Tag Archives: University

A Lament for the Loss of Young Teachers (A Feature Friday Post from the Vault)

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Brenton Dickieson

I am doing work in the statistical analysis division of our labour market research unit in government. Of course, I am. After all, I’m doing a PhD in fantasy literature. I wrote this piece a couple of years ago, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Feature Friday, On Writing, Original Research, Thoughtful Essays | Tagged academic, art, Education, higher education, Mr. Holland's Opus, On Writing, Richard Dreyfuss, Ronald Reagan, Teaching, theology, Theology of Culture, University | 8 Comments

My Teaching Philosophy on the 1st Day of School

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Brenton Dickieson

In the springtime I was thrilled to receive a teaching award. Today I’m walking into the classroom for the first time since then. Every time I step in front of students, I think about what I am doing. I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Original Research, Thoughtful Essays | Tagged academic, higher ed, higher education, Pedagogy, Statement of Teaching Philosophy, Teaching, University, UPEI | 15 Comments

My Teaching Philosophy

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Brenton Dickieson

Last week I was duly chuffed to receive a teaching award. I mentioned my “teaching philosophy” in that post, which piqued some curiosity. I thought I would post my teaching philosophy, developed over my decade or so in the classroom … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged academic, higher ed, higher education, Pedagogy, Statement of Teaching Philosophy, Teaching, University, UPEI | 2 Comments

Teacher of the Year!

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Brenton Dickieson

I am feeling very honoured to have received the Hessian Award for Excellence in Teaching at the UPEI banquet last night. It was very moving to be honoured in such a way, before my friends and colleagues and with five … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged academic, adjunct professor, C.S. Lewis, culture, faith, Inklings, Maritime Christian College, Regent College, research, Signum University, Teacher of the Year, Teaching, University, University of Prince Edward Island, UPEI | 20 Comments

Top Ten Ways to Do Better on Exams

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Brenton Dickieson

I am at that point in the semester when I am getting my exams ready for students to write. I am always unsatisfied with exams–and many of the ways that we evaluate students. In first-year religious studies overview courses, though, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged academics, Education, Teaching, University, writing | 10 Comments

What the Middle Ages and my 11-Year-Old Can Teach us About Diversity

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Brenton Dickieson

Each year my son and I camp on Prince Edward Island’s heavenly north shore. On one of our hike days we scramble down the red clay rocks to the white sand beaches, hopping over huddles of dry moss as we … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged antisemitism, Charlottetown, Dante, diversity, farming, History, How the Irish Saved Civilization, immigration, medieval, Monasticism, Monty Python, Paradiso, PEI, Prince Edward Island, refugee crisis, The Divine Comedy, Thomas Cahill, University, vocation | 25 Comments

A Normal Day in C.S. Lewis’ Life as a Student

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Brenton Dickieson

Though the halls of Oxford are not yet filled for Michaelmas term, University students and faculty are back to work here in North America. No doubt, students are already concerned about how much they can accomplish. As they hustle between … Continue reading →

Posted in Letters, Lewis Biography | Tagged C.S. Lewis, Cecil Harwood, diaries, History, owen barfield, Oxford, Poetry, University, writing | 32 Comments

Why C.S. Lewis Says My Reading Program is Wrong, or What Cheese has to do with Reading

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Brenton Dickieson

This year on A Pilgrim in Narnia we have been doing some thinking about programs for reading great books: Why I Read C.S. Lewis Chronologically How You Can Read C.S. Lewis Chronologically The Canon of Fantasy Literature Harold Bloom’s “The Western … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged C.S. Lewis, canon, Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, fantasy, Harold Bloom, Reading, research, Science Fiction, The Western Canon, University | 32 Comments

12 Loving Ways You Can Ruin Your Kid’s Career

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Brenton Dickieson

Although many parents are radically successful in their focussed attempts to destroy any real potential in their children, some parents raised on a diet of Dr. Spock and after-school specials are struggling to know what else they might do to guarantee the … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughtful Essays | Tagged careers, Education, higher education, humour, INXS, parenting, University | 12 Comments

The Problem of the Canon

Posted on July 20, 2016 by Brenton Dickieson

Lately I have been playing with lists. Partly, this grows out of my desire to read great books. And partly it grows out of attempt to catch up on the severe lack of education I received growing up. So I … Continue reading →