Insights Gleaned from Delving into Foucault's Initial Writings
In the realm of academia, the curation process plays a pivotal role in shaping the learning experience for students. By carefully selecting, organizing, and contextualizing content, educators ensure that readings are relevant, accessible, and foster engagement and critical thinking. This approach, as outlined in 1 and 2, promotes meaningful learning, engagement, and critical discussion.
This curation process is particularly evident in the reading of early works of influential scholars. Delving into these foundational pieces offers insights into the intellectual evolution of these scholars. For instance, reading Michel Foucault's early works, as is being done in the author's current class, reveals the development of his ideas, initial questions, and foundational concepts, which may be refined, challenged, or expanded in his later works. This longitudinal perspective enriches students’ understanding of both the scholar and the subject matter itself.
Moreover, curation can create a community of inquiry that fosters collaboration and reflection, which is vital in academic settings aiming at deep learning. In art history, for example, curation is intertwined with critical analysis and exhibition planning, showcasing how intellectual content is selected and framed for educational benefit 3 and 4.
Rafi Lehmann, in his current class, finds Michel Foucault an intellectual role model through his earlier works. Lehmann suggests that embracing experimentation is necessary to progress towards stronger arguments, as even the masters, like Foucault, didn't expect to produce syllabus-ready papers on their first draft or even their first published books 5. Lehmann's article, titled "Quick and Dirty Blueprinting: Last Minute Preparation for Final Exams and Research Papers", emphasizes the importance of making use of office hours in "Research-based Courses" [5].
Interestingly, the developing syllabus is filtered through certain ideological and methodological biases. For instance, professors often choose a scholar's most established works and arguments for secondary sources, while initial works may be overlooked. The author initially found Foucault's early works difficult to understand and disappointing. However, upon revisiting these works in the context of his intellectual journey, they have become invaluable sources of insight.
It's worth noting that the high quality standard of selected works creates an unattainable norm for academic writing. Lehmann implies that there is room for error, as even Foucault didn't have it all figured out initially. In fact, it took Foucault years to arrive at his groundbreaking theory of biopower.
In class, professors often discuss why certain scholars were selected over others. This discussion underscores the thoughtful process behind the curation of reading lists, which is a significant part of course preparation. Lehmann also talks about connecting with scholars beyond Princeton in "Junior Paper (JP)" [6].
In conclusion, the curation of readings in academic courses is a meticulous process that promotes meaningful learning, engagement, and critical discussion. Reading early scholarly works provides insights into the intellectual evolution of scholars, offering a unique perspective on their thought processes and the development of their ideas. Embracing experimentation and understanding the evolution of ideas are crucial for academic growth and development.
Engaging with early scholarly works such as Michel Foucault's, a practice found in academic courses, offers insights into the personal growth and intellectual evolution of these scholars. This exploration of foundational pieces not only enriches students' understanding of the subject matter but also encourages self-development by emulating the experimental approach that even masters, like Foucault, adopted in their early works.
Moreover, the curation of reading lists in academic settings fosters a community of inquiry that encourages collaborative learning and reflection, playing a significant role in the broader educational and self-development goals. By carefully selecting and contextualizing content, educators promote critical thinking, discussion, and personal growth.
