Category: Education

Impariamo l’Italiano con l’Aiuto della Mano! (Let’s Learn Italian with the Help of our Hand!) by Giuliana Sica

Impariamo l’Italiano con l’Aiuto della Mano! (Let’s Learn Italian with the Help of our Hand!) by Giuliana Sica

When folks discover that I have an Italian last time, as well as parents who were born in Italy, they immediately ask if I speak Italian.  My answer is a definite yes though I always qualify my fluency with the fact that I grew up speaking a regional, southern Italian, dialect. Dialects, of course, are examples of full blown languages with […]

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Italian Children’s Book: Colors Italiano by Sonya Caruso

Italian Children’s Book: Colors Italiano by Sonya Caruso

Our 22 month old son Tommaso has been on a frenetic streak over the last 6 months, that is to say, he has both the energy and ferocity to take on any task including doing full fledge sprints with theatrical spins and twirls, pooping dramatically, greeting family members and complete strangers ad nauseam, separating his parents from a warm embrace and kiss […]

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Italian Children’s Book: ABC Italiano and Learning Italian

Italian Children’s Book: ABC Italiano and Learning Italian

My first experience with the Italian language was in utero and I suspect I overheard a conversation between my mother and grandmother in relation to food (something along the the lines, “cosa stai facendo per la cena?” or what are you making for dinner?).  Post birth, I didn’t aquire English until I was five or so; legend has it that […]

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Guest Post: Insider’s Guide to Academic Success: 13 Tips

Guest Post: Insider’s Guide to Academic Success: 13 Tips

(photo: Feti’s Painting Portrait of a Scholar) If you’ve read Professor Nick Smith’s guide for undergraduates considering law school, then his Inside Guide to Academic Success article (see below) is required, secondary, reading! As Professor Smith points out, academic success is about applying oneself, pragmatically, to his or her studies.  There’s no secret sauce or strategically practicing all night cramming […]

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Should I Go To Law School?

Should I Go To Law School?

Should I Go To Law School? I spent myundergraduate days studying philosophy, linguistics, and psychology and, as I’ve told many close friends (and anyone else who wants to listen), Philosophy provides an excellent academic and pragmatic (yes I mean practical) foundation for countless careers and professions. One profession that is closely associated with studying philosophy as an undergrad is Law. Philosophy provides excellent training […]

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Reader Mailbag: What Major Should I Choose and is Philosophy a Good Choice

Reader Mailbag: What Major Should I Choose and is Philosophy a Good Choice

Photo: University of New Hampshire Philosophy Dept. @ Hamilton Smith Hall Reader Question: I’m a student that needs to decide on a Major. Besides my credits being in a complicated mumbo jumbo from transfers and other what-have-you’s I’m a normal student. I was doing some searching about philosophy majors and found your article on “Why I Should Major In Philosophy”. So you have […]

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Why Major In Philosophy?

I came across some old philosophy books in my study this morning and it got me thinking about the value of an undergraduate degree in philosophy.  And I can already hear the jokes, so please keep them to yourself!  At first glance, a Bachelor of Arts degree (Why Major in Philosophy) in philosophy provides no real practical application in the […]

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How To Incorporate Reading Into Your Daily Life and Why It’s Important, Dummy!

How To Incorporate Reading Into Your Daily Life and Why It’s Important, Dummy!

A college professor once told me that most adults finish all serious reading by the time they reach the age of 23.  He went on to say that most professions, even ones that require a four year degree, do not require the worker to engage in prolonged or critical reading.  And while I’m sure there are exceptions to the statement, […]

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David Foster Wallace on Life and Work

David Foster Wallace on Life and Work

Thanks to my cousin Mike for pointing out this article/commencement speech by the late writer David Foster Wallace.  Wallace hits on a few themes in the article, but he’s mostly focused on biological preservation via putting one self first, worship (not just the religious or spiritual kind), and awareness/consciousness.  In sum, though, I think Wallace is making a simple point: […]

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Are Too Many People Going To College?

Are Too Many People Going To College?

Charles Murray has written a brilliant essay (Are Too Many People Going to College) on the value of a BA and the dark side of encouraging every 17 year old to strive for an undergraduate education. In my view, every high school guidance counselor and parent should be required to read Murray’s essay.  Here’s Murray on becoming a top electrician versus an average office […]

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