Close Reading

TUT 100.32 - Virtue in Animal and Machine - Professor Weinman



Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.
- Sir Francis Bacon, English author, courtier, & philosopher (1561 - 1626)
Summary:
You will practice close reading by making notes and engaging in an authors' work.
Purpose:
To get you thinking about how read critically, prepare for class, and learn independently.
Expected Time:
Since this is likely the first time you will have done this are also likely to be encountering new ideas), you should allot 2-3 hours.
It will probably take you at least an hour just to read the material, let alone having "chewed and digested" (e.g. studied) it.
Due:
8 a.m., 2 September 2010
This assignment is to begin practicing what you should normally do for every class session. Practicing these habits (a process similar to what Aristotle would call virtue) will prepare your mind to gain the most from your education and will set you surprisingly far ahead. It is in no way a secret weapon, but it is truly a recipe for success. As Cronon says, such habits will allow you to read and understand, and (quoting Forster) "Only connect..."

Background

Assignment

The assigned topical material for today is the first chapter of Wild Justice, entitled "Morality in Animal Society." We will discuss the ideas from the chapter in class, and continue to analyze the question "What is the conversation?" As you read, do the following and bring your results to class.

Overview - How (and How Long) To Read

Adapted from material by Janet Davis.
Overview
You should quickly skim through the reading once to get an overview of the material to be covered, paying particular attention to subject headings and topic introductions. This first "reading" can (and should) be very quick. Write down questions you would like to answer during reading. That is, figure out what you should be looking for when you read more closely. (Expected time: 5 to 10 minutes.)
In-Depth
Next, read the material closely. Try to understand what individual arguments or evidence are accomplishing. Not everything will make sense at this point, but hopefully many things will. (Expected time: 40 to 75 minutes or more; very dependent on reading length and complexity)
Final Notes
After carefully reading the material, mentally review and try making a few notes to yourself about what you think are the most important concepts being covered, as well as any questions you have. Bring your questions to class. I will ask for them. (Expected time: 5 to 10 minutes.)

A Few Comments ...

Review Adler's list of strategies once more before settling in. Remember, your goal is not to have your eyes pass over the words, but to chew the ideas with gusto as you would an Iowa pork chop (or an Iowa soybean burger, if so inclined). Imagine Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce were sitting right with you ... what would you ask them? Where would you say "You are so right (or so wrong)!"?
Every time you find the urge to underline, highlight, or bracket something, take the (arguably minimal) extra effort to write why you feel the need to mark the text in that particular location. Why is it important? For example, is it:1
Since Bekoff and Pierce (and our later authors) will likely not be sitting with you, this is a way you can force yourself to dialogue with them, albeit indirectly.
If you get in the habit of commenting on every mark, you will learn much more. After all, "even three year-olds can color!"2

Epilogue

If you wish not to mark your book directly, you might take Adler's suggestion of using small sheets inserted between the pages, so that your notes stay close. However, I find this solution lacking. Such cleanliness is a habit I myself found hard to break, but I now thoroughly embrace a marking way of life.
I will therefore strongly encourage you to try the habit of making your books yours by marking them. In fact, I am such a believer in the results, that if you faithfully mark your book with comments and questions throughout the semester and you are utterly dissatisfied with the results, should you choose to sell back your texts at the end of the semester, I will buy your book at the "new condition" market rate.3

Footnotes:

1Adapted from John C. Bean, Engaging Ideas, (Josey-Bass) , 2001.
2With thanks to Joan Mohan.
3According to BigWords, this is approximately $3.50 each. (Even new cars don't depreciate quite that much.)