The Iron Bowl: A Primer

Disclaimer: There is no love lost between myself and Auburn. I have tried to be mostly fair in writing this post...but completely objectivity is unfortunately an impossibility.

This Friday at 1:30pm, the greatest rivalry in all of college football will kickoff right here in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I know that many of you are not from Alabama, and you may not quite understand what all of this Iron Bowl fuss is about. Allow me to explain.

Every year around the Iron Bowl, the tensions in Alabama get so high that normal, nice, everyday citizens from all over the state turn into hateful, spiteful, and downright mean citizens. I've seen sweet old ladies make derogatory gestures to opposing fans, and I've seen respectable elderly gentlemen come close to blows. Let me be clear...there is one thing that matters in the state of Alabama during this time of year: winning the Iron Bowl.



On the west side of the state, you have the University of Alabama. Its campus oozes tradition and pride. On the east side of the state, you have Auburn University. Its campus has a more pick-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps, familial feel to it. Alabama has historically had the upper hand in the rivalry (we lead the series  40-33-1). Alabama has also historically had a more successful football program in general than Auburn. We claim 13 national championships and 22 SEC championships to their 1 national championship (earned while on NCAA probation, no less) and 6 SEC championships. This dichotomy of tradition vs. family/champion vs. underdog defines the rivalry.

Warren St. John's (an Alabama fan) describes it well in Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer:

"Auburn is a land grant university--a cow college--created under an 1862 law that set aside money from government land sales to finance schools that taught "agriculture and mechanical arts." Alabama, with its antebellum aesthetic, is a society school, or so the thinking goes. [...] Up close the stereotypes don't hold...but in the context of the football rivalry between the two schools, the stereotypes are everything. [...] If the Alabama psyche is hung up on an antebellum fiction, the Auburn psyche is hung up on a postbellum reality. Auburn fans have all the bottled-up resentments and inferiority complexes of a defeated people. In other words, Auburn's relationship with Alabama is like the state of Alabama's relationship with the rest of the country."

All psychology aside, the Iron Bowl can be boiled down to one issue: everyone wants to win. One of my favorite quotes from the legendary Coach Bryant is when he said, "Nothing matters more than beating that cow college on the other side of the state." During this time of year, I agree wholeheartedly.

Monday Major Madness: A Hiatus

Due to the incredible craziness that always seems to appear out of thin air at the end of every semester, Monday Major Madness did not appear today. (This is also the reason for the lack of posts towards the end of last week). We may be able to do one more this semester...but that will again depend on craziness. Regardless of what happens for the rest of this semester, Monday Major Madness will definitely make a comeback early next spring.

Look for a post on the Iron Bowl tomorrow to wrap things up for this week. Then...Thanksgiving!

Quidditch on the Quad: A Recap

In case you missed the posters hanging around campus, the videos on Facebook, and the front page story in the CW, let me inform you that (a) you live under a rock and (b) an incredible event called Quidditch on the Quad took place on Sunday. Groups from all over campus formed teams to participate in this dream-come-true event for any semi-athletic nerd (like myself). Each team chose a country to represent in the Capstone's very own "Quidditch World Cup." The tournament began at promptly twelve noon when Denny Chimes played the Harry Potter theme song (yeah...THAT HAPPENED).

Of course, the science of flying on broomsticks hasn't been quite perfected (scientists, I'm looking at you), so the game was played a little bit differently than in the Harry Potter books. Let me try to quickly explain the basic rules of "Muggle Quidditch" to you...

• First of all, every person must keep a broom between their legs at all times or face a penatly.
• The field is set up much like a soccer field. Instead of goals, three "scoring hoops" are placed on both ends of the field.
• The basic goal of Quidditch, like most games, is to score more points than the other team. Ten points are awarded to a team every time they throw a "Quaffle" (volleyball) through one of their opponent's hoops.
• The other way to score points in Quidditch is to catch the "Snitch." In our version of Quidditch, the Snitch was a cross country runner dressed in gold with a tennis ball attached to the back of his or her shorts. Catching the Snitch awarded your team 30 points and ended the game.
• Each team was composed of seven players, each with a very specific role. Three Chasers were allowed to use the Quaffle to score points. One Seeker was allowed to chase the Snitch. One Keeper was allowed to guard the hoops. Finally, two Beaters were allowed to use "Bludgers" (dodgeballs) to attack other players and attempt to keep them from accomplishing their tasks.

I was a part of Team Uruguay, and we were unfortunately eliminated in the first round by Djibouti. That didn't stop us from playing a couple of pick-up games (which we won) on Dumbledore Memorial Field. I played the role of the Seeker in the first couple of games...and that was absolutely exhausting. I ran cross country in high school, but chasing a golden-clad runner (literally) all over campus with a broom between your legs can be a challenge. In our final game, I played the Chaser position which was absolutely a TON of fun.

I was pretty surprised by the physicality of the game. To be successful on offense, you can't ever stop running and you have to be willing to power your way through opposing defenses. On defense, you have to be willing to get physical to the point of almost tackling the opposing players. Of course, you have to play on both ends of the field if you're a Chaser or a Beater. I'll put it this way...after my only game as a Chaser, I felt like the game had probably lasted about 30 minutes. The official time was 16.

The folks over at Creative Campus deserve a big shout-out for all the work that they put into this event. It was probably was of the funnest things I have done here at UA. If an similar event is held in the future, definitely check it out!

Thanks to Honors College student Blake Basset for the photos in this post.

Documenting Justice International Screening

For those of you who haven't heard of Documenting Justice International, let me start off by telling you that it is one of the coolest opportunities available at UA. It is a three-semester experience that allows students to explore an international issue related to a justice/injustice through documentary filmmaking. The first semester of the experience is spent learning how to produce a documentary film, the second semester is spent filming at an international location, and the third semester is spent editing the film.

Four student groups have just completed their international films and will be screening them tomorrow night (Wed, Nov 17) at 7:00pm in the Bama Theater downtown. Don't know how to get there? Click here for Google Maps. Too busy to make it? No you're not...classes are canceled for Thursday because of the football game. See, just like that you're out of excuses not to go to this thing.

Seriously, though, I think that it is going to be an awesome experience. The four films were filmed in Rwanda, Uruguay, El Paso (right on the Mexican-American border) and Cuba. I can say for certain that the students who put these films together have spent hours and hours on these projects. Check it out!

For more information on Documenting Justice International, check out the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility website.

Monday Major Madness: Political Science

Each Monday, we highlight a certain major here at UA. Regardless of the particular major's sanity or lack thereof, we like to call it Monday Major Madness...

It's quite the rainy Monday in Tuscaloosa.

 In today's installment of Monday Major Madness, Honors College student Annie Ostrow talks about her experience as a political science major.

1) Why did you choose your major?
Since probably my sophomore year of high school, I have been interested in the politics of how the world works. I was very involved in Model United Nations and Youth in Government in high school, and took every history and current events class offered. Understanding and dissecting the problems of the world have been what has always piqued my interest. Political Science, in short, is a study of how the world, our nation, our state, and our towns interact with each other. In my opinion, since government touches everyone in one way or another, it is imperative that we study and understand it.

2) What are your career plans?
Upon graduation, I plan to enter a PhD program in Political Science focusing on International Relations. Upon completion of my PhD, I will either remain in academia, teaching hopefully at a large research university, or will join one of the government intelligence agencies to work as an intelligence analyst. I am still deciding my specific career path based upon my research experience and a possible summer internship in Washington D.C. this summer. Hopefully, further experiences in the field of Political Science will help to narrow my career plans further.

3) What has been your favorite class (required for your major) so far?
My favorite classes in the Political Science department have been in the area of International Relations. Both International Conflict (PSC 442) and American Foreign Policy (PSC 413) have been by far the most interesting classes that I have taken in college. Dr. Doug Gibler, the professor who teaches both of these classes, has a unique way of linking theory and real world examples that makes you look forward to each and every class. I have learned more about the realm of international relations during these two classes than I have in any other class.

4) How many hours per week do you spend working on major-related activities?
I am not going to lie to you and say that Political Science is easy. It requires a large amount of reading on sometimes very complex and specific cases that sometimes I need to read a few times to understand. It is difficult to determine exactly how much time I spend on my Political Science classes because the reading varies. Before tests, I usually spend a few nights re-reading all of the assigned articles for the test which can take hours. I do, however, still have time to be involved in many other things; I just had to learn how to manage my time well.

5) Anything else you would like to share?
If you are interested in politics or current world events, try a Political Science class. There are many different areas of the major including International Relations, Comparative Politics, American Politics, and Political Theory that could pique your interest. Our Political Science department has a wealth of faculty who are experts in their field who can help you narrow down your interests. Schedule a meeting with them; they are a great resource.

Also, get involved in research if you can. In today's graduate school environment, research is something on your application that sets you apart. Not only does it help with applications, it can also help narrow down your interests in the field. If you find a faculty member that you are really interested in, look into his or her research and determine if that might be something that you would like to be involved in. Then, don't be afraid to ask; the worst that could happen is that he or she says no. If she says yes, research could be something that defines your college experience like it has mine.

There is a place for anyone who is interested in Political Science; you just need to be willing to have an open mind and try it out. 

Epiphany Cafe Food Tasting

Wanna talk about what's for dinner? Where your food comes from? What you can do about food issues in Tuscaloosa? Join the Honors College for some apps and a generous helping of discussion, y'all!

The Honors College will be hosting a food tasting and discussion at Epiphany Cafe in Downtown Tuscaloosa on Friday, November 19th from 3-5pm. Hors d'oeuvres made from locally-sourced ingredients will be served. A discussion with local leaders in food issues will allow students to learn about the food landscape of Tuscaloosa and about opportunities for involvement in this area.

All Honors College students are invited to stop by the front desk of Nott Hall (2nd floor) to buy a $5 admission pass starting Monday, November 8th; fifty passes will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Don't miss this chance to eat local food at one of Tuscaloosa's best restaurants while talking about our relationship with one of life's most enjoyable necessities!

Express Night on Common Ground

Tonight (Thurs, Nov 11) from 6:00pm to 9:00pm in Ferg Starbucks, the Honors College Assembly is teaming up with the Black Student Union to present Express Night on Common Ground. Now a quick word from the HCA:

Honors College Assembly and the Black Student Union are proud to bring you a mouth-watering combination of HCA's Express Night and the BSU's Common Ground.

Express Night is the open mic, art expression event where visual art is displayed while live performances take place. Common Ground focuses more on hip hop, dance, ...and spoken word.

Express Night on Common Ground will be a DELICIOUS blend of these two distinct styles.

Want to COME?
Then come! We are inviting everyone that we know and more importantly everyone that you know. Bring your friends, your moms, your brothers and sisters, and anyone else that has a listening ear and/ or a beating heart.

Want to do something FUN for CHARITY?
There will be Bama Buddies table at the event. We will have little stuffed bears that you can make (Build-a-Bear style) for $10. After you're done, we will take the bears and donate them to a children's home for Christmas.

HCA and the BSU are glad to guide you through a night of sweet serenades, powerful poetry, and dazzling dance. So steel yourself and save the date because we mean business

Sounds like a good time!