Dr. Dougherty's Blog
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“Born” Leaders Nurtured at Buckley
Posted May 4, 2010
While there are inherent personality traits conducive to leadership, there are certainly many, many components of leadership that must be learned and can be nurtured. At Buckley, we think it is critical to offer many leadership opportunities to students of all ages, and to foster the learning of leadership skills in all students so when and if they choose to seize the reigns, they are prepared. That is one of the benefits of our school’s small size; at a small school, a much greater percentage of students have an opportunity to experience leadership firsthand than do at larger schools.
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Nature comprehends Differential Calculus and so do you
Joanne Ryan, Mathematics Chair
Posted April 20, 2010
In a recent New York Times column entitled “Change We Can Believe In,” Steven Strogatz captures the essence, power, simplicity and beauty of (differential) Calculus in a short, yet extremely enlightening article. Whether you have studied Calculus or not, Strogatz makes the subject matter accessible and tangible. Differential Calculus is a study of rates of change and, ultimately, the ability to use derivatives to calculate the maximum (or minimum) values of a quantity (and when that max or min occurs); in the end, isn’t life all about maximizing (and minimizing)? I know that my students strive for the maximum grade, hopefully with the minimum amount of effort! Click here to read Strogatz's column.
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The Last Assignment
James Forman, English Department Chair
Posted January 20, 2010
It’s a week before graduation. “Wait! One last assignment,” I tell my seniors. “Within a year, email me a college writing assignment and your essay in response to it.”
Every year I am pleased and surprised by the number of “last assignments” I receive. I project these sample college assignments and essays in class. Seniors pay close attention, because such writing is relevant for them. Here’s a sample from a former student at a UC:
In this essay, you are free to write on a variety of topics! As always, you are required to construct an argument-driven, analytical paper that directly engages the texts in support of your thesis. Please be both specific and risky in formulating your thesis!
Essay Prompt: A Freudian Analysis of "The Epic of Gilgamesh"
Use Freud to make an argument about or interpret a specific aspect of "The Epic of Gilgamesh." To what extent is Gilgamesh a “Freudian” character?As my students begin using Freud and a psychoanalytic interpretation of Joseph Conrad’s "Heart of Darkness" to write their next essay, it’s clear to them that this is a typical college essay assignment. Better to learn this year how to juggle two texts—one theoretical, the other fictional—and so be prepared for the writing challenges next year. Motivated second semester seniors? It really is possible!