These changes constitute “reforms” in the way that school closings in poor communities have been dubbed “education reform,” or the way in which Reagan’s tax cuts for the super-wealthy were championed as “tax reform.” Early advocates of the prison system—the folks who brought us solitary confinement in the first place—called themselves “reformers,” too. And, by … More The neoliberalism connection
A few months ago, it was announced [Who announced? Change to active voice?] that massive open online courses, or MOOCs, would soon solve the crisis in higher education by replacing traditional universities. With their advent costs would fall, quality would soar, and access to learning would be greatly expanded. But soon, the discussion shifted. Now, … More Edited slice
This must be cut to 600 words. It may need another title, and it needs sculpting: there are too many ideas. Tell me what you think; then I will tell you what I was asked to do. Then, we will all compromise. I will be grateful, and so will Remaking the University. On democracy, economy, … More Essay draft, 1481 words. Comments required.
The screen is black for Trayvon, but listen to the song, carefree in summertime and “far from the twisted reach / of crazy sorrow.” Axé.
Tell me anything you know about Ricardo Rivera Aybar. I really need to know. My notes on one novel, taken in a sleepy library, are: Lucanor Arias y Reynaldos, early colonizer, goes with 5 ships, and does not realize he will found a variegated tribe, a family tree with many different branches. He leaves Spain … More El reino de Mandinga
I have always considered myself preacademic in some way, but perhaps it is really postacademic — and perhaps neither pre- nor post- has to do with time … they could be currents. Postmodernism, Calinescu said, is a movement within modernism, so… I would rather live in California, but I did not relate at all to … More Things to consider
These include commenting on blogs with “capchas.” They also include finishing my MOOC, which is not worth it and is too much trouble. It has been interesting, though. Axé.
The neoliberal world and the corporate university have made an annoying appropriation of the verb “to learn.” To listen to advertising and infomercials is to “learn” or “learn more.” Training sessions on the use of Moodle and WebCT, or on the newest university policies, are “learning.” Now, my Coursera MOOC “invites” me to “visit” the … More Sobre el verbo aprender
Its soundtrack is by the Kronos Quartet. I have missed it in San Francisco but this link has opening dates for the whole country. Axé.
In Langston Hughes, I Wonder as I Wander, page 397, we find a notice printed on Barcelona music hall programs in 1938: JUST A MOMENT, COMRADE The United Syndicate of Public Spectacles begs you to have the greatest respect for all the comrades you are going to see on stage. They are workers just as … More Vallejo
