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Wanted: 1 Discussion Leader!

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:07 am
by Chris OConnor
Wanted: 1 Discussion Leader!Have you ever wanted to see your name up in lights? Well, I can't help you with that. But I'd be happy to post your name up in pixels as the "discussion leader" for this new book discussion. Step on up and volunteer if you'd appreciate the opportunity.So what is a discussion leader anyway?All you are expected to do, as discussion leader, is do your best to be active in the book discussion - maybe post some book reviews here and there, whether they be positive or negative, periodically present questions for the group, and try to participate as much as possible in the ongoing discussion.Each discussion leader handles the task differently, but if you'd like a great example check out how misterpessimistic handled the discussion for The God Delusion. With over 1000 total posts that book discussion was and is our most successful to date.You aren't expected to be an authority on the subject matter or support the authors position - even though this book's author is probably rather objective anyway. Just participate actively and try to keep the conversation flowing. Any volunteers? I'm kind of hoping Rose, aka "irishrosem" might take the reins!With her experience in law and the US Constitution she would be a tremendous asset to this reading period and discussion. But I don't want to pressure her....ok, yes I do. I lied. But anyone interested in this book topic that thinks they can be pretty active in the discussion is encouraged to volunteer as discussion leader. Make a post right in this thread to make your desire known. Thanks in advance!

Re: Wanted: 1 Discussion Leader!

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:44 pm
by irishrosem
Chris, I meant to submit these chapter titles to you before I left on Thursday; but, alas, it either slipped my mind or I ran out of time. Considering that I can't remember which, it's probably the former. Here they are:Chapter 1: Historical BackgroundChapter 2: Understanding the First AmendmentChapter 3: Religious Expression in Public PlacesChapter 4: Religious Expression in Public SchoolsChapter 5: Public Funding of Religious SchoolsChapter 6: Historical Issues of Religious Expression Versus Competing Social InterestsChapter 7: Current Issues of Religious Expression Versus Competing Social InterestsChapter 8: Religious Expression and Political LifeThis is then followed by fifteen appendices, but I imagine people can start a thread about a specific appendix if they so choose. Second, I had emailed Haiman to ask if he could direct me to an online bio, I figured there would be one listed on the website for the University where he teaches, but there was none. He emailed me the following blurb he submits to publishers:Quote:Franklyn S. Haiman is John Evans Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at Northwestern University and an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco. He has been a Fulbright Visiting Lecturer in Communication Law at the University of Paris, France, as well as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Iowa, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of New Mexico, the University of Washington, and San Francisco State University. He has also lectured at over 60 other universities in the United States as well as five in Japan and been a visiting scholar at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He attended Case Western Reserve University as an undergraduate, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and earned is M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at Northwestern University.He has served for nearly 50 years in leadership positions in the American Civil Liberties Union, including the presidency of the ACLU of Illinois for 11 years, 31 years as a member of the national Board of Directors, and nine years as national vice-president. Since his retirement from the Board of Directors he has served as a vice-chairperson of the ACLU National Advisory Council. Professor Haiman has authored eight books and dozens of journal articles. His volume entited Speech and Law in a Free Society (1981) received a Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association and a Golden Anniversary Prize for most Outstanding Scholarly Book of the Year from the National Communication Association.He has also been named as a Distinguished Scholar of the National Communication Association.As for your request for a discussion leader, I was under the impression, after a few of our novice-members-turned-discussion-leaders disappeared mid-quarter, we were going to choose more established members in the future. I don't intend to go anywhere and am excited about both discussion topics this quarter. However, is it a good idea to make an exception for me right from the outset? Also, I want to make it clear that I have no experience or education in law that would make me more qualified than any other lay person in jurisprudence. I hope I have not misrepresented myself. Although I read legal history and theory, it is, for the most part, out of personal curiosity, and not as a part of any legal educational environment. After considering, if you still think I am a good choice, I would be happy to do my best

Re: Wanted: 1 Discussion Leader!

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:59 pm
by MadArchitect
You were here most of last quarter. I hate to break the news to you, but you're an established regular.

Re: Wanted: 1 Discussion Leader!

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:35 am
by Chris OConnor
Thank you very much for providing the chapter titles, Rose. As a result of you giving me these chapter names I have created all of the chapter threads. Thank you!My book should arrive at Barnes & Nobles today. I called yesterday and they said it wasn't yet in. As soon as it arrives I'll start reading.You're more than qualified to be the discussion leader for this reading, Rose. You've got 373 total posts to date! This easily qualifies you as an active member.And you don't have to be a practicing attorney to be able to lead this discussion. You have a strong education and interest in law and Constitutional issues and will do a fine job I'm sure. Your name will be added as discussion leader today. Thanks for stepping up and taking the lead. I need to create the little table with the book image and description and I'm not on my home computer with the proper software right now. Later today it will be done. Sorry for the delay. The good thing is the chapter threads are all created and anyone wanting to post can do so now. I'll also edit our Home page today to draw attention to our two new book discussions. Things have been hectic. I have little time to even breathe these days. On a positive note I will be meeting a BookTalk member and his wife this Tuesday. George Ricker, aka garicker, will be in Florida for over a week soon. On Tuesday of next week my wife and I will be going to dinner with George and his wife. I'm really looking forward to meeting him in person and wish more members came to Florida once in a while. Tara, a BookTalk moderator, is the only other BookTalk member I have met personally. Oh, Frank too I suppose, but I have known Frank for 25 years. Edited by: Chris OConnorĀ  at: 4/12/07 11:46 am