Conversation 33 - Excerpt

Professor: And how do you suppose my Advanced Communications would be of value to you?

Student: To be honest, Doctor Isaacs, I’m not sure. I’m hoping it will come to me during the term. At the moment, I just have a, a feeling that there’s going to be some parallels between human intercultural interactions and primate interspecific interactions- and that looking at cultural, um, frictions may supply clues to what I see in my research. And, uh, vice versa, of course!

P: I see. Well then, why can’t you enroll in 310 or 312 this next term? And then take 410 after that?

S: Unfortunately, I don’t have any classes after this term, Professor. My final six to eight months needs to be spent on active research and my thesis preparation, and then on my orals.

P: Hmm. You’re not making it very easy for me, you know, Newman.

S: I’m sorry, Professor. But I am really eager to sit in on your classes. I’ve heard a good deal about them.

P: Good things, I hope.

S: Oh yes sir!

P: (laughs) Well, have you taken any sociology-related courses at all?

S: Hmm. Well, uh, I’ve had the usual ethology classes- animal behavior classes- in the Department of Zoology, of course. And when I was a sophomore, I took World Social Systems- you know, capitalism versus communism?- which is a required undergrad course. Oh, and I took a cultural awareness course as an elective- Views of Existence, I think it’s called. I found that very interesting.