Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2001 07:10:39 -0500 (EST)
From: lyn ellen burkett <lburkett-AT-indiana.edu>
Subject: Re: Review of the MLA's *Preparing a Nation's Teachers


I'm very interested in the current discussion on teacher training.  Since
I'm a music theorist, I'm unfamiliar with the specific details with which
the MLA is concerned.  While I was doing my doctoral coursework (at
Indiana University), I served on a campus-wide committee to establish a
college pedagogy certificate program for graduate students in a variety of
fields. Sorry to say, our efforts led us to the conclusion that there just
wasn't enough interest among either grad students or faculty to warrant
such a program (which would have included between 8 and 12 credits in
addition to the students' regular degree programs).  One thing I did learn
on that committee, though, was that my own discipline, music theory, seems
to be one of the only disciplines in the humanities that is historically
pedagogy-centered, and which continues to emphasize pedagogy today.  It's
standard for the most highly respected music theorists to teach
undergraduate courses on a regular basis, and to actually enjoy doing so
(!). At the Society for Music Theory's conferences, it's very common to
see some of the most prominent scholars in the field at pedagogy sessions.
Many of the historical texts that we study as theorists were written by
musicians who were attempting to devise a simpler method of teaching the
chant repertoire to young choir boys; theorists today continue this
tradition, teaching young performers how to approach and interpret
compositions in many different styles.  

My experience working on the college pedagogy certificate program leads me
to believe that music theorists and music theory departments on university
campuses might serve as role models for incorporating pedagogy into many
different disciplines.  The music school or music department on your own
campus might be a good resource if you're looking to emphasize teacher
training in graduate programs. 

best regards,


Lyn Burkett

_______________________________________________________________________________

Lyn Ellen Burkett			 	"Actually there is no
Indiana University				 reason why art cannot,
lburkett-AT-indiana.edu				 following the example of
http://php.indiana.edu/~lburkett		 science, rise from the 
						 immensity of the cosmos;
						 nor why art cannot, as a
						 cosmic landscaper, modify
						 the demeanor of the
						 galaxies." 	
						 	--Iannis Xenakis