After Class Ten

This semester is winding down quickly -- we only have one more group of narratives left.  This week we heard five interesting pieces.  First, about the complex decision-making process of finding your way to your true calling (or making your way back to your true calling after travelling to Australia); second, paying the price of being a good friend to someone too deeply affected by drugs to return to her former self.  Third, we had a glimpse into the politics of international pipe bands and how important it is to perseverere with your passion; fourth, how sometimes something like water skiing seems insurmountable when older cousins can do it so easily, yet with time and good mentoring we can succeed.  Last, we heard about philosophy in the daycare, and saw how even young children can grasp complex moral ideas and the importance of discussing these concepts in appropriate contexts.
In our lecture, we talked about the qualities good leaders have, in particular being able to connect with all kinds of people.  We also looked at the status of women and the continuing issues that prevent equality and full respect as human beings.  We filled out a questionnaire on marriage and long term relationships, which led into this week's story, "Man and Wife" by Katie Chase.  As we've mentioned before, some literature intends to shock or disturb in order to get us to think more deeply.
Just a reminder, the blogs are due next week.  Post your last entry on this prompt and then e-mail them to me, if possible. 
I'm looking forward to reading your papers!

After Class Nine

This week we had three interesting narratives.  First, we heard about  how different friends satisfy different needs, as divergent as they may be, and yet are still both dear to us.  Second, we were presented with a common conflict in the classroom when teachers collaborate, how to find the right approach to classroom management while being respectful of both the other teachers and the students.  Last, we were taken on a remarkable trip to Kenya, and heard about a visit to an orphanage that was overshadowed by the murder of one of the boys.  Our thanks to the authors for sharing these stories. 

Our lecture this week continued with Nussbaum's idea of reading literature as a means of developing "narrative imagination" which contributes to learning through "moral imagination".  It's harder to condemn someone from a particular group if you've experienced life through their eyes.

Our story this week was "Brokeback Mountain", a short story in Annie Proulx's collection (image).

Just a final reminder that the paper is due next week, March 24, and also keep in mind the blogs/logs are due the following week.  After class ten, you should post your final blog, and then e-mail me one document with all your dated entries in it.  There should be nine entries in total.  (I'm not counting the introductory blog after the first class.)     Enjoy the wonderful spring weather. 

After Class Eight

This week we had five strong narratives that all generated good discussion.  I've noticed some narratives are generating other narratives and we're deepening our understanding of certain themes.  One narrative today dealt with the tragic situation of a child with Gervais's disease, and how the family has chosen to react to this in the most positive way possible: caring more for each other and helping other people; another narrative looked at a decision-making process about what to do after high school and what going on to higher education meant; a third narrative examined negative practices in the workplace, what a mentor should be and how to apply what she's learned when a similar moral dilemma arose in the next job.  Another two narratives examined sexism; first, the inner conflict of feeling uncomfortable about earning more tips through certain behaviour in a job and how that changed over time, turning it around to her advantage, all the while knowing this job was a temporary step on her way to a better life.  The second dealt with how some people are uncomfortable with anything different, and use belittling remarks to maintain expectations and hide their jealousy or narrow-mindedness, in this case assigning gender roles to playing certain musical instruments.  Many thanks to everyone who read today.
Our lecture touched on some of Nussbaum/Aristotle's ideas about the importance of being a world citizen.  Although we all have our local identities and loyalties, our primary loyalties should be to our sense of humanity. 
Our story, "What You Pawn I Will Redeem" by Sherman Alexie (image) presented a very different world view, a story that raises a lot of questions about responsibility, worthy human beings, racism and homelessness, among others.  Just a reminder, please don't forget about some of the other assigned readings at the back of our textbook -- we'll be discussing them soon.
Also, a note about absences -- more than two unexplained absences will affect your participation grade.  Missing half a class or leaving after the break will count as an absence.
Lastly, keep working on your papers.  That due date, Mar. 24, is coming up quickly!  Have a great weekend.

After Class Seven

Hope everyone is glad to be back after an exciting Olympic break.  Today we heard four excellent narratives:  first, about standing up for yourself to a manager in a restaurant and turning things around to create a more positive relationship; second, about an experience in a hospital where a volunteer made authentiic connections with patients; third, about growing up and trying to find what's right for yourself and having the courage to keep looking; and last, understanding what a friend is going through as his mother is dying of cancer and grieving together.  Many thanks to everyone for sharing.                       

In our lecture we discussed the value of learning through literature and the importance of critical thinking.  Lastly, our short story, "Winky", in George Saunder's short story collection, Pastoralia,(image) presented an interesting picture of how the self-help industry collides with reality.             

Continue to work on your papers.  See you next week.

After Class Six

In class we heard a variety of narratives -- thanks to our presenters for sharing their thoughts and experiences.  The first one explored a new way of seeing gender stereotypes and how teachers must be prepared to deal with them.  The second discussed a difficult situation where Alzheimer's brings on upsetting changes in a loved one and how this can make someone appreciate the problems other people deal with in their families.  Third, we heard about a ski trip gone wrong, how a bad decision can ruin trust in a friendship, and yet, by taking the higher road, the narrator demonstrated a genuinely human approach to the person at fault.  Fourth, we learned how conflict in one workplace where the manager and employee were good friends led to applying this knowledge in a new job and creating an atmosphere of honesty and confidentliality which led to a healthier work environment.  The fifth narrative dealt with the milestone of leaving home, with all its comfort and familiarity, and learning how to be more independent.  Last but not least, we heard about an early encounter with death, the altruism of kids, and the conflicting emotions we experience while trying to cope with the grief we feel.  Well done, everyone.
In our lecture we looked at the importance of communication in making connections with others.  We know what we want to say and shape it to fit our listener, and then there is what Habermas calls a "negotiation of meaning", until both sides are satisfied that the other understands the same meaning.  This also happens on the level of society, but we must also be aware different information can be communicated in different ways for different purposes.  By reflecting on what we hear and discussing ideas in a critical manner with other thinking people, we are more likely to fight off oppressive ideas.  Teaching students to think for themselves is vital.  We also discussed what communication looks like in the workplace, which involves imagining your audience, preparing, organizing information, including visual aids and allowing for follow up questions.  A good lesson plan will involve the teacher first knowing the learning styles of the students, what they have already studied, how prior knowledge should be activated, covering any new vocabulary before launching into the new material.  Other considerations might be to maked an effort to engage the students' interest, make the material relevant and important to their lives, allowing them to work with the material in small or large groups and apply what they know. At the end of the lesson the teacher will assess learning and evaluate the effectiveness of the lesson.
Our short story today was Wayson Choy's "The Jade Peony" (image) and we discussed the many sides of the connections between generations in a family. 
If you have not done so already, please send me a brief descriptions of the topic you plan to write on for your paper.  Just a reminder, our next class will be March 3rd.  Hope you get a chance to take in some of the Olympics!  Go Canada!

After Class Five

Many thanks to those who read narratives this week.  First, we heard about how we respond to hurtful comments and reassess ourselves; second, in working with kids who may come from very diferent backgrounds from ourselves, we must come to terms with those who seem to have "no dreams".  Thirdly, we learned how something like attending a performance at the VSO can trigger memories that raise questions about our choices and how life steers us in certain directions.  Our last story presented a strong ethical dilemma in deciding whether to do what's best for the child or to comply with the wishes of the parent(s).
We also exchanged narratives and gave each other feedback, hopefully providing responses to improve our work.  Our lecture looked at Kohlberg's stages of developing moral consciousness, and also moved into ideas from our second unit, "connecting with others".  Diversity is an umbrella term for anyone who is considered different from the mainstream, whether it be due to poverty, a dysfunctional family, ESL, learning disabilities, physical or mental handicaps, race, religion, ethinicity, and so on.  Leaders in the workplace set the tone for inclusion and create a healthy, respectful environment.  They also remember to honour unique qualities in people as well as seeking out ways in which people are similar.  Reading literature is one way to surmount barriers of difference and connect with the thoughts and feelings of others.
Lastly, we discussed our story for the week, "The Third and Final Continent" by Jhumpa Lahiri, from her short story collection, Interpreter of Maladies (image), which offered an excellent example of how people close the distance between strangers and maintain an appreciation and sense of amazement of "the ordinary life:.
Now is a good time to start thinking about a topic for papers (due Mar.24).  When you have an outline or brief description of what you will write about, please run it by me, either by e-mail or in class.  Have a great weekend.

After Class Four

Hi there,
Many thanks to our first reader who shared an excellent piece on a trip to India that, amongst other things, explored culture shock and how to find personal meaning in a significant experience like this.  Well done.  Next week, I would like you to bring a narrative that you are working on to share with a partner.  We will be learning how to give peer feedback in order to improve our pieces. 
In our lecture we discussed the role of emotions as a means of exploring experiences, how being in a mentoring relationship is a two way street and how experiencing conflict in the workplace is a form of professional development.  Conflict can often signal a need to look deeper in order to understand more and move to the next level.
Our story this week was "The Heifer" by Melissa Hardy (photo of "brindle calf" above).  We talked about the influence of environment on moral behaviour.
Lastly, for those scheduled to read their narratives next week, Feb. 3rd, please e-mail me your piece sometime Tuesday evening.  I'm looking forward to hearing them.  Have a great weekend.