I don't think Being An Awful Person is a reason not to read someone's work and like it (cf. T. S. Eliot the huge anti-semite), but I think it's an excellent reason for not employing them. I know Sophie said it's not a teaching post, but part of the job - I'm not sure what it officially includes, but traditionally - is encouraging undergraduate writing, which can mean running workshops etc (Ricks did this even though he doesn't write himself). Also, there is a lot of freedom to inaugurate social contact with students, I know several people who, when they were first years aged 18, were taken out for breakfast by Ricks at his hotel - I don't imagine many female students would be happy to do that with Walcott, which would mean either a) less support and encouragement for student writing or b) it only being available for men.
Yes, I see what you mean. I've been reading a lot about the whole thing and feel quite differently about it now. A lot of his former female students said exactly what you pointed out - that they were uncomfortable socializing with him, and never actually benefitted from his teaching because they were so freaked out all the time.
I think Padel will be good - not many people can marry the literary with the scientific, but she does that very well.
Now every time I see a photo of Walcott he seems so suspicious! :S I think things have turned out for the best.
Good luck with the AEA! And all the other exams that come first, obviously.
So many people seem to do the AEA, and it's never even been an option at my school. I wonder why.
edit: And also, just out of curiosity - have you received a reading list from Oxford yet? I know it's very early and the vast majority of people haven't, but I noticed that a couple of my friends on Facebook (both for English at Oxford - one unconditional, the other conditional) have already got them.
The AEA isn't normally an option at my school, but I convinced the Exams Officer to register me for it. This is partly because I hope that a good AEA grade will help me if I do fail History, and also because the AEA looks fascinating!
I haven't received a reading list. One of my friends on FB has received a list AND an essay to do (conditional offer from Hilda's). Crazy stuff! I'm assuming you haven't got one yet then? I'm sort of glad.. I think a list would make me feel obliged to start doing some serious reading. It'd probably be an unwanted distraction.
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I think Padel will be good - not many people can marry the literary with the scientific, but she does that very well.
Now every time I see a photo of Walcott he seems so suspicious! :S I think things have turned out for the best.
Reply
So many people seem to do the AEA, and it's never even been an option at my school. I wonder why.
edit: And also, just out of curiosity - have you received a reading list from Oxford yet? I know it's very early and the vast majority of people haven't, but I noticed that a couple of my friends on Facebook (both for English at Oxford - one unconditional, the other conditional) have already got them.
Reply
The AEA isn't normally an option at my school, but I convinced the Exams Officer to register me for it. This is partly because I hope that a good AEA grade will help me if I do fail History, and also because the AEA looks fascinating!
I haven't received a reading list. One of my friends on FB has received a list AND an essay to do (conditional offer from Hilda's). Crazy stuff! I'm assuming you haven't got one yet then? I'm sort of glad.. I think a list would make me feel obliged to start doing some serious reading. It'd probably be an unwanted distraction.
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