Dong an MA in criminology a few years ago, we all had to give the usual presentations
and quite formulaic they were too, with a talk, a handout or two, a PowerPoint display and a Q&A session.

I decided to do something different: sack off all the paperwork, and just present a nice picture to, hopefully, start a discussion.

I started by asking people not to write anything down, just to look at the picture and listen for a bit, and then share what they thought, promising to email everyone with references later.

I chose Omnibus Life In London, painted in 1859 by William Maw Egley and chatted about how it shows the omnibus passengers, of different social classes and occupations, variously observing and ignoring each other.
We see hints of mortality and immorality, giving an impression of both the the discomforts and the opportunities of modern life, and especially the possibilities of disease and crime.

Anyway… it went stunningly. I knew the subject really well and didn't need notes, and everyone sportingly joined in with a lovely criminological/art history discussion. I felt that the class had looked at the subject from a new direction AND I got a really good mark.

Best of all, everyone else's presentations changed drastically after that! One week we had a talk about a photo of people being shoved onto the Japanese bullet trains, to illustrate the pressures of modern life and their part in the problem of crime.

Another person based their discussion of the civilising effects of sport on society on the then-current World Cup, when the English fans were apparently waving inflatable Spitfires at the Germans!

My comeback gimmick was giving out a plastic fork with the name 'Elias' written on it to each student to symbolise that philosopher's ideas on the 'socialisation' of societies.

Soon everyone was winging it and we had a bit of fun in our presentation, with some really interesting discussions. What we learned was: if you've researched well enough you don't need a script, and your enthusiasm will be catching.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Sat 30 Mar 2013, 23:32, 9 replies)

I clicked the "I like this!" link because I liked it.
Why are the two gingers peering in thru the back door?
(Misery McUglywife an attention seeking sociopathic fuckstain., Sun 31 Mar 2013, 0:19, closed)

Thank you!
I think the people looking in are the driver, who's trying to assist new passengers to find a seat, and the would-be passengers themselves who're going to have to walk as nobody will budge over for them.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Sun 31 Mar 2013, 20:24, closed)

Awkward! I'm glad the seats on buses don't face each other like this any more.
Nice story - gets a click from me.
( 4Q just lurking, Sun 31 Mar 2013, 0:38, closed)

Thank you!
Eeeh, I can remember when t'bus seats faced inwards...
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Sun 31 Mar 2013, 20:25, closed)

Still do on the tube.

(username failed moderation, Tue 2 Apr 2013, 12:17, closed)

They still do at the back of some vehicles.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Tue 2 Apr 2013, 23:03, closed)

you dong an MA?
glad I never bothered.
( janet aylia y'all motherfuckers need jesus, Sun 31 Mar 2013, 10:49, closed)

oh, by the way? you are both dull and smug.
congratulations.
( janet aylia y'all motherfuckers need jesus, Sun 31 Mar 2013, 10:51, closed)

You are both
haggard and spiteful.
(username failed moderation, Tue 2 Apr 2013, 12:18, closed)