The Turtle Hypodermic of Sickenpods: Liberal Studies in the Corporate Age - Softcover

Solway, David

9780773521117: The Turtle Hypodermic of Sickenpods: Liberal Studies in the Corporate Age

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0773521119 ISBN 13: 9780773521117

Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2000

A dominant theme that pervades this collection is the status of "theory" in the educational system. Solway claims that nothing of genuine and productive import comes out of theories. The manifold problems that bedevil the academy cannot be solved, or even rectified, by the usual onslaught of dogmas, reforms, and pseudo-revolutionary postulates that are produced in the misguided attempt to find the single, perfect, pedagogical system. Instead, we must embark on a stringent re-examination of the principles and assumptions on which our culture itself is predicated as reflected in contemporary practice. To do this, we need to develop an accurate killer heuristic to identify and monitor threats to our vocational well-being and effectiveness. This requires courage, a horror of sentimental credulity, and a willingness to learn from those in the educational trenches: the reference librarian should be questioned about the fate of the book, not the academic dean who has seldom read one; the teacher who has weathered innumerable classes should be heard, not the personnel director who is rarely in the building; the department secretary who is about to lose her job should be heeded while a jaundiced eye is turned on the omnipresent school coordinator. In almost every case, Solway believes those who deal directly with students will tell you the truth about what is happening to education while administrators will shuffle and mislead. The essays here are based on information from the trenches as well as from a significant minority of writers on educational and cultural themes. The Turtle Hypodermic of Sickenpods will be must reading for anyone interested in the fate of students and the education system.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Review:

"David Solway is a genius. He has things to say of the utmost significance. The Turtle Hypodermic of Sickenpods is a highly important and timely work that tackles the subject of computers and their impact on the learning process. These are wise, bold words whose sentiments desperately need to be heard and disseminated" W.J. Keith, emeritus, professor of English, University College, University of Toronto

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.