with course material using a critical, personal approach.
Dr. Helvacıoğlu often asks her students to understand theories discussed in class by connecting them to practice. She does this by creating classroom activities and writing assignments that require students to incorporate their own personal experience into their understanding of the often highly theoretical course content. For example, students use the research paper to demonstrate that they have clearly understood the text as well as to critically explore issues through personal experiences. They, then, learn to use concepts and theories in order to understand their own experience and to develop a critical insight into course content. Dr. Helvacıoğlu wants students to view theory as more than just “difficult, meaningless words.” Of course this approach does not mean that students ignore course material in favor of personal exploration. One 4th-year international student used her experience as a Greek woman living in Turkey as an integral part of her research paper that explored ideas of otherness and identity. The student demonstrated a superb understanding of course material, while deepening her analysis of otherness and identity by discussing her own wish to disregard difference and to act like everyone else. One of the many benefits is that it makes for “enjoyable and challenging practice” for teachers and students.
For more information about future spotlights or the WAC Project in general, please contact T. Kenny Fountain at fountam@bilkent.edu.tr or ext. 2654.