Watch my tone

Remember, if I publish one to five paragraphs like this locally, everyone will know to which meetings I refer and of whom I speak. Current paragraph one: The rhetorical sleight of hand used in the attempt to discredit AAUP principles on academic freedom and tenure as well as to justify the marginalization of faculty senates … More Watch my tone

Camilo José Cela

Since my colleague is boasting in class about knowing Arturo Pérez-Reverte I will dramatize here my encounter with Camilo José Cela. This happened a long time ago and that Emeritus Professor did not realize it was happening as he did not know I could understand as much Spanish as I could … or that, given … More Camilo José Cela

In which my Spanish literature class is one of the worst I have ever had

My survey of Spanish literature, where Clarissa and Jonathan both gave Skype lectures, is composed of sweet people but they are lost. I have been attempting to explain what the second Spanish Republic was for ten weeks and the students still do not understand. What the Franco dictatorship was. What the relation of the current … More In which my Spanish literature class is one of the worst I have ever had

When I say “reeducation,” one of the elements to which I refer is Boice

I wrote: Later when I have time, I will try to consider methods of using my plan, or even a Boicean style plan, to address problems that do not have to do with the low level problems he addresses, which appear to be not liking to write, not having any experience writing, not being organized, … More When I say “reeducation,” one of the elements to which I refer is Boice

On speaking up

Some people are learning not to speak up and in academia, this is typically how one is coached: do not say anything, all you will do is ruin your credibility as a reasonable person. I disagree and I think people should learn that to speak up, you do not have to be outraged or impassioned. … More On speaking up

Now I understand still more about my reaction to Boice and the Boiceans

It is that one-up, one-down position. The assumption is that one does not know what one is doing at all, needs very basic instruction and is recalcitrant. Questions or attempts to refocus discussion to a more sophisticated are met with this behaviorist, “you have not gotten my point yet.” I have already been underestimated far … More Now I understand still more about my reaction to Boice and the Boiceans

Research never ends

Here are some things to think about. 1. Mireille’s article on appropriations of Aimé Césaire. I read it and thought of Vallejo appropriations, and I did not yet know about Jonathan’s book on Lorca appropriations. Now I find Mireille’s prose irritatingly unclear but I want to bring the piece up again since it is about … More Research never ends