The Future is Now: Presentation to the RU Board of Governors

7 minute presentation to the RU Board of Governors by Richard E. Miller, Chair of Rutgers English, with videography provided by Paul Hammond, Director of Digital Initiatives. Talk provides an overview of the future of English Studies in the Web 2.0 world. 1/24/08.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• humanities
• media
• Rutgers
• University
• Richard
• E.
• Miller
• New
• Humanities
• Center
• Paul
• Hammond
• Multimedia
• Composition

[SchrodingerSounds]

I didn't know that English would be heading towards a dumbed down Computer Science degree.

[ruengchair]

Posted by someone with 18,000 video views. which is the point. How are young people spending their leisure time? Watching youTube and honing their skills at snarkiness. Seems a tremendous waste of talent and potential to me.

[plattitude]

@SchrodingerSounds As expected, you've demonstrated some terrifically bad critical thinking skills with this comment. And that is why we need programs like this one at Rutgers.

[TedDGPoulos]

The most fundamental question of all: What is the underlying law of nature.

As the way of all things, what effect do you suppose its question, knowledge, understanding and application by billions of persons would have on the state of global economics, science, the humanities, education, government and private business?

[rbolo29]

"The Future is Now!' - The Time Machine

[FoxtrotHero]

This has nothing to do with Computer Science, it is simply making effective use of existing technology to create media. As a traditionalist myself, it is hard to let go of the idea of writing being the written word in a text, that we can hold in our hands on the sofa, but younger students may not feel the same way. Some might not see this as a problem, but for those who do, there is not much we can do about it. But, all hope is not lost. There's no need to change what we read, just redefine how.

[cs272]

Great direction to take the dept.

Without a change like this the English Department runs the risk of becoming the Latin teachers of tomorrow--the earnest guardians of an antique language. English major (RC, '90)

[yonghokim]

uninspiring. sounds like some contractor trying to sell some computer hardware and brick & mortar

[balboarock]

This is a fascinating project. It is encouraging and extremely exciting to see the establishment of a center for creative output not bound by the limitations of narrow specificity. I agree with Richard; the move towards increased specialization without pragmatic consideration of the Humanities' efficacy in the world at large has hindered the developmental opportunities of students across the nation. This center represents an alternative vision. Nicely done!

[YorkWACFellow]

As interesting as this idea sounds am not sure how the "new humanities" will work out in reality in schools across the nation. Also, aside from new wonderful building with multimedia settings, who will decide what exactly and how exactly will be taught? The "new humanities" idea leaves lots of questions unanswered...