| By
Alexandra Stetz
The philosophy department at Buffalo State College
is offering students a chance to think outside the classroom.
The idea of a reading group was thought up this
year by Dr. Kimberly Blessing this year, a philosophy professor
at BSC, to allow students to think philosophically and have an
outlet for discussion.
The first time the group met, about a month ago,
the students and faculty advisers decided the group would be informal.
The students selected the first book, “Socrates Café,”
by Christopher Phillips.
At each meeting the group decides what is to be
read for the next gathering, in order have topics and issues that
everyone can discuss.
All are welcome to join the group and you don’t have to
be a philosophy major to join.
The readings are not difficult and do not contain
dense philosophical text, according to Blessing. So anyone can
feel comfortable joining.
“It might be an opportunity for students who are not majoring
in philosophy to still partake in philosophical discussion,”
Blessing said.
There is no pressure to participate, she said. The setting is
very informal and students can bring their lunch.
If students just want to come and listen that is
fine and they don’t have to worry if they don’t finish
the reading because they won’t get penalized. However, staying
on top of the reading is encouraged in order to have ideas to
discuss.
The group made an informal rule that everyone gets
to talk at least once so that one person doesn’t dominate
the discussion.
The group meets every two weeks or so in the Philosophy
Lounge on the second floor of Bishop Hall, on Tuesdays during
Bengal Pause 12:15 to 1:40 p.m.
“We all agreed that we would continue the book discussions
next semester; though we didn’t fix a title, we might begin
with my newly published “Movies and The Meaning of Life:
Philosophers Take on Hollywood,” Blessing said. “George
Hole, department chair, has contributed a chapter to the book
titled “American Beauty: Look Closer.”
Blessing will have a signing for her book in the Barns and Noble
bookstore Thursday, May 5 form 12 to 1 p.m.
“The group sounds interesting,” said
Jennifer Glaser an education major at BSC.
For those interested in joining the group, contact
Blessing via e-mail at blessika@buffalostate.edu
.
Alexandra Stetz can be contacted at Allexthgr81@cs.com
http://www.buffalostate.edu/philosophy/blessika.xml?username=blessikahttp://www.buffalostate.edu/departments.xml?deptid=PHILwww.philosopher.org/soccaf.html
|
