Subject: Supreme Rule
From: Dr.Wolfgang Schirmacher (wolfphilo@yahoo.com)
Date: Tue Feb 29 2000 - 17:47:58 CST
Supreme Rule
I knew I took a chance by playing the Teacher online since you are (and
always will be) a diverse group - what is right for one student is wrong for
the other. My intention with this traditional form of assignments (and
deadlines) was to help such individuals who need a structure for their
preparation work, possibly imposed by some "higher authority". Last but not
least, the tutorial should instill confidence in our NEW professors that
their students will come prepared. My thanks to everybody who is playing
along and contributed to a surprisingly multi-layered feedback. But as you
can see so far, half of the students have not responded online, and so it's
about time to invoke our program's Supreme Rule: DO IT YOUR OWN WAY.
There should never be a reason to confuse us with a traditional program
where you are supposed to study mostly books and speak solely the language
of theory. I've always insisted we train creative thinkers / thinking
creators, not scholars who present just theories backed up by historical
facts as evidence. No, to be a diligent student means little in this
program since we are designed for exceptional individuals who already know
too much and have no time for the usual graduate school games. "Next time I
will disobey Wolfgang", was Peter Greenaway's closing remark, and I'd like
to applaud him.
Apart from paying your tuition on time (at the latest before the beginning
of the summer residency), the only true requirement is: You show up August
6th in Saas-Fee and fight for your (intellectual and creative) life in the
3-weeks intensive seminars. IF, HOW and WHEN you are going to prepare for
the classes, is totally up to you - that is the German style of Academic
Freedom. Consider the Online Tutorials merely a forum provided for students
who like to formulate their thoughts in advance and are curious what others
have to say. But it is totally cool with me if you decide for whatever
reason not to participate (or only as a silent reader). Also, my reading
assignments are suggestions, not obligation, since students are treated in
our program as (younger) colleagues.
My friends, please bear in mind, theory in a traditional sense is NOT at the
core of our
program. Instead, we like to encourage "thinking for yourself" - being an
artist of thinking, not a scholar per se. This is not just a programmatic
hope, it is also very practical: I only invite (re-invite) professors who
are NOT introducing their books but think on their feet. Therefore,
basically there is no way of preparing for the Saas-Fee experience and are
never any exams in which you have to prove your knowledge of the professors'
books or other productions. Our students are invited to observe (and
participate, if possible) in a public thinking performance ("laut denken"
(thinking aloud) we call it in German). If you become an expert on Haraway,
Ronell, Nancy, Waters etc in this process we will not hold it against you
(smile). But the only goal you should achieve is to find (and refine) your
own voice and perspective, ENCOURAGED by the example of truly successful
thinkers: You will always learn more from their style than from the content
of their teachings.
UNPRECEDENTED FREEDOM FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY is our mantra. So let me
make this formal: I'll waive officially the requirement to participate in
the online tutorial - you can keep totally quiet and you will still be
considered a "good student". In others words, please choose the level, kind
and intensity of your participation yourself.
Nevertheless, I'll continue to propose ONE BOOK A MONTH (and, if possible, a
few helpful texts from the CONTINENTAL PHILOSOPHY reader) and am personally
looking forward to your online comments (they are my favorite e-mails). And
these comments don't have to be theoretical in nature but could also be
links to some visual material serving as response to the issues in question.
Taking into account the tutorial is not an online class, I'll refrain from
commenting on your comments - with the exception of the month in which we
deal with the topic of my seminar.
Think on, live on.
The philosopher with a Dean's mask
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2a24 : Tue Feb 29 2000 - 17:49:56 CST