In broad terms, my orientation to history and cultural studies is similar to Eric Hobsbawm's, whose historical work I particularly admire. He asked if he could write the paper in verse. Despite my skepticism, I suggested he take the chance. I hope to avoid surprising them with my goals or expectations. I do my best to let them know what I count as successful.
Students often find it difficult to assess their own work.
My role, I believe, is to tell them directly whether or not their work meet the standards I have set. I am more one who thinks out loud than one who professes what he thinks he knows. I try to avoid telling students what I think they should know. I want students to engage the material in their own way. Students come to this institution, I insist, to discover their authority as learners, not to be certified as having mastered some body of material.