I am a pedagogue, so there
Sep. 8th, 2003 02:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jawnbcYeth, itth twoo.
Term started here last week, but last week's classes were the administrative love-ins required as of late. Review the fooking course outline, since apparently students can't be compelled--or expected--to read the fooking things. Yes, spelling, grammar, usage, syntax and overall quality of writing "count." Sheesh. The course I'm teaching (2 sections) is The Analysis of Education, or my own subtitle: why you can be as racist, sexist, classist and homophobic in your own lives but not in schools (and here's how not to be). It's warm, it's fuzzy, it's counter-hegemonic.
But today was the fun part: social theory 101. In 50 minutes I touch upon rationalism, positivism, constructivism, liberalism, Marxism, feminisms, post-modernism, post-structuralism, and the Frankfurt School. All served piping hot with a side of meritocracy. Were I totally self deluded I could claim to see the light coming on in their eyes. In reality their eyes looked more like spinning slot machines wheels. Which isn't a bad thing.
I'm done for the day and done in as well. Last night I vowed to avoid sleep aids of any sort and slept a mere 5 hours. Plus it always takes at least a fortnight to adjust to standing so much. Soon I'll toddle home to East Van, make a cuppa and perhaps run a hot bath.
But I need also say I love teaching. I can't think of a better way to spend my time. It enriches me, its results are often tangible and I get to meet a whack of interesting folks. Beats the hell out of my previous job: travel agent.
Term started here last week, but last week's classes were the administrative love-ins required as of late. Review the fooking course outline, since apparently students can't be compelled--or expected--to read the fooking things. Yes, spelling, grammar, usage, syntax and overall quality of writing "count." Sheesh. The course I'm teaching (2 sections) is The Analysis of Education, or my own subtitle: why you can be as racist, sexist, classist and homophobic in your own lives but not in schools (and here's how not to be). It's warm, it's fuzzy, it's counter-hegemonic.
But today was the fun part: social theory 101. In 50 minutes I touch upon rationalism, positivism, constructivism, liberalism, Marxism, feminisms, post-modernism, post-structuralism, and the Frankfurt School. All served piping hot with a side of meritocracy. Were I totally self deluded I could claim to see the light coming on in their eyes. In reality their eyes looked more like spinning slot machines wheels. Which isn't a bad thing.
I'm done for the day and done in as well. Last night I vowed to avoid sleep aids of any sort and slept a mere 5 hours. Plus it always takes at least a fortnight to adjust to standing so much. Soon I'll toddle home to East Van, make a cuppa and perhaps run a hot bath.
But I need also say I love teaching. I can't think of a better way to spend my time. It enriches me, its results are often tangible and I get to meet a whack of interesting folks. Beats the hell out of my previous job: travel agent.
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no subject
Date: 2003-09-08 04:39 pm (UTC)There was a LOT I loved about teaching. Sigh. I do miss it sometimes. Mainly, I liked the chance to get paid to yak at young minds. It way pissed me off that so many of them thought it was too much to bear to read the syllabus or write in complete sentences.
You're my hero. Seriously. Less seriously: I need a catch-up on the Frankfurt School, which is a regrettable gap in my knowledge. If you weren't saving up to go visit Max, I'd suggest naked remedial theory sessions.
no subject
Date: 2003-09-08 04:44 pm (UTC)But anything but Barthes, pleasure this po-mo wankstah! I see you text and I discursively raise you, but diffusely. Call me post-structural.
no subject
Date: 2003-09-08 05:16 pm (UTC)