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Summit Style. . .


 

Moving reluctantly toward the kick-off of classes for Spring 2025 next Monday the 13th with a summit this morning on teaching general education courses in challenging times.  Besides the typical start-of-term announcements and reminders, discussion focused on how to handle hypothetical difficult situations that might arise in the classroom given rising and emboldened hostility among certain segments of the population toward informed knowledge and expertise at odds with their ultra-conservative world view.

On a more pleasant note, attire for today included a new pair of corduroy trousers given to me by the Grand Duchess for Christmas two weeks ago along with additional variants on the usual cold weather theme.  While rose-colored cords are not for everyone, a couple of different colleagues expressed their approval at different points.  As I remarked to some students 20 or so years ago, "If what I say is not interesting, at least you can enjoy looking at me."  I am a vapid popinjay after all.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

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All opinions are welcome here. Even those that differ from mine. But let's keep it clean and civil, please.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

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