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I teach the first year composition sequence at a community college. These are required writing courses for all transfer students–the majority of the students who pass through the institution. With very few exceptions, I would say that these two courses are probably the least looked-forward to by students of the entire gen-ed curriculum. Many just [...]

At the age of 21, Mario Savio gave his “Against the Wheels” speech and emerged as “the nation’s most prominent student leader.” He and 800 others were arrested the day he gave this speech in   Mario Savio, 19651964 in protest to UC Berkely’s ban on campus-based political activity and fund-raising. Savio was attempting to raise [...]

We continue our critical discussion of education versus schooling in my composition course. The latest conversation has centered around three texts: John Gatto’s “Against School” and “The Seven Lesson School Teacher,” and Alfie Kohn’s “What Does It Mean to Be Well Educated?” Of the three, Gatto’s pieces are most provocative–or at least I thought they [...]