Assignment task: After you read the chapters: please pick at least four questions (one from each of the chapters)
Chapter 5 - From Chicago to Denmark
While in Chicago, Horton came to realize that "learning which come from group effort was far superior to learning achieved through individual efforts."
He also states that he "... began to understand how to use conflict and contradiction to promote learning."
What did he mean by these quotes? And, how do you see this within the political and economic structure and our individualistic American society?
What was Horton's overall assessment of his experience in Chicago? And what was the significance of his travel to Denmark?
What does Horton mean when he says that Bishop Grundtvig "proposed a School for Life to replace lifeless academic schooling?" Do you think our current education system is conducive to this idea of "schools for life?"
Chapter 6 - The Beginning of Highlander
What does Horton mean when he writes, "You learn from your experience of doing something and from your analysis of that experience"?
Horton has issues with experts. Why did he feel that people can't make decisions in their presence? How do you see this in our current high technology society, where we rely heavily on so called "experts" in making hard decisions?
Horton states, "The biggest stumbling block was that all of us at Highlander had academic background." Why did he see this as a problem?
Horton noted that when they started Highlander, they decided that "no one is to receive a salary." Why do you think this was so important to them?
Chapter 7 - Rhythms
Discuss what Horton meant by "The best educational work at Highlander has always taken place when there is social movement."
Horton writes, "We decided at the beginning that the purpose of Highlander was to bring about social change in this country." Why social change?
Chapter 8 - Working as an Organizer
Discuss the early experience Horton had with textile workers in North and South Carolina. What about his experience organizing Black textile worker? What strategies did he use to reach them?
What kinds of resistance did unions face in the early days?
Horton wrote, "I have had the fortunate experience of being part of two movements: the industrial union movement in its early days and the civil rights movement. I saw something in those two movements which helped me understand that you don't have to work out your problems alone" (p. 95). Discuss the deeper meanings of this statement.