I go into these crises of fear — “fear of extreme violence,” said a diagnostician — if I do not serve everyone perfectly, or if I thwart someone else’s wishes for the sake of my own survival. Many of those who have seen me in person do not imagine these things because I am so … More Et plus encore
I came across a piece today, that I cannot now find, but which said that large classes are good for working class students because they have to be taught in lock-step, which works better for these students. Middle class students, on the other hand, are those who shine with liberal teaching methods. Do you think … More Working class students, authoritarian methods
This is for my writing group, research as a second language, and SMT, and anyone else, of course. The topic is doing work in short sessions, every day. Today in a departmental meeting on the lower division curriculum it was repeated that foreign language study is unlike the study of other subjects, like English or … More Illumination post
Observe my partial inventory: 1 serious bicycle with heavy lock 1 serious kayak with good life jacket and high quality paddle 1 AWD vehicle with manual transmission, good luggage space, and kayak rack 1 good pair running shoes 1 high quality backpacking tent 1 Kelty pack and many additional camping accessories 1 down sleeping bag … More A sporting question
What did you give up for the sake of having an academic job? Money (salary, savings) UP: I was not raised to hope to support myself, and I do. DOWN: This is even less well paid than I expected. Actually, it is quite frightening how poorly it is paid and that is a main reason … More Worksheet and game
For an introduction to the study of culture and the analysis of cultural objects that is effectively a late sophomore level course I was going to do something much more amazing, but I have in fact ordered El espejo enterrado (in Spanish, of course). Now, because of its perspective, I am thinking of adding to this … More On books for the culture course
I love this this very useful term. Nobody puts on a grave voice so as to explain the most rampant imbecilities as well as a Spaniard does, although Cubans and Brazilians are also able to do it. What combination of forces cause the denizens of certain countries to exalt their stereotypes as inscrutable uniqueness in … More Spainsplaining
I have decided that all persons who entered my graduate program deserve veterans’ benefits, and that those of us who finished deserve decorated veteran status. It was like going through war. When I sat on my first PhD exam elsewhere, I ws amazed at how easy it was and more amazed at how pleasant the … More Decorated veterans
My student went home to another state for a routine medical procedure and his documentation turns out to come from a clinic on an Indian reservation! This is a first for me, so rare, finding Native Americans from the U.S. in college here! And his class says I have strange course goals for a foreign … More C’est fascinant
When your institution grants or denies tenure and/or promotion, does the candidate see the documents generated, and are they given a reason for the decision? At one of my former institutions, for instance, you had to be good in research and teaching and at least adequate in service. They told you ahead of time how … More Survey
coldhearted scientist وداد 