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Background:

A kidnapping affecting the teacher's circle of friends occurred a few weeks prior to the beginning of the semester. An activist from outside the class was attracted to the teacher's pedagogy of bringing real life into the college classroom. Rafael contributed to the educational and organizing effort by reading and commenting upon student blogposts concerning reasons for not attending an organized protest.

Steph^(talk) 09:55, 6 April 2008 (EDT)

"The Data"

Fishbowl D: What is the gist of the conversation between Steph and Rafael?

Note: Participants in the fishbowl were given a handout with the following definition and selected quotes from Test #2.

Gist: n 1: the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work [syn: effect, essence, burden, core] 2: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience: "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story" [syn: kernel, substance, core, center, essence, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty]

• Steph and Rafael discuss the way to squelch FARC. Rafael being a Colombian who is 100% affected by the FARC had differing opinions about how to handle this corrupt institution. Steph suggested that there are many people involved in FARC (by familial association, for example) that need a safe way out. Rafael suggested that Steph wouldn’t have felt this lenient about an event that hit close to home such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

• Steph first outlines the protest. Rafael adds input. Steph says they disagree about how those affiliated with FARC should be described. Rafael says its hard to see them as human, mentions IRA, Taliban, etc. Both say they are naïve/optimistic. Basically concludes that they both support the cause, and generally agree. Others had brief input.

• Rafael and Steph discussed some general facts and past events concerning FARC, including some interesting movie clip links. They also discussed responsible tactics for combating FARC and the “selfishness” that can somehow be interpreted out of it.

• It was about the FARC, and what the best ways to resolve the problems in Colombia are.

• The two go back and forth about five times each with rather long paragraphs. For the most part they agree with each other.

• Rafael has a website talking about FARC. Steph’s speaking with him to discuss the movement, he will be writing back to the class.

A Range of Opinion

Participants in the fishbowl selected particular quotes to be representative of the gist; those they selected are repeated here:

• Steph and Rafael discuss the way to squelch FARC. Rafael being a Colombian who is 100% affected by the FARC had differing opinions about how to handle this corrupt institution. Steph suggested that there are many people involved in FARC (by familial association, for example) that need a safe way out. Rafael suggested that Steph wouldn’t have felt this lenient about an event that hit close to home such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

• They were discussing the FARC. Steph believed that not every member of the FARC believed in what they were doing. She also suggested that the FARC could be talked to – to hopefully make compromises and end the violence and corruption in Colombia. Rafael emphasized how Colombians as a whole do not support the FARC and there is no need for them to exist at all. They also discussed the kidnapping of the Colombian couple (I do not remember their names).

• Rafael and Steph discussed some general facts and past events concerning FARC, including some interesting movie clip links. They also discussed responsible tactics for combating FARC and the “selfishness” that can somehow be interpreted out of it.

• Steph first outlines the protest. Rafael adds input. Steph says they disagree about how those affiliated with FARC should be described. Rafael says its hard to see them as human, mentions IRA, Taliban, etc. Both say they are naïve/optimistic. Basically concludes that they both support the cause, and generally agree. Others had brief input.

• The two go back and forth about five times each with rather long paragraphs. For the most part they agree with each other.