- Nov 2017
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engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu
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It is supposed probable that a building of somewhat more size in the middle of the grounds may be called for in time, in which may be rooms for religious worship
This central building sounds like it could have been the Rotunda. It's strange that a place for religious worship would be considered at the center of the grounds since Jefferson always put so much emphasis on a university focused on academics rather than religion. It makes sense that there would be a church, but having it in the center when this document directly addresses an absence of religious studies is very contradictory.
-Wei Guan
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These innocent arts furnish amusement & happiness to those who, having time on their hands, might less inoffensively employ it; needing, at the same time, no regular incorporation with the institution,
There wasn't any mention of an arts department earlier in the report where the different classes were mentioned. There are a lot of arts classes today, but at that time, they were seen more as pastimes or hobbies. Maybe there were art schools dedicated specifically to these subjects or they were more informal. I have noticed that the Art Grounds is separated from the central grounds, where many of the classes mentioned in the report are taught. In Art Inside/Out this semester, I learned about the function of art and there is a lot more to it than enjoyment and happiness.
-Wei Guan
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- Sep 2017
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engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu
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Some of these have rendered the elements themselves subservient to the purposes of man
Ideas themselves don't support an argument. People can skew the meanings of ignore the overall context to serve their own purposes. Interpretation is a large factor whenever we learn or teach. It isn't unethical to use knowledge as evidence, but it's wrong to purposefully assume meanings without considering the full history and still continue to publish it.
Wei Guan
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The affectionate deportment between father & son offers, in truth, the best example for that of tutor & pupil
I noticed how this idea relates back to an earlier passage about passing down knowledge to succeeding generations; in a way it is like a family tradition. If this idea was practiced, the university would have been a very comfortable learning environment. I haven't felt that kind of connection in my time here. It would be interesting if there really was a father-son relationship between professors and students in UVA's early days.
Wei Guan
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