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Thursday, april 30, 2009
Finals issue
Volume 98, issue 80
unusual courses offered next semester By Megan Holt News Reporter Sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll are all taught at Texas State, depending on if students know the right classes to take. Students looking to take classes that break the norm in fall 2009 can enroll in courses centered on cultural magic, sexuality and the definition of love. Students seeking a course that discusses sex, love and relationships can enroll in psychology of human sexuality. “(This course) is fun to take with Dr. Ogletree because she can back stuff up,” said Jacob Zernick, psychology sophomore. “We looked at a lot of statistics talking about homosexuality. Basically, this course talks about a bunch of theories.” Shirley Ogletree, professor of psychology, said she teaches her course centered on diversity, sexual orientation, sex and
theories of love. “We not only talk about sexuality and the nuts and bolts, but also about communication and what love is to different people,” Ogletree said. “Typically, students get interested in issues about love and issues they can relate to. Surprisingly, they aren’t too excited about the sexual positions lecture. Maybe they are embarrassed by the explicit pictures.” Ogletree’s course includes a guest lecturer that is a former Texas State student. The guest is openly gay and speaks with students about sexual orientation and their role in society. Vickie Pustka, pre-psychology freshman, calls the course textbook a plus for students enrolled in Human Sexuality. “It was like reading a Cosmopolitan — except with more intense pictures,” she said. Zernick agreed. “We talked about the theory on climaxes, the g-spot and genetic mutations,” Zernick said. “One of the coolest things was
a video about becoming ‘orgasmic.’ It was more of a documentary about getting to know a woman’s body and partners working together.” Magic, ritual and religion not only focuses on its namesakes, but how drug use and culture play into different beliefs across the globe. James Garber, professor in the anthropology department, shows videos on fraternities and hazing and teaches the students about the Church of the Snake Charmers in the course. He focuses on the Rastafarian religion of Jamaicans who practice voodoo and believe in the spiritual use of cannabis. According to the undergraduate catalog, the course is “an examination of magic and religion in cultures of the world with an emphasis on recent works dealing with mysticism and the occult.” See COURSES, page 3
Faculty, students advocate green jobs, environmentalism students rate professor grading sites By Teresa Wilburn News Reporter
By Rachel Nelson News Reporter Professors have been grading students for years, now online sites are turning the tables. As students enroll for fall classes, professor grading sites are a tool some are using for assistance when building their schedules. Professors and students alike, however, have mixed reviews. Kathryn Ledbetter, associate professor in the English depart department, has looked up her name on professor grading sites to see what students think of her classes. She said teaching styles make a difference and comments from students are not always an accurate reflection of teachers. “I might question why students like certain professors and not others,” Ledbetter said. “We all have our individual styles. Some personalities may appeal to students more than others, but style doesn’t necessarily mean better teaching. Sometimes students like to have fun in class but aren’t learning anything. I would hope the university experience is fun as well as intellectually enriching. At least, that is what I aim for in my classes.” Vanessa Garcia, public relations sophomore, said she used professor grading sites her freshman year and found them to be “pretty honest.” She said comments about how a faculty See RATING, page 3
Students plan on making green by going green. “The environment is growing more into the American consciousness,” said Jordan Stewart, geography graduate student. “More and more people actually care about the environment and what happens to it locally, nationally and globally. As a result, you are going to have more and more jobs available in that industry.” Stewart works for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, located in the Medina building on campus. It is the largest of its kind in the United States after the Environmental Protection Agency, he said. His degree plan focuses on urban planning.
Stewart said the United States is relatively behind in the movement to ‘go green.’ “It has been happening in other parts of the world for some time now,” Stewart said. “Basically, we as a society are waking up to it now. I think it is happening now because there is a growing perception that we are running out of resources.” The White House Press Secretary released a statement concerning President Obama’s energy policy discussed during the election campaign. According to the press release, Obama traveled to the Trinity Structural Towers in Iowa, which produces towers for wind energy production. If enacted, the plan for the American Clean Energy sector is expected to create millions of job opportunities in the United States.
Stewart said environmentalism stimulates the economy. “This is good for me personally because I really want to work in the public sector,” Stewart said. “I could not work for a company that I know is not environmentally focused because I feel so strongly about it.” Stewart is not alone. Jason Baker, geography senior, is hoping to land a job in the field of alternative energy after he graduates. “I am really interested in urban commuting and transportation patterns,” Baker said. “What I would like to do with my career is help the United States have better transportation networks and systems, specifically our dependency on the automobile.” Baker works as a consultant for Cleantegrity, a local business offering technical support for manufacturers of
renewable energy devices. “I think this is a great field to work in as a college student because it is giving me real world experience in understanding how a small business oper operates,” Baker said. Baker said his interest in sustainability and green energy began after he started bicycling in San Marcos. “After I started bicycling, I started thinking more about the resources I use,” he said. Baker said his job is important because it helps the United States and Texas transition the economy. “It is transforming the economy, which is based around consuming goods and resources in an inefficient manner,” Baker said. “It is taking that and making it into a more sustainable use of resources. SusSee GREEN JOBS, page 3
Summer school attendance increases By Christine Mester News Reporter University officials expect to see nearly 20,000 students attending classes during the summer semesters. For students, summer school offers fast paced classes along with the oppor opportunity to graduate earlier. Esteban Bazan, systems support analyst in the registrar’s office, said nearly 10,000 students were enrolled in summer I classes last year. Alex Webb, art and design senior , who is no stranger to summer courses, said he plans to take them again this year. “You have classes everyday so you can develop a more intimate connection with your professor,” Webb said. Webb finds summer school classes beneficial. “I’m taking summer school classes so I can graduate quicker,” Webb said. “Also, some of the classes I need are not offered during the regular semester.” Bazan said 8,863 students are enrolled in summer I classes this year. He said he
expects to see that number increase between 10 to 25 percent before the late registration deadline June 5. Around 8,000 students participated in summer II classes in 2008, Bazan said. Currently, there are 6,688 students enrolled in summer II classes. He said that amount should increase before the summer II late registration deadline July 10. Kellen Stanley, photography senior, is taking summer school classes for the first time at the university. “I think I’ll like the classes because they are pretty fast paced,” Stanley said. The summer school semester lasts for one month, which some students find too short. “I’m taking economics during the summer I semester,” said Veronica Boston, social work junior. “I need to take the class this summer, but I’m really worried Karen Wang/Star file photo about trying to learn economics in only SUMMER STUDIES: Christina Vaughn takes a break between classes and reads a one month.” See SUMMER SCHOOL, page 3
book in front of Old Main. Summer school allows students to be able to take additional courses in order to graduation sooner than expected.
Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System