La Profesora Abstraída

Weblog of Michelle Dion, Assistant Professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
I'm back at Tech after a year of teaching and research in Mexico City. My posts range from research-related commentary on Mexican politics to observations about political science and academia to pictures of my dog.
Visit my other website.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

posted by Michelle @ 9:48 PM, 0 comments

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Presidential endorsements

I thought these lists were interesting, if not exactly surprising. Perhaps most Wikipedia contributors are democrats, and that's why Obama's list is so much longer?

At the same time, just like I don't care who Joe the Plumber endorses, I also don't really care who Christie Brinkley is likely to vote for.

posted by Michelle @ 9:39 PM, 0 comments

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Why do we care about Joe the Plumber's opinion

Really.

posted by Michelle @ 8:46 PM, 1 comments

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Obama first to record entire campaign ad in Spanish

Also, the Obama campaign site has debate 3 'traducido al español'.

posted by Michelle @ 9:52 PM, 0 comments

Opie, Sherriff Taylor, and the Fonz for Obama

posted by Michelle @ 6:24 PM, 1 comments

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Only in the U.S.

...would this headline make any sense:

McCain Assails Obama's Plans as Socialist
GOP Nominee Recasts Campaign in Bid to Court Working-Class Voters

Otherwise, shouldn't working-class voters want 'socialism' (at least of the democratic variety)?

posted by Michelle @ 1:23 PM, 1 comments

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Tell it, Ann

Wow. Brian told me this morning about reading Ann Richards's DNC speech from 1988. It could have been given at this year's convention.

I had the opportunity to hear Ann Richards speak twice while in high school. She could have you giggling one minute and crying the next. I'll never forget her pointing out that its the same company that makes Sara Lee desserts and uncomfortable girdles and other undergarments to keep women 'slender.'

In any case, if you are too young or too senile to remember her address, I highly recommend revisiting it. She was a great Texan.

posted by Michelle @ 12:32 PM, 0 comments

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Professors and time

Given the Georgia (state) budget crisis, higher ed institutions are cutting costs everywhere. At UGA, they are limiting professor travel, even if paid for out of pocket (not that I'm sure how professors can afford to do this with potential raise freezes and rising health & parking premiums, which result in a net pay cut), due to the perceptions that professors should be on campus, focused on teaching. Note, no one is really talking about how course offerings (fewer electives, no summer school, few sections and larger classes) are likely to affect students. I have at least one student who is now worried about being able to graduate on time if particular courses aren't offered. But, I digress... I really just wanted to share this:

Original context.

...to which should be added, how legislators and the public (to the extent they pay attention) think professors should spend their time: 95% teaching, 5% service, unless of course its sponsored research which accounts for about 36-37% of GT revenue.

posted by Michelle @ 12:33 PM, 1 comments