Communion, Community & Truth (first blog, week two)
Palmer’s Community of Truth
Communion: N
1.) An action or situation involving sharing: (a): possession in common: joint ownership: the state of possessions thus held. (b): a function performed jointly: an interrelation in activity: an interdependent working together or cooperation.2.) usually capitalized (a): the Eucharist: the Lord’s Supper (b): the celebration of the Eucharist as either as a separate service or part of a larger service
3.) (a): the fellowship of members of the same church (b): general fellowship: a state marked by fellowship, sympathetic companionship, communication, and understanding: COMMUNICATION, CONVERSE, EXCHANGE (c): intimate, sympathetic, reverential, or mystic interchange of ideas and feeling esp. dealing with matters innermost and spiritual in order to inspire, strengthen, or solace often as if between man and nature or the supernatural (d): COMMUNICATION
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary unabridged
The past few days I have been wrestling with what we should discuss next here. We have read Andrew Sullivan’s essay The Pursuit of Happiness: Four Revolutionary Words, Thomas Jefferson’s and the founding fathers’ The Declaration of Independence, Adrienne Rich’s Claiming an Education, and this week: Parker J. Palmer’s The Community of Truth, and Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave.
The Declaration of Independence introduced both the format for an argument and this document’s role in establishing the country’s foundation for civic responsibility and action. We linked this work to the importance of developing our own writing and communication skills to contribute as a responsible member of a democracy. And then Andrew Sullivan’s essay pointed out the radical idea that the phrase “the pursuit of happiness” imparts to the contextual understanding of The Declaration when it was initially written and the way those same words may be interpreted today. His essay furthered the idea that context and motive play roles in shaping the meaning and understanding of a piece of writing. Leading us to ask: What was the context of the piece when it was written? What is the context now? What was the author’s motive for writing the piece? These questions should be asked each time you encounter a piece of writing: its context and motive.
But moving forward in our development of the class, what has stood out to me in this week’s readings are two main subjects: 1. the idea of a learning community, especially in light of Adrienne Rich’s speech and Parker J. Palmer’s essay; and 2. our perceptions about what is true as challenged by Plato’s allegory.
In this first blog of the week I’d like to focus on the former: the idea of a learning community, and to consider the aspects of communion and truth within that community. In the second blog for this week we’ll address Plato and perception– look for that one on Wednesday.
I’ve included the Webster definition above because I think that communion is a word that holds many connotations. But for our purpose, I believe the first and possibly the third definitions are ones that have relevance for us as a class, as members of the Rider community, and as a community of learners.
How do we as a community choose to engage in this communion of ideas? How do we engage about the subject of writing?
Adrienne Rich says in Claiming an Education,
“If university education means anything beyond the processing of human beings into expected roles, through credit hours, tests, and grades … it implies an ethical and intellectual contract between teacher and student.”
Do we engage in a “claiming” of our education as Ms. Rich entreats us? Are you willing to “take as a rightful owner and assert in the face of possible contradiction” an education that you have been a willing participant in claiming? Are you in agreement with her definition of what taking responsibility for yourself asks?
Is Parker J. Palmer in The Community Of Truth asking for a different commitment to the community when he says:
“I understand truth as the passionate and disciplined process of inquiry and dialogue itself, as the dynamic conversation of a community that keeps testing old conclusions and coming into new ones.
We need to know the current conclusions in order to get in on the conversation. But it is not our knowledge of conclusions that keeps us in the truth. It is our commitment to the conversation itself, our willingness to put forward our observations and interpretations for testing by the community and to return the favor to others. To be in the truth, we must know how to observe and reflect and speak and listen, with passion and with discipline, in the circle gathering around a given subject.”
Parker J. Palmer The Community of Truth from The Courage to Teach
Or is Mr. Palmer elaborating on what Ms. Rich is suggesting? Are the two authors’ ideas of relationship in a learning community compatible?
Looking at these two texts in particular and the definition of communion, what commitments to our classroom community do you feel we need to embrace? What “contractual” agreement should we make to ensure that your university education means more? How do we need to apply these ideas to include our conversations about writing?
Of course if there are any other observations/ concerns/ confusions you would like to share about this topic or these essays, please introduce it to the blog– If need be, I will set up another page for this topic.
Filed under: adrienne rich, classroom, communion, community, Parker J. Palmer, truth, Uncategorized | 17 Comments
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I think most students just go to college because they have to. They learn the material to pass the class but don’t retain it to use later on. I think the agreement is not only to learn the material but remember so we can use it later on in life and work together while doing it. College is supposed to prepare you for your career. I feel when we discuss writings, we need to not just read it, but understand it, have opinions about it, and be able to discuss it with our fellow classmates.
-Sam
As a community, we; the class engage in communion of ideas by sharing past experiences to a certain event, or reactions to a piece of literature that we have read.
I for one agree with Palmer’s saying of “…we must know how to observe and reflect and speak and listen, with passion and with discipline, in the circle gathering around a given subject.”.
As far as a “contract” goes, I feel that being in the classroom with a positive, open attitude about whatever subject is being talked about is a good start, but furthermore; retaining key points of interest from the course throughout the semester is yet another prime objective.
I agree with Sam when discussing the common thought process and priority of college kids. Most kids attend college, take notes, and sit through class barely awake and paying as little attention as possible and making the least amount of sacrifice to achieve a good grade. However, as a member of this class and every class you’re in(especially those that include a lot of discussion) it is an unwritten rule that students should come to class open minded and prepared to add their own twist and perspective on each topic. If one person is the only person sharing his opinions then who is to say who is right or wrong, and how can we learn about the subject. However, when a whole class shares different ideas then it is easier to analyze the WHOLE PICTURE. Palmer’s Community of Learning are circles based around a SUBJECT, not a conversation between a subject and a person with 20 other people just listening. There should be an interaction between everyone. I believe that the more work students put into their college education, the more they will get out of it. Through college courses, you are building a knowledge that shapes you and adds knowledge in a variety of areas.
I agree with everything that everyone has stated there is a lack of drive and motivation. Students feel the need to have everything directly relate to them or else the topic has no validity or relevance. But can we really blame the students?? We live in a world of instant gratification. High-speed internet, online banking, fast food, and so much more. Many people, not just students, have become accustomed to a life that lacks thinking and drive and values materialistic possesions. If you don’t go to school you won’t achieve the “American dream”, thus making you a failure. So with that being said, can one really blame the students for just going to school because they have to? I think it’s hypocritical of many to judge when they have conditioned us to be this way. I think the only way to rectify this problem is to resocialize. There should be a lot of interaction creating a family-like atmosphere. Show the students that you care about more than them just showing up with completed assignments, get them to think outside of the box, and give them direction by leading by example.
Most people come to college because they want to be able to move forward in the career world. They don’t necessarily focus on the readings that are due in class or the assignments, they just want to pass the class with at least a C. I think that being part of a class means that you should read and be able to give feed back about the certain essays or stories, so that you can help others be able to relate and understand what they have just read. In a classroom you should feel as if you are talking with best friends or family, you should open up and give your ideas and opinions because when it comes to the career world you will have to work in groups and share information with others, and be able to give feed back to their ideas and help them and give them direction just like they would for you. Being part of a class and part of college means that you have to try to find yourself and help make life easier and more successful for yourself, just going to college isn’t enough, you have to try in order to achieve everything you have ever wanted and be able to get closer to the “American Dream.”
I think most of the students come to college because of the diploma. They need this for their next step in life. As we can see, having a college degree is easier for people to have a better paid, easier, more beneficial job. Students just come to college to do what they need to do. They come to class, tried their best to pass the class, and receive their diplomas. Majority is receiving their diplomas, not claiming. I think we should really try to learn something in this learning community. Our future may require us to know some skills. I think human beings are striking for three things in life: money, honor, and long life. They all want to have money, to be honored, and to have long life. In order to have these three, we need to have some knowledge. It is our time to be prepared and to embrace the future with knowledge and confidence. Everyone should treat everybody nicely in class, and we should also do the assignment. We should understand first, and then come to class prepared to share. Since everybody feels so closed together, he or she will definitely like to speak up or share his or her thoughts in the class.
I believe that most students decide to further their education because they feel it is the proper thing to do; Most of the time they don’t even stop to think about what an education, especially a college education, means. They simply “go along” with the idea of college because they don’t know any different. I’m not saying that everyone attending college doesn’t want to be there but, instead that they don’t realize the opportunities that are right in front of them. Because some people just don’t realize their potential as a student and as a person, they will not allow themselves to get involved with their education. I think the agreement of this class should be to stand up for yourself and your own ideas and to get involved in your education. If we all get involved, by the end of this semester, we should be able to be proud of the grades that were earned instead of merely settling for grades that you received.
I think what is interesting is how you all responded in class to developing the class “contract.” Bringing and open mind and a willingness to hear and acknowledge other ideas was universal among the groups. What was also interesting was the request that there be a reciprocity of learning: teachers learn from students and students learn from teachers. I promise I will learn from you too!
Those of you who have already posted on this one seem to focus on the aspect of preparation as well… that being prepared is the first step in establishing a relationship to the subject and that that will allow you to have a greater understanding and position to relate from. (Of course I agree with this– I am a teacher!) But even as a person who is a learner– if you do not make the attempt to understand or establish a relationship to the topic, you can not move to a deeper relationship to the subject. Even the questions you bring to the dialogue in class about a subject– even if you “didn’t get it” — at least if you’ve asked yourself why you didn’t get it– you have begun a relationship to the subject that can allow you to develop knowledge of it.
You all have me really thinking!
I agree with everyone. I think that most students go to college because they have to or want to get a good paying job. I know that I don’t mind going to college so much, but I do not like reading. I know that I have to, so I do it, but if it were up to me, I would stick with what I like. My schooling would be made up of all mathematics, if I were to choose. Maybe we can all try to come up with some way of making the readings easier to understand, or make it more interesting. I think that it is always a good idea to realate what you are reading to something that’s happened in your life; if possible. And I also think that everyone should respect everyone else’s views, no matter how out there they are.
I agree with what everyone has said so far. I believe some students just go to college because they believe it is the next step in life. They come to class expecting nothing so their attitudes are usually negative. Not many students want to come to college. I came to college because it was a personal goal of mine. I wasn’t forced by my parents, nor was it suggested. I came to college to prove to myself that I can handle what life throws at me. I go to my classes with an open mind, and ready to learn. I don’t at all think I’m the only one who feels this way.
I think it is very important to have a class “contract.” Promises in this contract should include having an open mind, respect others opinions, and get involved. I believe if a student just sits in class, takes notes, and leaves, he or she is missing out on a lot. Interaction between students and teacher is key.
I agree that most students attend college because they “have to” or because they want a career that pays good money. I know that I am here because this is something that I “had” to do, not necessarily because it was the “next step” but because of the career that I want to pursue, teaching. I also agree that it is important to have a class “contract.” This is something that I personally have to try and commit to, being involved with the class, not just this one, but all of my classes. I am the typical student who “sits in class, takes notes, and leaves.” However, I do not believe I am missing out, it just makes class boring on my part. So if not only I try and contribute more to the class, and everyone makes an effort to do the same, class would be much more interesting, and we would be one step closer to “contracting.”
i believe that students go to college because it is the next step. It’s a thought in everybody’s mind, after you graduate high school, you go on to college and graduate and then figure out what the next step is. I think i went to college because it was the next step. There really isn’t one subject for me that i am truly interested in and know i want to make a career out of it. I went to college because it was the next step and in hope to be able to figure out what i am truly interested in. Like all the other students, i agree with the class “contract.” I’m not gunna lie, sitting in that 8am class, the first thing that is on my mind is going back to bed. And it really shouldn’t be, cuz I’m sure by participating and getting involved will wake everybody up. By just sitting there and thinking about sleep will make the class seem longer. Yeah, its easier to just sit there but it’s much more interesting to be an active class member.
i agree with mostly everyone that has posted so far, the reason that most students go to college is because society has led us to believe that it is the next step in life. In a way this is correct. The reason that i decided that college was the right thing to do was because in order to fulfill my dream of being a teacher i need a degree. College is the only way to do it.
I think that college students today do come to class as if they just need to get through it, including me. i feel that some classes are a waste of my time because they have nothing to do with my field. Although i do want to start getting more out of my classes. The only way to do this is to not only get the work done but apply it to something else in life. It’s the best way to learn.
College definitely is the normal thing to do after high school. The only reasons that would lead to otherwise would be financial issue, or just laziness. But most of the high school graduating class do attend college after high school. Getting an education has become a popular thing to do, before in the old days women were told to stay home, but now both men and women are attending college. They might even have the same major. In order to go to college you must first, be willing to sacrifice sleep, and then be open minded. In class we should not judge our professors in any way, because then that would just make our learning process harder.
I too feel that college is “the next step”, unless someone wants to seek an alternate career, such as enlisting for the military. The reason I am in college is because I want to do something productive with my life, even though I’m not too sure what exactly it is I want to do…yet.
That’s OK derekroz! Part of the reason for going to a liberal arts college is to acquire a breadth of knowledge and experiences.
Many of say that you want to get more out of your classes… start seeing or finding places where ideas intersect. What connections are you seeing in your other classes to the material you are reading and writing about in our class?
I think Alberto mentioned in class about the social aspect of college– I would be blind to negate that! Learning to be on one’s own, to be responsible for your self, to have to be the primary decision maker for your self especially when prioritizing, these are valuable lessons (possibly the most valuable!) And learning to be in a community of peers and advanced learners (your profs!) and utilize their dialogue is of equal importance.
I’m out of college for a while now, and I still don’t know what I want to be… and I still dream and take action towards the things I would like to be. What I did get from my college education is the confidence to be able to make the decisions, find the information, be able to rationally argue/ debate the pros and cons of a situation, and most importantly be able to communicate these ideas to others.
Life doesn’t begin with college, nor does it end with college either, but the skills you develop with an education are yours for life. Hopefully you will build on them as you journey through life!
I agree with what Jamie said about not liking the readings. I love reading what I like to read, but when I have to read for class I feel like I don’t understand it. I’m in a 215 history class now where we get about 50 pages of reading every night in either one or two books. It is really frustrating and every day the teacher asks if we are keeping up with the reading but never asks if we are having trouble with the readings. I think if teachers assign readings they should also go over and discuss them like we do in class.