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A big part of Freshman Studies is discussion--in class, and online--so it's probably worth talking a little about what makes a good class discussion. The Freshman Studies Book has this to say:
"Class discussion may then focus on:
- those areas of the work that have not been understood;
- pertinent background to the work;
- a deeper analysis of key portions of the work;
- the relation of the work to other works (its role in the larger arguments represented by the reading list);
- and, finally, personal reactions to the ideas that have arisen as a result of the previous discussion.
"You can help focus and enliven the discussion by raising specific questions about those aspects of the work you have not understood, by pointing to specific portions of the text to support your understanding of it, and by thinking hard about a work's ideas so that you can begin to arrive at your own well-considered opinion of them -- in that order!" (p. 20)
Before class:
- Read/view/listen carefully, attentively, alertly.
- Mark key passages in the text.
- Make a note to yourself when something comes up you don't understand.
- Make a note of questions that are raised by the text.
During class:
- Direct your discussion to your fellow students.
- Try to keep the discussion to issues raised in the work.
- Listen to what other people say. Make sure you understand the question or point raised before trying to answer the question or respond to the point.
- Offer your fellow students the respect you expect from them.
revised: 20-Sept-1999
peter.j.gilbert@lawrence.edu
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