2.15.2010

Torturous

I often find it difficult to get my students to have discussion.  Believe me, I've tried to lead them in that direction, but it comes down to whether or not they're genuinely interested in the book/story/subject, whatever.  BUT last week to prep for reading "The Pit and the Pendulum" we discussed torture.  We discussed torture throughout different time periods and whether or not we are actually the civilized nation we say we are these day.  We drew on the examples of places like Guantanamo.  It was excellent.  We spent a good half an hour just discussing torture and what the phrase "cruel and unusual punishment" means.  I had meant to begin reading that day, but the discussion kept going and since that was such a rare occurrence that I didn't want to make it end.  It was great.

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