Latching onto an idea

It's late. I'm working on the first portion of what looks like a 30-page research paper for my "Conducting Political Research" class.

My research discusses how democratic states are actually far more prone to terrorism. For instance, over the last two decades, all but two suicide attacks have happened inside democracies. And what about those two that occurred in non-democracies? Well, they were directed toward the U.S. military, so they really don't count.

This paper is cool. The class itself teaches us how to write articles, like the ones we revere and read for before every meeting. It feels powerful, being able to write articles with massive amounts of citations (academic weaponry) - all the while feeling that your paper makes a startling, strong point that you think should be posted on every news website in the country.

So why am I on here talking to you about this? Because it's just so very Vandy.

You see, I grew up discussing politics with my dad. We'd sit in the hot tub and I'd ask 1,000 questions, always amazed at the things he knew. He worked all the time, so how did he find this stuff out?

Fast forward to junior year. I'm registering for classes in my room. Then, by chance, I walk out into the common room and begin talking to a guy in my suite about how I wish I could find a major that encompassed classes on Islam, Middle Eastern Politics, etc. He mentions he's a Public Policy Major.

"What's that?"

"It's interdisciplinary."

"Right, so what's that?"

"Well, it means that my major combines classes from several different colleges in the university. For instance, my Public Policy Major requires classes from Peabody and A&S. Wanna know the best part about it?"

"Tell me!"

"You pick your own track. You could pick something like 'Middle Eastern Politics,' then you'd choose whatever 5 classes you think would fulfill that track. Islam, Jewish Studies - whatever you like."

So, I immediately set out finding the classes that would comprise my "Public Policy Studies" major. "Intro to Islam," "Diplomacy in the Middle East," Jewish Studies courses, etc.

That leads me to here. I've never been so hungry to devour information. I love my classes. I love my major. My grades have shot up tremendously. Why? Because I deeply love what I'm doing here. I'm not just learning, I'm contributing. Maybe I'll post my work when I'm finished in a few weeks.