2009 Vygotsky Seminar Q & A
Q: Nature of this seminar, Objectives of this guided reading, and what do we wish to accomplish?
A: Lev S. Vygotsky (1896-1934), the so called “Mozart in Psychology”, according to historian of Science Stephen Toulmin, may interest different people for different reasons
Vygotsky, as leader of the Historical Cultural School of Psychology, is interesting in many ways and related to the study of Linguistics, Literature, Russian, Psychology, Education, Special Education, Cultural Studies etc.
Vygotsky was already very famous during his life time. However, due to political situation in the
While Vygotsky’s works are being translated and retranslated into many different languages, the latest English translation of Vygotsky’s representative work “Myshlenie i rech” by Kozulin (1986) is according to the Vygotsky expert van der Veer, who did detailed comparison between Russian original and the English translation, and concluded that: “This is still an abridged version of the original book.”(Rene van der Veer, 1987, p.176).
Vygotsky study in Chinese speaking academic circle is decades behind international level. Promotion of Vygotsky study is promising for the fields covered by Vygotsky’s wide ranging interests and genius insights
Q: Why reading of the classic in original works? What is the purpose?
A: Classics are the milestones of academic development, yet as the famous Canadian neuropsychologist Donald Hebb (1904-1985) once satirically expressed that a classic normally means "cited but not read". This attitude and habit are obviously wrong and academic leaders with vision are determined to correct them with substantial measures!
The Ministry of Education and National Science Council encourage and support reading of classics in original language. Funding could be applied only when we are mainly reading classics in original language. Proportional, supplementary reading of translation is allowed. In the case of Vygotsky seminar, most original works are written in Russian. However, besides Chinese, competence in English, German, French, Japanese, Italien etc. are very helpful in understanding Vygotsky, especially in terms of relevant research and translations at an international level.
Q: How many sessions are there all together?
A: We are planning a two semester seminar – 18 sessions each semester, 3 hours each session.
First semester: Overview of Vygotsky’s wide spectrum of interests, ranging from literature to special education; or Introduction to The Historical Cultural School of Psychology, including A. R. Luria (1902-1977, see e.g. A. R. Luria Archive) and A. N. Leot’ev (1904-1979, see e.g. A. N. Leontyev Archive)
Second Semester: Focus on one of Vygotsky’s classics, e.g. “Myshlenie i rech (Thought and Language)”
These two seminars are independent, yet connected. Students are encouraged to register for both seminars. Yet joining the class in any semester is allowed. The participation in the first semester, though recommended, is not prerequisite for the registration of the seminar in the second semester.
Q: When is the project going to start and for how long?
A: With or without funding from MOE, the seminar will start in winter semester 2009-2010, i.e. August / September 2009
With funding from MOE, the seminars will be taught by a teaching team with professors from different backgrounds in different universities - Best Approach to Vygotsky Studies!!!
Scope of Funding from MOE: 1600 NT$ / hour for invited session host + TA etc.
Without funding from MOE or elsewhere, the seminars will be held by initiator of the project - Dr. Gabriel HONG alone (Deep interest, persistence and resilience is necessary in doing Vygotsky studies!)
There is already a Vygotsky class running on 10:10-12:50, Thursdays, in classroom LC302 this semester in Graduate Institute of Linguistics, Fu Jen Catholic University. Auditors welcome. See our teaching blog:
We try to integrate whichever resources available to us to start this project. Once getting started, especially with team teaching, the seminars will automatically evolve, and get better and better each year
Q: Place and Time of the seminars?
A:
Place: Linguistic Institute, Fu
Time: Friday morning 9:10-12:00 (Please make yourself available for the session you will be hosting)
Q: Is the teaching team to be present in all the sessions or each is responsible for his/her own session(s)?
A: Each is responsible for his / her own session(s)
For faculty member in the teaching team, participation in sessions hosted by others is welcome, but not obligatory
Q: Are the students all bilingual in both Russian and English?
A: At present, core participants are students in Graduate Institute of Linguistics, Fu Jen. Main languages spoken among our students: Chinese and English
Learning of Russian is encouraged and previous knowledge of Russian is certainly a plus within the framework of this seminar, but not prerequisite for the participation in this seminar. The students are encouraged to take Russian courses in campus. Some language help will be given by the project TA in extracurricular reading groups or selectively by each session host in class.
This seminar is open to students from other departments and universities, e.g.: Russian, Linguistics, Literature, Psychology, Education, Special Education, Cultural Studies etc., whoever with interest in Vygotsky or relevant fields.
Q: Do Russian speaking professors have to speak Chinese in order to be recruited in the teaching team?
A: No. Most of our students speak Chinese and English. Russian speaking students are welcome to register or audit in this class. We communicate with whichever means available. I will always be there to help. You could also hire an assistant to help you interpreting, while you host your session or prepare your class outline. The budget for student assistant is 95 NT$ / hour.
Q: I do not know Russian, but why am I recruited in the teaching team?
A: We need specialists from different areas to help our students understanding Vygotsky. Russian competence is recommended, but not prerequisite.
Q: I haven’t read many of Vygotsky’s writings, and I don’t really feel that confident to lead any discussion on his works.
A: Discover the fascination of Vygotsky by starting to lead a discussion on one of his works that especially appeals to you, which should not be difficult to find in your area of interests and in the language you are familiar with, considering the wide ranging scope of interests covered by Vygotsky and his richness of genius insights.
Q: Who is in the teaching team?
A: Best approach to Vygotsky is through team teaching. We already have some professors from different backgrounds (Russian, Linguistics, Literature, Psychology, Education etc.) joining the teaching team. There will be more. You are welcome to join the team by contacting:
Dr. Gabriel HONG.
e-mail: gabriel.hong@gmail.com
Secretary Yang in Fu Jen Linguistics office: 02-29052553
Q: Reading list of the seminar?
A: Basically selections from Vygotsky’s publication list and his collected works. Depending on the specialties of the teaching team, the selection and focus may vary.
In Russian, see:
http://vygotskij.blogspot.com/search/label/1996%20Publication%20List
1982-4 Sobranie (1)
http://vygotskij.blogspot.com/search/label/1982-4%20Sobranie
In English or other languages, see:
1978 Work List (1)
http://vygotskij.blogspot.com/search/label/1978%20Work%20List
http://vygotskij.blogspot.com/search/label/1987-1999%20Collected%20Works
