Here we are one day away from December 2009. This means a few things: 25 days until Christmas, finals are about to begin, and that we don't have enough time to do everything we need to do...

Time management is a common issue for most of us. I see it in my own life, but more importantly in my work life with the students. Their common lament is that they don't like papers being due around finals. Well, they have to pony up and realize that competing deadlines is part of work--school and outside in the so-called real world.

My best advice is to rotate the classes that you're studying for, so that one day you work and read for 60-90 minutes for one class and then move to the next. Also, I've had many students in my office and we've discussed their papers a month before they are due. This way one or two papers are out of the way and then they can get to the next.

A major issue or rub here is paid work. So many students are juggling paid work. And, we all know that doing more means that there is less time for studying and papers. This is probably why it takes 5.1 years for a student to graduate at our university. They are doing multiple things.

Good luck with the papers and finals!

Student expectations can drive educators crazy. We expect them to come to class on time, prepared, and ready to pay attention. Some of them come to class and expect to use the time to text, facebook, surf the net, and others to learn. One of the things that I've found over the years is that it is hard work trying to please them all.

Instead, my strategy is to try to get students to think critically about the material. This will vary with some courses, as some courses require more presenting and teaching the materials, first. This would be applicable with the American Politics class. Since I am teaching in Canada, 99% of the students are coming to the thick textbook and information without any previous coursework. This class requires more history, lots of information, and then we can get to the concepts more so in the latter half of the term or with the assignments (papers and final exam).

The best thing about teaching American Politics in Canada: the students do not have a strong, personal investment in the material. They really do enjoy talking intellectually about the material and do not feel challenged personally when they are learning about the material.

One challenging thing with teaching the course, in the US the course is a survey level course. Here, it is a 300 level course. The majority of the textbooks on the market are geared for the survey audience, so at times, the book feels like it is appropriate for a high school audience. Yes, but perhaps an AP American Politics course. Nonetheless, I think that American is probably in my top four or five favourite courses to teach.

I have a new favourite website www.mylifeisaverage.com. It is a hoot. It's similar to FML websites, but this is funny and more positive. Check it out. My fave for today is the pie and lil' brother gross out. Although, the super heroes ones from yesterday were pretty great. This is one of those websites that will leave you laughing. Great way to start your day.

Wowza. Hit a hot topic with my interviews with radio stations and papers about Twilight. Here is a reprint of the Times Colonist piece in today's Vancouver Sun. http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Prof+sinks+teeth/2213925/story.html

My main point is not that I "hate" the series of books or that the books should not be read by tweens. (My poor 11 year old daughter!) Instead, my point is that we should look deeper at these books and the messages in the first two books. Thinking critically about nuances within any book or essay is not something new, as we have been doing this for centuries. UVIC will offer a round-table discussion about Twilight in January. I will post more as the final details are announced.

I am concerned with the internalized messages that some might take away from these books. I love reading and especially enjoy the Vampire genre. I've found the Night World series better in terms of their depictions of gender and the overall writing is stronger than the Meyer series or the PC Cast and Kristin Cast series. If I had any wish about the genre: continue to write about vampires Anne Rice. Your fans miss you!

I am going to Fall 2009 Graduation. The commencement (convocation here) ceremonies are one of the best parts of my job. I get to see the happy families and the thrilled students celebrate all the hard work and investments (personal and financial) and its closure. Congratulations to the Fall 2009 Political Science graduates!

The dust has not completely settled from the elections in the US yesterday. Many in Maine and the state of Washington are disappointed with the outcomes for same sex marriage rights. And, of course, others are celebrating the wins--primarily in the states of VA and NJ. Why?

Those two states will now have Republican Governors. It's actually the norm in VA for the party not in the White House to win the Gubernatorial election. Business as usual. This wasn't a huge election, as it is classified as an "off year" election and next year's November elections are "mid-term" elections. Nonetheless, the election results will be read in an interesting array of ways from pundits on the Left and Right.

Was this a mandate for the GOP? No, the "n" is too small and it's just too common to see the President's party get punished. And, we have to all admit that the economic crisis is not good for anyone, especially the party in control. That said, American Politics is always exciting to follow. I am really looking forward to my class today.