Demosthenes Practising Oratory by Jean-Jules-Antoine Lecomte du Nouy Classroom Philosophy and Strategies Rhetoric The following statement of philosophy and strategies of rhetoric apply primarily to upper-level humanities education and reflects my personal opinions and convictions which, I believe, are grounded in and supported by Platonic and Christian principles. Classroom Discussion Lecturing has its place in the classroom, but not first place. Better teachers are navigators, not dictators, of discussion. Dialogue (Dialectic) is the highest sphere of Socratic contemplation. Better teachers are dialogues, not monologues, who understand the art and science of the question. Teacher-supplied information lends itself to a more passive intellectual response from the student, whereas “the question” requires of the student more active intellectual engagement in the process of discovery. The well crafted question knows the answer it seeks and queries the student in s...
This blog explores a wide range of topics in the humanities from a biblical perspective.