Le Deng PERSONAL DETAILS Full name: Le Deng Age: 25 Current occupation: Software Testing Engineer Where you live: Shanghai, China Your program: the Associate Award via Pathways Program of metaphysics Start date: 2007-11-21 1. CHOOSING PATHWAYS How did you find out about us? was it by accident? were you searching for a philosophy course? When I was planning to find out some guidelines on learning philosophy of western system, I encountered the Pathways Website and I was so excited at that time that there is a professional philosophy program through way of distant learning. What alternatives were you considering at the time? I was preparing to study a master degree abroad at that time, and because there is radical difference on the systematical structure of philosophy between China here and the western world, I had no way but only find materials on the internet. That is to say, I haven't found any better alternative yet. What considerations were uppermost in your mind when you decided to apply to Pathways? 1. I'm not a major of philosophy in college, but I like it, so I want to learn knowledge of it and thus to fulfill myself and more importantly, find answers to question which are inhabiting in my deepest mind. 2. I want to study a master degree on philosophy, so I have to have the academic research ability on this territory. Also, Pathways provides me good chances writing essays and papers and I think these are significant skills if I want to be a researcher. 3. As the first time when I was looking at the introduction of faculty on the website, I think Pathways have good staff with professional background. This is crucial to me for that it is always mentioned there is good teacher at first and good students coming after. No doubt, it lends me more confidence on successfully finishing the programs . 4. The last one I'm concerning on is the approach going to be used. At this point, I think pathways illustrates me various topics ranging from basic introduction to ultimate nature. This is convenient and important, because I regard interest as the best guide, without which probably I will loose my driving force in the midway. How do you feel about that decision now? I have a full time job to deal with every working day and only in my spare time, I can continue my inquiring on philosophy. However, every time I find myself some shining ideas I will be amused and I haven't found any sign implying that I will drop it yet. 2. STUDY MATERIALS Did you take any of the six Pathways written programs? which one(s)? Metaphysics How did you find the Pathways study materials? were they too easy, too difficult or just about right? This problem is a little bit severe at the moment. Everybody knows what a important role that reading books is playing in the process of study. Let's concern on the materials attached in each letter first. In my view, they are not as formal as a text book which means well organized and have a distinct purpose stated on each unit as well as the method on how to achieve it. Most of the time when I read it, I don't know why we need to mention it and what's the relationship with others; also, every time I have to read it again and again (really time consuming), which is not only because the text is somehow difficult to understand but also the background is not so clear. Since it is far less than enough to only read the material attached in each letter, another problem comes into being. It is definitely not a big problem in western countries to find books from the suggested book list but it does become the reality that seldom I have a chance to find a book I need here and I can fearlessly guess that this problem is general for those students in places out of western countries. One might suggest the Amazon on-line book store for whatever book can be found there. But they fail to take into account one thing---the currency problem. A book marked with tens of dollars would be several hundreds in Chinese RMB and when it becomes a couple of books, an economic nightmare forms. Furthermore, I have tried to get those books in the city library. Although I a lot of times I can find them there, but they are not taken-out permitted and it is a long way run and time consuming to get to library for me with a full-time job. I think above are the critical problems I'm facing and hopefully we can have good solutions dealing with them. How do the Pathways materials rate in comparison with text books that you have seen or studied? Answered in above question. Do you feel that you made the right choice of program, or given the chance would you like to try a different Pathway? why? I think, yes, I have chosen the right program, which is what I want. One thing I want to mention is at the beginning, I'm not so interested in the other topics besides the one I chose; however, after I have learned some units, I realize that I begin to have some interests on the other ones. I think, if I have time in future, I will consider taking a walk on some of them. 3. PATHWAYS WEB SITE How useful have you found the information provided on the Pathways web pages? Generally speaking, I think the website can be divided into two parts. One is talking about information on enrollment and the other concerns on the resources during the learning course. For the first part, I think it has provided enough information for me to make my decisions, like which course I should take as entry, what is coming part, what if I want to study a degree and so forth. On the other part, I think it does have lots of useful resources, such as description for the six courses, ask philosopher question, knowledge base and so forth. However, sometimes I don't think the given information is further enough. For example, I'm in the situation of writing the first philosophy essay which I have never done before. As I search the website, I find only one page talking about this important activity and after reading it I think I have acquired some useful information but when come to the blank paper, I still don't know what to do. Philosophy essay is different from normal essay writing, in my view, especially without any experience on its writing. Hence, I have to search on the internet for more information. If there is good section on the website handling the writing part, I think there would be very useful, at least to students like me. How might the content or layout of the Pathways pages be improved? The website layout is beautiful. Yet, I find the website navigation is not so convenient that sometimes when I look at the page I don't know which section I'm in and how to jump to another section that I want. In your view, does the Pathways web site convey an accurate impression of what it is like to study with Pathways? Yes, I basically agree. 4. INTERACTION WITH YOUR MENTOR Who is/ was your Pathways mentor? Mr Klempner Are you generally happy with the interaction and feedback that you have have received from your mentor? So far it is. How well, in your view, does the current system of providing mentor interaction work? how would you like to see it improved? How does the tuition you received compare with other philosophy courses you have taken, whether online or face-to-face? I haven't received any other pathways program so far. 5. INTERACTION WITH OTHER STUDENTS Have you ever participated in the Pathways online conferences? Not yet. If you did participate, how would you rate the quality of the philosophical discussion? If you did not participate, what kind of conference provision would tempt you to join the conference? Any conference that I had a chance to communicate with other students would be preferred. Would you like to see further opportunities provided for Pathways students to engage in dialogue? do you have any ideas? It would be very interesting to have or read dialogues among students. I think it is good to have a try and also we can record them down. 6. IMPACT OF STUDYING WITH PATHWAYS What effect, if any, has studying Philosophy with Pathways had on your life? Such questions inside my deepest mind as what's the meaning of life, what is reality, why do we exist in the world, what directions will us human beings be going, are the initial driving force for me to pursue philosophy inquiry. Although I haven't found any answer to any of those questions yet, I think I'm walking on the right path, especially at the moment with its joy. Have you been motivated to continue studying Philosophy after you complete your course? Currently I can't say this question clearly yet. I think philosophy study is a life time inquiry and I would like to spend a couple of years on its professional research. Nevertheless, I don't think I will spend the rest of my life only pursuing those questions, as I consider philosophy is the ultimate guide on my behavior of daily life and I will do something under its guidance. But it's not defined yet; it might be the case that as I dig deeper into it I will change my mind. Have you taken another Philosophy course? or do you plan to? I haven't taken any other philosophy course besides the pathways program and I plan to study a master degree on it these years. What other benefits or consequences have you noticed from studying Philosophy with Pathways? I think I have some general senses on how philosophy research should be conducted, as professional philosophers. Also, I'm now eager to write something out as means to convey my own thought, although sometimes I find it difficult to do that. I'm a kind of person hard to live without thinking, and philosophy bestows me effective ways easing my mind and thus better plans my personal life. 7. FUTURE PROJECTS Do you have any thoughts about future projects which we might undertake? If saying there is something of pity for current program, I would like to regard it as lacking video classes. Not once I heard and experienced some online courses have videos delivered. The way they do it is directly recording the classes going on in college and then record them down in some storage means, such as DVDs. Or voice recording of classes can be considered as well. I think students overseas will be very happy once they have a chance to look at or listen to live classes. Some students have expressed an interest in a conference where Pathways students could meet face-to-face. How do you feel about that idea? It's not practical for me at the moment; however, I think it is still a good idea for those who can. Would you be prepared to travel to Sheffield to attend a Pathways conference? Maybe in the future. Currently, there are two free Pathways e-journals, Philosophy Pathways and Philosophy for Business. What are your thoughts about a third journal dedicated to publishing the best examples of course work by Pathways students? Yeah, I think that would be a good idea. Students will have more chances looking at their peers' work and thus be motivated to take part in. 8. CONTRIBUTING TO PATHWAYS Do you have any thoughts about possible articles for Philosophy Pathways or Philosophy for Business? Or have you already written a piece that you could send us? Not at this moment, but I will consider later. Have you have successfully completed the ISFP Associate or Fellowship Awards, or the first year of the University of London Diploma or BA in Philosophy? If so, would you like to join the panel of Ask a Philosopher? Not yet. If you have successfully completed a BA degree in Philosophy, would you like to become a Pathways mentor? I think I will consider it, if I had a chance. 9. GENERAL ASSESSMENT In the most general terms, how would you rate your experience with Pathways: Strongly positive? More positive than negative? About equal? More negative than positive? Strongly negative? Although there are some flaws, I think Pathways is a good online program which brings more goods than harms for seldom could I find a business program dealing with this critical topic and it is still growing. How would you summarize the reasons for your assessment? Because it provides the knowledge I need with good methods, and I find the joy when lost in thought with philosophy. 10. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE YOUR COMMENTS Are you prepared to allow us to reproduce any of your comments above, under your name, on the Pathways web site? Or, is there something in particular you would be prepared to say for publication? Yes, of course. **END OF QUESTIONNAIRE** Email info@philosophypathways.com if you would like to comment on this page.