Humor may be fun, but does it have a place in actual teaching philosophy?
Michael J. Sandel, professor of government, says he uses humor underscore important points in his course, Moral Reasoning 22, "Justice."
"Humor is an important leavening device for a subject that at the same time is deeply serious. Philosophy has often worked by moving back and forth between playfulness and sobriety, and the humorous moments in the course, as well as the deeply serious moments, reflect a drama that I think is true to the subject matter," he says.
Students, however, say that his interaction with students--Sandel paces across the stage, calling on students who wish to speak--is what makes Sandel a good teacher, even more than his humor.
Sandel says the course-wide debates, which are the hallmark of the class, adds lots to the course.
"Inviting students to argue back gives the course a spontaneity that it wouldn't have if I just lectured for 50 minutes straight," he says.
Yet students see more to his teaching than just interaction and humor.
Read more in News
Wharton To Open San Francisco BranchRecommended Articles
-
Seltzer: Making An Impact in C.S.This afternoon, most Harvard students will log into the personal computers in their dorm rooms at least once to check
-
Faculty Swamped by Letters of RecommendationYour heart is set on law school. You've worked hard, earned the grades, spent summers filing briefs at your hometown
-
In Search of the Perfect ElectiveThere are hundreds of courses in the catalog and only six days to shop. We've whittled the field down to
-
The Lampoon's Loss is Harvard's GainHarvard Tri-Captain Lynley Ogilvie is one of the leading scorers on the Harvard women's water polo team this year. In
-
A 75-Year-Old JokeW HAT GOES on inside the funny little Castle that has stood in its spot now for three-fourths of a
-
Mather Jokers Vow To Embarrass Administrators If NecessaryHunter A. Maats ’04 and John Paul M. Fox ’04 recognize that other candidates running for the Undergraduate Council presidency
