Yes . . . as in, I think this has been my most difficult semester despite having the lightest course load to date.
That and the whole questioning of what I want to do with my future thing. (Granted, if I don't receive any financial aid that decision could become easier in the short term as I try to weld my way into the camo boys' club.) I've been admitted an M.A. program with a specialization in Orthodox Christian Studies and I've had an awkward conversation with the director about how I'm not o/Orthodox. (His response: "But your name is Demetria.") Unfortunately, my mind has spun into overdrive and is now convinced that I can't possibly survive moving across the country, and then throwing in doubts that I'll be able to fit in with the program -- what with that whole extremely heterodox thing. I then remind it that I would be in Berkeley, CA -- I will be able to find many places in which I can be heterodox to my heart's content -- but it doesn't listen. The option is a general MTS program in Atlanta, which will have very few opportunities to work on Orthodoxy but lots of opportunities for queer theology, general iconography/metaphor/imagery, and Buddhism of the Tibetan variety. Atlanta also has the drawback of not really getting me out of the South. Somewhat soothed by the possibility of working summers with an absolutely amazing youth program. And neither program has gotten back to me with scholarship/financial info.
I have discovered that schools favor M.Div. students and show little love to the M.A./M.T.S. students. 'Tis frustrating.
In the course of doing some quick searching for the current paper, I have also learned -- according to Harding University -- ponytails on men are an "extreme" hairstyle. Yes. Special, no? That and gays and lesbians seem to be completely invisible at CofC schools -- although, to give credit where it might be due, Harding's sexual harassment policy seems to be phrased in a way would protect GLBT students from being harassed because of their identity. I can't be certain thats the purpose, but if it is -- it's an admirable action on the part of a University, regardless of any other policies they have.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Blessings on your future plans. I know the frustrations myself and hope you will find a smoother path than I have.
Its been a while since I visited here. Glad to see you still posting.
I did my undergrad at ACU. One of my classmates was Lesbian. A good study partner on several occasions. I have not talked to her in years.... But I cheered her across the stage at graduation as she received her Bible degree.
Many blessings...
... from the blogger formerly known as Messianic Gentile
MG (or the blogger formerly known as MG),
Great to hear from you! I hope things are going well for you.
The more I hear about ACU and observe its students and alums on the internets, the more impressed I am. And then I get warm, fuzzy, and hopeful feelings.
Somehow, a paper I'm writing turned into ways that Queer Theology could be adapted to a Restoration Movement context. Initially, I was just going to talk about evangelicals, but I know the CofC and -- frankly -- think that the Restoration Movement has more potential. In part because of Pepperdine's past actions and the open, dialogic attitude that ACU represents to my mind. I've been looking at college student handbooks in lieu of "denominational" doctrinal statements. For some reasons, professors like sources other than personal experience. ;)
Post a Comment