My dissertation research was conducted using a methodology known as phenomenology, based on the tenets of existentialist philosophy. One of the chief tenets of phenomenological inquiry is exploring the etymology of words in order to drill down to the very essence of their meaning.
Consider the root meaning of "crisis"--a word often used to describe the pandemic. "Crisis" originated from the Latinized form of Greek "krisis," meaning a "turning point in a disease, that change which indicates recovery or death" (used as such by Hippocrates and Galen). Drawing on the
Latinized Greek, the early 15th century "crise" originally meant a "decisive point in the progress of a disease." Interestingly, the word also denoted "vitally important or decisive state of things, point at which change must come, for better or worse."
Take a deeper look at "opportunity." Its core derives from the Old Latin phrase "ob portum veniens "coming toward a port," in reference to the wind, from "ob" "in front of, toward" combined with "portus" "harbor." Our current spelling is based on the late 14th century "opportunitie," meaning "fit, convenient, or seasonable time." (Etymology of both "crisis" and "opportunity" provided by the Online Etymology Dictionary).
So why have we wandered down this arcane path of word history? Because words have power. As a result, when we consider the root meanings of "crisis" and "opportunity," we can make a conscious choice of interpretation that we are facing "a point at which change must come" in planning for the post-coronavirus world--in moving toward stability, a safe place, of "coming into port" after a storm.
I believe that this crisis, even when recognizing that its human toll in terms of loss and suffering is incalculable, offers an opportunity for us to expand opportunities for our students--so many of whom are looking to us to help them develop the skills they need for the future.
As a result, I'll be bringing to the agendas of College Council, Academic Senate, and other campus entities a "thought paper" for consideration, predicated on this question: As a campus community, how do we take advantage of our proven leadership in distance education and continue to meet the needs of our students while, at the same time, institutionalizing what we’ve learned about online/remote education that can strategically position the College in a post-coronavirus world?
I hope you'll join me in the conversation.
Consider the root meaning of "crisis"--a word often used to describe the pandemic. "Crisis" originated from the Latinized form of Greek "krisis," meaning a "turning point in a disease, that change which indicates recovery or death" (used as such by Hippocrates and Galen). Drawing on the
Latinized Greek, the early 15th century "crise" originally meant a "decisive point in the progress of a disease." Interestingly, the word also denoted "vitally important or decisive state of things, point at which change must come, for better or worse."
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| "The Clipper Ship Young America Coming Into Port" by John Bentham Disdale |
So why have we wandered down this arcane path of word history? Because words have power. As a result, when we consider the root meanings of "crisis" and "opportunity," we can make a conscious choice of interpretation that we are facing "a point at which change must come" in planning for the post-coronavirus world--in moving toward stability, a safe place, of "coming into port" after a storm.
I believe that this crisis, even when recognizing that its human toll in terms of loss and suffering is incalculable, offers an opportunity for us to expand opportunities for our students--so many of whom are looking to us to help them develop the skills they need for the future.
As a result, I'll be bringing to the agendas of College Council, Academic Senate, and other campus entities a "thought paper" for consideration, predicated on this question: As a campus community, how do we take advantage of our proven leadership in distance education and continue to meet the needs of our students while, at the same time, institutionalizing what we’ve learned about online/remote education that can strategically position the College in a post-coronavirus world?
I hope you'll join me in the conversation.