What a hassle this masters degree is.  So far I've had two semesters of complete horeshit classes and professors.  Hopefully this one will be better.  You guys are gonna love one of my classes.  Ahbar Ahmed - author of (I kid you not) Islam Under Seige.  I'll get audio when I can and post it.  You can suffer with me.

The other ones look better:

SIS-364-001 Contemporary Islam & Int'l Rel
SIS-619-007 Combatting Terrorism
SIS-659-001 International Relations of Russia/Central Eurasia
SIS-619-012 Transnational Threats to US Security                


I've done a great deal of research on transnational security (narcotic, economic and environmental terrorism, organized crime, gangs, etc)  and That Caucasus class is hopefully gonna be the highlight of this semester.  Those two classes pretty much sum up where I'm going in life.  The combatting terrorism class looks okay judging by the books.  I've read most of them and was surprised to see Netanyahu's book on the list.  Although I think that's THE book, most liberal prof's stick to Laquer.  At least this one PUT bibi's book on teh list!  And guess whose teaching the top class.  I'm gonna need a mouthguard to keep my mouth shut without biting my tongue off.

ETA: and oh yeah, it's only costing me 14K this semester!  EE, here I come.

Wear sturdy boots so when you step on hippie toes, it really hurts! I'm an Altama man. Hippie-goo washes right off!

What does Islam have to do with terrorism and US national security issues

Poverty and colonialism is the root cause of terrorism, dontcha know.

Quoted: What does Islam have to do with terrorism and US national security issues Poverty and colonialism is the root cause of terrorism, dontcha know.

No, you have it wrong.  repeat after me.  "I am the cause of terrorism."  

thats cause you are a jewish zionist

Quoted: Quoted: What does Islam have to do with terrorism and US national security issues Poverty and colonialism is the root cause of terrorism, dontcha know. No, you have it wrong.  repeat after me.  "I* am the cause of terrorism."

*Applies only if white. Even more so if a man, and if you're rich you'd be better off worshipping Satan.

I wish I hadn't futzed around so much as an undergrad.  As it is, my undergrad GPA is keeping me out of grad school now that I found what I really love in life.  (And it isn't what my degree is in, unfortunetly).

So while you're bitching about how much work it is, remember the poor schmucks like me who WANT to be there, but can't.

I thought I had it bad.


My hat's off to you.

A Jew in an islamic apology class....that's tough.

What program are you in?  There are a LOT of profs teaching Defense Studies type stuff in the area that have ZERO experience in the field beyond their ivory tower but there are also a PILE who are the real deal (active or retired intel/military/LE types).

Hope you get some good ones,

shooter

At this level, what's the benefit to having a professor or lecturer with whome you have total agreement, anyway? I expect you will have many lively discussions in your classes, and will be challenged on your thoughts repeatedly. However, I will keep my fingers crossed that your profs and fellow students get as much out of the spirited debate as you surely will. After all, it's only 16 weeks.

Quoted: I wish I hadn't futzed around so much as an undergrad.  As it is, my undergrad GPA is keeping me out of grad school now that I found what I really love in life.  (And it isn't what my degree is in, unfortunetly). So while you're bitching about how much work it is, remember the poor schmucks like me who WANT to be there, but can't.

For some reason my undergard grades were pretty damned good.  Ok maybe I know the reason.  Not telling though.  (STFU you bastard).  I took a while off before hitting grad school, but I'm jsut starting to get back into the process now (2nd semester).  It's tough to become a student again.  Sh*t I've been doing of my own volition (read books, intel reports, policy analysis) becomes laborous and un-fun once required.  Can't wait to finish!  (should be a decade or two!)

Quoted: At this level, what's the benefit to having a professor or lecturer with whome you have total agreement, anyway? I expect you will have many lively discussions in your classes, and will be challenged on your thoughts repeatedly. However, I will keep my fingers crossed that your profs and fellow students get as much out of the spirited debate as you surely will. After all, it's only 16 weeks.

That's why I chose american.  As occupier can tell you (if he's sober) one of our favorite teachers in undergrad was one of the biggest liberals alive.  All the teachersx I really learned from I also really wanted to punch in teh face.

Part of the reason I decided to up and leave Whitehead, was to take Ahmed in SIS after I read his books.

My School

and proud of it.  Actually getting an American car window sticker thingie.  It'll look great next to the NRA sticker!

Quoted: Quoted: I wish I hadn't futzed around so much as an undergrad.  As it is, my undergrad GPA is keeping me out of grad school now that I found what I really love in life.  (And it isn't what my degree is in, unfortunetly). So while you're bitching about how much work it is, remember the poor schmucks like me who WANT to be there, but can't. For some reason my undergard grades were pretty damned good.  Ok maybe I know the reason.  Not telling though.  (STFU you bastard).  I took a while off before hitting grad school, but I'm jsut starting to get back into the process now (2nd semester).  It's tough to become a student again.  Sh*t I've been doing of my own volition (read books, intel reports, policy analysis) becomes laborous and un-fun once required.  Can't wait to finish!  (should be a decade or two!)

Well, once I pulled my head outta my ass my grades were great.  The problem is the damage that was done early couldn't be un-done.

Quoted: For some reason my undergard grades were pretty damned good.  Ok maybe I know the reason.  Not telling though.  (STFU you bastard).  I took a while off before hitting grad school, but I'm jsut starting to get back into the process now (2nd semester).  It's tough to become a student again.  Sh*t I've been doing of my own volition (read books, intel reports, policy analysis) becomes laborous and un-fun once required.  Can't wait to finish!  (should be a decade or two!)

dear the kow:

i know a secret.  I know what you did in college.  and I am sober now- it is only 1am.  I actually was emailing with that professor today.  

p.s. why is your upper lip blue?

Quoted: I thought I had it bad. My hat's off to you. A Jew in an islamic apology class....that's tough.

+1
A friend of mine at work (retired Sgt Major) is suffering through the same kinds of classes and he argues with the liberal profs daily--but perhaps to no avail.

Good luck.

Quoted: Quoted: I thought I had it bad. My hat's off to you. A Jew in an islamic apology class....that's tough. +1 A friend of mine at work (retired Sgt Major) is suffering through the same kinds of classes and he argues with the liberal profs daily--but perhaps to no avail. Good luck.

Hey good luck with your AR orgies.  If I ain't invited, I'll be very insulted.

and you're damned straight I'm wearing my ARFKOM shirt to class tonight.  Just ordered some VA arfkom shirts, I hope to rotate between Arfkom, Team Arfkom, Arfkom Hometown, etc.....

sat next to a student who's brother is SWAT and training in NC, I assume blackwater.  He thinks his brother frequents the boards.  He said he's got two of the EBR's, so odds are good he's here somewhere.

Repeat after me "For the purposes of the exam..."
My minor is Arab and Islamic studies.
Hang in there - there are a few good profs.

Just apply the same standard to Islam that Islamo Facists apply to Judaism and Christianity.
(i.e. Anyone caught proselityzing Islam should be whipped. A special tax should be applied to Muslims, etc.)

Quoted: Wear your "Infidel" shirt to class.

my thoughts exactly.


Plus, the Everything I needed to now about Islam I learned on 9/11.

TXL

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I thought I had it bad. My hat's off to you. A Jew in an islamic apology class....that's tough. +1 A friend of mine at work (retired Sgt Major) is suffering through the same kinds of classes and he argues with the liberal profs daily--but perhaps to no avail. Good luck. Hey good luck with your AR orgies.  If I ain't invited, I'll be very insulted.

I guess that combo is a guy's heaven! haha I did mean to cross out orgies. Really, I did.

Quoted: Plus, the Everything I needed to now about Islam I learned on 9/11.

Is there a t-shirt with that?  I want one.

Changed some classes:

OLD
SIS-364-001 Contemporary Islam & Int'l Rel
SIS-619-007 Combatting Terrorism
SIS-659-001 International Relations of Russia/Central Eurasia
SIS-619-012 Transnational Threats to US Security    
NEW
SIS-659-001 International Relations of Russia/Central Eurasia
SIS-619-012 Transnational Threats to US Security    
SIS-681 Intelligence and Foreign Policy
SIS-596 Rethinking U.S. Foreign Aid

Replaced the 'combatting terrorism' class ( too much fluff, e.g. your classic post 9-11 terorrism class filled with people who just take whatever the 'hot topic' of the day is..) with this:

SIS-596   International Service   Rethinking U.S. Foreign Aid This course reviews the changing political basis, policy and program goals, delivery system and institutional infrastructure of U.S. foreign aid from the Marshall Plan through the Millennium Challenge Account. Focus is on the uncertain situation of U.S. assistance as it relates to the challenges of the U.S.'s changing role in the world, terrorism, failed and vulnerable states, and patterns of world trade and investment.

Replaced the Islam class (I would've had fun teh first couple of classes, arguing, challlenging, being an ass- thought about wearing a burkha to it - then I'd probably be miserable.)  with this:

SIS-681   International Service   Intelligence and Foreign Policy The role of the CIA and other intelligence organizations in formulating and implementing U.S. foreign policy. Includes human and technical intelligence gathering; processing and analysis; dissemination of information to policy makers; covert action and counterintelligence; the relationship between intelligence organizations, the President, and Congress; and ethics and the conduct of intelligence activities. Usually offered every term.

these two stay:
SIS-659-001 International Relations of Russia/Central Eurasia
SIS-619-012 Transnational Threats to US Security    

So far my teachers are a career CIA officer (russia desk, resigned in early 90's for obvious reasons), career NSC officer (Secretary for a while, too), the Russian class is taught by a guy who was part of the Orange Revolution in Georgia - interesting guy, hard to understand sometimes but this is a topic I'm really itnerested in (central asia) and we all should be, for that matter!  We are already heavy in teh area and having 'issues' and you can count the central asian specialists in gov't probably on your hands, might need your toes.  Taking the rethinking foriegn aid class just so I can learn alot about a matter I often defend in terms of Israel specifically, but more generally the american trend of 'buying' friendships and alliances.

All four classes, through a wierd twist of fate, are all pretty much related,  But I guess that's cause I picked em all!


The only problem is that my new schedule leaves little room for a job, or at least a real career-enhancing full time job.  I REALLY have to bother the NRA to hire me already!  I'm thinking that if I slip my resume in one of their donation mailings they'll see it quicker than if I send it to HR!