Category Archives: Education

Oppositional Defiance

Posted on February 6, 2022 by admin

If you check out the history of the blog, you’ll notice two tendencies. First, I employ Socratic method to induce you to share thoughts about controversial topics. Second, when that doesn’t work, I express opinions in a forceful manner hoping … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 13 Comments

Intergenerational Confab

Posted on February 2, 2022 by admin

A couple of days ago, I found myself trying to explain trigger warnings to a slightly older person–straight, white, male, 60s, non-academic. You may not be surprised that he was skeptical of the need for them. “Sticks and stones,” he … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics, Pop Culture | 15 Comments

The Blog is Closed for the Semester

Posted on December 15, 2021 by admin

Thanks for participating this fall! See you again in January!

Posted in Education | Leave a comment

Doing vs. Having

Posted on November 5, 2021 by admin

American literature students who have read Thoreau generally remember two things about Walden: that Thoreau spent $28.125 building his cabin, and that he deemed the four necessaries of life to be food, fuel, shelter, and clothing. Cell phones did not … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Social Media | 18 Comments

Welcome to 2Q, Bloggers

Posted on October 20, 2021 by admin

Congratulations! You’ve made it through another challenging nine weeks at MSMS! Be proud. What you’re doing will prepare you for all kinds of success moving forward. Getting through the first nine weeks also means that you’re closer to one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics | 9 Comments

Freedom To versus Freedom From

Posted on August 30, 2021 by admin

In “Two Concepts of Liberty,” British philosopher Isaiah Berlin defines positive freedom as “the ability to be one’s own master,” and negative freedom as the realm within which a person can “act unobstructed by others.” The former involves doing as … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Ethics, Politics | 12 Comments

Help Me Help Your Juniors

Posted on August 16, 2021 by admin

Orientation ended with MSMS’ induction ceremony, The Ceremony of Lights. School officials designed everything leading up to that moment to emphasize the responsibilities, opportunities, and advantages (and fun!) involved with being at MSMS. This year’s orientation marks the first time … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 23 Comments

PSA: Blog Deadline

Posted on April 29, 2021 by admin

A quick reminder: the blog closes down before finals week. The last day to blog for credit will be May 14. I look forward to seeing your responses to posts before then.

Posted in Education | 3 Comments

Mannerly Mississippi

Posted on April 9, 2021 by admin

Mississippians scold their children from toddlerhood forward for anything perceived as rude. Say sir and ma’am. Sit up straight. Don’t speak unless spoken to. Don’t say anything that might hurt somebody’s feelings, or about politics, or about church–unless it’s to … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Ethics | 15 Comments

Pressing Ahead

Posted on March 29, 2021 by admin

Congratulations. You’ve made it more than three-quarters of the way through a year in pandemic education. We’ve already used the blog to discuss the use (or non-use) of virtual teaching measures next year. Here’s a more fundamental question: what has … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 13 Comments