ConversationClass registration: Narrator: Listen to a conversation between a student and a literature professor. Student: Excuse me. Do you know where I could find professor Smith? Professor: Oh, I'm afraid she's not in today. Student: Ah, No. Professor: Is there something I can help you with? Student: Thanks. But I don't think so. I'm trying to get into a medieval literature class, but it's full and I was told I need her signature to get in. Professor: Um, I don't want to disappoint you, but professor Smith has a strict policy about class size. If a class is full she won't allow anyone in unless someone else drops the class. I can't say that I blame her. Student: Well, is there waiting list that I could put myself on? Professor: I think so. But you'll need to see professor Smith about that. I imagine you must be very interested in medieval literature. Student: Um. Actually it's just that I need a literature class that fulfills the historical knowledge requirement. You know a class that goes into the history of a specific time period. Professor Smith's class is the only one that fits into my schedule. That's why I wanted to take it. Professor: I see. Well in that case I might be able to help you, after all. I am teaching a class on early 20th century British literature and it meets at the same time as the medieval lit class. Student: Really? I wonder why I didn't see that listed in the schedule of classes. Professor: Well, It's on there, but the department wanted me to change the time of my class just a few days ago. I guess the change hasn't been made to the printed schedule yet. I should follow up on this. Student: Oh, well, could you ... uh ... maybe give me an overview of the class? I don't really know much about 20th century British literature? Professor: Well. We'll be focusing on the early 20th century on several authors who wrote in response to the changes in pressures of the modern age. They were trying to make sense of things like industrialization, advances in technology. Uh ... there was excitement about all things, new things that meant progress and advancement. Student: Sort of like what motivated artists during the renaissance? Professor: Actually, uh, in the renaissance, artists and philosophers looked back to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. In the early 20th century, they were far more interested in doing completely new things. Writers and artists were working in ways no one had ever worked before. We'll be looking at all of these in the class. Student: Sounds really interesting. Is it too late to register? Professor: Not at all. But if you have trouble, come to see me.