History

I'm applying to grad schools for history now and while looking for various information I found this document, the preface to my term paper for Junior Honors History. It's still as relevant as ever:


Forward:

When I started this paper yesterday, I had no idea anyone would read it. Yet, in spite of all the distractions, I believe I wrote the finest historiography of the Burr Conspiracy. Ever.
Although I conceived papers that struck home before, (Bernstein, “King Arthur vs. Rethro: Attack of the Barbophile,” Kenyon College, 2002. Bernstein, “Art History, Fart History,” Kenyon College, 2001.) my own writing, until yesterday, had never brought me to tears. In many ways, Burr’s life mirrors my own. We are both renowned ladies men. We both killed famous politicians. We were both possibly guilty of treason (Depending on whether your definition of US soil includes Jenna Bush).
Burr is my inspiration, regardless of speculative history that has tried to place his life into the neat framework of my own. However, this work would not be complete if I did not express my gratitude to friends and accessories. Foremost, I would like to thank the kid from Jerry Maguire without whose shining example, I may not be alive today. Secondly, I would like to thank Sam Bowie for his mediocre strength in the face of speculation (PS. Sam, we finally did it!). Last (but not least!) I would like to thank Delta Burke for guiding me into manhood.
On my final note, I would like to thank Gerald McRaney in advance for not taking me to the street and breaking me.

Note from the Russian University

I thought I would post some differences between American and Russian universities. In general, going to college is a job in Russia rather than a way of life, like it is in American. Russian universities rely on a large number of class hours relative to American universities and far more in the major subject. Monday thru Saturday there are four class period of 1.5 hours each. Students have classes five days a week and an average of three classes a day, meaning a little more than 20 class hours a week. On the other hand, Russian students have less than one hour of homework for every hour of in class time. Almost all of their classes are in the major subject, or failing that, in a related subject. For example, my third year groups have four English classes, six second foreign language classes and five lectures on foreign history and economics or teaching.

Students generally enter the university at 16 or 17 meaning the first year of college in Russia replaces senior year at American high schools. As you might expect, a lot of Russian students lack some of the general knowledge American high school graduates have but have an excellent background in their major subject. When they enroll they are placed in a group of 9-12 students and assigned their academic schedule. For language students, this also means an assigned third language. Some of my students were extremely (and not particularly pleasantly) surprised to find that this year their group had been assigned to learn Japanese.

The age of Russian students also means they are sometimes not as mature as you would expect college students to be (maybe my expectation of college students is too high). Last week I was in my history class, listening to a lecture about the origins of the first False Dmitri. This is a first year class on Ancient Russian history with the very youngest students and I was sitting in the back row, trying not to interrupt anything. This girl sitting in front of me repeatedly turned around to take a peak at me, finally placing a notebook near me on the desk. Inside the notebook was this note:

Ryazan' State University vs. Radio-Akademia

I'm going to try my hand at sports reporting:

The Ryazan' State University Basketball Club's season was off to a rough start. After a much celebrated overtime victory over the Med-Akademia, the team fell in its next game by double digits to the Engineering Institute. But more was on the line besides a victory. Anton, a sharpshooting small forward practicing with the University, was playing for the opposition, Radio-Akademia. Tensions were clearly at a peak between the two teams.


Volodia and Mekhin Warm Up

In the first half, the bulky center from Radio-Akademia dominated Ryazan' University's wiry big man, Aleksandr Kuzmin. The University's fast break attack could not compensate for the enormous disparity in foul shots and the treacherous sixth-man, Anton, added off the bench scoring from the three point line. At the break, the score was 38-30, in favor of Radio-Akademia.


Sergei Efimov Drives

In the second half, the University regrouped behind power forward and captain, Volodia and small forward Artyom Mekhin. Behind by as much as 15 in the second half, the two combined for 18 points from the long range to catch Radio-Akademia with 3 minutes remaining. The other Volodia, the backup center, fouled out on an intentional foul call, giving Radio-Akademia four free throw shots and the ball; however, Radio-Akademia went cool from the line, missing nearly all its free throw shots in the fourth quarter.


Volodia from the Top of the Key

With half a minute remaining, Mekhin made a clutch layup, giving the University its first lead of the game, 60-59. The next possession, Radio-Akademia searched for a way to regain the lead, nearly turning the ball over with five seconds remaining. After a time out, Radio-Akademia went to its main option, who got a questionable foul call at the end of regulation. Despite the free-throw woes they experienced, Radio-Akademia's point guard sank both free throws, winning the game 61-60.


Coach Arkhipov Talks It Over

After the game, captain Volodia was reached for comment, "Well, [censored], that sucked. Let's go get some beers."