First Amendment Issues

Yesterday the NY Times reported that Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, scheduled to speak at a private high school in NY City, had insisted on approving any story written about his appearance by the school's newspaper.Quick, if you've taken PSC 2302 (or even if you haven't), what do you think about this? The Times put it on the front page. What do you think about that?

Are the Classics Relevant Today?

The NY Times reports today on a $3.7 million grant to establish an independent production company, Theater of War, to visit 50 military bases staging readings of Sophocles' Ajax and Philoctetes. It reminds me of Jean Anouilh's adaptation of Antigone as a part of the World War II French resistance effort. What do you think of the Pentagon spending money on theatrical performances of plays written by Sophocles a couple of thousand years ago? I did find out from this article that Sophocles had been a general - who knew?

Baylor's Expectations

The Provost released a report today giving an update on the assessment of Baylor's goals for students. They are that students be able to communicate in writing and orally in a manner appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience, be proficient critical thinkers, demonstrate knowledge of the Christian scriptures and heritage, and demonstrate an understanding of the challenges of a global society. Do you think your Baylor courses have provided you the foundation for accomplishing these goals? Are these goals in line with your own?

Sunday Ritual

I have a new book: How to Win at College by Cal Newport - his is one of the blogs I follow on this website. He recommends a ritual for Sunday morning. OK - Sunday morning is church, so already I'm revising - my Sunday ritual is Sunday afternoon. After I have my worship and family activities taken care of, I settle down with the Sunday paper. As Newport suggests, this "piques my intellectual energy" so that I am in a creative frame of mind as I think about the coming week. He recommends taking this time to get ahead of your obligations for the week. As Cal puts it, "The satisfaction you'll get from starting the week in full command of your responsibilities will provide the good mood and momentum needed to get through the days that follow. If you take control of your Sunday, you take control of your week." Amen.

"Whether you think that you can or you can't, you're usually right."

Henry Ford is credited for this observation. I remember reading this article in the Wall Street Journal more than a year ago and was reminded of it when I ran a search for "self-efficacy." It seems most relevant at this time in the semester when obstacles seem to rise up and grow at tremendously rapid rates. Here's what the studies show. Students who believe they can achieve their goals are more likely to use the achievement strategies we have discussed all semester. That is, they recognize the link between good health and good grades and so they take better care of themselves. They recognize the importance of preparing for class and never missing a class. They worked in collaboration with others to complete homework assignments and projects and in preparing for exams. So, what was the cause of their success? Was it their belief in their own abilities or the study strategies they employed? You tell me.

How Should Teachers Teach?

NY Times today reported on the status of teacher training programs. That got me thinking. If you could teach a class in your major subject, how would you teach it? Tell us the class you are considering and give examples of how it could be changed or improved and made better. Look to the right and vote on your experiences with Baylor faculty.

The New Untouchables

Check out Thomas Friedman's op-ed today in the NY Times. He writes about the people who are hanging on to their jobs while others are losing theirs. What is the secret Friedman identifies?

Windows 7

I cannot believe we are already trashing Vista, just when I got used to it. Here's the thing I didn't know until I read last week's WSJ. My Windows Photo Gallery and Movie Maker are not Windows 7 programs. I will need to re-import them through something called Windows Live Essentials.Life is hard, guys! Imagine how I would feel if I hadn't read up on this before the changeover.

Emperor Jones - What does it say about mankind?

Today's NY Times reviews a revival of a Eugene O'Neil play. The Emperor Jones is about a Pullman Porter who leaves the United States and takes control of a West Indies island; it premiered in 1920. Jones was played by Charles Gilpin, the first African American to appear in a leading role in a white theater. How weird is that sentence? Gilpin received rave reviews, but he found it very difficult to play to role as written because of the offensive language (which he changed, much to the consternation of the author). In fact, if you Google the play, Baylor's filter won't let you see all the Wikipedia entries. It's a painful play to read or watch. O'Neil was a provocative playwright. Looking back, we can see that he made bold attempts to bring the discussion of race in the U.S. out into the open. Baylor Libraries have a video of the filmed version starring Paul Robeson. The play was awarded a Pulitzer Prize, but it is often viewed as embarrassing or too shocking for polite company today. If you should have the opportunity to write a paper on this play, whatever you do - don't use the papers you find online. They are dreadful and perpetuate all kinds of outdated and stereotypical thinking.

More on the Exercise Front

Exercise and your immunities to flu - two recent studies in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity make assumptions on the effectiveness of exercise in boosting one's immunity to the flu. However, not all exercise has the same effect. Read this NY times article and see if it reinforces your ideas about the benefits of exercise.

A Young Perspective on the Biology of the Brain and Emotions

You must read Tuesday's NY Times editorial by David Brooks. He talks about hot new research in the field of neuroscience by "leading figures ... in their 30s, and most of the work done by people in their 20s." This is not old fogy stuff -- see what your near peers say about why we hold the social and cultural beliefs we hold, particularly with regard to how we interact with others.

Minimum Wage May be Lowered in Colorado

Oh, my goodness! The NY Times reports today that the state's minimum wage "is set to drop 4 cents, to $7.24. Most workers will still get at least $7.25, the federal minimum." Read the story and explain how this happens - and what considerations go into assessing the ethical and legal issues. If you are an economics major, business or pre-law, this is a topic that you might find interesting.

Tip a Bear - Study Tip #5

Listen to what Dr. Blake Burleson has to say about his undergraduate career at Baylor, and find out his A#1 Study Tip for Baylor Bears.

Yikes - Saturn Deal Dead!!

I read it in last Fridays WSJ. Some of you business people tell me what this means for my daugher who is still paying for her Saturn?

Active Reading

Alex gives you active reading tips in this latest installment of Tip a Bear. Be sure you view both sections.

Calling All Journalism Majors

This a must read for writers as well as readers - including communications and poly sci majors. "How to Read a Column" written in 2005 by William Safire is so full of historical allusions and esoteric journalism lingo that it might take a while to get through, but I'm thinking the effort is worth it. Tell me what you think. Safire died Sunday after a distinguished career as journalist, grammarian and novelist - and, despite that grammar part, always interesting.

Tip A Bear

After you enjoy this latest study tip from Abby Worland, drop by the McLane SLC and check out the bear portrait, a Baylor icon complete with Pat Neff hall and bluebonnets, painted by Frederic Mizen, Baylor's art department chairman from 1952 until 1960 and creator of the art for the first Coca Cola billboard in 1925.

Does Exercise Make You Smarter?

Well, a recent study seems to indicate that it makes rats smarter. The Sunday NY Times Magazine reports on a study conducted at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan tested two groups of mice performing at differing levels of exercise. The findings revealed that exercise enhanced the ability of the creatures to perform an avoidance task, and that those which were forced to exercise more strenuously showed greater skill than the control group. The article also describes studies with elderly adults and with college students. What are the implications?

Check out your classmates' blogs

Look just to the right of this posting today and you will see "Revolutionary Talking," a blog created by one of your classmates. See what he has to say and comment. When you are ready for your blog to be posted in this spot, just let me know.

Tip A Bear - Study Tips for Baylor Students

Here it is: the long awaited second installment of Tip a Bear. Today, Fullbright Scholar Aaron Reynolds, a recent Baylor graduate, gives his A#1 study tip.

New Study Area on Campus!!!

Check it out -- the Moody Library computer lab has moved into swanky new quarters where - get this - students can actually move the furniture around! It's not your grandma's library anymore.

Tip a Bear Season Premiere

These weekly interviews with Baylor students will offer timely and effective study tips. In the season premiere, Son Pham gives his top time management tip.

The Rich Are Becoming Poorer

It's official. The WSJ reports today that the "Income Gap Shrinks in Slump (that's the Recession we're in) At the Expense of the Wealthy." So, in 15 years, what do you think the eco profs are going to be saying about this period in US History? Right now, some are saying that American society will become less egalitarian. Also predicted by others interviewed for the article is a change in the relationships between employer and employee as well as fewer people aiming for jobs in the finance industry. What do you think this will mean for your future? What other consequences do you predict? To read the entire article, drop by Hankamer or Moody Library and scan this front page story. If you are a business major, you probably already have picked up your own.

Are Drowsy Drivers Akin to Drowsy Test-Takers?

This morning on the Today Show, Meredith Viera showed footage of college students driving while deprived of sleep. Pretty scary stuff. While driving through simulated road hazards the previous day (not sleepy), the Today Show interns navigated the obstacles with ease. That night they were kept awake and then retested the next morning. On the retest, they careened around the course, hitting the bright orange safety cones on every turn, unable to stop when unforeseen objects appeared in their paths. That got me thinking. Do you think there are parallels to the danger of driving while drowsy in the test-taking situation? Can you think of scenarios when a student might take a test, having little or no sleep the night before.

Foreign Language Requirement

More on the foreign language front - today from the Lariat. An editorial complains that Baylor's various foreign language requirements imposed by degree program "abound with inconsistencies." In view of Baylor's mission to "educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service," what do you think the requirement should be? What responsibility does the university's stated mission impose on you? Pick a topic and tell us what you think.

How to Find Time to Read

I'm reading on my lunch break right now - I can't not read wherever I am. The first thing that catches my eye as I'm scrolling through the NY Times online (it wasn't delivered yet as I walked through the parking garage) is a piece I missed yesterday about reading on the subway in New York. Anyway, not only does it reinforce the message that there are lots of readers in the world who still like the printed-on-paper media style, but it gives some good strategies for blocking out distractions while reading. See what you think.

H1N1 Information for Faculty

Because students need to know how your professors are directed to deal with absences related to the swine flu epidemic on the horizon, I'm posting the official Baylor website. Faculty members are encouraged to make course materials available to students so that they don't have to come to class if they are ill. However, the mandatory attendance policy is not rescinded. That means that you need to be especially careful to attend all classes so that, if you do become ill, you have an emergency stash of unused absences. Wash your hands, don't hang out with people who have a temperature or other flu symptoms, get enough rest, eat nutritiously, and stay well. And just ask your parents if you don't believe me. (That last statement is a joke in case you missed my attempt at humor.)

New Air Bear Connections

I've just discovered that there is a new version of the wireless Air Bear on campus. I think it may have solved all my connection problems - we'll soon see. If you set up Air Bear more than a year ago, you might like to download the new version.

Read Every Day

What a wonderful day - for the first time since spring classes ended, the NY Times print edition is again on campus - and free. Pick up a copy in a variety of locations. Be aware of your surroundings and see how many NYT news racks you can spot. My favorite story today is an editorial essay titled "A One-Way Ticket to Mars." As indicated, the feasibility of sending a manned spacecraft to Mars is heightened if the crew decides to stay there since returning takes more fuel than can be stored, not to mention the extra weight required by the shields needed to protect the travelers on a round-trip flight. According to the author, numerous scientists and engineers from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory indicated they would be willing to do so for the adventure and the presumable benefit to society. Here's an analogy that Lawrence Krauss provided to support the rationale. He says, "Colonists and pilgrims seldom set off for the New World with the expectation of a return trip..." What do you think of that argument?

Texting During Class Revisited

Yesterday I posted comments about classroom technology distractions or opportunities, depending on your perspective. Here is a link to an email I received yesterday that should prompt some interesting discussion.

Texting, Texting, 1-2-3

One of our first discussions will be about classroom behavior. Why does it matter? If you can multitask and be more productive, shouldn’t I think that’s a good thing? Of course, the cognitive psychologist and the neurologist will both tell you that the brain can really focus on one thing at a time. Thus, multitasking takes a toll on both understanding the information that’s coming to you from your external environment and your ability to communicate effectively. You can see which side I’m on in this debate.

However, I am intrigued by the possibilities of tweeting notes via your cell phone. Often note takers try to write in complete sentences everything they hear – a virtual impossibility. So – using the texting process, the note taker would get the basic info in a format that is probably (not necessarily) easier to read than hastily formed handwriting. But, since the notes would be very, very brief, what would the student be required to do in order to make them meaningful?

Taxonomists -- a vanishing species?

Carol Kaesuk Yoon is a science writer for the NY Times. On August 10, she wrote about the ability of humans to name and organize living organisms, apparently using an inherent skill shared by all cultures. According to Yoon, scientists are closing in on the part of the brain that is responsible for this activity. Can you guess where that might be? Why would this ability be a necessary or even desirable trait? As Yoon puts it, the ability to name a carrot or a cat makes it possible for one to know whether to grate or pet it. How important is this to you and how can you use it to further your academic success? She also posits that computers are taking over the job of taxonomists. What are the implications of this statement?

The Digital Future

It's official. The NY Times says today that textbooks are a thing of the past. "Kids are wired differently these days...they don't engage with textbooks that are finite, linear and rote." What do you think about that? Do you prefer that all material required for coursework is conveyed to you digitally? What are the advantages of such a program? What's the downside? This course is going to focus on online resources as well as online storage of your study materials. Tell me how that works for you.

So You Think You Want to Be a Scientist

My favorite new website, LiveScience, has begun a series on what makes a scientist. If you think you want to be one, this might be a good chance to find out more about what those in the profession think of themselves - you can eavesdrop on their metacognitive experiences. Off the bat, some say one has to be curious and creative. Others say successful scientists are born with special abilities. What do you think?

Why Study Religion?

True or false: all Baylor students must take REL 1310 (Christian Scriptures) and REL 1350 (Christian Heritage). The correct answer is at the bottom of this post. The more relevant question is, why do you have to take REL 1310 and REL 1350? Don't you get enough religion in Chapel? What is the purpose of the two graded courses, and why does almost every Baylor student have to take them? The website for the Religion Department speaks to the study of religion as an opportunity to "inquire more deeply into the Christian faith, to gain an enhanced appreciation of the contributions of Christianity to the development of twenty-first century culture, and to prepare for life-long lay or career ministry." But, if you are not a religion major and not interested in a lay or career ministry, what is the purpose for you? These are demanding courses and, even if you have gone to Sunday School all your life, the material is pretty hard to understand sometimes. Dr. David Moseman, in his REL 1310 syllabus, hopes that by the end of the course "you will have a basic understanding of and appreciation for the biblical meta-narrative, i.e., the big picture; the various aspects involved in its interpretation; and its relevance for living life meaningfully."
Today's Chronicle of Higher Education has an essay by Dr. K.L. Noll, chairman of the religion department at Brandon University in Manitoba. He says that religion professors should not "practice of defend" religion in the classroom. It was published this morning, and already several have commented online. The first comment began "this is a disguisting piece of writing..." If you want to read the entire article, you can use the Baylor Library subscription. Go to BearCat and type in "Chronicle of Higher Education." Select the online version. On the page that next appears, select "Single Journals." You will be able to find the title "The Ethics of Being a Theologian" in the 7/27/2009 publication. I've emailed Dr. Moseman to see what he thinks of the question. I'll let you know what he says.
Answer to question - False. Some students transfer in similar courses and students in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core (BIC) take other courses instead.

How to Work with a Tutor

I discussed our tutoring program today with the program director, Steven Richard. We've talked a lot about how to train tutors and what the really great tutors do in a session that seems to help students make better grades. Here's a hypothetical situation:
Tutor - Hey, how're you doing today?
Tutee - Good.
Tutor - Are we talking about Brit Lit today?
Tutee - Yeah.
Tutor - What questions do you have?
Tutee - I don't have any questions. I just don't understand what the teacher wants me to write on essay tests.
Tutor - What are you reading?
Tutee - I don't know..Something about some people on a trip. It's so boring.
Tutor - What kind of questions will be on the test?
Tutee - I don't know. They're just all weird stuff I never thought about. I don't know what I'm supposed to write.
Tutor - So, what can I help you with?
Tutee - I don't know. I just don't understand it.
Tutor - Well, come back if you think of some questions.

So - what's wrong with this picture? Do you think the tutor helped the student? What would have produced a better outcome?

Whether you are a tutor or a tutee, here's a website that can help you figure this out.
Here's another site.

Why Study English?

Anna Sam probably heard that, from parents, friends, counselors. What good is an English (or history, or speech, or philosophy) major? Can it get you a good job, even pay the bills? Then she wrote a best seller - well, translated into 13 languages, at least - a sociological study of life as a grocery store check-out clerk. Listen to her story on a PBS Radio interview. I thought it a great illustration of how to turn your passion, your calling, into a paying gig, even when you are stuck in a dead-end job. What do you think?

Why Study History?

Why, indeed? Were you aware, when you were in elementary and even high school, that there was controversy about the version of history contained in your textbooks? Here in Texas there is a constant complaint that history texts give too much attention to certain groups, or that not enough attention is paid. Margaret MacMillan has written a book, Dangerous Games, about the uses of history in contemporary society and politics. It's reviewed in last weekend's NY Times Sunday Magazine. Every Baylor student is required to take some sort of humanities course, history among the approved subjects. What do you think about that requirement in view of Dr. MacMillan's idea that history teaches us "humility, skepticism, and an awareness of ourselves?"

The Price of Success

Two newspaper items struck my fancy this morning. The first in the Waco Trib described research into how small children so easily learn multiple languages. It has to do, apparently, with the fact that children are able to distinguish between all sounds in any language when born, but lose that ability as they learn their native language(s), keeping only those language sounds that are useful to them. The trick to learning a second language when an adult, it appears, is to practice hearing the new language - or social interaction in the new language--duh! I'm pretty sure we have already figured that out.

The second was an opinion piece by William McKenzie in the Dallas Morning News about Tom Watson who nearly won the British Open yesterday. What's so amazing about that? Tom Watson is 59 years old and hasn't won a major tournament in quite some time. Here are Watson's lessons, according to McKenzie. (1) Don't give up. Ever. (2) Life disappoints. Get used to it. and (3) Golf is about more than the ball and clubs. Again, this is pretty much common knowledge.

How does it all relate to college study skills and college in general? You tell me.

Spatial Intelligence

Chapter 1 of our text discusses Howard Gardner's special intelligences -- here's a good book review in the NY Times discussing spatial intelligence. Read this and see if you think you have this special intelligence. The book is You are Here by Colin Ellard, a Canadian behavioral neuroscientist. The book, incidentally, is titled Where Am I? in its Canadian publication. Why do you think the title was changed for the U.S.? The reviewer, Jonah Lehrer (one of my newest favorite authors) thinks he knows the answer. Do you agree?

Poetry about Science???

As if it weren't bad enough that physics has crept into polite chit chat, now we have poets writing about, of all things, science!
"There is something vital
about the Passiflora auriculata,

which over a million years varied its cyanogens

to discourage feasting insects..."
writes Kimiko Hahn. You can read about her in yesterday's NY Times. I'm wondering if you right-brainers might be led to converting bio notes to sonnets -- and would that raise or lower test scores?

Talking about physics

Yesterday's NY Times ran an essay by Michael Tuts titled "I'm a Particle Physicist. Want to Chat?" in which he laments the fact that nobody wants to chat him up about his work. It prompted me to think about our habit of putting difficult subjects we are studying out of our minds except for those specific times we schedule to think about them, i.e. in class (one hopes) or when cramming the night before an exam. Because of my lack of knowledge, I'm pretty much the person who would decline to discuss physics with anyone, especially a physicist. Imagine my surprise when he mentioned the Bernoulli effect -- the only thing I really learned in physics (sorry, Dr. Packard). Suddenly, I'm inspired to find a physicist and talk things over.

How to Become an Academically Successful (or more successful) Bear

As we begin to create a learning environment for the college reading & study skills class, you are invited to comment on the academic goals you have set for yourself and how this class can best help you achieve those goals.