ 12:19 pm