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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 38, Number 25. 2nd October 1975

Hist 202

Hist 202

Miles Fairburn: Renaissance History.
Organisation 3.27
Workload 2.75
Lecturer Convey info 3.27
Students' say 2.29
Recommend 1.93
Knowledge 4.40
Approachable 4.29
60 students enrolled. only 16 replies.

From 60 students in the course we received only 16 replies. Of these almost all said nice things about the course, e.g. it was "interesting and thought provoking" and "stimulating," and "I enjoyed it for its own sake." Of the rest 2 said nothing and 2 described the course as "just average."

Teaching: According to the students. Miles Fairburn came across as a flamboyant lecturer. He was criticised for this because [unclear: flamboyaney] detracted from other qualities students tend to like in lecturers. e.g. they preferred a "more coherent structure" of lecture

  • "succint expression"
  • "distinct speech."
  • Many students complained of the lack of visual aids in a subject admirably suited to them. One student explained that Miles uses the literary and out works of the period as evidence for his arguments. Rather than describe the art works in his flamboyant style he should show slides or photographs, "a picture of the Sislene Chapel would leave a more accurate impression of Michaelangelo's solidarity." than was the flamboyant literary analysis that the lecturer relies on."
  • One student noted that lectures were monologues - with Miles staring at the ceiling and not noting raised hands. There were similar complaints about tuts. These were organised the same way as in 201 - ie they were related to essay topics so only students who had done that particular essay option were prepared. Result was, students were unable to contribute most of the time.
  • as usualy there were comments of "should be 6 credits", "not enough time" "the lecturer had to rush to cover all material."
  • there was no doubt that Fairburn knew his material very well.

Content: A fresh approach to history, examining it as an interaction of economic, political and artistic changes. One student was even surprised to find it relevant to present day.

  • Note that it covers only Italy - not, as the title may suggest, the whole of Europe.