I may not find out my grade for Java Programming (CIS 043/183) until the release of the official spring semseter grades on June 12, but Professor Ting posted the grades for Discrete Math (MATH 019) and for third-semester Calculus (MATH 004A) outside his door. I was pleased to see that I’d gotten an A on both final exams, and a class grade of A- in both. Mission College only reports letter grades, so they will show up simply as “A” on my transcript. I’d expected an A in Discrete Math. In Calculus, I did well through most of the semester, but I wasn’t sure that I was doing so well on the last test and the final exam. I really enjoyed both classes, though Calculus was fairly challenging. But to some extent that’s the point; if it wasn’t a challenge I probably wouldn’t learn much from it.
I’ve enrolled in Differential Equations (MATH 004B) for the fall, and I hope that I can get an A in that as well. From what I’ve been told, it involves a lot of memorization of equation forms, somewhat like learning integration forms in Calculus, which I didn’t much enjoy. But I’ll give it my best shot. I’d rather take Linear Algebra (MATH 004C), but that course is only offered in the spring semester. And when I transfer to the university, I’ll have to take an upper division Linear Algebra course if I want to minor in math.
On Wednesday I was pleased to learn that I did get into the summer session 1 evening section of Public Speaking (COMM 001A). I was around 16th on the waitlist for a class of 30, so I didn’t expect to get in. Today we had our first speaking exercise, which was to read to the class for one minute from a book or article. This is the only exercise in which we are allowed to read to the class; the remaining five speeches must be delivered from notecards and memory. I chose a passage about “California Schadenfreude” from Christopher Moore’s novel The Stupidest Angel, which is probably the most laugh-out-loud, rolling-on-the-floor funny book I’ve ever read. I practiced several times at home, once at work with a coworker, and once in class. When I did the reading, I think it mostly went OK, though I stumbled over words much more than while practicing. Professor Dewis said that I did a good job with vocal inflections. My coworker had suggested that my pacing was too fast, and when I spoke to Professor Dewis after class, he confirmed that I should slow it down a little.
Next we have to present a two minute self-introductory speech, with two main points, multiple subpoints, and at least one visual aid. I’m a bit more nervous about that; I’m OK with talking before small groups, but usually on a technical topic rather than about myself. This speech and the remaining ones will be videotaped so that we can review our own performance.
As I noted in an earlier blog entry, I received the Best Speaker award from the 2005 HHC Conference. I suspect that the reason was the interest in my topic, rather than how well (or poorly) I presented it. I’ve ordered the DVD of the recording of that conference, and I’m somewhat dreading watching it.
Anyhow, overall I think the Public Speaking class will be fun. And I’m also looking forward to the American Government class in summer session 3, which starts as soon as session 1 is over. Since the summer sessions are only six weeks long, versus about sixteen weeks for a regular semester, the courses are very fast-paced.