Higher Education

I just found out today what course I will be teaching in this academic year at the University...the same course as last year. I'm happy to hear that, because I enjoy teaching second year writing and, as I have been doing it for a while, I feel quite confident that I know what I'm going on about in the classroom.

Every year my course is a bit different, because I like to experiment with a variety of approaches and materials, and also because the students are different and, so, create a different dynamic each time. I have chosen new books for this year and I'm looking forward to seeing how I can best use them in class.

I just wish that for once, we could have gotten started on time. Every year something happens to set back the start of the academic year. Classes "should" start at the beginning of October, yet here we are on the 14th and I just found out what I'll be teaching... I still don't know which professor I'll be collaborating with because they haven't gotten around to deciding that little detail just yet. Without the professor, the course can't start... I've got students emailing me asking when lessons will begin and I don't know what to tell them!

This year's delay is linked to a strike by the researchers who, at least in the English department, teach most of the course hours, but actually don't have teaching contracts. Last year we started a month late because they "forgot" to assign us classrooms...it's always something!

Hi, ho, hi, ho!

Canne della Battaglia

My parents are visiting from the States and we took them to visit Canne della Battaglia Sunday afternoon.

I knew that this was the site of Hannibal's great victory over the Romans in 216 B.C.

I also knew that his battle plan is still studied by military strategists today. 

I even knew the guy brought an elephant into Italy by way of the Alps!

What I didn't realise is that Canne is a site that was inhabited from Neolithic times through the Middle Ages.

And, I had no idea that it was set on a high bluff with spectacular views down into the surrounding valleys.

There is a museum, the walls of the ancient village and lots of inscribed Roman columns lying around.

So many things to take pictures of!

The archeological park is open all day and entry is only €2 for visitors ages 18-65, free of charge for those older or younger.

Beautiful stonework abounds.

It's all mine, as far as the eye can see!

I highly recommend this site for an educational and enjoyable day trip for anyone visiting Puglia!