The weltschmerz I feel for (the study of, to be=20 regrettably but of necessity, redundant) ecology=20 and science or any sort of intellectual integrity=20 in general is debilitating. I yearn for growing=20 evidence that teachers need not be diverted from=20 the essential task of awakening and inspiring and=20 encouraging and nurturing the intellect (both=20 that of their students and their own), and that=20 substance/ability/performance is seen as more=20 important labels and other elements of IMAGE. I=20 yearn also for evidence that authoritarianism,=20 the apparent root of the phenomenon, is likewise on the decline.
Please reassure me. Or, if necessary, confirm my=20 worst fears. I promise not to blow my brains out. WT At 05:54 AM 5/12/2006, J. Michael Nolan wrote: >Lauch and anyone else interested.... > >I don't have much to say about what you call your program. You are no doubt >correct, people will certainly make some important initial judgements based >on what this course is called. > >Brings up another issue that has bothered me for many years. The main >problem here starts long before your potential students will decide to sign >up or not sign up for this course, which by the way sounds excellent in= your >approach. > >The irony is that from whatever source, probably all, society, teachers, >parents, etc., etc. people are taught that ecology/environment are NOT >IMPORTANT issues. The focus is more on "how is my child going to get into >med school, law school, dental school, etc., etc., etc." at the lower= levels >in education. In many high schools physics, chemistry are seen as "hard" >courses for the better students. > >I did not say all high schools. > >In many/most biology books, you find ecology as the last few chapters and >difficult to even get to in a typical school year. > >Years ago I was teaching an advanced biology course at the high school= level >and was chastised by many parents for making Ecology the main focus. > >Kids are just not shown enough the overlap of other disciplines when it >comes to environmental, ecological issues that we hear about everyday in= the >news.....math, physics, etc. etc. > >I guess my main point is that there are more reasons that > >"Some of us think that a 'Masters of Environmental Studies' has the > > perception of lacking rigour and that it will automatically be thought > > of by others as a degree without a thesis." > >Best of luck on your new course. > >Mike Nolan > >Call weekdays, evenings and weekends. > >Sincerely, > >J. Michael Nolan, Director > >Note: New local phone and fax numbers below. > >********************************************************************* >"Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology" > >"Spanish Immersion-Costa Rica, Ecuador and Mexico" > >U.S. Office: >Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit >P.O. Box 141543 >Grand Rapids, Michigan 49514-1543 USA >Phone: 1.616.604.0546 >Fax: 1.616.604.1214 >Toll Free: 1.877.255.3721 >Live Chat MSN Messenger E-mail: mnolan_(underscore)[EMAIL PROTECTED] >E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Web: rainforestandreef.org /site is presently being updated for 2007 > >Latin America Office: >P.O. Box 850-1150 >San Jos=E9, Costa Rica, Central America >Att: Juan Pablo Bello C. >Program Director, Latin America >Phone: 506.290.8883/011.506.822.8222(Cell)/Fax: 011.506.290.8883 >E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >********************************************************************* > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Lauchlan Fraser" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[email protected]> >Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 7:59 PM >Subject: what is in a name? > > > > We are developing a thesis-based masters program in environmental > > studies. Ecology, social sciences and economics are equally important > > in the development of our program. We are considering two names: > > > > 1. Masters of Environmental Studies > > 2. MSc in Environmental Studies > > > > Some of us think that a 'Masters of Environmental Studies' has the > > perception of lacking rigour and that it will automatically be thought > > of by others as a degree without a thesis. Some of us think that an > > 'MSc in Environmental Studies' is biased towards science and therefore > > lacks the true spirit of the multidisciplinary nature of environmental > > issues. I am very interested to hear the lists thoughts on this issue. > > > > Sincerely, > > Lauch Fraser > > Thompson Rivers University > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >
