On Seminars, Ritual, and Cowboys

This nonlinear, mixed-genre essay shows that we can learn much about education by looking at the nonrational aspects of classrooms. Following discursive traditions associated with the social sciences, it presents two interaction patterns found in seminar-style classes at the undergraduate and masters level whose ritual aspects work to “magically” resolve a dilemma contained in the American commitment to individualism. It also suggests a connection to the apparent lack of intellectual vitality claimed to exist on many American campuses. At the same time, drawing on discursive traditions associated with the arts, this essay also complicates the processes of education showing just how complex and contradictory a seminar can be. Damian sits slouched in his chair, hands folded in his lap, Timberlands thrust under the table, his body forming a slightly sagging diagonal line. On his head sits his more-than-dirty white hat, brim turned backwards, plastic strap pressed across his forehead. John Dewey's “The Child and the Curriculum” lies dutifully open on the table in front of him taking its place in the circle of texts that trace the perimeter of the table. Damian's face lacks emotion. In fact, it signals no information whatsoever. It is blank. Is his mind blank as well? I can assure you that it is not. His mind is actively presenting multiple words and images for his own contemplation. A film-loop projection of last night's argument with Sheila dominates the images. Endlessly he watches her rage-contorted face and hears her high shrill voice—though he has forgotten what her words were. Screw it) There's no pleasing some girls) But his argument with Sheila is not the only thing entertaining his mind. For example, he can't stop humming that Goo Goo Doll's tune that he heard on MTV this morning. Nor can he put out of his mind John Rzeznik's tattoos. Damian has been contemplating getting a tattoo for several weeks now and he isn't sure if watching the Goo Goo Doll's increases his enthusiasm or his distaste with the idea. And there isn't just contorted faces, guitar licks, and tattoos to occupy his mind. There is Tina. As always, Damian is sitting next to Tina. Tina was the very first person that Damian noticed when he had entered the classroom on the first day. Noticing Tina did not make Damian unique. Everyone noticed Tina. Tina is the kind of young woman who puts a lie to the idea that men today are obsessed with Kate Moss look-alikes. Tina's body overflows with se