My Learning Preference

What did the ILS and VARK instruments tell you about your learning preference/learning style?  In what specific ways will you use this information to "leverage" your success in your current and future classes?

Learning and Education

One of the most important parts of Homer Hickam's story in Rocket Boys focuses on learning --  Homer learns so much about himself, his family and about rocketry -- at one point, Miss Riley tells him "All I've done is give you a book" indicating that there is some portion of education that is Homer's responsibility -- that she's not there to fill him up with education.  In what ways are you responsible for your own learning and education?  How are you facing up to and taking on that responsibility? 

Where do you see room for improvement?

On Participation and Preparation for FPC/FPU alums

Remember that class where it seemed no one had done the reading and the professor did everything but lit her hair on fire to get the discussion going?  What are your thoughts on preparation and participation for classes?  any adivce to offer?  tips to give? anecdotes to recount?

Sarty Snopes in "Barn Burning"

The main character in William Faulkner's short story "Barn Burning," is 10-year-old Sarty Snopes.  As Sarty observes his father's behavior, young Sarty must make a life-defining decision.  What is the choice that Sarty must make and what makes this decision so diffcult?  Reread the final paragraphs of the story and discuss how Sarty has changed; what does Sarty understand differently after making his coming-of-age decision?

King of the Mild Frontier -- coming of age

How does the chapter from King of the Mild Frontier present a coming of age moment?

Coming of Age - your initial thoughts

What does the phrase "coming of age" mean to you?

Meet The Mentors

A number of former FPU students who were in my IC101 classes in past years have agreed to be part of our class blog and chime in from time to time to talk about their experiences at FPU and afterwards and offer their thoughts and advice and even cautionary tales to you new students. This posting will give them a chance to introduce themselves and reminisce a bit about their first fews days at Franklin Pierce.

Welcome to our IC101.01 Blog!

Welcome to our IC101.01 Fall 2009 class blog. We'll use this a forum to start and extend our in class discussions for our first-year seminar. I'm looking forward to exploring the course's theme, "Coming of Age in America." Check your FPU email for information about required blog entries, including due dates, lengths, topics, etc. Let's see where our discussions take us!