Exams + Cold = FRUMPY FASHION

Yeah, the weather and studying can bring out the worst in me... the FASHION worst of me. For the past week I've been lookin' like an average college student: unkempt hair, sweats, frumpy sweaters, no jewellery, BACKPACK, runny nose... Well, the last one is just me, but it might as well apply to everyone nowadays, right?

It's a wonder how I still make the effort to even put makeup on before I leave the house. And to thwart the boredom that is studying, I keep noshing on junkfood. More specifically, Sour Patch Kids, which are oh-so-addictive but oh-so->_< for the health. I actually have a stomachache from eating too much now. And my tongue is chaffed from sucking too hard. That's right. You heard me.

On top of exams, I'm pressured for time to pick out an elective class for next semester. I have a choice between two: Citylife or Power. I really want to take Citylife because the subject does interest me. However it's being conducted by a professor I had before and although he's easy on the eyes, he's not an easy marker. Plus, the course calls for someone with strong reading and writing skills. I enjoy reading and writing, but I don't know if my reading and writing will be cut out for this class, especially with this teacher. That is the only thing that's holding me back from making a decision. For now, I signed up for Power (so chill, Sarah!) but I think I will call the program coordinator and talk to him about this...yeah I know, I'm giving this way too much thought than I should but I really have my heart set on Citylife. I just don't know if I want to risk my academic standing for a GenEd course. What do you think? CITY LIFE

As a result of their magnetic attraction, cities concentrate people, money and power so that now three out of four North Americans live within their confines. What began as the natural growth of settlements around agriculture evolved into regional market towns that have now been further transformed into spaces where millions live and struggle and work and play. The city intensifies our focus, making possible both the best and the worst of human activity. The best health care, the most vital and competitive markets, the greatest diversity of human culture and the most sophisticated knowledge in science and the arts co-exist with the most appalling corruption, crime, ignorance, violence and homelessness. This course examines how it feels to live in cities as well as how different cities afford different experiences among their citizens. As well, this course explores how the city is both a response to, and an actor in, fundamental economic and political factors that can have a global reach. Sociological theory provides students with a solid foundation in university-level sociology as well as a perspective from which to view the theme of the city and the issues it raises, such as culture, class, stratification, race, ethnicity, gender and deviance.

POWER: AN INTRODUCTORY ANALYSIS In the first part of this course we examined various definitions of power. In this section, we look at questions of legitimacy. Under what circumstances should power be exercised? Does power encompass violence? What limits should be placed upon the use of power? We will investigate underlying issues including the relation between power, truth and knowledge, the justification of violence, the formation of communities, the ascription of rights, and the meaning of the term justice. Students will be asked to employ the theories and concepts studies in the analysis of contemporary case studies.