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Dr. Dougherty's Blog

  • 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!

  • Business School Gets Creative

    Dr. Dougherty
    Posted January 13, 2010

    There was an interesting story in The New York Times this week about how, in a rapidly changing world, business schools are increasing their emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, multicultural understanding and the like. The article follows the thinking of education thought leaders including Howard Gardner and Daniel Pink and has implications far beyond business schools. Click here for the story.

  • Is Kindergarten Too Early to Start Working on College Essays?

    Dr. Larry Dougherty
    Posted December 8, 2009

    A few weeks ago the school’s new K-12 curriculum committee met for dinner at my house to discuss how we approach writing across the Lower, Middle and Upper divisions as well as across the departments (don’t underestimate the amount of writing students do in science or math). Our committee’s first meeting was devoted to writing as this is one of the most important skills we can give our students whatever they do in life. And yet research indicates that writing is one of the most difficult skills for students to learn. Its components include handwriting, grammar, vocabulary, structure, sensitivity to audience – and I’m just getting started.

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