A great big thank you to all of you who have sent me essays over the summer and comments. I have a sense of who you are as my students this year and have begun to care about you as deeply as only a SOTA writing teacher can. You are the focus of my work next year. So let me know who you are! Post a comment or two. Introduce yourselves outiside of your major (I'm a writing teacher, musician, theatre director, etc.). Trust me, I know how to teach APLANG--- a new acronym I'm hoping will catch on.
Those of you who wish to post essays here for feedback and comment can. However, there probably will be a character limit on your post. It might not work as you expected. You might want to wait for the other opportunities I can suggest in class.
But if it works (even in two parts), let me know.
We have to share and revise our writing. That's fundamental. So start getting over your egos and insecurities.
Keep writing,
Ms. Gamzon
I believe I have already introduced my self but I do want to post oneof my essays for feedback.:
ReplyDeleteThe Three Magical Letters”
Is there truly meaning to the three letter abbreviation PhD? Does it truly define someone’s merit and ability to perform up to par to those holding a Doctorate title? These are questions of which Harvard philosopher William James raises in his account “The PhD Octopus” with a compelling and inspirational take on the story of a student of Philosophy who fought to define himself as a qualified candidate without having a decorative title.
William James is a prominent philosopher who educated at Harvard in psychology where he began to contemplate the world of higher education and it’s affect on American society. His voice reaches out in his account as he shares his extensive knowledge on the inside world of diplomas and qualifications. Being a man of success and inspirational thinking himself, he critiques the tyrannical machine of education and inspires others to assess it as well.
“Human nature is once for all so childish that every reality becomes a sham somewhere…”, and James connected somewhere to the “tyrannical machine” and the world where “graduate education and the growing obsession with examinations, diplomas, and decorative titles,” replaced the individual ability to excel devoid of educational amenities. William James tells the story of one who was once considered “not the proper man” so long as he continued to hold his “miserably naked name.” The fact that this student fought to prove his value without the dazzle in which a PhD provided, influenced William to contemplate method of which seemed to be shaping the world of higher education.
In William James’s account he challenges the value of the PhD title and encourages others to consider the value of the person, their knowledge, and experience. This not only reaches out to non-titled people that have drive and knowledge but also (possibly unintentionally) to those who may possess a title.
The tone in which questions, and inspires others to question, is indeed what William had in mind as he provided an evidentiary story to support his concept that “Graduate schools are something of novelty, and higher diplomas are something of rarity.” With supporting his thesis by questioning the academic standards of America, he also inspires others to consider valuing eachothers equivalent intellectual development through experience instead of expensive education.
Education should not be a form of advertising that acts as “a manner of throwing dust into the Public’s eyes.” James writes for hope that students may not be discouraged by the titles that may “bespangle the page as if they were sprinkled over…” but be encouraged to value and prove their own intellect so that they may no longer be considered “ a common fox without a tail. What is truly valuable? Replace the three magical letters with three magical words, “I am brilliant.”
All of my essays are too long.
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