A Touchy Subject: Seminar

Starter 11

1. What do you, personally, need to do to ensure we have a successful seminar today?
2. What’s one topic that you want to make sure we hit in seminar today?  Why do you think it’s important to talk about this?

Seminar:  Whole Class
Opening Questions

1. Why is it hard for Americans to talk about class?

Core Questions

1. What is the relationship between status and class?
2. P2- Fussell says that in America, the idea of class is “notably embarrassing.”  Why?
3. P3- Do you agree that you “reveal a great deal about your social class by the amount of annoyance or fury you feel when the subject is brought up?”
4. Do you think that there are social classes in Durango?  How/where/explain.
5. What makes class in the US more complicated than in Europe or other places?  Why is it harder to detect? (paragraph 6-8)
6. Why does Fussell say that class “should be a serious subject in America?” (paragraph 9)
7. P9- “...each generation has to define the hierarchies all over again.”  Why do we need to do this?  
8. P10- “...one of the unique anxieties is going to be the constant struggle for individual self-respect based upon social approval.”  How do you feel this in your own life?  How does this express itself?
9. How much do you think class determines?  Do you think that people are “trapped in a class system you’ve been half persuaded isn’t important?” (paragraph 11)
10. How do you see class envy play out?
11. Fussell refers to “the official myth of classlessness.”  What is the content, and where have you encountered this myth?
12. Where do you stand on the question of whether Americans, in their heart of hearts, “don’t want agglomeration but distinctions”?  Why?
13. On the very last page, Fussell has detailed examples of class distinctions of instruments and desks.  What else can you think of that has class connotations?  Why do we divide everything by class?

Closing Questions

1. How much of what he describes rings true to you?  Do you feel like this is a forbidden or awkward topic?
2. Are there topics within the larger topic of social class that are hard to talk about?  Is it different talking about your personal experiences?

Seminar Response

1. Type.  This should be 4 paragraphs (1 paragraph of intro, two body paragraphs, 1 conclusion)
   1. To what extent do the ideas in this text apply to your life?  Choose two specific ideas/quotes, and discuss how they apply to your life, using specific examples.
   2. Remember, this is a chance to practice and make progress on your writing goals!  Revisit them before you start writing, and revisit the relevant rubric to make sure  you know what you will be assessed on!  
      

HOMEWORK:
None- we will have class time tomorrow to finish and revise your seminar response.  Seminar Response is due on MONDAY, SOC.