How to prepare for a Discussion Session?


Ran here:

  1. Finish your readings on time; if there are unclear points and gaps, let them open, and bring them to the seminar. Remember you don't have to (and in some case you/we cannot) 100% comprehend the readings when you prepare for the discussions;
  2. Make sure you do close reading, and then think of your questions (you could start with some keywords; key concepts; key theoretical frameworks; key methodologies etc.) well beforehand
NOTE: It is the way you 'dialogue' with the authors…you could agree with them, link their arguments to similar discussions by other authors either from the seminar or beyond; or counter-argue, or even help them to elaborate further;

  1. Prepare 3-5 questions for each reading; make sure to be specific
NOTE: I won't hate such broad questions like 'What is Third Cinema', 'What is Subjectivity', or 'What is Chinese-ness', and 'What is Zainichi cinema', but can you be more specific, and try to contextualize/historicize your questions, and dive into the texts and lines further? 

  1. Facilitator's role: host the discussion, make sure you prepare some questions for your peer/classmates when they hesitate to throw their own; sometime you are expected to respond to questions from others and clarify your opinions;
5.Flow of Discussion session (presentation is a different story):
a) 10-15 min exchange of ideas, on roughly what you have learnt from the readings, e.g., what are the most challenging, and which are the most inspiring;

b) 40-60 min rotating to discuss each article, would focus on the most challenging/inspiring aspects: exchange of questions and discussion of how you might want to approach the questions;  sometimes we cross-question each other; I would also participate and intervene and won't keep silent, sorry;

c) 20min: wrapping-up.


Finally I have a question for you all: what is considered good research? 

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