Day 36, 20 April 2020
Unfinished business I worked on many different things, but it feels like nothing got finished. I tried to clear out my email inbox, but it’s not done yet. I got down to 42 = one page. Not too bad, I Continue Reading …
Briefing April 20 (Mon.)
Good morning, historians of East Asia! The final weeks of the semester are crunch-time, so I hope to un-crunch a few things and create more breathing space. But if you’re eager for new content and want to meet up with Continue Reading …
Day 35, 19 April 2020
About flutes, learning, and teaching Today in a twitter conversation with Dr. Rob von Thaden, I ended up encouraging him to check out local music lessons, and learn to play the instrument he’s been dreaming off for a while now. Continue Reading …
Day 34, 18 April 2020
5 weeks At least some things get done: With the decision to make week 14 optional, I feel a lot less stressed. I still have to put stuff on the course sites, and give feedback on the next stage of Continue Reading …
Day 33, 17 April 2020
Green! The students gave a thumbs up to my plan for next week – I am curious how many will show up, but if none do, I am totally fine. (And not in this sense fine.) I skipped the book Continue Reading …
Briefing April 17 (Fri.)
Good morning, historians of East Asia! Based on what I see on the check-in whiteboards at the start of sessions, and because this aligns with my own experience at the moment, I can safely conclude we’re really in the deepest Continue Reading …
Day 32, 16 April 2020
Pandemic pedagogy: Ultra-calendar forces adjustments An ultra-marathon means going beyond the standard 26.2 miles. Since there are no months with 32 days, I feel we’re now going into ultra-territory: I’m not used to counting days beyond 31. I’m not sure Continue Reading …
Briefing April 16 (Thu)
Good morning, historians of East Asia! Do you know The Oatmeal? Probably you’ve seen some of his drawings, but didn’t realize. Matthew Inman’s style is very recognizable. He’s just created a series to mark the ten-year anniversary, and the theme Continue Reading …
Day 31, 15 April 2020
Community Over the past few weeks we’ve had a chance to meet up with our departmental colleagues a few times, and although we’re not the most social bunch in normal times (especially not in comparison with PoliSci at the other Continue Reading …
Briefing, April 15 (Wed.)
Good morning, historians of East Asia! Today I’d like to point out a couple of good sources of free entertainment, just in case you’ve had enough of Tiktok videos (is that possible?) and Tiger King-like docu drama. Taking breaks is Continue Reading …