California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Latest update: January 15, 2000
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Finding Ways to Start a Dialog

Since it's an academic dialog we're trying to start, we need to choose any tidbit of information you can give me that gives me a clue to what you're thinking about some of the concepts and issues we're discussing. Because our objective is that we begin talking to each other, it's a good idea to try to find something we can agree on to start with. Hot clue: if I introduce the topic of victimization, it's probably not a good idea to start by telling me that victims deserve what they get. Disagreement is important, and needs to be expressed, but we don't have to draw a line in the sand as we start off.

Some of you express yourselves easily and well. If you have something to say, by all means start with something that matters to you. But if you stare blankly at the e-mail program after typing in Hi, Jeanne! and can't think of another word to say, then we have some suggestions. They come from ways that others have used to start dialogs with us.

Things to Try

Read the assigned material with this list in mind. There's your first bit of dialog.

Sounds Like Me

Give a specific example in 25 words or so. What was described that is like what you would do? Did that teach you anything? Make you think? Make you wonder or worry? Make you proud?

Explained Something to Me

Give a specific example in 25 words or so. What did it explain? An event you had wondered about? The way someone reacted to you? The way you reacted to someone? A problem you had thought about?

Wish I'd Said It

Give a specific example in 25 words or so. Why? Was it smart? sensitive? a compliment? the remarks of a winner? Could you say it someday? Will you?

Know Someone Like That

Give a specific example in 25 words or so. Someone like who? Give a few adjectives that would describe this person. Does it help to find people in your readings who are like someone you know? Does it help explain why someone you know may feel the way they do? Does it help explain why you may feel the way you do about them?

Perplexed

Give a specific example in 25 words or so. Is there a word or concept that confuses you? Do you understand literally what the issue or concept is, and yet still feel that you don't quite understand it? Do you think you could identify the concept on a multiple choice test (convergent thinking)? Do you think you could explain the concept in your own words? Do you think you could find applications of the concept in the real world and in other disciplines? Would you be happier if you could find the concept re-explained in different words, another example?

Raced Ahead

Give a specific example in 25 words or so. Did you go quickly through a book? Over a large site? Was it satisfying to have an overview? Did you already know enough that the overview suffices? Or will you go back to study in more depth? Or do you see that you need to study it in more depth, but will probably not get to go back over it unless you have to for some other reason? Or will you probably not go back because you are anxious to go further, see more?

Went Back to Fill In

Give a specific example in 25 words or so. What exactly did you go back to? Was it clearer this time? Was it satisfying to get the concept down more thoroughly? Was it frustrating to have to spend the time? Are you likely to go back more often?

Intense Excitement

Give a specific example in 25 words or so. What was exciting? Confirming something you sort of knew, but had never thought through? Finding out that there are many sources that you feel comfortable with? Learning to locate sources, and judge them? Feeling more confident about your knowledge? Is this kind of learning something you would like to keep room for in your life? Can you?

Something's Bothering Me

Give a specific example in 25 words or so. What's bothering you? Are you seeing a different perspective of the issue? Example in victimology: Are you wondering if the perpetrator is a victim, what about the perpetrator's victim? Are you seeing the problem as located in an individual? Or are you seeing the problem as structural? Big difference. Does the concept or issue we've discussed go counter to teaching you've had all your life? Is this a new way to think about an issue, and do you need to see more perspectives? Can you identify the perspective you'd like to see, or is it just something you "feel"?

What I Think He's Saying

Take a look at my attempt to explain what Lessnoff is saying about Habermas' explanation of the difference between his theory of justice and Rawls' and Kant's theories of justice. It took a few more than 25 words. But it's concise. And it makes clear to anyone who reads it that I've thought about it. So it's a good measure of my learning.

Other Phrases

Do other phrases come to mind as you think about how to start a conversation on the concepts and issues we're reading about? Send them to me, and I'll add them to the list.