This academic year, I’m in charge of the Public Choice Center Seminar series. Seminars are normally on Wednesdays from 12:00-1:15 PM, and are open to the public. Since I am not a fan of actually-existing seminars, I’m experimenting with a new format, which I will strictly enforce:
1. Split the talk into two parts. Part 1 is the first two-thirds of the
allotted time. Part 2 is the last third of the allotted time.2. During Part 1, the audience may not ask any questions. No exceptions.
3. However, the speaker
retains the option to ask the audience questions during Part 1. If the
speaker sees a lot of confused faces, he can query, “Are you familiar
with the efficiency case for Pigovian taxation?” and adjust his
presentation accordingly.4. The speaker scrupulously ends Part 1 on time, then turns the rest of the talk over for questions.
The Fall speakers are Dan Klein, Truman Bewley, John Mueller, Areendam Chanda, Jim Schneider, Mike Huemer, John Lott, Amy Wax, Gary Lucas, and Zac Gochenour. I very much look forward to hearing them speak, and new seminar rules should ensure that they actually get to deliver their full talks!
READER COMMENTS
MK
Aug 24 2016 at 12:00am
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Richard O. Hammer
Aug 24 2016 at 6:11am
During my most recent, third, trip to graduate school, I sometimes spoke up during a class to ask a question about what I judged the Professor was trying to convey. Examples: What was that name again? Could the projector be focused?
I would hope such questions are permissible. But allowing such questions requires a discipline from the students, who must understand and not extend the license.
Maximum Liberty
Aug 24 2016 at 11:42am
I had a college professor who began his first day lecture by explaining that he would not take questions until about a third of the way into the semester because — until then — we simply didn’t know enough to ask interesting questions. He was right. When we got a third of the way into the semester he said we then knew enough to ask questions and reserved time at the end of every lecture for them. (He also invited anyone who would have asked questions to relieve their confusion to come to office hours, or to ambush him outside after class.)
Jason K
Aug 24 2016 at 1:06pm
Is there any chance you’ll make these talks available on YouTube?
Jon Murphy
Aug 24 2016 at 1:37pm
This is why I chose GMU for my PhD work. I look forward to attending these talks!
Bill Conerly
Aug 27 2016 at 7:53pm
What do the oddsmakers say about the anyone presenting actually finishing on time? At even money, “nobody” looks like a good bet.
Comments are closed.