Scenes from "Happiness, Vice, and Virtue in Medieval Italy" (PHIL 097)

The terrace of the proud includes those who were overly impressed with their pedagogical prowess

I go into class very pleased with myself because I’ve come up with a couple of discussion prompts of the kind recommended by the fancy pedagogy people. You know, about relating the Purgatorio to aspects of contemporary popular culture, that sort of thing.

But is that what they want to talk about? Not so much. They’re all into the standard, uncreative discussion prompts. You know, the kind of thing I would have done before I got inspired by my students. Hey, I’m all for that.

The problem with students who inspire you to be creative is that they also don’t need you to be all that creative.

Which, of course, is not actually a problem.

*****

It’s a little disheartening that they didn’t notice—and can’t guess—that the first of Dante’s examples of the virtues contrary to each of the vices is the Blessed Virgin Mary.

*****

Student, concerning the terrace of lust: “Nowadays you have to be on a hook-up app. People think you’re weird if you’re not.”

Me: “But not at Georgetown, right? Georgetown students are all super-chaste.”

I think some of them are not sure whether to take me seriously.

*****

Student, concerning Dante’s discussion of celestial determinism: “Is he really talking about something like astrology?”

Me: “Oh yeah. [overview of medieval cosmology and planetary influences] Out of curiosity, do people still read horoscopes? Is that still a thing?”

Everyone nods.

“And if I asked you what your sign of the Zodiac is, would you be able to tell me?”

Everyone nods.

“And do you know what the standard characteristics associated with that sign are?”

Everyone nods.

We’ve kept the horoscopes and lost the BVM.

*****

In connection with the terrace of gluttony, one student talks about mukbang. I have never heard of this. Is she making this up, or is it real?

My students assure me it’s real.

This is my biggest pop-culture shock since finding about about sneaker heads last fall.

*****

OK, so obviously we did talk some pop culture as well. The stodgier stuff just doesn’t make for a decent post.