Practicum Mid-Term

Question 1

The Last Lecture Chapter 1: What is the significance of The Last Lecture?

Answer 1

It is a tradition in which professors give a lecture as if it were their last chance to share life lessons. Randy Pausch, who was terminally ill, used it to reflect on life and achieving dreams.

Question 2

The Last Lecture Chapter 2: What is Randy Pausch’s main message about childhood dreams?

Answer 2

Pausch emphasizes the importance of dreaming big and striving to achieve those dreams, no matter the obstacles.

Question 3

The Last Lecture Chapter 3: How does Pausch suggest we enable others’ dreams?

Answer 3

By supporting and mentoring people, helping them overcome barriers, and providing guidance, we can help others achieve their full potential.

Question 4

The Last Lecture Chapter 4: What metaphor does Pausch use to describe obstacles?

Answer 4

He refers to obstacles as “brick walls,” which are there to test how much we want something. They can be overcome with persistence and creativity.

Question 5

The Last Lecture Chapter 5: What does Pausch believe is more important than material success?

Answer 5

The value of relationships and the people in our lives outweighs material success and individual achievements.

Question 6

Vanishing Word Chapter 1: What is the main concern of Arthur Hunt in The Vanishing Word?

Answer 6

Hunt expresses concern about the decline of the written word and the rise of image-based communication, which he argues erodes critical thinking and the depth of understanding.

Question 7

Vanishing Word Chapter 2: What does Hunt argue about the power of the written word?

Answer 7

He argues that words have the power to shape culture and thought, and their decline leads to a diminished capacity for reflective and analytical thinking.

Question 8

Vanishing Word Chapter 3: How does Hunt compare images and words?

Answer 8

Hunt believes that while images are immediate and powerful, they lack the depth and complexity of written words, which can convey more nuanced and sophisticated ideas.

Question 9

Vanishing Word Chapter 4: What role does media play in the shift from word to image?

Answer 9

Hunt critiques modern media for prioritizing entertainment and visual stimulation over intellectual engagement, leading to a culture that favors quick consumption over deep thought.

Question 10

The Last Lecture (Chapter 1): What is the context and purpose of Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture?

Answer 10

Randy, diagnosed with terminal cancer, delivered his lecture, titled “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” to leave a legacy for his children and share life lessons with a larger audience.

Question 11

The Last lecture (Chapter 2):
What were some of Randy Pausch’s childhood dreams, and how did he achieve them?

Answer 11

Some of his dreams included becoming an astronaut, writing an article for the World Book Encyclopedia, and experiencing zero gravity. He didn’t become an astronaut but managed to experience zero gravity through other means. His message was that even if you don’t achieve your dream exactly, pursuing it opens up new opportunities.

Question 12

The Last lecture (Chapter 4)
Q: How does Pausch’s story of being a professor illustrate the importance of helping others achieve their dreams?

Answer 12

Pausch highlights his role as a mentor and teacher, helping students and colleagues achieve their dreams. He emphasizes that helping others realize their potential brings immense fulfillment.

Question 13

The Last Lecture (Chapter 5)
Q: What lesson does Randy Pausch impart about “brick walls” in life?

Answer 13

Pausch explains that brick walls are not there to keep us out, but to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Overcoming these walls teaches resilience and reveals true passion.

Question 14

The Last lecture (Chapter 8)
Q: What does Pausch teach about working with people?

Answer 14

Pausch stresses the importance of empathy, humility, and teamwork. He shares personal anecdotes about how collaboration, respect for others, and gratitude lead to success in both professional and personal life.

Question 15

The Last Lecture (Chapter 10)
Q: How did Pausch manage his time, and what advice does he offer?

Answer 15

Pausch advises on the importance of managing time well, considering it our most precious resource. His tips include setting priorities, planning carefully, and avoiding time-wasting activities.

Question 16

The Last lecture(Chapter 12)
Q: What was Randy Pausch’s final message about life and legacy?

Answer 16

Pausch wanted to be remembered for helping others achieve their dreams and for living life to the fullest despite the limitations of time. His main lesson is to focus on relationships, live with passion, and leave a positive impact on others.

Question 17

Vanishing Word (Chapter 1)
Q: What cultural shift does Hunt identify in the first chapter of The Vanishing Word?

Answer 17

Hunt points out a shift from a word-centered culture to one dominated by images. He argues that this change reduces the depth of thought, critical thinking, and the ability to engage with abstract ideas.

Question 18

Vanishing Word (Chapter 2)
Q: What historical examples does Hunt use to demonstrate the importance of the written word?

Answer 18

Hunt draws on examples from the Reformation and the Enlightenment, where literacy and the spread of written ideas led to cultural revolutions. He emphasizes how the written word has been central to progress and intellectual development.

Question 19

Vanishing Word (Chapter 3)
Q: How does Hunt explain the psychological and societal effects of images replacing words?

Answer 19

Hunt argues that images, while immediate and emotionally powerful, do not promote deep engagement or understanding. He explains that images tend to simplify complex ideas and encourage passive consumption rather than active interpretation.

Question 20

Vanishing Word (Chapter 4)
Q: How does Hunt describe the shift from word to image in religious contexts?

Answer 20

Hunt discusses how some branches of Christianity historically embraced the use of images (e.g., in Catholicism) while others, like Protestantism, emphasized the word (Scripture). He believes that as culture shifts toward images, the ability to understand and appreciate religious texts declines.

Question 21

Vanishing Word: What is the title of Chapter 1, and what key theme does Hunt introduce?

Answer 21

Chapter 1 is titled “A Word-Centered Culture”. Hunt introduces the idea that Western civilization was once dominated by a word-centered culture, where text and literacy were essential for thought, communication, and culture. He contrasts this with today’s image-based culture, warning that this shift has significant consequences for critical thinking and societal values.

Question 22

Vanishing Word: What are the differences between oral and literate societies, according to Hunt?

Answer 22

In oral societies, communication is based on spoken word and memory, which emphasizes communal knowledge and storytelling. Literate societies, on the other hand, emphasize individual reasoning and abstract thinking, because writing allows people to record, reflect, and develop ideas in more complex ways. Hunt argues that literate societies value truth, logic, and linear thinking, whereas image-based societies may become more focused on immediate perception rather than deep analysis.

Question 23

Vanishing Word: How does Hunt describe the influence of the printing press in Chapter 1?

Answer 23

Hunt describes the printing press as a revolutionary technology that reinforced the dominance of a word-centered culture. It democratized knowledge, enabling the widespread distribution of written material, fostering individual thought, and contributing to the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the rise of democracy. Hunt sees the printing press as essential for sustaining a literate, reflective society.

Question 24

Vanishing Word: What is the title of Chapter 2, and what is the main focus of the chapter?

Answer 24

Chapter 2 is titled “Image versus Word”. Hunt focuses on the historical tension between visual and verbal forms of communication. He highlights how societies that prioritize images often drift towards idolatry and superficiality, whereas those that prioritize words promote deeper intellectual engagement, moral reasoning, and the pursuit of truth.

Question 25

Vanishing Word: What role does iconoclasm play in Hunt’s argument in Chapter 2?

Answer 25

Hunt discusses iconoclasm, particularly within early Christianity, where there was a strong rejection of religious imagery in favor of the written word. This rejection was based on the belief that images could lead to idolatry, whereas words (especially sacred texts) were seen as the purest means of revealing truth and knowledge about God. Hunt uses this historical example to argue that a word-centered culture encourages a more authentic pursuit of spiritual and intellectual truth.

Question 26

Vanishing Word: According to Hunt, what are the dangers of a shift toward an image-based culture as discussed in Chapter 2?

Answer 26

Hunt warns that a shift toward an image-based culture diminishes the capacity for critical thinking, depth of understanding, and moral reasoning. He argues that images are more immediate and emotionally compelling, but they often lack the complexity and depth that words provide. This can lead to a more passive consumption of information, making people more susceptible to manipulation and less capable of independent thought.

Question 27

Vanishing Word: What is the title of Chapter 3, and what central argument does Hunt make?

Answer 27

Chapter 3 is titled “The Electronic Word”. Hunt argues that the advent of electronic media (television, radio, and eventually the internet) represents a fundamental shift in communication from word to image. He discusses how this shift affects not just how we receive information but how we think and what we value. He suggests that electronic media’s reliance on images and sound over text encourages passive engagement and diminishes our ability to engage in deep, reflective thought.

Question 28

How does Neil Postman’s work influence Hunt’s ideas in Chapter 3?

Answer 28

Hunt draws heavily on Neil Postman’s arguments from Amusing Ourselves to Death, particularly the idea that television and electronic media have turned public discourse into entertainment. Postman argues that this shift trivializes serious issues, reduces the public’s capacity for critical thinking, and degrades the quality of democratic participation. Hunt extends this argument to modern media, suggesting that the reliance on images over words threatens both intellectual and moral integrity.

Question 29

Vanishing Word: What does Hunt say about the impact of television on politics in Chapter 3?

Answer 29

Hunt argues that television has transformed politics into a form of entertainment, where image and appearance become more important than substantive debate or ideas. Politicians are judged by their visual appeal and sound bites, rather than their policies or reasoning. This undermines democracy, as the electorate is less informed and more swayed by emotional and superficial factors than by rational argumentation.

Question 30

Vanishing Word: What is the title of Chapter 4, and what theme does Hunt explore?

Answer 30

Chapter 4 is titled “The Vanishing Word in the Church”. Hunt explores how the trend toward an image-based culture is affecting the church. He argues that contemporary Christian worship is increasingly dominated by visual spectacle and entertainment, which can detract from the word-centered preaching of the Bible. He warns that this shift could lead to a weakening of theological understanding and a focus on emotional experience over spiritual depth.

Question 31

Vanishing Word: How does Hunt connect church architecture with a word-centered faith in Chapter 4?

Answer 31

Hunt notes that traditional church architecture often emphasized the spoken word, with features like pulpits and lecterns placed at the center of the sanctuary to symbolize the centrality of scripture and preaching. In contrast, modern churches often focus on stages and visual elements like screens, which Hunt sees as symptomatic of a broader cultural shift away from the word toward image-based worship.

Question 32

Vanishing Word: What is Hunt’s critique of entertainment in modern worship services in Chapter 4?

Answer 32

Hunt criticizes the growing use of entertainment-oriented approaches in worship, such as elaborate multimedia presentations, concert-like performances, and emotionally charged visuals. He argues that these trends prioritize emotional experience over intellectual engagement with scripture, making worship more about feeling than about understanding and spiritual growth. This, he warns, can lead to a shallow faith that lacks theological depth.