The goal of teaching philosophy is to develop philosophically literate students and to ensure that students develop philosophical literacy by design and not by chance. Perhaps the best method for teaching philosophy to beginning students is the public model, in which the practice of defending positions in the public arena forces students to become…

TEACHING A CLASS HOW TO READ AN ESSAY INCLUDES LISTENING, DISCUSSING, AND WRITING, IN ADDITION TO READING. IN THEIR LITERATURE COURSES, THE AUTHORS BEGIN THE PROCESS AT THE FIRST MEETING, USING EITHER THE PRESCRIBED TEXT OR DUPLICATED MATERIALS. PRELIMINARY READING BY THE CLASS IS FOLLOWED BY DISCUSSION BASED ON STUDENT QUESTIONS, ANALYSIS, AND…

Notes that many literature students have disliked studying eighteenth century literature and reflects on the positive effect New Criticism has had on the teaching of it. Compares Kramnick's and Pocock's views with those of the New Criticism. (JC)

The central activity of literary criticism, the understanding of literature, is related to the process of establishing a context for the works of literature being studied. Choosing not to discuss the factual elements of literary criticism, the author clarifies and concentrates on the "lower" and "upper" limits of criticism. While the "lower" limit…

Explores the shortcomings of research for resolving the question of the effectiveness of grammar instruction. Suggests that writers need to develop skills at two levels: broadly rhetorical, involving communication in meaningful contexts; and broadly metalinguistic (rather than linguistic), involving active manipulation of language with conscious…

Unintentional imperialism may exist due to the effects and influence of personal contact with American professional literature which lead Israeli research efforts in the direction of whatever is currently popular in the United States. (JN)

Suggests teaching the first scene of Hamlet'' instead of attempting to teach the entire play in a limited time period. (RB)

Describes the benefits of community service to students and to participating social agencies. Considers how one teacher instituted service into a composition course. Discusses topics covered in the course, including equal opportunity and discrimination in education against the poor. (HB)

Takes a new look at the importance and the oddity of John Donne's "The Exstasie" through a feminist critical perspective. Discusses certain major elements in the poem: the situation, the the persons, and the images that carry key meanings. (EL)

Conferees heard five papers designed to emphasize some contemporary problems of higher education. The keynote address stresses the role of the institutional researcher, who must not only be capable in his discipline of research, but also be concerned that his work is relevant to institutional needs and problems. He must place the results in…

Analyzes the results of a survey on the future of education given to approximately 250 faculty, staff, administrators, and students in Minnesota's public and private postsecondary institutions. Highlights five key policy areas likely to affect distance education: quality, student and academic support services, decision-making structures, mission,…

Literature is being confronted by a long existing problem: the distortion of emphasis in a literary analysis which prefers to discuss refinement of style as the prime content of a work, not as the completion of a total effect. (Author/MF)

Argues that Sylvia Plath not only perceives the world as competing male and female languages, but attempts to write in the feminine. Discusses how "The Bell Jar" might define, as a solution to sociological and psychological problems of women, a language and art to secure women against male domination. (MS)