… to think very carefully before taking on another degree or other significant piece of writing.
The MA was submitted on Friday. I even took a screenshot of the mouse about to click the ’send’ button, just so I would know I hadn’t dreamed it. I am not proud of the last-minute dash to the finish, but at least it is done. I just have to wait to see what mark it gets.
The last few days was not helped by something that happened the week before. I was at a curates’ training day, introducing us to MA level study. (I know, I have just finished an MA. Why was I doing that? Well, it is a module covering stuff I’ve not done before and my diocese recommends I do it. I’m not actually doing another MA – that would be silly) The lecturer was explaining various bits and bobs about how to write at MA level, then pointed out that we were all working full time, so not to worry if the occasional essay wasn’t up to scratch. I was liking what I was hearing there!
Then came the problem. The MA dissertation, he said, is one of two things. Either it is the jumping off point for a future academic career (MPhil, PhD etc.), in which case it needs to be the best work you can possibly do, because this is how you will be judged when applying for funding. Or… it is the pinnacle of your academic achievement, in which case it needs to be the best work you can possibly do, because this is how you will be judged (I don’t know who will be doing the judging here?).
This is a good thing to say to people at the beginning of an MA course, when they are still full of hope and optimism and the MA dissertation is a couple of years away. However, less than a week before my deadline, I can’t think of a single worse thing he could have said. Always inclined to perfectionism, I would rather write nothing than write something of lower quality. My goodness the week was a struggle with that hanging over me.
Anyway, following on from my previous post…
Yes Tractor Girl, you are on the right lines, although I wouldn’t say it was from a feminist perspective. The topic was looking at the effect first pregnancy and the first year or so of motherhood has on spirituality. Mostly looking at the Anglican perspective. My longest chapter was on Churching – I’ll be happy to send it on once I’ve had the mark back.
JTL – I’d definitely recommend the third book (Priya) – very readable and interesting. Trible I find a bit hard going, although an interesting perspective. The first one is a bit of a blur!