E33D / E60B SEMINAR QUESTIONS
These questions are designed to help you assimilate the material covered during the week in question. In some cases, we will try to answer the questions the following week. In others, we will try to answer them during the week in question in lieu of merely reading the handouts. Sometimes, they will serve as the springboard for discussion. At other times, we will not discuss them at all but it is in your interest to answer them on your own. (See Preparation Advice below.)
Module I: BAKHTINIAN DIALOGISM
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
Module II: FOUCAULDIAN DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
Week 5:
Week 6:
Week 7:
Week 8:
Module III: STRUCTURALIST MARXISM
Your ability to participate generally in seminar discussions hinges on your familiarity with the material--it is, hence, in your interest to be as up to date as possible with the readings;
Ideally, you should attempt to answer on your own all the questions listed as they are designed to help you to assimilate the material covered. If you can answer the questions, chances are that you have comprehended the material;
Sometimes questions will be assigned to particular individuals, while at other times persons may be chosen at random to answer questions. It is accordingly always in your interest to come to class well prepared;
You should prepare carefully, perhaps by writing your answers, the question(s) assigned to you with a view to presenting a brief but coherent response in class;
Your answer should be concise: it should take no more than a minute or two at most;
Your answer should demonstrate that you have engaged not only with my handouts (which you should not merely regurgitate) but, more importantly, with the primary / required readings listed--quotations cited from these sources would form a very useful part of your answer;
In your answer, you should attempt to make use as much as possible of the new terminology to which you have been exposed--it is in this way that you will gradually come to understand and get accustomed to using some of these new concepts;
Our aim is not to discuss all the questions listed in a given seminar. Sometimes we will answer all; at other times, we will answer selected questions; at other times, tutorial questions will serve as a springboard for discussion. All in all, however, it is very much in your interest to answer as many as possible, if not all, the questions on your own and prior to the tutorial;
Your final mark for seminar participation / presentations will be based on the average derived from the marks accumulated for each presentation and / or participation; and
Regular attendance at seminars is mandatory--you should note that if you miss without a good excuse a presentation which has been assigned to you, you will receive no marks for the presentation; it is in your interest, accordingly, to inform us of any circumstances which might prevent your participation .