This is more confessional than informational. But making these things public makes it more likely to happen. So w/ the semester quickly crashing to an end—and the mountain of grading that comes w/ it—I need to make a list of all the items that must get done before June:
First, I need to send out two articles to two different journals. One’s a long shot; the other’s an encouraging possibility. After that, I need to send out a prospectus to another (very long shot) journal. Bottom line: while I’m not yet on “tenure track,” I should act as if the clock’s ticking.
Second, I need to set aside time to finally make some new headway on my Bolivian politics wiki project. While it’s somewhat contrary to the spirit of wikia, the project is currently closed (I’m the only editor). I hope to open it to collaborative efforts soon (by invitation), but first I want to get more information in place—to set an “editorial standard,” if you will.
Third, I need to finalize my syllabi for Fall. I’m revamping (yet again) my comparative politics course. This time I need to focus more on incremental assignments that lead students towards better, polished, more productive final essays. Similarly, I have to put together a reading list for my Democracy & Democratization course (I’ll post a preliminary list later; suggestions are always welcome).
Fourth, start peddling my dissertation. Hard. I mean really, really hard. People are interested in Bolivian politics today, but will they be two years from now? Probably not. So Democracy on Stilts: Bolivia’s Democracy from Stability to Crisis has to hit bookshelves near you soon, if it’s ever to see the light of day.
OK. Enough procrastination. Back to work!
