Winter School in Philosophy Announcement

Winter School in Philosophy
(December 30, 2008 – January 10, 2009)
Organized by
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
in association with
Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla

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CLASSROOM INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

Understanding the nature of Reality, Knowledge and Value

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It is often felt that teaching a course in ‘Introductory Philosophy’ is far more difficult than teaching a course on a specific philosophical area at a relatively higher level. The ‘introductory’ nature of Philosophy is not elementary in nature. Indeed, there is not ‘elementary’ philosophy with which one can begin as a way of introducing the student to Philosophy. Philosophy is, by nature, intrinsically ‘deep’ right from the beginning. The pool of philosophy is deep all over, with no shallow banks. Any enduring academic experience of teaching Philosophy surely testifies to this claim.

If a teacher has to introduce Philosophy as a specific discipline in an under-graduate class, how would he or she go about doing that? Are there basic chapters of a typical text to start with, in the way there are in other disciplines like Physics and Economics and Biology? Even if certain basic chapters are touched upon, how basic are the contents of those topics or concepts? It seems that the so-called ‘basics’ of Philosophy are far too dense in meaning to help the student make a smooth and easy entry into the subject.

It is almost pointless to begin the discourse with the etymological meaning of ‘Philosophy’, e.g. ‘Love of Wisdom’. After all, the term ‘wisdom’ itself is not too clear or free from ambiguity. Besides, wisdom is not what the teacher is going to teach in a professional academic discourse of Philosophy. The teacher would therefore do well to think of a more ‘practical’ and ‘relevant’ way of accompanying the student in the journey of Philosophy.

Perhaps the best strategy is to begin with the illustration of the central samples of philosophical discussion that have traditionally been the occupation of philosophers. Here the move would require making use of the traditional classification of Philosophy into three broad categories of discourse: Metaphysics or the Theory of Reality; Epistemology or the Theory of Knowledge; Axiology or Value Theory. The introductory discourse of Philosophy ought to take up the principal concerns of these three sectors.

The two-week long WINTER SCHOOL IN PHILOSOPHY is conceived as an interactive workshop for young philosophy teachers and doctoral students, who will be instructed by a team of experts on how to deliver effectively introductory lectures in the classroom. Attention is to be drawn specially towards the role of being a teacher of philosophy inculcating philosophical knowledge to beginners in Philosophy. But the teacher himself or herself needs to be sufficiently clear about the way one ought to unfold the conceptual story of Philosophy. That unfolding is to follow the principal issues and arguments available in the discussions of metaphysics, epistemology and axiology.

Metaphysical issues relate to the question of being, whether it is the “Being of God, the World, or the Self”. There are traditional “Arguments for the existence of God: Especially the Ontological Argument”, arguments of “Realism or Idealism about the existence of the World”, and both “Substance-essentialist and Anti-substantivist arguments regarding the existence of the Self”. Furthermore, there are subsidiary metaphysical questions concerning “Mind-Body Dualism”, “Causality, Determinism and freedom of the Will”, and about “Universals and Particulars”.

Epistemological issues that prominently figure in discussion include the “Platonic Definition of Knowledge and the Gettier Problem”, “Perceptual Knowledge”, “A Priori Knowledge”, “Internalist and Externalist theories of Epistemic Justification”, and the general “Problem of Skepticism”.

Axiological questions basically concern Ethics and Aesthetics. Some major issues include “Morality and Egoism/Altruism”, “Moral relativism/Absolutism”, Moral Theories like “Eudaimonism, Utilitarianism and Deontology”, “Virtue Ethics”, and the rise of “Applied Ethics”. Aesthetic problems related to questions about the “Ontology of Art”, “Aesthetic Detachment”, theories of “Artistic Representation/Expression/Form”, and the “Value of Art in Human Culture”.

The Winter School will consist of discussions on a chosen set of topics that relate to these three branches of Philosophy. It is presumed that a basic understanding of Philosophy as an intellectual discourse is an understanding of the principal problem of metaphysics, epistemology and value theory. This understanding is supposed to be uniform and well-integrated, so that a teacher of Philosophy is capable of rendering that understanding in a format which conduces to a systematic and coherent grasp of the subject.

Emphasis will be laid on thematic discussion and understanding of Philosophy rather than a historical understanding. Reference to history of philosophy would be subservient to thematic relevance. The Indian/Western division of Philosophy would be circumvented by an attempt to tackle a given problem from different angles.

It is most important to realize that the young mind of the student is quite likely to be puzzled by the kind of questions that arise in Philosophy. That is because of the unique peculiarity of the discourse. The teacher must therefore be able to explain why at all such peculiar problems arise, and how they inevitably arise given human rational inquisitiveness. The Winter School will take special care to alert the participants to the utmost need of grasping the rationale of philosophical questions.

It is expected that the two weeks of rigorous philosophical training and interactive exercise of reflection will create enough confidence in the mind of the young teacher/scholar of Philosophy. Towards the final stage of the School, some particular sessions will be exclusively devoted to the demonstration of teaching by the participants. This exercise will be accompanied by regular written assignments on relevant issues.

It is hoped that the result of this exercise in the Winter School will eventually be a rough working paper that synoptically describes a fairly standard programme of ‘A Classroom Introduction to philosophy’. The urgency of such an outcome cannot be denied at least for one reason. Philosophy is certainly unlike other academic discourses because of its peculiar nature. The ‘justification’ of Philosophy is often demanded in view of its apparently ‘impractical’ and abstract character. A young philosopher therefore must be well-versed in the arguments that lend justification to the philosophical enterprise. And the ‘arguments for justification’ must be amenable to their grasp at the introductory level.

It is known that the patterns of courses/papers taught in different Universities are not always the same, and not all Universities have Semester-system method of teaching. But the Winter School programme is catered to a generality of pattern that would be compatible with these variations. In other words, a participant duly trained in the course of these two weeks can be reasonably expected to play a better role in inculcating philosophical ideas in any pattern in which he or she is supposed to adjust to in his or her home-institution.

On the whole, the Winter School programme is supposed to have a tutorial flavour. In this respect, it is supposed to be rather different from the usual Refresher Courses in Philosophy. The level of interaction is supposed to be much greater, and constant attention is to be maintained towards improving the analytical teaching potential of the participant.

The Winter School, to be hosted by Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, in association with Indian Institute of Advance Study, Shimla, will invite young lecturers (preferably within 40 years of age) of Colleges and Universities, including a few Ph D scholars. Prospective participants will be selected on the basis of their curriculum vitae and a three-hundred word write-up explaining their intention to participate in this programme. Out of 30 participants, 20 will be from the North-Eastern region, and the rest from the other parts of the country. The Head of the Department of the respective College/University Department/Institute Department will be asked to recommend the person who would like to apply for participation. It is expected that the participants will take due leave (duty leave or whatever) from their respective institutions for the entire period of two weeks. Incomplete attendance is strongly discouraged, as discontinuation will adversely affect the purpose of the whole programme. Every participant completing the entire course of the Winter School will be provided with a certificate of being trained in the programme.

Participants are allowed to claim II tier air-conditioned return fare by rail for their journey from the place of work to Guwahati and back, plus charges of local transportation by taxi/auto/bus etc. Free accommodation will be provided to the participants on a twin-sharing basis in the Guest House of IIT Guwahati. Local hospitality will be free all along. For detail write to:

Dr. Archana Barua/Dr.V.Prabhu,
Course Coordinator: Winter School in Philosophy,
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences,
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati,
Guwahati – 781039.
E.mail: vprabhu@iitg.ernet.in

‘Surfing internet alters functioning of brain’

Following article is from Times of India 29 Oct 2008. To veiw it on TOI Click here

‘Surfing internet alters functioning of brain’

Canberra: The internet is not just changing the way people live but altering the way our brains work with a neuroscientist arguing that this is an evolutionary change which will put the tech-savvy at the top of the new social order.

Gary Small, a neuroscientist at UCLA in California who specializes in brain function, has found through studies that Internet searching and text messaging has made brains more adept at filtering information and making snap decisions.But while technology can accelerate learning and boost creativity it can have drawbacks as it can create internet addicts whose only friends are virtual and has sparked a dramatic rise in Attention Deficit Disorder diagnoses.

Small, however, argues that the people who will come out on top in the next generation will be those with a mixture of technological and social skills.“We’re seeing an evolutionary change. The people in the next generation who are really going to have the edge are the ones who master the technological skills and also face-to-face skills,” Small said in a telephone interview.

“They will know when the best response to an email or instant message is to talk rather than sit and continue to email.”AGENCIES

39th International Film Festival of India Announcement

39th International Film Festival of India Announcement. For details click here or visit http://www.iffi.nic.in/

Tender for Production of Films by Govt of India - Reproduced from Collective Chaos group mail

No. 15/2/2007-FDP

Notice

1.The Chief Producer, Films Division, on behalf of the President of India, invites sealed tender from producers on contract basis for production of films as follows:-

2. I. Films of 30 seconds to 2 minutes duration in Eastman Colour in 35mm format conveying social message(s) on the following subjects, for release in theatres and telecast on different channels / media. (i.)Social Justice. (ii). Health & Family Welfare (iii).Women & Child Development (iv) Panchayat Raj (v).Environment (vi)Agriculture & rural development (vii)Promotion of tourism (viii)Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (ix) Road safety (x)Civic Sense (xi)Organ donation (xii)Water shortage (save water) / Water Harvesting (xiii)HIV & AIDs (xiv)Dowry & Child Marriage (xv)Communal harmony and National Integration (xvi)Global warming (xvii)Child labour (xviii)Social Evils (xix)Anti Terrorism (xx)Social Unrest (xxi)Crime against Women etc.

3.II. DOCUMENTARY FILMS ( 26/52 Minutes duration in Digital format ) for telecast on TV channels on the following subjects:-

4. (i)Agriculture (Animal husbandry/farming/forestry/Horticulture/Misc) (ii)Archaeology & Monuments (iii)Health, Community development & Co-operation (iv)Cottage Industry (v) Crafts (vi)Art & Culture (vii) Food & Festivals (viii)Tourism (ix)Natural Resources (x)Trade & Commerce (xi)Social Welfare (xii) Rehabilitation &Employment (xiii)Geography & Travel (xiv)Education & Youth activities (xv)History/ Freedom Struggle (xvi)Famous Personalities etc. (xvii) Subjects pertaining Jammu & Kashmir and North Eastern States etc.

5. The details of forms/particulars/terms & conditions are available in our website www.filmsdivision.org. or can be collected from Films Division, Mumbai. Tel.No.23510461/Fax: 2351 3655/23511008/2351 5308. The proposal complete in all respect to be submitted to Chief Producer, Films Division, Mumbai latest by 5/11/08. Applicants residing in North East, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman Nicobar Islands, Lakshdeep Islands, Daman & Diu may submit their applications by (last date + 15 days).

Chief Producer

Experiments in and outcomes of this blog

Following is the tentative and random list of experiments i have done on this blog and the known outcome.

If you think you have any information to add that might build this list please put it in the comment section.

Will be happy if you can comment on how this blog has been useful to you, that will help me.

This is being put together for an institutional presentation on experiments in this blog.

Some of the experiments tried with the blog
1. CIA 2/3 submission on the blog. One of the reasons was to save use of paper . Led to students commenting on other’s write-ups thus leading to exciting peer review and discussion. Tried it with a class strength of 98 (BCom., 2006) BBM 2005)
2. Put up supporting material and links to online resource for students on poems and novels on topics under discussion in the class
3. Scripts of films in discussion
4. Encourage students to ask questions online, as there is less time in class, plus an anonymity
5. CIA announcements, model questions papers, course plans, certificate course announcements
6. Details of courses, talks in and around Bangalore
7. National level and other seminar announcements.
8. Fellowship details
9. links to material around international events namely Man Booker Prize announcements, Nobel prize
10. Formal Student feedback to plan future classes
11. Other course announcements
12. Announcement of programme. Students have taken admission coming to know only through the blog
13. Use it as a space to publish my own academic and other write-ups
14. Publication of chat sessions
15. Links to online academic journals – refereed and non-referred
16. Links to online resources
17. Provides, documentation and archive of a lot of activities

Outcomes
1. Platform for students to carry interactions online.
2. out-of-class support though links and discussion-space/board
3. Anonymity helps students to ask questions which otherwise they would not
4. Far greater interaction over the net than class.
5. Those that do not interact in class interact online.
6. Helps me keep in touch with students.
7. Helps other teachers for institutions across India.
8. Motivation to students to start their own blogs
9. Allow peer discussion

Writing Workshop @ Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram

I conducted a two-day writing workshop for philosophy students of Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram on 27 and 28 Oct 2008. During the workshop 16 students wrote poems, short stories, features, conducted and wrote interviewnews reports and letters to the editor and also individually brought out model newspapers. I enjoyed working with the participants. Quite a passionate bunch. Grateful to Shaji, Benny, Simmy, Biston, and the participants for the experience.

Following is the copy of the schedule

Writing Workshop
DVK, Bangalore

27 – 28 October 2008

Workshop Facilitator: Anil Pinto, Christ University, Bangalore

Day 1
09.30 to 10.30 Session 1: Introduction, What do I look for? Writing as thinking, creativity, paragraph writing
10.30 to 10.45 Tea Break
10.45 to 12.45 Session 2 Writing poem, short story, feature, news report, letter to the editor
12.45 to 01.45 Lunch Break
01.45 to 02.00 Calisthenics
02.00 to 03.15 Session 3 Doing and writing interview
03.15 to 03.30 Tea Break
03.30 to 04.30 Session 4 Semiotics, and death of the author

(Homework: Preparing the blog. Redoing the write ups based on review of models. Give a write up on the gaps found and insights)

Day 2
09.30 to 10.30 Session 1 Paragraph writing, common errors, news report
10.30 to 10.45 Tea Break
10.45 to 12.45 Session 2 Features of a feature, short story, poem, interview, letter to the editor
12.45 to 01.45 Lunch Break
01.45 to 02.00 Calisthenics
02.00 to 03.15 Session 3 Reworking the write ups, preparation of a wall paper (pair work)
03.15 to 03.30 Tea Break
03.30 to 04.30 Session 4 Reworking the write ups, preparation of a wall paper (pair work),
04.00 to 04.15 Feedback
04.15 to 04.30 Conclusion

National Conference on Communication and Soft Skills from Academia and Corporate Perspectives

National Conference on Communication and Soft Skills from Academia and Corporate Perspectives

January 5-6, 2009
Organized by
Department of Mathematics and Humanities
And
Centre for Management Studies
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Warangal – 506 021. (A.P.)

Conference
In recent years, the sweeping changes of globalization and industrialization have impacted several fields including education and the echoes are heard in many spheres and countries. Consequently, the approaches to teaching in the academia and training in the industry have changed as well. The need for a new perspective of communication and the growing necessity to show more and varied set of soft skills in workplace has, therefore, become a matter of urgent concern for all educators and managers and industry executives. In this context, teachers have to cope with the change in the perception of the
learners and to take a close look at the new roles of teachers in the light of the enormous importance being given to soft skills. They need to focus on these areas.

This conference provides a platform for teachers in engineering, of various disciplines, and management colleges and, for those professionals working in industry and media. They get the opportunity to reflect on topics related to communication and soft skills from the perspective of teachers and industry executives and present papers on topics of interest to them.

Major Areas of Interest
• Oral and Written Skills
• Listening and Taking notes
• Reading Skills
• Self-management
• Change management
• Team Building
• Leadership
• Conflict Resolution
• Stress and Time Management
• Etiquette

Papers related to any other area related to the title of the conference are also invited.

Call for Papers:
Papers on original and unpublished work are invited in the above mentioned areas. Full papers should be sent only by e-mail in MS word document form (A4 size, single column, 12 point, Times New Roman, Single line spacing) with an abstract of 150 words. The abstracts & final paper of not more than 4 pages should be sent along with soft copy to the Coordinator indicating the names of the authors with address of corresponding author. The E-Mail attachment is also accepted provided the registration fee is paid by due date.

Registration and Fee Particulars
For publication of papers in the conference proceedings, at least one of the authors have to register. A registration fee of Rs.700/- in the form of a Demand Draft favoring “Director (TEQIP), NIT Warangal” payable at Warangal on any nationalized bank should reach the Coordinator on or before November
20, 2008.

Important Dates:
Abstracts along with D.D. for Registration fees: November 20, 2008 Submission of full and final text of Paper: December 02, 2008

Accommodation:
Accommodation will be provided to participants at / near NITW campus. Boarding (sic)charges are included in the registration fee. However, no TA/DA is payable to the participants.

Address for Correspondence:
Dr.D..S.Kesava Rao
Professor of English
Dept. of Maths.&Humanities
NIT, Warangal,A.P. 506021
E-mail: kesavads@gmail.com
Telephone No: (0870) 2462822 ( O )
Mobile No: 9849358621

Talk on 'An Aesthetics of Erasure' by Sadanand Menon- Sent by Ammu Joseph

Open Space Fellowships - Sent by Ammu Joseph

Open Space Fellowships:

Nurturing civil society leadership and action

Open Space is a civil society and youth outreach initiative based in
Pune. OS encourages dialogue, debate and citizens action around social
justice and development issues by engaging urban middle class
citizens– particularly youth -- through films, literature, art,
music, college festivals, lectures, workshops etc.

We are now taking the OS process to other cities through the Open
Space fellowships. On offer are full-time fellowships for a period of
12 months each to be awarded to social entrepreneurs in cities other
than Pune.

We are looking for individuals who are well-informed on – and
committed to -- social justice and development issues, with a
background in the social sciences/human rights/development/media or
allied fields. The Fellows should be dynamic, energetic, resourceful
and good at communications, moderating discussions, training and
capacity-building. A passion for the arts and ideas is required,
since OS programmes and processes centre around popular culture,
literature, cinema etc. Fellows should be well-networked with CSOs,
educational institutions and community groups in their own city.

We're looking for applications from state capitals and the
mini-metros, though applications from the five major metropolitan
cities will also be considered if they focus on unique outreach
processes and suburban and fringe areas of their cities.

Over the 12-month period, several regular networks, partnerships,
processes, activities and forums should have been initiated and
publicised under the fellowship that should continue to operate and
be strengthened on a voluntary basis by citizens after the 12-month
period.

Applicants for the fellowship are invited to send in their CVs and a
detailed concept note expanding on 1) their suitability for, and
interest in, these Fellowships; 2) the social justice/development
issues most integral to their cities which they would like to work on
in the course of this fellowship; 3) strategies they would employ for
outreach, including likely partners and networks in their cities.

Open Space fellowships will be awarded to individuals preferably
below the age of 40.

The fellowship carries a monthly honorarium of Rs 20,000, inclusive
of communication and conveyance costs incurred by the Fellows.

Log on to http://www.openspaceindia.org
for a detailed note on the fellowships and to find out more about
Open Space. Then email your applications, before October 31, 2008, to
openspacefellowships@infochangeindia.org and cc them to
rakesh@openspaceindia.org

Open Space is an initiative of the Centre for Communication and
Development Studies, Pune, a social change resource centre that uses
communications to strengthen civil society and citizens' action for
social justice, human rights, sustainable development and accountable
governance. CCDS also manages http://www.infochangeindia.org
, India's popular and credible online resource base on social
justice and development issues. For more information on CCDS and Open
Space log on to www.openspaceindia.org

, www.ccds.in
and www.infochangeindia.org
.

Open Space
301, Kanchanjunga Building, Kanchan Gully
Off Law College Road,
Pune 411 004
Telephone: 020-26852845/30222156

Blog utilisation

On Aug 30 I put a counter on my blog to see how many visit the blog. In the last 53 days total visits are 7,033. That's almost 132 clicks per day. Out of which 3,959 (about 4,000) are unique clicks.

ISem OE 'An Essay on the Theatre' Oliver Goldsmith extract

Following is the quotation in French found in the essay 'An Essay on the Theatre' by Oliver Goldsmith

"Le comique, ennemi des soupirs et des pleurs, N'admet point dans ses vers de tragiques douleurs."

Following is the translation of the above quotation by Dr Mallika from the Dept of French, Christ University.

"The comic, enemy of sighs and tears, does not admit/allow tragic sorrow in its verses at all."

(I thank Dr Mallika for the translation and Abey from IFEP for reminding me)

Culture Unplugged - Maya Hemanth sent this link

Might interest some of you.

www.cultureunplugged.com

Theatre and Arts Appreciation Course @ Rangashankara

I strongly recommend the following course.

Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival ‘08

Theatre and Arts Appreciation Course

The Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival ‘08 will include the second edition of its very successful Theatre and Arts Appreciation Course, designed on the lines of the well-known Culture Course at Neenasam, Heggodu.

The Course, launched at the Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival ‘07, provides a unique opportunity to learn the essence of theatre and arts appreciation by developing new ways “seeing and listening”. Last year’s course was a resounding success, with participants from various walks of life – from students to professors, software professionals to bankers - participating enthusiastically in the highly interactive sessions. The likes of Satyadev Dubey, Girish Karnad, UR Anantamurthy, Ratan Thiyam, KV Akshara, Prakash Belwadi, etc. spent time with the participants discussing their craft.

Renowned culture critic Sadanand Menon will spearhead the Theatre and Arts Appreciation Course ‘08. A well-known writer on critical issues of politics and culture, Sadanand Menon is also a photographer and stage light designer. He has served as the Arts Editor for The Economic Times.

The Course will examine and discuss theatre, cinema, dance, photography and music over six days (spread over two weekends) through lectures, film screenings, plays, as well as interaction with directors and actors. The Course will thus look at, and analyse the formal structures of various works of art as well as consider them in the context of the historical period and cultural framework in which they were produced.

The course is open to public in the age group of 16 to 40 years. The course fee is Rs. 2000 (for six days; the fee includes lectures, film screenings and tickets to plays). A discount of Rs.1000 is being offered to students.

Application available at Ranga Shankara. Please visit the theatre, call on 26493982 or write to us on rsfest08@gmail.com Last date for registrations is 20 October 2008.

Details of the Course

Dates of the Course
(6 days) 31 Oct to 2 Nov AND 7 Nov – 9 Nov (9.30 am – 6.00 pm on all days)
Course Fee Rs. 2000; Student discount of Rs. 1000 offered.
Venue Will be in and around Ranga Shankara; Will be communicated later
Medium of instruction English
Last day for applying 20 October 2008
Mode of application Please send your resume to rsfest08@gmail.com. Ranga Shankara will get in touch with you to confirm your registration. Registrations are also open at Ranga Shankara (36/2, 8th Cross, JP Nagar II Phase, Bangalore 78; from 9.30 am – 6.00 pm) till 20 October 2008
Contact Ranga Shankara office, 26493982

Arvind Adiga's 'The White Tiger' wins Man Booker 2008

1. Wiki on Adiga
2. Adiga's homepage
3. Adiga's Reviews
4. Adiga's articles in Time magazine
5. Interview with Adiga
6. Review of The White Tiger in the Telegraph
7. Response of Urban, Middle class, 'community representative' Indians at Rediff

(Photo taken from Adiga's homepage)

III Sem JPEng English classes - Suggestions, please

Dear III Sem JPEnglishites (2008)
I am informed by the dept that I am to teach you English next semester too.

I have been thinking as to how to go about the next semester classes. Your suggestions on this for next semester will be useful for me to come up with a method that will help you hone your skills/build on your existing knowledge/skills.

Your suggestion could reflect the following

• How do you want Perspectives to be dealt in the class
• What kind of method do you want?
• Are there ares in language (listening, speaking, reading, writing, critical thinking) or communication that you wish inputs and training?
• Any other issue you wish our classes engage with.

You may post your suggestions here or email them to me at ajpinto42 at gmail dot com