Jurgen Lawrenz Personal details Full name: Jurgen Lawrenz Age: Undisclosed! Current occupation: University tutor Where you live: Sydney Australia Your program: Associate & Fellowship Start date: 5 years ago I think 1. CHOOSING PATHWAYS How did you find out about us? was it by accident? were you searching for a philosophy course? Friend's recommendation What alternatives were you considering at the time? Despair What considerations were uppermost in your mind when you decided to apply to pathways? To get some accreditation for intellectual work How do you feel about that decision now? Very well! 2. STUDY MATERIALS Did you take any of the six pathways written programs? Which one(s)? I chose my own program How did you find the pathways study materials? were they too easy, too difficult or just about right? After teaching a few student with their aid, I think they are well-designed and intuitive How do the pathways materials rate in comparison with text books that you have seen or studied? Better than most — let me say in the way they stress comprehensibility rather than academic acceptability Do you feel that you made the right choice of program, or given the chance would you like to try a different pathway? why? Right choice 3. PATHWAYS WEB SITE How useful have you found the information provided on the pathways web pages? I think it's well designed, informative and full of good things How might the content or layout of the pathways pages be improved? Of suggestions for improvement there is no end. I find nothing crucially or desperately in need of improvement. Which is not to say that there is anything wrong with keeping tabs on it, responding to problems that might come to notice and occasionally changing things just for the heck of it. In your view, does the pathways web site convey an accurate impression of what it is like to study with pathways? Considering how much cock'n'bull there is in most websites, I think it convey reasonably well what to expect. Perhaps I should highlight that it is free of undue exaggeration. Nowadays even university websites can't help but tell the world that they are the best, the leaders etc. Which makes you wonder where the rest are hiding. 4. INTERACTION WITH YOUR MENTOR Who is/ was your pathways mentor? G. Klempner Are you generally happy with the interaction and feedback that you have have received from your mentor? Very happy How well, in your view, does the current system of providing mentor interaction work? how would you like to see it improved? Judging by my experience, the major issue is students losing interest — usually because the going is harder than they thought, their expectations pitched too high or some change in their life which cuts into their study time. How to introduce discipline in this is not something I would know how to do, although it is desirable. How does the tuition you received compare with other philosophy courses you have taken, whether online or face-to-face? Speaking as a student I felt challenged to give my best. What better recommendation? 5. INTERACTION WITH OTHER STUDENTS Have you ever participated in the pathways online conferences? Only once If you did participate, how would you rate the quality of the philosophical discussion? Regrettably trivial. Some people tried hard to maintain a decent standard, but unless you have willing partners a discussion can easily degenerate. But as said, it was my only go at it. If you did not participate, what kind of conference provision would tempt you to join the conference? Hard to say. Perhaps solving a particular problem. Restricting membership to peers. Organising on the princple that some people speak and others ask questions? Would you like to see further opportunities provided for pathways students to engage in dialogue? do you have any ideas? How about competitions? E.G. Topic: what use metaphysics in today's climate (define what is meant by climate). Each particpant contributes 500-1000 words. At the end a vote is taken. Winner gets a copy of "Naive Metaphysics" 6. IMPACT OF STUDYING WITH PATHWAYS What effect, if any, has studying philosophy with pathways had on your life? Enormous. Rekindled my interest in life. (No kidding!) Have you been motivated to continue studying philosophy after you complete your course? Yes have you taken another philosophy course? Or do you plan to? Yes. PhD (must update my bio!) What other benefits or consequences have you noticed from studying philosophy with pathways? In my case a couple of years of interesting tutoring 7. FUTURE PROJECTS Do you have any thoughts about future projects which we might undertake? I'll think about this Some students have expressed an interest in a conference where pathways students could meet face-to-face. How do you feel about that idea? Good idea. But costly if you live in Australia! Would you be prepared to travel to sheffield to attend a pathways conference? If someone funds it, 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? Good idea. 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? A bit slack for some time now because of my studies at sydney university. But I keep pathways under scrutiny. 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? n/a if you have successfully completed a ba degree in philosophy, would you like to become a pathways mentor? n/a 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? I needed something like this at a stage in life when I had given up hope. The challenge was enormous and I relished it. Excellent interaction with tutor, satisfactory end result and finally re-admission to Australian institutes to complete a course of study to PhD. Pathways provided so to speak the fuel for me to bring the engine back to life. 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.