“I have coined the term post-fascism to describe a cluster of policies, practices, routines and ideologies which can be observed everywhere in the contemporary world. Without ever resorting to a coup d’etat, these practices are threatening our communities. They find their niche easily in the new global capitalism, without upsetting the dominant political forms of … More Gáspár Miklós Tamás
In my graduate program, which was quite rigorous, there were people more advanced than I who knew older languages and older professors, and who said the unusual breadth combined with depth of this program, which made it so long, was Alain Renoir’s fault. This Renoir was the son of the filmmaker and the grandson of … More Alain Renoir
So today, waiting for the elevator, I said to my colleague in English, who was not looking forward to being in the building either: I am about to face three hours of sophomores. He grimaced appropriately and then I went to class, where I took Clarissa‘s advice, ditched everything, and did whatever I wanted … and … More Language Class Today
Q: Perhaps I should just take over this program and do it right, rather than try to compromise. A: Have you ever been a department chair, though? They put you through the wringer and if you do not run an authoritarian department, but rather act like a department chair out West or up North, you … More And now: a partial answer to Dame Eleanor
(…and so not wanting to start). This happens when: – I do not have a strong enough sense of authority in the project AND I do not realize this – I do not think of myself as the person in charge, but as a worker on the line – I do not think of myself … More On not knowing where to start
The main issue I have with teaching basic language courses in required programs and much taught languages is simply that it is an enormous project. From the fourth semester on up, it is just a class, but in the first three, when you have all the random students, the e-workbook, the interface with multiple sections, … More Another answer to Shedding Khawatir
My colleague says that she and her colleague described certain institutional practices to their friends at a conference, and were not believed. I am also tired of that conversation. “I cannot believe what you say is true.” “It is true.” “Go on the market, then.” Going on the market it is not realistic if one … More More on abusive work environments
I am a spontaneous person, I do things well off the cuff, and I can make good decisions quickly, but some of this is because I am so well informed anyway. I do not like to live by the seat of my pants. I do not understand why it is considered so healthy not to … More In an authoritarian culture
Every time someone tells me to “just do it” they are acting in their own interests and not in mine. I think it is some insidious American plot to reencode reflection as laziness or “procrastination.” Do not just do it, you will become a cog, someone else’s tool, or a workaholic. Step back and reflect. … More On just doing it
I have a major issue with these basic language courses and I have to figure out what all goes into it. I will do so in a fragmentary way as I do not have time to sit down and think about it. But this needs a solution. 1. I am afraid to think about them. … More I have an issue, and it is abusiveness again
coldhearted scientist وداد 