1Well gentlemen, we've almost finished our second semester at this university.
2What do you think of all the courses we attend?
3On the whole, I'd say they're quite good,
4apart from Social History, which I find to be a little too inexact.
5Yes, the lecturer's style is also very very dull.
6I certainly agree with you there,
7although I would say that the textbook is more interesting. 'Welfare State'.
8The subtitle says, 'An examination of social development in the 20th century.'
9Yes, 'Welfare State' is a good book, but look how many pages it has.
10458!
11I agree. It's just too long to be easily read.
12Far too long, although it's certainly well written in parts.
13Yes, and if you compare it to the textbook for Cultural Studies, what's it called?
14'Inner Views', I think.
15No, that's the book for Media Studies, and we finished that subject last semester.
16The book you're thinking of is 'In Perspective'.
17Sorry, you're right. 'In Perspective'.
18And the subtitle says, 'A comparison of social groups.'
19Somewhat interesting, wouldn't you say?
20Well, mildly so, as is the subject,
21dealing as it does with such a wide variety of issues,
22but the book itself certainly oversimplifies a very complex subject.
23I agree. I also got annoyed at its constant oversimplification.
24Life is more complicated than what it suggests.
25Yes, but what you call 'oversimplifying' may well be considered 'clarifying'.
26Look at this other textbook, 'Government in Action'.
27Some may say that it also oversimplifies,
28but it must do so in order to present a coherent picture of an equally complex subject.
29'Government in Action'? Which subject...?
30It's the textbook for 'Political Theory'.
31Oh, I hate politics.
32That's why I don't like the 'Active Leadership' subject, either.
33And most of the stuff in that 'Political Theory' textbook is based on the American system.
34You see, it's written by Americans, so it's not even relevant to us here.
35I'd agree with you there,
36it's not relevant to us at all, since our government uses the Westminster system.
37Yes, I suppose that is a problem.
38Well, it seems we all have certain criticisms about the textbooks we're using,
39but at the same time, we all like some elements, at least, of the subjects we're studying.
40What's your favourite subject, David?
41I'm not sure. I like Political Theory, but...
42Cultural Studies is by far the best, even better than Political Theory,
43which I also like, but just not as much.
44Why do you say that, Steve?
45I was thinking, perhaps, Social History is worth considering as best.
46Social History is good, but I made my choice because the subject is relevant to this modern society.
47But so is Social History, and I like the historical element,
48which the other subjects lack.
49Even Political Theory examines history only briefly, and in a very narrow way,
50so I'd say Social History is the most rewarding for me.
51What about you, Susan?
52I think Social History is certainly very good,
53but Political Theory is, in fact, the best,
54since basically, every human system boils down to politics.
55So, despite a certain irrelevancy in the details,
56the basic message remains as relevant as ever.
57Oh Susan, you can't be serious.
58Let's ask Olive, again.
59She's over there.
60Olive! Which subject do you think is the best?
61Ah, a difficult question.
62I'm very interested in culture,
63so Cultural Studies is certainly my cup of tea,
64but I'm politically active also, and hope to pursue this as a career,
65so Political Theory would be the one I'd pick.
66I don't believe it. Even with that irrelevant textbook?
67Don't listen to him, Olive; you have a right to your own opinion.