Mark Hegarty PERSONAL DETAILS Full name: Mark James Hegarty Age: 33 Current occupation: Digital Design Engineer Where you live: Austria Your program: ISFP Associate Award Start date: September 2006 1. CHOOSING PATHWAYS How did you find out about us? was it by accident? were you searching for a philosophy course? I was searching for a distance-learning Philosophy course, and think I came across pathways while searching the internet. What alternatives were you considering at the time? I had already done 2 online philosophy courses, one from one from Alliance for Lifelong learning and one from Oxford University. I was considering another such course, or else maybe trying to do a distance learning diploma from somewhere. What considerations were uppermost in your mind when you decided to apply to Pathways? To find a philosophy course that I could easily fit into my normal life — i.e. done remotely by email/internet, flexible time schedule etc. I enjoy reading philosophy, and wanted something that could provide a focus and a structure for this reading. How do you feel about that decision now? Very satisfied 2. STUDY MATERIALS Did you take any of the six Pathways written programs? which one(s)? Before starting the Associate award I had taken the Possible Worlds Program How did you find the Pathways study materials? were they too easy, too difficult or just about right? I think for the possible worlds program they were about right. How do the Pathways materials rate in comparison with text books that you have seen or studied? I think the materials (for the Possible Worlds program) were well suited to the type of course. I can only compare to a previous course I did, which was probably a more standard 'introduction' to philosophy course — with the material being extracts from various philosophers. The Possible Worlds program in contrast contained a lot of text written specifically for the program, and this was I think a useful approach, since it targeted specific themes directly and made them especially accessible. Do you feel that you made the right choice of program, or given the chance would you like to try a different Pathway? why? On the one hand I sometimes find my current choice of program (the Associate award) a bit frustrating, since I find it much harder to isolate and develop a topic myself, than to respond to a suggested topic or existing debate. However, I think this is a philosophical ability which needs to be developed, and overall am enjoying the challenge. I think philosophy as a hobby can too easily rest on just criticism of the work of others without trying to provide something constructive in its place, and I think the Associate award targets that. 3. PATHWAYS WEB SITE How useful have you found the information provided on the Pathways web pages? I have not read all that is available, but definitely when making my decision to apply for the courses the information provided was very helpful How might the content or layout of the Pathways pages be improved? I don't have any suggestions. In your view, does the Pathways web site convey an accurate impression of what it is like to study with Pathways? Yes, I think so. 4. INTERACTION WITH YOUR MENTOR Who is/ was your Pathways mentor? Geoffrey Klempner Are you generally happy with the interaction and feedback that you have have received from your mentor? Yes. The feedback has been very detailed and informative. The interaction for the Associate award is different than for other courses I have done (or the Possible Worlds program I did), but again I think this is well suited to the subject matter- since I generally receive a long and considered response, which I then must digest properly and incorporate into my next essay attempt. I think this encourages independent thinking and constructive development of a theme oneself, which I take as the real advantage of the associate award course as compared to normal courses (or the programs) which I think are more based on understanding and elaborating presented themes. How well, in your view, does the current system of providing mentor interaction work? how would you like to see it improved? For my current course I think it works well. My main problem with my current course (associate award) has been to isolate and develop properly single themes, and the mentor feedback has helped guide me back on track. However the final choice of theme is still left up to me, and while this makes the task harder, it is better for my philosophical development that this is so. So I have no suggestions for improvements. How does the tuition you received compare with other philosophy courses you have taken, whether online or face-to-face? I have only done online courses. For the Possible Worlds program the tuition was similar to other courses — a structured course with feedback. The Associate awards program is different to anything else I've done, since everything is much more left up to me. One interesting feature in another online course was a regular online 'chat' session with other participants, and a discussion notice board for the course. However this required the course to run to a particular time frame. I find the flexibility of Pathways very useful, and although I have not participated in it, I think the online conference section probably provides an equivalent to 'discussion' element. 5. INTERACTION WITH OTHER STUDENTS Have you ever participated in the Pathways online conferences? unfortunately not. 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? In general I think the hardest part in joining online discussions is finding a point/time at which to 'jump in'. If a discussion has run on for a long time before one is reluctant to join in. I think the online conference has indeed 'starting points' — so it is my own fault not to have availed of it. I had actually forgotten about it, but when I have time will look back into it Would you like to see further opportunities provided for Pathways students to engage in dialogue? do you have any ideas? Since I have not fully explored the conference feature I might be missing something already there, but in general I think it is also easier to join a discussion if you know the participants have already taken the same course as you. So maybe if there were discussion groups based on the courses it might encourage participation. Again, apologies if this is already there and I have not seen it! (I currently don't have time to investigate, and want to return this questionnaire promptly, but hope to look into the conferencing again soon) 6. IMPACT OF STUDYING WITH PATHWAYS What effect, if any, has studying Philosophy with Pathways had on your life? I find the associate award one of the most challenging tasks I've undertaken. The greatest advantage I think it brings to me is it provides a structure for what was already a hobby, but a slightly haphazard one. While I would I am sure have been reading some philosophical works anyway , the focus that a course provides means I get much more out of what would otherwise be just casual reading. Have you been motivated to continue studying Philosophy after you complete your course? Definitely. But the difference between the Associate award and the programs has also made me think more about what sort of study I would like to do, which is an unexpected (but good) development. Have you taken another Philosophy course? or do you plan to? This is my 4th philosophy course, and I can see myself taking more in the future. What other benefits or consequences have you noticed from studying Philosophy with Pathways? I find the associate award very challenging, much more so than any other course I've done. This has changed my outlook of what philosophical skills I need to develop, and thus opened up a whole new range of challenges. I have also obtained a great sense of achievement from the course, and importantly, even if I don't succeed in obtaining award itself, the process of trying for it will have brought enough satisfaction in itself. 7. FUTURE PROJECTS Do you have any thoughts about future projects which we might undertake? sorry, I have no suggestions at the moment Some students have expressed an interest in a conference where Pathways students could meet face-to-face. How do you feel about that idea? I think it is a nice idea. Would you be prepared to travel to Sheffield to attend a Pathways conference? In principle yes. However since I have a young family I am not too mobile at the moment. 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? Also a nice idea. It would be interesting to see work from other people doing the same courses. 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 think I have a long way to go before I could submit an article of sufficient quality! 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? If you have successfully completed a BA degree in Philosophy, would you like to become a Pathways mentor? 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? Very helpful administration. Very good interaction and feedback. Interesting courses. 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? yes Or, is there something in particular you would be prepared to say for publication? **END OF QUESTIONNAIRE** Email info@philosophypathways.com if you would like to comment on this page.