Wednesday 16 October 2013

New horizons: What to read next?

We are now working actively on the essay that is our major academic writing assignment this term, and which will consume some time over the next few days.

But in your free time, when you are not working on the essay, what would you like to read and discuss next week?

There are two options:

  1. We can continue on with Quest, doing as much of chapter 8 as we have time to cover next week.
    or
  2. We could read, as a critical, academic exercise, a short novel - not an easy reader version, but the full, original text of a famous English novel. This would mean some extensive reading practice, averaging about 17 pages / day starting tomorrow. 
Although I favour the idea of reading and critically discussing a novel, which provides both valuable reading practice with an authentic text of some length and hones our skills in applying what we have read in a discussion of issues that arise, there are also advantages to sticking with a bit more Quest, which is the less challenging option. 

In accord with the fundamental democratic principle that all have a right to voice their opinion, including opinion that is against what is popular, accepted or liked, before the majority make a decision that binds all, please feel welcome to share your ideas on this. 
We will decide tomorrow morning. 
Posted by at

7 comments:

  1. Peter.AUA16 October 2013 at 20:21

    The novel I have in mind is a classic of modern English literature; as well as practising reading skills, and giving us material for critical analysis, it also raises issues relating to what have studied in "Abnormal Psychology", and wider cultural themes that might be of interest.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Peter.AUA17 October 2013 at 09:38

    Since no one has a strong opinion either way, we will do what I favour and read a novel as an academic exercise.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Peter.AUA17 October 2013 at 12:21

    Or perhaps over the weekend I'll find something a bit shorter for the three days we have next week. I'll let you know on Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown18 October 2013 at 19:38

    Hi Peter,

    I am sorry for abandoning this blog for a long time.
    To answer your question above, I myself am interested in Zen and I think this Zen article "What is This Thing Called Self?" is quite a great one that deserves our deep and insightful discussion. It is a presentation given at the 1998 conference on Psychotherapy, Spirituality, and the Evolution of Mind in Santa Monica. Four aspects of self are discussed: to conceptualize the self as structure, awareness, transcendence, or manifestation.

    In case you are interested, go to this URL http://truecenterpublishing.com/zenstory/thisthing.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. Polyploy6 November 2013 at 23:21

    I prefer the second option, is it too late to vote?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Flora7 November 2013 at 09:47

    Hi, Peter
    I prefer easeful reading and relate to our academic textbook, But, if it to difficult to find and I will accept what you suggest.

    ReplyDelete

Before you click the blue "Publish" button for your first comment on a post, check ✔ the "Notify me" box. You want to know when your classmates contribute to a discussion you have joined.

A thoughtful response should normally mean writing for five to ten minutes. After you state your main idea, some details, explanation, examples or other follow up will help your readers.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)