A r t s & S c i e n c e S t u d e n t M a g a z i n e
4 no. 5
vision statement
Our vision is for The Melange to be a light-hearted and enjoyable read, to shine light on what constitutes the Artsci experience (in terms of our formal degrees, but also in terms of day-to-day goings-on!), and to bring Artsci students together to appreciate each other’s written and visual talent
We want The Melange to be a positive force within the Artsci community; as such, we do not accept or publish submissions that are discriminatory or hateful. There is room for thoughtful critique or for kind-hearted teasing in the name of humour or satire, but there is not room for pieces that insult anyone, are hurtful, or perpetuate racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, ageism, or religious discrimination We also want all information published in The Melange to be factual, correct, and clear; please note that fact-checking and resulting edits for non-fiction pieces will be included in the editorial process.
Content guidelines
Think about The Melange and all of its content as aiming to be community-building: when designing your submission, check with yourself: “Is this contribution supportive of my Artsci community?” (though your contribution doesn’t have to be about Artsci!)
If you want to create a piece on a faculty member, admin, student, or alumni, please get their consent (and evidence of consent, to show our editors) for the specific way in which you will be portraying them before you create or submit your piece.
Note: Merely referring to an individual in passing (i e , when they’re not the subject of your piece) doesn’t require formal consent, but please note that The Melange’s editors reserve the right to edit these names out of a piece if their inclusion is inappropriate
Please aim to keep submissions under two pages maximum/1000 words. We will assess submissions on a case-by-case basis, but generally we are looking for short pieces.
We accept poetry, short stories, comic strips, recipes, humour and satire, book reviews, reflections, visual art, fun riddles or crossword puzzles, and any other categories of submissions you come up with! Be as creative as you want! We can’t wait to enjoy your work :)
WIN A PRIZE BY WIN A PRIZE BY DOING THIS DOING THIS SIMPLE HACK! SIMPLE HACK!
It’s not clickbait, readers: as a special thank you for being such dedicated fans, we’ve devised a quest for you. Somewhere in this issue, we’ve hidden the Melange logo (pictured here): be the first to find it to win a signature Melange button! Send an email to themelangebyartsci@outlook com telling us where you found it for your chance to win Happy perusing!
Volume 4 no. 5
Solar eclipse watch party, April 2024
Submission and editorial process
Submissions should be sent exclusively to themelangebyartsci@outlook.com. Please attach your submission to the email as a Word Document or Google Doc, and indicate in your message what type of submission it is (e.g. “historical fiction comic strip” or “interview with an Artsci alumnus”) If yours is a written piece, feel free to attach any images you would like to accompany it on the page or provide suggestions for accompanying illustrations for our team of artists to take on!
One of our editors will contact you directly within a few days of the contribution deadline to notify you whether there is space for your piece in the upcoming issue or whether we will need to save it for a future issue. If your piece is accepted, there will be a specific editorial timeline We reserve the right to reject submissions if they do not follow our content guidelines
Editors will work one-on-one with contributors to edit their pieces. There will be an initial round of edits, which the editor will return as feedback to the creator for any necessary or suggested revisions A final draft will be sent from the creator back to the editor, who then will complete final touch-ups. Please be available to make revisions to your piece in the week following the contribution deadline, since our turnaround time for edits will be quick!
Brought to you by
Editors
SamDePaul,LukeFancott,Elise Farmar,OllyGriesbach,Graeme Lavrence,TessMacdonald, SamanthaPotts,LauraTang, DaniWohl
Journalists
McKinleyBallantyne,GiaChahal, GraemeLavrence,Sarayu Nambiar,AliceQiu,Grace Ratelband,KimiaTahaei,Macey Zhou
Contributors
JaydenMiller,Lisa-AnnNoronha, HridiPaul,JessicaTang
Artists/Illustrators
JaydaHewitt,AllyPeiMiddleton,KristenRasmussen, VivianVuong,JingYiXie,Emily Yang,OlliZelek
Layout/ArtEditors
JadynWestenberg
Dear Reader, Dear Reader,
There has been no shortage of very good reasons to cry lately. Many of you will agree that it's been a Month Where Everything Happened (a MWEH for short, like an unsure kiss) If you were involved with the Artsci Musical this year, you know quite well how grateful and absolutely dazzled I am at what you created out of a dumb idea my friends and I had one afternoon last April Between Project Sassafras and my time on the improv team, in addition to just being in my final year here, I've begun to look back fondly at what's gotten me to this point. These are things I’ll never forget. Though I'm aware that With Love was our previous release, I find I have so much love left to give. I'm still sore all over from the dozens of heartfelt notes I've written and received, from cheering on others' thesis presentations, and from several frantic final visits to the iconic Artsci student homes I've until now taken for granted Despite my full-body exhaustion (which I'll add does not help me feel any less old), I know beyond a doubt that this is what I was meant to do.
In its own way, this issue of The Melange follows the theme of the MWEH The Y2K teen-mag aesthetic speaks to that rushed reminiscence typical of a transient youth on its way out But don't look into it too hard We're reaching out to you more than we have all year, due in part to our gratitude for the community you've sustained here I won't speak for all our graduating editors we've got a piece for that in here but I breathe easy knowing this magazine is in the best of hands. I look forward to reading it in the future
Forever yours,
Sam DePaul & The Melange Editorial Team
TheBreakisfor sunny days
Sunny days
turn everything into a magnetic technicolour haze
Melting all sense of time and space the days leading up to the break are a race
I leave a whirlwind of notes and charts in my wake and gracefully, theyfall
Floating down to the sticky pavement
This is how summer accepts payment
Now my notebooks have fallen over
Neat and orderly no longer
Each with a tattered cover in a worn out colour creases swimacross the lined pages
My thoughts are packaged between parallelcages
Waiting to unlock a world left behind
And finally, I’ll step outside
I feel the breeze creep into my soul
And dance about my mind
Everything that happens in the heat is just a little more sweet
And look no further cause it’s coming soon
On an unbearable afternoon
The humidity might leave me stuck
Trapped inside a bubble of muck
That I’m left to chew on from the inside until it withers in the Summer rain
I was left in a daze
Those will be the sunny days Of the break
Whatthe happenedto
No, like, seriously This is me asking what happened This is me, Asking Artsci (like you asked)
Please, let’s turn down the lights and turn on some flipping music! Pull out that Raspberry, Ginseng, Sleepytime, Green Tea, Green Tea with Lemon and Honey, Ginger with Honey, Ginger Without Honey, Chamomile, Decaf Vanilla Walnut, and Earl Grey please! (1)
Do we all actually just not like each other? Aren’t we supposed to have cult status? What happened to toga parties, that would be SO. MAJOR. Like, I want to pull up as my favourite theorist or author!! Let me shave my head and cosplay as Michel Foucault, thank you very much
And I Know what you’re thinking: “Graeme you’re so sexy why can’t YOU host the Artsci Second Year Tea Party???”
Well, that’s a good question Too bad I’m the one who submitted an “Asking Artsci” piece to The Melange and not you, so I guess we’ll never know Maybe if this piece was about why Graeme won’t host the Artsci Second Year Tea Party then I would address that question, but it’s not, so I won’t, and I didn’t
But that is neither here nor there I digress
Seriously, what happened to Artsci Second-Year-Social-Cohesion?? You guys know that after this year I never get to see any of you again? If we don’t have an Artsci Second Year Tea Party then we’re never going to get our Social Cohesion (TM) and then none of us will see each other next year cause everyone is secretly a Darksci and we will all be scattered into the wind of miscellaneous inquiries and my life will be over and I’ll transfer into Healthsci (2) and you get the idea First-Years, can you spot the fallacy?
Like, didn’t we used to have a group-chat or something?! Remember when Ishmeet had a One Punch Man profile picture? Remember when we used to send Welcome Week group photos in there? Remember when we would be silly and cute and funny in the group-chat during Writing??
(1) I plagiarized Scott Pilgrim for this (2) I would never do this Artsci Till We Die!!!
What happened, to saying “Hi” to each other! Did we fall off? Are we in our for-real flop-era? Seriously, what has our country come to!!!
Like, did you know I’m never going to have a class with Avery Blundell after second year? There is not a single infinitesimal chance I’m going to be spotted in a Romantics class and you know he won’t be caught dead in BIOLOGY 4PP3: Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology And like, you know I’m not going to be in any more PoliSci classes so goodbyeeeee Hanako Womp Womp everybody (/gen) And Mira B B Ward (@pennedbymira) is going to be OVERSEAS!!! Like how am I going to have Artsci Social Cohesion without my day-one Keira-Knightley early-2000s flustered-office-girlin-colourful-scarf-and-gloves-wearing Wasian!?
Now mind you, maybe this means Artsci Class of ‘26 will actually show up to our classes because we’ll be starved for some good old-fashioned Artsci interaction. I would even go to pit band rehearsal JUST so I could talk to you guys. Like PLEASE tell me about why you also chose to write about Leonardo DaVinci on your Supplementary Application!!
Anyways, please, someone host an Artsci Second Year Tea Party?? (I promise I’m done committing ArtC*st?????)
GraemeLavrence, LevelII
OlliZelek, LevelI
I'm normally very on top of things It’s why so many of you have written to my column over the years. Of course, I can't respond to everybody's questions as they come The following is a selection of past letters I never got around to answering until after the publishing deadline Enjoy!
ask an Artsci!
periodical advice by Sandy Paul
SarahDuvall,LevelI
QQ..
Hi Sandy! Coming into this program, I thought I knew myself pretty well But something doesn't sit well about there being 90 or so different variations on the theme I thought was uniquely mine. It's honestly a little disorienting The stuff we're learning doesn't help to ground me either Can you convince me that any of this is real? (27 Oct 2020)
You've come to the right place, Sarah! See how I meant that in two ways? Nowhere else but in a university program with the vaguest possible title can you meet so many people who are roughly like yourself While I can't prove you don't live in a simulation (bring that one up in Argumentation), I can suggest this: take advantage of your similarity with your peers You don't have to hide your strange hobbies or interests from the world anymore I guarantee you one of them is into something weirder. And it may not seem like it from behind a Zoom screen, but you're all in the same situation So be yourself better than you ever have -S
I'm in over my head with this politicalstatistical-physical mess of an education, to the point that my mind and body are starting to reject it. I find I'm more concerned with my social life than whatever midterm is coming, at a very real cost If they're trying to make a wellrounded young philosopher out of me, it's having the opposite effect Should I drop the Artsci charade and go all in on my combination? (12 Feb 2022)
Brandon, I know how you're feeling, and I can tell it's not your first time through There's a lot you're going to regret about undergrad when it's all over, and that's your prerogative. What I'd avoid, though, is aiming to minimize or maximize your future regrets with rash decisions You're no doubt a charming person You'll make friends, and heaven knows what else, no matter how many assignments you halfbake, or textbooks you "forget" to buy at the start of the term This may not be what you want to hear, but you have to just knuckle down and do the work You're here for a reason, and I’m afraid it isn't to get more people swiping up on your Instagram stories. As for switching programs, consider Newton's First Law of Motion -S
BrandonSmall,LevelII
SimondeWaal,LevelIII
QQ..
I'm 3 years in (more like 2 lol), and it feels like nothing's changed for the better Everyone around me has some internship lined up, finding a place for themselves in the world, meanwhile I'm falling into the same old dead-end habits I've had since high school It's hard to "consider my options" when I've got nothing to show for myself up to this point How do I stop wasting my time? (9 Dec 2022)
SanaDomhnall,LevelIV
QQ. .
.
When you’re caught in endless possibilities, Simon, it’s easy to lose your head You must be exhausted with the totally inhuman task of marketing yourself to everyone you meet, out loud or far more often in your head I'd start by looking at what you're interested in, then spending some time reflecting on why it interests you Come up with some big questions, then bring them to an expert on campus during their office hours There are so many people out there who want to know what you're thinking and put those thoughts to use; for some, it's in their job description And I must stress don't worry about what others in your year are doing relative to you There’s a waste of time for you Make space for yourself independent of those artificial expectations. That might mean trying something new What do you know about improv? -S
AA. .
What in the hell do I do from here? I've got a dozen interests that I’m equally passionate about, and half as many weeks in the term to settle on one I know life isn't over once you graduate, and I can always change my mind, but it certainly would be nice to pick a door before they all swing shut behind me Also, unrelated, but do you know how to write a thesis? (18 Mar 2024) Sana, post-graduate affairs are not in my realm of expertise I recommend you bring your questions to the Student Success Centre or an equivalent organization on campus, or to one of our program administrators in LRW 3038 Did you attend the Connect to Careers fair earlier this month? There are all kinds of resources available to help you put together a measured path forward, as well as workshops to take your current projects to where you want them to be Good luck with everything!! -S
SamDePaul, LevelIV
I see the small droplets streak down
One by one I can almost hear them
It's been two years of constant leaks
Maybe it needs maintenance?
Or maybe I should just let it go?
How much more money do I spend on fixing it?
Maybe I keep going to the wrong person?
Where does one find the right person?
It's feeling smaller than usual in the bathroom I close my eyes
I count backwards
I open my eyes to find 5 things I touch 4 of them
I hear the leak, the neighbour's saxophone, and my heartbeat
I hold the scentless Dollarama soap bar in hopes of a smell but I give up and sniff my jacket
What's the last thing?
Fuck, what was the last one?
5 things you see, 4 things you touch, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell
What was the last one?
Stupid fucking anxiety coping skill.
This is exactly why I need another maintenance man
One that can stop the leaks, and give me some actual help
Gosh, why can't I remember it?
Do I have a mild form of Alzheimer's?
No, I don't, I'm spiralling
I’m not supposed to
I’m supposed to see 5 things, touch 4, hear 3, smell 2 and…
And what?
What was the last one?
KimiaTahaei, LevelIV
hey!
alive lol
hhahahahahaha ahahahahaha
how’s it going for you?
are you going to be working this summer? taking courses?
how fun! i’m going to be x at y yours sounds much cooler haha, what will you be doing?
ah that’s cool, sounds super interesting! where are you going to be?
hamilton? me too!
another school year gone by, crazy have you thought about dying what you’re doing after you graduate?
haha, understandable. i also don’t know what i’m doing haha anyway
hope your summer goes well! see you around! hahah
aha
h
ahaha ha a
to combine or not to combine musingsofanotherunsurefirstyear
I have a love-hate relationship with options and choices I love having varying paths and different ways to lead my life. But at the same time, I always crave a second, third, fourth, tenth opinion before I make a choice, and even then I still struggle to decide So, it’s safe to say that after Dr Marquis’ combination meeting, I was feeling well, a lot of feelings. I’m still getting used to how being unsure is a fundamental part of this program. It is something so unique; all my friends outside Artsci are getting ready to pick an area of study for their upcoming years, and I’m sitting here looking in every possible direction praying for something to guide me. I’ve looked for advice from upper years and I tend to hear very similar thoughts:
“Youdon’tneedtocommit!”
“Justslowdowntofigurethingsout,youhavesomuchtime!”
“ThisiswhatArtsciisalllllabout!”
Man
Honestly, sometimes I do wonder what I got myself into To be in this program while living in a world where having a specialized education is arguably the most valued is frankly kind of scary I’m always hearing concerns from my parents about how I plan to be employable and even I share those concerns.
At this stage, I try to look back to October-November 2022, when I first decided that I’d be applying to Arts and Science. I remember eagerly reading about the interdisciplinary education, the critical thinking, and the small class sizes Meanwhile, my friends were teasing me for voluntarily applying to a program very similar to the International Baccalaureate (IB), which I had been in since Junior Kindergarten Part of me applied to the program because of this similarity, as I was anxious about the immense change that would come with university I thought being in this program might help me transition better since I was already used to all the aspects of the program, and I wouldn’t struggle with making friends But the other part of me wanted to explore during my undergrad. I resented the idea that, at 18 years old, I was supposed to know EXACTLY what I wanted to study and pursue for the rest of my life Artsci alleviated that concern
Artsci was my reach program After all, being one of seventy is insanely hard to achieve I still remember what I had repeatedly told my parents about Artsci if I were to get in.
“If I get into Artsci, that’s it I HAVE to go It’s too big of an opportunitytopassup ”
I got an acceptance a month earlier than I was supposed to I vividly remember seeing the email that my application portal was updated, and I immediately thought, “Okay so they’re quick to reject me! Makes sense, being one of seventy is so difficult ” My best friend held my hand with full confidence in me as I checked my portal, and we both screamed when I saw the “Congratulations!” I love thinking about that excitement as I looked ahead to the idea of a brand-new future, pursuing my dream program away from home It is THIS excitement that I wish to draw from now, despite all of this uncertainty I am still excited to be here, and I know I will be whether I combine or not.
So, I guess I won’t be combining this April I want more of a chance to explore my interests and passions in an academic setting before settling, if I even settle at all. Maybe I’ll mess around and shadow combine, or minor, or simply stay a pure Artsci Despite all these options and choices, I believe that I’ll be proud of myself in the end regardless After all, as corny as it is, it’s about the journey not the destination, and of course, the friends we make along the way
Wordsby SarayuNambiar, LevelI ArtbyJessicaTang,LevelIII
tothesitcomhouseandthefriendsofarkell
You carry my dreams, and I wrap myself around yours
Wrapped around your footsteps, fruit peels on plates
Loose leaf tea in mugs we share
I’m green, and I’m grateful, grateful
For how green we all are
Like the playground we ran to at night, climbing through light pollution
Lying in the grass, “next year” the most abstract concept we’d encountered that semester
Looking at stars we’d seen before but not together
I carry your stories, and you’ve unearthed mine
Imagining your people and places
Someday, I’ll find out if I pictured them right
You’re in my future, and it’s glistening, glistening
Because we shared this green, these songs, this lifetime
When you tell me there’s no need to worry, I can believe you
Listening to your footsteps as you wander through this moment
As I fall asleep or wake up
And start again.
What we have,
JadynWestenberg, LevelIII
It was falling in love for the first time
But not the last
You taught me how to live
Comfortably in all I am
To fall into others’ arms
To fall free, then slowly
And I’m green, and I’m grateful, grateful
For our green
How green we all are
How green we are here
MaiaPoon, LevelIV
a Ridiculously positivisticAnalysis o
After a rigorous and transformative two semesters of SPT, the class of 2026 weigh in: which readings were our favourites? Which thinkers did we most often respond to on midterms? Which texts were most relevant to contemporary life? What does “favourite” even mean in the context of SPT?
Fall Term
By far the most popular reading of the fall term was Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, which was the “favourite” reading of 43% of respondents. Poor John Locke was unofficially deemed our least favourite, with Second Treatise of Civil Government receiving exactly zero votes (take that neoliberalism!)
Interestingly, the most completed reading (a text was considered completed if the respondent read at least 90% of the assigned sections) was Plato’s The Republic, although it fell short of our favourite with only half as many votes as AVindication
The fall midterm examination saw a roughly even split between Plato and Wollstonecraft, with 70% of respondents choosing to respond using these thinkers Again, John Locke lagged behind, the choice of only 54% of respondents.
Respondents were asked to choose up to three thinkers from the fall term that were, in their experience, “most relevant to contemporary life ” Karl Marx’s The Communist Manifesto won out, chosen by 61% of respondents. Immanuel Kant’s Toward Perpetual Peace and Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication tied for second place, chosen by 43% of respondents each
Winter Term
When it came to our “favourite” reading from the winter term, there was no contest Judith Butler’s Precarious Life won out with 67% of votes The next most popular reading was Michel Foucault’s Society Must Be Defended with just 25% of votes. Jacques Derrida’s Of Hospitality received just one vote (mine), but admittedly the Derrida lecture took place just one day after the survey had been released At the time of the survey, Robyn Maynard and Leanne Simpson’s Rehearsals for Living had not yet been read, so this text was not included in the survey
Winter term featured Astra Taylor’s Examined Life: Philosophy in the Streets, a stunning film with a companion book collecting Taylor’s conversations with eight philosophers According to respondents, the superstars of Examined Life were Judith Butler and Cornel West, with 36% and 29% of votes respectively. In general, Butler was the favoured thinker of respondents, and was chosen by a whopping 93% of respondents for the winter midterm examination Butler’s Precarious Life was by far the most completed reading by respondents and was also voted “most relevant to contemporary life” by 61% of respondents
Respondents also voted on the “most thoughtprovoking” film or video screened in class Taylor’s Examined Life and Yehiel De-Nur's testimony from the Eichmann trial were the most popular, garnering 39% and 29% of votes respectively
Notes on “Favourite”
When it comes to SPT, the words we choose are fraught. “Favourite” is perhaps the least adequate word I could have chosen to describe the texts in this survey, but I know no other words that succinctly describe what it means to have a favourite book I’m talking about the book that tickles your brain the book that fills you with thoughts too abstract to parse the book that is your book by some incomprehensible personal metric It’s difficult to choose a favourite among so many history-altering thinkers, but perhaps “favourite” is the best we can do.
Respondents were given the option to write in a short answer explaining what “favourite” means to them in the context of SPT Many respondents answered using the words “relatable,” “applicable” and “thought provoking ” Many respondents also noted that they preferred the texts that were the most legible or easiest to read. One respondent offered an extremely cogent summary of SPT : “I enjoyed readings that gave words to ideas that I feel in my core but are hard to verbalize When I remember the reading in my body rather than my mind, I know it hit different ”
SamanthaPotts, LevelII
summer, looming once again close enough to touch yet shrouded in the mist of april showers my promised may flowers a fake freedom, poisoned with anxiety who will my summer be this year?
AliceQiu, LevelII
JadynWestenberg, LevelIII
she bought him a lottery ticket for his birthday he didn’t bother looking at it until the next day it takes two words to earn even three dollars... it didn’t yield a single one.
she prayed over it before he started scratching, but that doesn’t mean the results can change that the letters you get or the cards you’re dealt can be anything other than the ones you’ve already got. so sometimes i wonder
what’s the point of praying? if you believe everything is predetermined anyway?
and my first thought was that that card was indicative of their relationship one thinks the other uncaring; the other? uncaring, for one.
but even if it’s all true, what i’ll choose to take away from it is this:
i’ll pretend it’s some inadvertent proof of free will that defines them: the choice to have chosen another card, the choice to leave when everything seems to be telling you to the choice to stay anyways i’ll pretend that they choose to love through the good times and the bad even when i’m pretty sure they don’t anymore because maybe that is the only way i will come out unscathed maybe it is the only way i can protect what we have
so i will always choose you i’ll choose us, again and again and again because when their mistakes seem written in the cards stacked against me, you always pull me through to the other side feeling like i’ve hit jackpot anyways
Words&Artby JessicaTang, LevelIII
tthe he ffa alll l of Rome of Rome
You are my Roman Empire, a timeless reign, October 18th, forever marked by the pain Two years since you've departed, yet your light remains, A spirit glowing bright in life's eternal plains
In my thoughts, you visit me every day, Though physically apart, your presence seems to find its way Although Rome has crumbled, a (not so) distant past Forever I will think of you. The memories. Those will last.
You left far too soon, and I wish I could change life’s path But I must go on, through moments of joy and tempest’s wrath In your honour, I live my life and share your name with pride. Someone unforgettable, you’ll be forever by my side.
I stay for you, constantly striving to make you proud I feel your presence there, the loudest voice throughout the crowd. Just like the Roman Empire, your legacy will not fade. If I have anything to do with it, time onward cascade
I miss you I love you I will not forget you
WordsbyJaydenMiller,LevelIII ArtbyJadynWestenberg,LevelIII
DDr.Wilson r.Wilson
For the final issue of this year, Asking Artsci, I wanted to channel my inner Rory Gilmore (seasons 1-3 only, obviously) by putting on my journalist hat and asking some hard-hitting questions. As it turns out, my questions which had the purpose of investigative journalism lent themselves better to an inquisitive discussion I was lucky to sit down with former Director of Arts and Sciences program, and current Literature Inquiry professor, Dr. Jean Wilson We chatted about Artsci Alumni, a little program history, and of course, Literature Inquiry 4LI3
*Conversationhasbeeneditedforclarity
Dani Wohl: Can you describe the first year that you taught this course and how you came to teach in Artsci?
Jean Wilson: I came to Mac in 1989 on a three-year postdoc, really a research position but each year I taught a course in Humanities At the end of those three years, I got a tenure-stream job at Mac in Comparative Literature and German Dr Ferrier, who was Director of Arts and Science at the time, had heard about the teaching I was doing as a postdoc and asked: would I teach this course in literature, which had been taught since the beginning of Artsci by an English professor, Dr Ross, who was ready to move on I had great respect for Dr Ross, who became a dear colleague and constant support
It was life changing for me when Dr. Ferrier asked me to teach in Arts and Science. I still continued to teach courses in Comparative Literature, but gave up my German courses in order to teach Artsci Lit
So I started my Artsci teaching in 1992 very young, very junior, slightly intimidated The whole cohort took the class, and there were no TAs. Back then, in Social and Political Thought and Practices of Knowledge, which were called Western Civilization and Western Thought, students would talk about free will and determinism So, some of the students would come into Lit and think it was a chance to keep those debates going Especially some of the men in the class were intent on carrying on these debates And I thought “no, that's not what this is ” I think that approaching a literary work is an act of the imagination; it's not an objectifying practice in which you look at a text and determine its meaning or what the author is trying to say or load all these assumptions on And so, I remember I went into that class, and the book we were reading was actually TheIliad, which is, as you know, a text I have very strong feelings about And I said: “Okay, you know and I know that Arts and Science is very discussive, that's how we operate But today, I want to talk and I ask you to listen and then, together, let’s try to articulate our approach.” And it was so great. I remember the next class, all these women started talking and, and all the others settled down from debating and were happy to do so It was just necessary to kind of disrupt those patterns
DW:How has the Artsci Literature course, now called Literature Inquiry, changed throughout the years?
JW: The course has developed in many, many ways, and I've grown with the course as well I was learning to read the texts in new ways, I was learning more about my own practice of reading, and I was learning more about Arts and Science students and what that could mean for our class because people are coming from so many different locations. That's true in all classes, but Arts and Science has a particular dynamic mix and Literature was, in most cases, the only course in literature they'd be taking their whole degree So, it's like, okay, here we go, right? Let's do it And we could go really deep, really quickly
When I started teaching Lit, it became a Comparative Literature course, with many texts not originally written in English, new texts, by women authors, and so on it was a new syllabus in many ways And it was interesting because at the time Lit was a required course. Every student would take it, except if you were combining English and Cultural Studies, in which case you were not allowed to take it because the assumption was it would just be a lot of overlap But in discovering the shape the course was taking, some students in that combination said “well, wait a minute, why can't we take it? We want to take it! It's very relevant!” So that rule changed Then, by the second year, it became quite large I think the third year I taught it, it was 60 students and we started having TAs, and the program size wasn't even as big as it is now. Literature became a kind of capstone course for third- and fourth-year students
When I became director in 2010, I continued to teach the Artsci Literature course, always conscious, because of working with other instructors on the Artsci curriculum, of how Literature fit within the greater scheme of things. I retired as director in 2022, having taught the 6-unit Literature course for exactly 30 years at that point, and having absolutely loved it Literature was such a unique course that that iteration of literary studies retired with me When Dr Marquis asked if I would consider continuing to teach, I suggested it be not the exact same course It was time to move into something new for everybody and we thought a 3-unit upper-level Lit inquiry would be great. I loved working with TAs, but small seminars are just a different experience, and I missed having that different dynamic.
DW: It’s hard for me to imagine, though I know this is because I’ve only experienced Lit as a 20-person seminar, what it might have looked like with 60 people. How would you say that Literature differs as an Inquiry course? How does the spirit of Inquiry present itself in the process of literary study?
JW:Even though it's not explicitly called “inquiry,” I'd say that Lit has always been an Inquiry course
Part of our approach, whether it was the Literature course or Literature Inquiry, is bringing these texts into conversation with each other We don't read a book and then say “Goodbye Here's another book Goodbye ” We're not reading the text in isolation, and we're not only reading the things that immediately stand out to us You take what you notice , and you open it up; you're working with the author to confront yourself And that often means changing your opinions, opening new views rather than reinforcing them. It’s about asking: what are we taking from this? And how is it challenging us?
DW: Is there a book that you’ve read, or re-read, recently that you’ve considered adding to the syllabus?
JW: Oh, practically every book I read! Every year I say to students, “okay, what can I ditch, because there are always texts I want to be bringing on ” And everyone says: “oh yeah, this book would be great, that text would be great But you can't get rid of that!”
DW: Could you tell me one book, it does not have to be a text on our syllabus, that you think all Artsci students should read before they graduate?
JW: I can’t If I said one text, I’d think “Oh no, I'm isolating this text, but there are so many other great options!”
DW: You know, even as I was writing that question, I thought: I really want there to be an answer, but I don’t think there really can be I wonder, now having taken Lit, if the course teaches you that you can approach any book like it’s a piece of literature you want to read and discuss with your peers It's not just the text itself, but it's the process of collectively reading something with another person and you each have your own individual thoughts and ideas, and then you get to share those with others
JW: Exactly! And there's something concrete there It's not necessarily that particular book, but the book gives you something to talk about. So you're not just giving your opinions, but you’re actively reading and sharing your thoughts with others And then you’re listening to others and their reading of the same book I can read the book and like lots of things about it, but when it really comes alive is when we're building off each other and creating a dialogue; it spills out of the classroom
DW: I’ve definitely had that experience of it spilling out of the classroom; almost every single week after class, Amarah and Tess and I will walk back to Westdale, or walk wherever we're going next, and we’ll reach Sterling and King and need to go our separate ways, and we’ll still be talking about the book we read that week. I joke that Lit Inquiry reminded me why people have book clubs, but it’s a joke that’s rooted in the truth
But back to my original question I think I’ve learned that Lit isn’t a course about one specific syllabus or collection of books This kind of inquiry isn’t just about what you are reading, but how you are reading it.
JW: This course has opened up the potential for literary engagement for me by changing the way I read And this comes up all the time People say “Lit taught me how to read”, which sounds kind of silly because it's not me teaching people how to read, it's us discovering how to read. I'm learning, still, how to read in new ways. I know it's hugely rewarding for me; I don't know how the students are experiencing it, but I am constantly grateful for the ability and the opportunity to keep engaging in this inquiry
Literature has always been an inquiry course. We get to experience something together.
DaniWohl, LevelIV
This year has been full of new insights and experiences I’ve practiced knowledge, I’ve inquired into global challenges, I’ve calculated; overall, I have steeped myself in nuance And yet, my thirst for knowledge demanded more––I needed to expand my learning beyond what I could accomplish in a classroom So, I delved into an area which is criminally under-discussed in academia: vampires.Since September, I’ve conducted extensive research in this field (watched the Twilight series for the first time, watched it again, and began watching Vampire Diaries) This research has consumed many of my evenings this year Now, dear reader, I am ready to bring my findings to you.
The question is: are you dating a vampire? According to my research, it’s more likely than you think Don’t worry, I’ve done the work for you and have compiled what I consider to be some of the most significant tell-tale signs you’re dating a vampire All you have to do? Grab a pencil and take the quiz!
Giveyourselfonepointforeveryanswerthatisaccuratetoyour significantother.
often goes on walks alone in the woods is very wise and mature for their age shows an unusual interest in your neck refers to eating as “feeding” has a hot troublemaker brother knows a lot of history, specifically about the area you live in is impossibly fast and strong has skin that is pale white has skin that is ice-cold avoids the sun has uniquely coloured eyes lives in a house deep in the woods always talks about how they “weren’t built for this century” self-conscious about the shape of their teeth often wears a trench coat (+1 for wearing it collar up) freaks out at the sight of blood is a loner has a dated taste in music has a certain sparkle about them
Ifyouhave...
0-5points
It’s unlikely you have a blood-sucking lover
6-10points
There’s a possibility but if they are a vampire, they sure are good at hiding it!
11-15points
It’s extremely likely you’re dating Dracula.
15-20points
It’s almost certain––you are dating a vampire.
So what’s the verdict? Is your significant other a vampire? That’s going to be an interesting conversation
If they don’t seem to exhibit any of this behaviour, congrats! You’re probably not dating a vampire Phew! Stay on your guard, though they could always be a werewolf
WordsbyMcKinleyBallantyne,LevelI ArtbyJadynWestenberg,LevelIII
As the year wraps up, so are the fourth- and fifth-years' theses! Which means it’s time to revive the Artsci tradition which lets students share the odd, silly, or ironic parts of their ARTSSCI 4A06 & 4C06 final projects: LOL My Thesis! Why spend all your time reading the actual long papers when you can get the TLDR the Totally (and) Legitimately Delivered Reports
Flynn O’Dacre: I lived on an abandoned Alaskan island for 4 months to figure out why birds = speedy.
Dani Wohl: I discovered that I love writing stories about excessively wordy feminists hmm I wonder why
Alex Harris: Getting good vibes from crystals grown in the depths of ABB
LL L my L my tthesis hesis
Bohmee Kim: A band-aid solution for band-aid solutions.
Atara Lipetz: I conducted assessments on people with bipolar disorder to understand how their lifestyle and clinical factors was associated with the cognitive function
AllyKortes-Miller: Had an existential crisis about retiring from sport Decided to make it everyone’s problem
CateOtt: Only I, a liberal arts student, can decide if intercultural health research practices are ethical!
Nate Steeves: I determined through months of dedicated research that there is a more effective use of downtown land than an 8acre field that is closed to the public
Zoe Komlos: I spent the year learning how to ridicule tech bros
SaumyaaRishi:I cured cancer (kinda)
Ella Brown: Dad died, Ella cried, and then she wrote a play
Chris Smolej: I looked at what parts of the environment helped autistic kids thrive: doing thesis work until 7am isn’t one of them
Maia Poon: I never dreamt that I’d have nightmares about proteins but (triple-negative breast) cancer is the real nightmare
TessMacdonald: How do we use picture books to teach kids about the environment? Maybe not by writing 10,000 more words that said kids will never read with no pictures
Amarah Hasham-Steele: Talked myself into and out of ever getting married Repeatedly
Tess Macdonald, LevelIV
GGoodbye oodbye from the Outgoing Editors Outgoing Editors
I initially got to know The Melange as a reader. The works written and drawn by Artscis of all levels revealed a good deal about the community that, in our isolated first year, I had yet to fully be a part of That winter I submitted a comic I made on my phone about what I thought an in-person lecture would be like. It was a shot in the dark at participating in the shared experience, and I'm grateful to the editors at the time for putting it through Being on the other end, three years later, with the fabulous team we had, I was constantly impressed and gratified at the pieces that came in particularly from first-time submitters! I have full faith in this year's superstar editors to illuminate the work of the writers and illustrators who make this magazine so great (and so undeniably Artsci). I look forward to reading along as it continues to evolve
SamDepaul
UnsolicitedMediaRecco:
On Cinema at the Cinema
Initially a parody moviereview webseries, now a deeply engaging tragic comedy with over a decade of character development and in-universe side projects
Starring Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington as narcissistic, maniacal, codependent co-hosts of the same names Earlier seasons and live Oscar specials from 2013–2020 are all on YouTube. I need someone to talk about this with
Hello Melange readers! For one last time, I am coming at you with an Asking Artsci: Where does it go next? Over here in Victoria, it’s odd not being in the throes of it all, but I am so incredibly lucky and excited to enjoy The Melange as a reader. To the Artsci community thank you for trusting us with your amazing work and sharing your creations; Asking Artsci was my excuse to hear more from you all and it never failed to make my day To the 2023-24 team I couldn’t have imagined a better group of people to work with; the joy, creativity, and fun that brewed during our meetings was unmatched And, finally, to the upcoming team you’re going to do so great; I can’t want to see how you take The Melange and make it your own
Until next time, <3 TessMacdonald
UnsolicitedMediaRecco: AboutTime (2013)
My go-to movie when I need to be reminded of the beauty of everyday! And hey, if you’re ever interested in more thoughts, check out me, Amarah, and Bohmee’s shared blog where I went into depth hehe
UnsolicitedMediaRecco: A detox
Just kidding! An underrated album from Pop Girl Spring is Rachel Chinouriri’s “What a Devastating Turn of Events ” Check her out!
Greetings from the post-grad Artsci experience! My, how the time has flown since writing my final Melange piece. Last April, I interviewed Dr Wilson about the enduring history of Artsci Literature One of my biggest takeaways from our discussion was that the connections, both academic and interpersonal, made in the classroom do not disappear once you graduate Six months ago, I needed that reminder when facing the typical grad-related anxieties; today I don’t have to think twice to know that it’s true. Just ask my book club, where we use the skills forged during our time in Artsci to approach complex literature with nuance and grace, where our discursive discussions mirror those encountered in inquiry courses, and where we yap about Maisie Peters, Cocomelon, and what it means to be a community Thank you for reading, contributing to, and celebrating The Melange And shout out to the editing team, it’s because of you that arts & letters and arts & crafts have such a magical space to thrive within Arts & Science. I’m forever grateful <3
Keep in touch, DaniWohl
