Among the forms of appropriate contribution are personal experience, observation, and opinion. More valued contributions take the form of objective factual information, the documented findings of scholars and researchers, the published opinions of experts, and thoughtful questions suggested by serious reflection on a topic. A seminar is not a lecture course, and the instructor makes no claim to omniscient insight on all educational issues. Rather, the nature of a seminar suggests shared perspectives, debate, questioning, and occasionally spirited controversy in which students and instructor participate mutually. The seminar will attempt to focus on educational issues which have been and continue to be debated by the public, by policy-makers and by the profession.
Writing is an integral and visible part of the critical thinking process.
As such, student writing as outlined above is intended to assist in the development of ideas as well as in documenting positions on an issue. In addition to the assigned writing requirements of the course, we may occasionally write in class as a means of reflecting and organizing thoughts prior to or following discussion. Seminar leadership implies preparation to moderate and guide discussion for approximately one hour. There is no deadline for submission of the major report project or field trip essay, except for University regulations regarding incomplete grades. However, students who wish the opportunity to make revisions to their writing must submit it by mid-semester.