The Conversation

The style of teaching and learning at St. John’s is often described as conversational. The conversation is cooperative and respectful, not competitive. Discussion is meant to pursue questions that are of general interest to the participants. We also speak of what we do as learning together through shared inquiry. We strive to build something together that is not the exclusive property of anyone at the table. Participants both teach and learn from one another.

Classes typically begin with an opening question from the tutor (as all our faculty members are called). Often the opening question will set the direction for the entire conversation, but not always.

Participants enter the conversations freely and as the spirit moves them. The success of our classes depends almost entirely on what participants bring to the table. Contributions can be of many kinds: some will address the question directly; others will offer adjustments to the suggestions of their fellow participants. Sometimes it is useful to reformulate a question on the table or to ask for a clarification of someone’s point. At times it is appropriate to bring the conversation back to the text under discussion.

Since all the views presented are assumed to be under construction, it is good to speak up when an idea is just beginning to take shape and not wait until it is fully worked out. Our work is concerned more with exploring interpretations than defending or attacking them.

The Books

Readings are assigned for each of our class sessions. Our working assumptions are that the reading has something to teach us and that participants have read the text thoroughly. This usually means carefully reading the material at least twice. What, precisely, we are to learn from the book is discovered by the participants and the tutor working together. Participants pursue their own questions and their own ways of reading the books. We ask only that comments, observations, and questions return to the text for support and clarification. This commitment to the centrality of the text helps give the conversation shape and keeps it from becoming diffuse or deteriorating into merely personal reflection.

The Tutor

The tutors’ work is to assist with the learning of others while continuing to learn themselves. They neither lecture nor do they merely facilitate conversations. They guide the conversation, sometimes steering it in a particular direction, sometimes listening and letting it take its own course, and occasionally, steering it around an unpromising detour.

The Classes

Classes are of two basic types, seminars and tutorials. For seminars, the reading assignments are usually longer and the conversation addresses more sweeping issues. Seminars are either co-led by two tutors or led by one tutor. Tutorials tend to treat shorter reading assignments with more attention to detail and the careful unfolding of an argument. In tutorials, the conversation tends to be more highly structured by the tutor.

Rules

Of course, there are no firm rules. A few suggestions about accepted classroom manners, however, may be in order:

1. Participants need not raise a hand or be recognized bythe tutor to speak. Jump right in at the end of someone else’s statement. It takes some practice to figure out just when to do this and how to do it gracefully.
2. Each person will not speak for the same amount of time, but it is important that everyone contribute something.
3. Succinct comments are more effective than protracted diatribes. Speak briefly. Make it easy for others to build on your ideas.
4. Listening is at least as important as speaking. Connecting ideas makes for interesting conversation.
5. Asking questions is an important form of participation.
6. Challenging the ideas of others or offering modifications of them is perfectly in order as long as it is done respectfully and in the service of seeking truth. Our conversation is not a debate. Participants are not trying to win something or beat someone.
7. As much as possible, participants refer only to books the group has read together. Trumping the conversation with a reference to a recent scholarly article, a fair tactic in graduate schools, is considered bad form.
8. Even in serious conversation—especially in serious conversation—a sense of humor is a wonderful thing.

Stephen R. Van Luchene © 2015 St. John’s College

Joining a Seminar

Device Usage and Downloading the Zoom application

The recommended way to join a seminar is by desktop computer or laptop. The larger the screen, the more of the class you can see at one time. If you are planning on joining the meeting via your laptop or computer at home, you can simply download Zoom to your computer in advance.

Please sign in using one device only. For example, do not sign in through both your laptop AND your cell phone at the same time as there will be feedback.

Using a smart phone to attend the seminar is discouraged, due to the small screen size which makes seeing class members difficult and due to possible cell data usage. If you are planning on calling into the meeting via your smartphone, please download the Zoom app in advance.

Please do not use a remote connection (VPN) to sign into Zoom through a remote computer, as audio feedback and delays will occur. A remote access connection might be something you use to access your work network, so make sure you are accessing directly from your device to the internet. If you don’t know the term VPN, you are likely not using VPN and these instructions do not apply to your situation.

If there are other people in your home using internet-connected devices at the same time as your seminar, you might find that your connection will become unstable. If at all possible, plug your device directly into your home modem with an ethernet cable to ensure you have maximum connection speed.

Meeting ID and Password

You will need to enter the Meeting ID and password to join your Zoom call, so make sure you have that on hand before you click to join. All seminar participants will be sent their unique zoom link and details prior to the event.

The easiest way to join the meeting is to click on the emailed link and copy paste the password, but it is good to familiarize yourself with the location of the actual Meeting ID and password in case you need to enter them manually.

Once you are logged in to your seminar, be sure to click on Gallery View in the top right corner of your screen, to view all participants.

Mute/Unmute

Once the seminar begins you likely will be asked to mute your device. This procedure is in no way intended to prevent you from speaking, but instead to avoid a cacophony of background noises intruding into your conversation. When you want to speak, simply unmute yourself by clicking on the “unmute” button on the bottom left of your screen.

Classroom specific guidelines

St. John’s seminars translate remarkably well to an online environment. Our most important tasks—reading the texts, having an open mind and heart, and listening to each other—work just fine over Zoom. Perhaps it takes a bit more work to ensure that you aren’t accidentally cutting someone off when they are trying to speak. If you do find yourself trying to speak at the same time as someone else, offer to let that person speak first and then you can speak immediately afterwards. Graciousness in conversation is alive and well in our Zoom seminars!

Beyond those words of advice, find a quiet, comfortable corner in your home to set up your classroom. Use headphones with a microphone if there are other people around. Keep your video screen turned on, so that people can see you and your facial expressions. It makes the conversation come alive.

Thank you for your attention to these items; we hope you have an enjoyable virtual event!