Justin Woods PERSONAL DETAILS Full name: Justin Woods Age: 37 Current occupation: Strategic Policy Officer, Department of Defence, Australia Where you live: Canberra, Australia Your program: Associateship Diploma Philosophical Society of England Start date: 1997 1. CHOOSING PATHWAYS How did you find out about us? was it by accident? were you searching for a philosophy course? The PSE. No. Yes. What alternatives were you considering at the time? Occasional studentship Birkbeck College What considerations were uppermost in your mind when you decided to apply to Pathways? Philosophical drive and passion of the course, study flexibility, mentor quality, organisational reputation, ability to translate to university credit. How do you feel about that decision now? It was the right decision. However, I was not prepared for some academic requirements, later on in academia, to reference my work, for example. I simply wrote my thoughts down. 2. STUDY MATERIALS Did you take any of the six Pathways written programs? which one(s)? No. How did you find the Pathways study materials? were they too easy, too difficult or just about right? N/A How do the Pathways materials rate in comparison with text books that you have seen or studied? N/A Do you feel that you made the right choice of program, or given the chance would you like to try a different Pathway? why? N/A 3. PATHWAYS WEB SITE How useful have you found the information provided on the Pathways web pages? Having seen them after my Diploma, they would have been invaluable because regarding the publication of other student's work, you can see the range of format and style in writing and arguing. How might the content or layout of the Pathways pages be improved? Analysis of students' argument within the text of their work, as tutors comment in the margins of an essay but less abbreviated and more legible of course. In your view, does the Pathways web site convey an accurate impression of what it is like to study with Pathways? N/A 4. INTERACTION WITH YOUR MENTOR Who is/ was your Pathways mentor? Dr Klempner Are you generally happy with the interaction and feedback that you have have received from your mentor? Mostly. My goal at the time was to start a career in university philosophy, from student to teacher. I may not have conveyed this clearly as I was simply ecstatic about studying philosophy itself in any form. However, I was shocked and unprepared when I began studying philosophy at university, mainly because of the non-philosophy aspects: format requirements such as referencing, paragraphing and general academic writing. There are rules and customs in academia that I was not made aware of. However, my mentor inspired me, reflected my own passion and was living proof of how the study of philosophy could pan out. These factors are of superior importance to me now. How well, in your view, does the current system of providing mentor interaction work? how would you like to see it improved? Mentor interaction regarding my philosophical development was perfect at the time, because I was able to bounce ideas off an accomplished philosopher and receive essential criticism. Most importantly, I felt understood and my mentor was able to articulate complex ideas very well to me. How does the tuition you received compare with other philosophy courses you have taken, whether online or face-to-face? University tuition was dreadful. My tutors were over-worked and distracted. They also seemed to have lost their passion for teaching and for philosophy. We were often rushed and seemed to be trapped in formality. There was little room for countering the status quo or challenging ideas, which I mainly put down to the view that the beginner needs to know the basics and not argue against them. 5. INTERACTION WITH OTHER STUDENTS Have you ever participated in the Pathways online conferences? No If you did participate, how would you rate the quality of the philosophical discussion? N/A If you did not participate, what kind of conference provision would tempt you to join the conference? One regulated, guided and convened by a course supervisor. At uni we have not had this and it was a mess of aimless arguing. Participants have to be relevant and to have read the prep material. The class dominator needs to be shut up, as they intimidate others from contributing. Stupid ideas need to be encouraged: people get scared of contributing because of fear they will look stupid. Rules need to be clearly made at the beginning. Would you like to see further opportunities provided for Pathways students to engage in dialogue? do you have any ideas? Have local students and mentors meet in person for regular or irregular meetings and discussion groups. Hold local or regional conferences. Hold international conferences in various countries. Seek representation and encourage participation at other philosophical and academic conferences where Pathways students can attend. I represented the PSE at the Aristotelean and Mind Association annual conference in Warwick, 1997. 6. IMPACT OF STUDYING WITH PATHWAYS What effect, if any, has studying Philosophy with Pathways had on your life? Gave me the experience and confidence to start philosophy at university, regarding how I develop ideas, articulate them, follow them through, have them criticised. Motivated me much more to 'do' philosophy and pursue a career involving philosophy and to get involved in its promotion. Have you been motivated to continue studying Philosophy after you complete your course? Yes. See above. Have you taken another Philosophy course? or do you plan to? Yes. Birkbeck College classes. Deakin University as part of my degree. What other benefits or consequences have you noticed from studying Philosophy with Pathways? It is not good enough to read and think about philosophy, or even to discuss it with people. You need to appreciate that articulating a sustained argument in written form is a development multiplier in your philosophical development and essential to making a cogent philosophical impact upon your working and studying life. 7. FUTURE PROJECTS Do you have any thoughts about future projects which we might undertake? Create the ability for students to translate Pathways courses into university credit. Relate teaching to university style writing: referencing etc. Some students have expressed an interest in a conference where Pathways students could meet face-to-face. How do you feel about that idea? Read my mind — see above. Would you be prepared to travel to Sheffield to attend a Pathways conference? Yes. 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? Sounds very motivational and in line with academic custom. There is nothing more satisfying than publication. It objectifies your work giving it weight, authority, respect and status. 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? I'll do my best. I would love to see philosophy articles that directly apply to defence, strategy, war, terrorism and the governance processes used to meet these issues. The world sorely needs philosophers' help with these issues now more than ever yet most of the world, especially the governments, don't even know how much they need philosophy. For a start, the language of war, defence and terrorism needs great attention before the issues can even start to be addressed. The analysis frameworks need to be critiqued. The list is long. Basically, we need to get back to the roots of our thinking and how we approach the solutions to real problems in the world. I wish some day for a Philosophy for Strategy, Defence and Government Movement and not just a publication, but this would be a good place to start. My ideal in government would a Strategic Philosophy Division. 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? I have completed the PSE Associateship. I would love to know how I can convert this into a Uni of London Diploma. Yes, I would like to join the Panel. If you have successfully completed a BA degree in Philosophy, would you like to become a Pathways mentor? My degree was only one third philosophy. I majored in International Relations, minored in Arabic and Middle East studies. 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? Strongly positive! How would you summarize the reasons for your assessment? Love to help a worthy cause. 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? Of course. Or, is there something in particular you would be prepared to say for publication? Already said, see above. **END OF QUESTIONNAIRE** Email info@philosophypathways.com if you would like to comment on this page.