Comments on: On Ending a Course

By: Nickel

Nickel — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:21:20 +0000

I taught a Nineteenth Century Art History course this past semester and teach upper-division courses every semester. I would make English Composition II a pre-req, because students won’t be prepared to succeed at a minimum level. Sure, you want your class to be open to all and to carry with a minimum number of students, but you will have to devote much more time and energy to teaching things that aren’t on the syllabus. If students come to my class and really don’t know how to write or use a footnote, they are going to have a miserable time and then blame me for being too hard.

By: Kristine

Kristine — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 18:28:10 +0000

I need to get my dad to write about how he teaches writing to physics students. Everybody needs to learn writing! (and needs writing to learn)

By: Sarah Dunster

Sarah Dunster — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:35:50 +0000

Helping people be more open to each other in any forum–religion, culture, race etc is fighting a pretty good fight. I’m jealous in a way. Sounds like you did a good job this year and will do even better next.

By: Nate R.

Nate R. — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:44:25 +0000

I’m convinced that one could spend years planning the “perfect” course, only to find that the right mix of students would shake it up and point out additional avenues you hadn’t thought to explore or include.

Thanks for your insights and reflections, Tona–hope the class is just as productive the next time around!

By: J Stuart

J Stuart — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:53:23 +0000

Tona, your class sounds like it was wonderful!

I took two religious history/religious studies classes this past semester. One professor had the quizzes from the Turabian handbook, and one professor had two questions from the reading that we answered for participation points for the day. I think having one question on the mechanics and approaches to writing and one on the other readings we’d be studying that day may have been the better option for me (reading Turabian was tedious, but helpful). In that way, you’d be able to focus on the art/science of writing and the material that you wanted to cover for the day.

By: Ziff

Ziff — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:16:28 +0000

I love your reflections, Tona. This sounds like a great course!