My first lecture was on the Irish Revolution from 1879-1923 with the engaging Dr Fergus Campbell. It is a research-led module, which means students are working with lecturers in their chosen field to understand the period. This week, Dr Campbell discussed Home Rule and radical newspapers in Ireland during the early twentieth century, although I must admit, an hour is not enough time.
I then headed to the Student Union for an Editorial meeting for the student newspaper, The Courier, as I am a Relationships Sub-Editor. We discussed important notices and then declared the articles for that week. It is always lovely to see these inspiring and talented creatives!
Afterwards, I made my way to the library to print off materials. This included sources for seminars and readings, which sometimes I prefer to read and annotate on paper instead of a screen. Unfortunately, my printing balance does not feel the same way!
I made my way to my next lecture, which addressed the writing process of my dissertation (incoming internal screams). As a History and Politics student, you don’t have to do a dissertation, but I wanted to. I’m enjoying the research process, but the thought of organising and writing chapters feels beyond my capabilities. To add to my anxiety, written in red and in bold, is a notice that there are just 10 weeks left until submission. Every day I am reminding myself that I can do hard things.
In the Henry Daysh, I ate my lunch and read about attitudes to birth control in Ireland for my dissertation. Despite being separate schools at Newcastle University, I often find that History and Politics are inextricably intertwined.
I psyched myself up for my last lecture. Luckily, Dr Michael Barr leads an incredibly enlightening module called Politics as a Way of Life. We are learning from the ‘Darwin of the social sciences’, Rene Girard, whose mimetic theory of desire pushed me to reevaluate my life’s trajectory. For two hours we learned that wants and goals are not organically ours, but an imitation of what others have. Eek!
At 6 pm, it is time for me to head home. Though an intense day of new ideas, I know that my degree programme inspires me to think more critically and independently!