Open Spaces
PURPOSE:
The purpose of a book report is to carve within our study an open space for you and to invite you to explore more deeply a course-related theme of your interest. Get started earlier in the semester and consult with the instructor for your choice of book. For writing your review, you must read at least two “academic” reviews of books similar to yours. As “role-models” they will help you make sense of the purpose, tone, format and style of writing a book review.
SECTIONS:
The book report has THREE sections:
Section I (3 pages) will be a well-comprehended summary of the text and will also include the background information of the author and his expertise on the subject, purpose for writing this book, structure, audience (who is s/he writing for or/and against), content, major arguments and evidence contained within the book.
Section II (2 pages) will then carefully evaluate and analyze the book and its significance in light of the relevant and applicable material that you have learned throughout the semester. A book report that lacks engagement with the assigned readings and knowledge gained during the course will be deemed incomplete.
Section III (1 page) will be your reflections on the book regarding ways in which it influenced your thinking on the theme, aspects of the book that were particularly insightful or/and confusing (and why), both for you and for our study in relation to the course.
STYLE & CITATIONS: General guidelines for Intellectual Practices here apply. Cite also the publication information of the “role-model” book reviews you read.
It means exactly what it says: An Open Space. Since there is no way for me to know or help accommodate interests of every class participant, you are invited to choose and explore a theme that is important to you in relation to our subject of study. Put simply: You will “lead your own way”. Welcome to the life of thinking and leadership!
You will have to figure out:
The theme or topic;
How to go about exploring it;
What form these explorations will take;
What conclusions you draw from these explorations;
How best to document your research and conclusions and with whom you seek to share those; and
How to evaluate the value of your explorations.
I am available to you at every step of the journey and encourage you to meet with me at significant junctures of the process. That said how much you want to engage me is your choice too.
SRZ’s favorite intellectual practice to date, this is potentially also the most rigorous and creative assignment of all. That said, its bitter (or sweet) fruits for you rely heavily on how you use your ‘open space’ and what level of dedication you bring to it. The whole journey (i.e., from choosing the theme-question until the final self-evaluation) is expected to be guided by one’s honor or/and conscience.