So last week (starting on Aug 22) we started classes, for the most part. It felt very chaotic to me because I thought we were starting on the 29th, even though school started on the 15th officially. This is an aspect of Ghanaian life that I can’t fully comprehend just yet.
Either way, John-Doe told me the class he and I are co-teaching (a class on music education pedagogy) starts Tuesday morning at 10:30 and goes until 1:30. Classes here meet once a week for a long time rather than multiple times a week for a shorter time. The schedule feels more like grad classes rather than undergrad, but again, something I will get used to. There were four students in attendance today so we met in my office. They are so nice! I was surprised that they were so willing to share because I thought they would be used to lecture-based classes but it’s clear that they are fine with having discussion-based classes which makes me happy. We didn’t do much today except for go over the syllabus. But I did have them sing some solfege and they were game to try so that was fun. Also had them each get up and lead us in a solfa activity, which was great! I’m excited to have some interesting conversations with these undergrads!
Throughout the week I have also met other people: the 2 grad students in my grad class (I’m teaching my course called Social Justice Issues in Music Education), several other grad students who I will likely be working with on their theses, several other undergrads, and some other colleagues. I met one grad student who is on the police force in Ghana and he is also I think the leader of the Police Band. He and I had a long conversation about his graduate these as well as other opportunities and such. And he invited me to do something with the Police Band, which is located in Accra. I’m not sure what that will entail yet, but I envision that it will be some type of clinicing the band as well as talking about some things. This whole concept of a police officer band is new to me, so it will be interesting to see what this is about! I will certainly write about it if/when it happens. But what an exciting opportunity!
I don't have any pics for this week. So here are a couple of pics from around campus. A statue on campus and the market right next to campus that I frequent to buy fruit and lunch sometimes.
Comments