Brown Studies
One common thread that unites Browns is our passion for learning and knowledge. Below you'll find a snapshot of the things that captivate us.
Contents
Jeryn Lekar
What area of study/learning interests you the most?
Political science!
How did you first discover or become interested in this subject?
I grew up I guess.
Karaelyn Midorie
What area of study/learning interests you the most?
Linguistics
How did you first discover or become interested in this subject?
For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in the grammatical side of language arts. I would sit on the school bus, pondering the etymology of words like happy, happen, and perhaps, for example. Before college, such topics were lumped together with reading and creative writing (which I enjoy, but don't enjoy studying) under "English class." Fortunately, when my friends and I were signing up for classes for our 2nd semester of college, one of them found a class that looked interesting - Intro to Linguistics - and asked me to take it with him. He was not pleased when I aced it and he only got a B! That was how I discovered that all the fascinating aspects of language fall under a single educational category, with none of the fluff that would have gone along with "English Major." Sadly, that school didn't offer a major in Linguistics, so maybe I will eventually go back to school elsewhere and graduate...
What is the one tidbit of information you wish everyone knew?
The one tidbit I wish everyone knew is that I don't like to be called "Steph." I understand the appeal of brevity and informality, but I like my whole name. Hopefully this tidbit wasn't supposed to be related to the previous two questions in any way, because it clearly isn't.
Editor's Note: the tidbit absolutely didn't have to be related to the previous questions. :)
Laithean Cor'dazar
What area of study/learning interests you the most?
Hmmm.... I study lots and lots of things so it is difficult to pick just one. I guess my favorite would depend on the day. I study drawing and painting, religions and how they overlap each other, survival-ism, sign language, herbs and their medicinal (as well as mythological) properties, Tarot, the list goes on and on. I would say I am most knowledgeable in Tarot and belief structures of medieval Europe.
How did you first discover or become interested in this subject?
I became interested in High school. My Literature class was studying Greek and Roman Mythology. I became interested in their way of choosing their Gods and how each aspect of life had it's own God. I wanted to study it further and when looking for books found the metaphysical section of the book store. That was the beginning of my fascination with it all.
What is the one tidbit of information you wish everyone knew?
No matter what religion you are, where you live, how easy or hard your lot in life is, if you believe in something it will be there when you need it. Believe in at least one bit of magic in your life.
Mirandha Laflor
What area of study/learning interests you the most?
That mostly depends on the day of the week. I seem to pick up new interests and hobbies all the time. There are a few constants, however. I love British history; particularly the monarchy. I focus the most on the Tudors. Hand-in-hand with this is my love of period dresses. I can't stand watching a movie or TV show where the costuming is not period accurate. It takes me completely out of the movie. I mean, if you're going to go through the effort of making a movie why not hire a costumer who can do a bit of research to make it accurate? The only time I let this slide is in Shakespeare adaptations (another interest of mine). Shakespeare lends itself to different interpretations. You can do Hamlet on the moon and it will still work. Just because his plays were performed in the clothing of the time doesn't mean it can't be done in other ways.
Another interest of mine is kind of a catch all. I love popular culture. I like consuming it (movies, tv shows, video games, etc.) and I like analyzing it. I'm that nerd that reads books about the cultural implications of Star Trek or about the history of cult tv.
How did you first discover or become interested in this subject?
Probably through the American Girl series when I was young. That led me to reading historical fiction which eventually led me to researching periods of history that interested me. My Shakespeare interest came in college through my coursework.
What is the one tidbit of information you wish everyone knew?
You know that meme about how to treat an introvert? That. I wish everyone understood that.
Narysse a'Jahar
What area of study/learning interests you the most?
Medieval Wales in what I call the Magna Carta period (1180ish to around 1300).
How did you first discover or become interested in this subject?
I discovered in 8th grade that I'm a direct descendant of a certain Welsh prince (all right, a ta'veren who's rarely known today outside Wales) who was among those lords who forced John to sign the Magna Carta. Then in grad school I did some papers on the clauses in the Magna Carta that directly discuss the situation in Wales at the time.
What is the one tidbit of information you wish everyone knew?
Just how important this period is to Western history. The Robin Hood legend was fully realized during this period, the Arthurian legend became what we know today as the classic King Arthur tale, and not one person outside the field of study realizes it can all be traced back to that Welsh prince!
Nethanel al'Tere
What area of study/learning interests you the most?
Way too many to really list out. I've spent entire nights jumping from wikipedia page to wikipedia page. One I'm passionate about is energy generation and consumption (it's the field I work in).
How did you first discover or become interested in this subject?
Work.
What is the one tidbit of information you wish everyone knew?
Wind power is really kind of a dud unless you live in one of the few areas of the world where you get consistent winds that are in the "Goldilocks Zone." Oh, and coal plants aren't bad, it's old coal plants that are bad.
Taika Vinh
What area of study/learning interests you the most?
Musicology
How did you first discover or become interested in this subject?
Working as a musician and flute teacher, I found out I was more interested in the structures, backgrounds and theoretical aspects of music than in actual playing or teaching. A burn-out was involved too.
What is the one tidbit of information you wish everyone knew?
Eh, their own names? I know you meant the subject, but I don't wish everyone would know a random fact about musicology.
Venric Methalion
What area of study/learning interests you the most?
Art, but more the studio aspect of it than the history. I really enjoy learning new processes and techniques.
How did you first discover or become interested in this subject?
Natural inclination; I've been drawing since I was about three.
What is the one tidbit of information you wish everyone knew?
Just because I made something out of glass doesn't mean it was meant to be used as a bong!
