Gen-Ed: not your generic general education

Colleagues:

This agon defined them since it produced
and reproduced meaning, sharpened people's
characters, kept them on edge, made them
passionate about what they were doing etc.

It was important to be excellent but not too
much. How to think of this in an academic
setting? Tony Coumoundouros. Faculty L

It takes a village, my friend.
Leave no child Behind.

Compare & Contrast the Greek image of
ancient GYMNASIUM (“naked training”)
—the agon of protagonist/antagonist getting
it on & on so to speak: worthy opponentry
& best myn wins, which is why it’s framed
as AGON and not Agony—ongoing contest
seen as evolutionary: gymnastic survival of the
fittest again and again sustaining the whole
polite polis.

GAMES-going-on. Looks like War (agony)
to a foreign observer maybe, some Jane
Goodall studying the monkey business,
say.

But PLAY to the players!

Compare & Contrast this with a stereotypical
image of Zen Buddhist initiation: novice trying
to answer koans that make no sense; if he says
one thing: whacked with a stick; if he says an
other: the same: seemingly no-win & no right
answer. Whack & Whack & Whack till some
kind of stunning nirvana — mind-blown aporia;
and now: stupid & ready for study. A student!

Looks like agony but framed so that a GOOD
TIME is had by all. Agon! Bring in on. How else
get better & good?

Agon academics: “wrestling with the angel Art,” as
Melville describes it. Israel-ic. Richard Blomgren
& the Advancements with clear conscience & a
shared sense of the Good of a Liberal Art Education
might could convince parents & donors to justify
our love.

Give us your students.
We will teach them
how to suffer.
(“to stand
up from-
below”)

This is your Liberal Art:
just our gen-ed program, that is.
Not all them vocational training
majors & minors, work & service
programs.

Not for every body
but maybe you aren't either.