D.O - II Friday 15 December 2006

It was a day when most of the students were deep into the yuletide spirit, and most of them were dreaming of their homeward journey for the same.
For Tam/Phil class, had handwriting practice (afflic) and then,
in the Rhetoric class, it was the turn of two students to speak. A lot of questions were asked and the session was really interesting for the students. One among them was indeed a revelation. At the end of their speech, we discussed the five parameters of public speaking, the canons of rhetoric, and explained important terms in rhetoric side by side.

Rains hold sway the whole day...

For the I Pbt & Zoo class, many had gone to pay the fees and so i gave permission for latecomers. Three "golden boys" were sent out for ever out of my class for disturbing others and the teacher for half an hour at a stretch. The same three were under observation for the past two weeks and this was my final step in that direction. Had newspaper quiz and General quiz. Taught the lesson on Dr.Radhakrishnan, "An Ideal before the Youth"
May-June : 80 pts
Nov - Dec : 35 pts
Jan - Feb : 20 pts
Mar - April : 10 pts

Catching up with Deepwoods '06

It's the time of the year when MCC gets into a different kind of frenzy altogether... It's neither the Margazhi utsav nor the Yuletide spirit, but it's something on a higher plane - higher in everything... in creativity, in crowds ( and crowd management), in canteens etccc and the C list goes on and on and on....

The first day of Deepwoods was more of an aesthetic treat than an intellectual one.
The edifice of Samson, ironically with wings on his back, tied to pillars, in snow white was a treat to behold. The entrance was a bit different compared to the past couple of years, the threshold being adorned with hues of pink and white, quite obviously part of the hutch campaign. Entry was restricted to students having their id cards on them. Participant colleges started trickling in one by one, and for the first program at Thomas's, AD-ZAP we had around ten colleges.

It was a crowd unparalled in the recent past for the first day's events. Students were at their best when it came to organisation and discipline.

The quadrangle was overflowing on all sides for the mega event of the day - the Fashion show.

To sum up, it was a lovely day worth every penny spent, deep out there in the woods...!

D.O - VI - Wednesday, 06 December 2006

Had group discussion class for all the four groups at Exams hall gallery, and the students were seen immersed in their discussions. Four different topics were given for each of the four groups and they relished it.

Had Rhetoric class and two students spoke. The first one was given a bonus, 73 marks, as a gesture for taking the initiative. Then, students booked their topic for Elocution in advance.

For the First years PBT & Zoo students, three different competitions were held. One was the Newspaper round, followed by the Dictionary round. Then, Crossword round was postponed today due to time constraints.

At the end of the day,
May-June : 240 pts
Sept - Oct : 230 pts
Nov - Dec : 170 pts
July - Aug : 140 pts
Mar - April : 120 pts
Jan - Feb : 110 pts

A Day Deep in the Woods..: Dec. 07/2006

Deepwoods 2006

First Day’s Report

7th December 2006

It’s that time of year when Madras Christian College (MCC) transcends its usual rhythm.

It’s an energy that surpasses the tranquillity of the Margazhi Utsav and the warmth of the Yuletide spirit, reaching a higher plane of cultural frenzy.

This is Deepwoods - a festival soaring in creativity, in crowd scale (and the intricate art of crowd management), and in its food stalls. The ‘C’ list, indeed, goes on and on.

Today, the first day of this magnificent cultural extravaganza, was a true testament to the festival’s legacy.

The initial advertisements in the daily newspapers were the cynosure of all eyes, and soon enough, all roads led to MCC! And how!

Day One of Deepwoods proved to be more of an aesthetic treat than an intellectual one. The centrepiece, the magnificent edifice of Samson, ironically depicted with wings yet tied to pillars, rendered in pristine snow white, was a breathtaking sight.

The college entrance also offered a different visual appeal this year, its threshold adorned with vivid hues of pink and white - an obvious and eye-catching element of the Hutch campaign - the highly successful and iconic advertising campaign for the Indian mobile service provider Hutchison Essar, featuring a small boy and his loyal pug dog named Cheeka who followed him everywhere.

In fact, Business Today had featured this Ad as the Top Print Ad for 2003, and it is considered one of the most iconic and successful advertising campaigns in Indian history.

In a long time, the CUS Cabinet had done some real hard work resulting in the famous Hutch agreeing to co-sponsor the Fest!

What’s more! Quite interestingly, this ad has resulted in a “pug mania” across India, with the demand and price for pugs (often nicknamed the “Hutch dog”) having soared, with sales more than doubling across the country.

Entry into MCC and into the Quadrangle was strictly regulated, allowing only students with valid ID cards on them. Participant colleges soon began to trickle in. The day’s events kicked off at Thomas’s, starting with AD-ZAP, where, coincidentally, I served as the adjudicator. We had a robust participation of around ten colleges - a crowd size rarely seen for a first-day event in recent memory.

The student body excelled in organisation and discipline. The sheer volume of attendees was remarkable. By late afternoon, the quadrangle was overflowing on all sides, anticipating the mega-event of the day: The Fashion Show, that saw an overwhelming response from the crowds that were swelling by the number each passing moment.

To sum up, it was a truly lovely day, full of energy and spectacle. It was a day worth every minute spent, deep out there in the woods!

D.O - V - Tuesday, 05 December 2006

Each and every Tam/Phil student had brought his/her daily newspaper along, and so the newspaper quiz was a bit interesting today. Then, Had the usual word power sessions too...
B - 220
A - 140
C - 140
D - 90

D.O IV - 04 December 2006

I Pbt & Sci it was both newspaper quiz and general quiz today. Then, for II B.A left them ten min early cos of Mrs.Sujatha Bhat's Viva at Martin Hall. Dr.Ganesh, David and I coordinated the event.
The scores for I BSc PBT & Zoo - today:
Nov - Dec : 95
May - Jun : 70
July - Aug : 20
Sept - Oct : 10
March - April : 5
Jan - Feb : 0
we are really happy for Nov - Dec who have stood their word.. they are hopefully on a roll...

D.O 6 - 28 November - Group Discussions start with a bang...!

For the second year Phil & Tamil students it was a new kind of initiation- the class, with its four dynamic groups assembled at the Exams Hall Gallery and kick started their Group Discussion. Each group was seen engrossed deeply in the topic allotted for them.

For the First year PBT & Zoo, we had Dictionary time and Newspaper quiz.
Mar-Apr : 176
Nov-Dec : 110
May-Jun : 90
Jan-Feb : 50
Sep-Oct :40
Jul-Aug : 39

For Second B.A literature, it was Arrangement, in Rhetoric. Gave six topics for the first six, three girls and three boys, to speak on, in the next Rhetoric class.

4 D.O - Monday, 27 November - Things Fall Apart - analysis

In Phil/Tam Class, students brought their daily newspaper and dictionary along, and we had a nice time with Quick Word Reading, and Newspaper quiz. Then, today's vocabulary of ten words was given. I also told them that the C.A might have a vocabulary component in it.
Group A : 120
Group C : 100
Group B : 60
Group - D : 30

In IIIB.A English, many participated in the analysis of Chapter II of Things Fall Apart. I told them that 50 marks in C.A will hereafter be allotted to class interactions. The class was exhorted to read Chapter III before the start of the next class.

3 D.O - Friday, 24 November 2006

Completed the Text on Civilisation, for I yr PBT /Zoo class. Had a language time, followed by quiz time. Points tally is:
Jan - Feb : 20
Mar - Apr : 20
Sep - Oct : 30
Nov - Dec : 20

In the Literature class, had a discussion on the various adventures which we come across in literature, and students responded with enthusiasm. A lot of adventurous novels were discussed. Completed with discussion, Chapter 1 of A Passage to India.

2 D.O - 23 November - Discussion on Culture...

Had a good discussion, if not the best, on culture, with the Third B.A English Students. Many came out with good inputs.. I was happy that some had really done their homework well. Almost the whole of the class had turned up with their texts, which was very heartening. Completed Chapter I, with an introduction. More discussions will follow. I asked students to give a reading of Chapter II, and come up with their ideas in the next class.
Introduced Jane Goodal's text for II Phil/Tam.
Completed the text "What to listen for in Music" for Experience of Literature class.

1 D.O - Wednesday, 22 November - Handwriting practice begins...

Gave Handwriting practice for the II Philosophy/Tamil Students, in which everyone participated with great enthusiasm. Later, asked the ones who are good at acting to meet me around 1.30 in the Staff Room, and to my surprise almost a dozen students turned up. I was enthused by the turnout. Gave each of them a copy of the small play to be enacted in class shortly. Also, fixed up a good time for practice.
In the Rhetoric Class, initiated the students into Definition of Rhetoric, and its five broad divisions. Also, reminded them about the three golden rules in my class which are to be effected from this current semester itself.
Explained to them the first division of Rhetoric, namely INVENTION.

In the name of LANGUAGE WORKSHOPS... Just a RUN FOR hard earned money... Nothing less, nothing more...!

Yesterday i was asked to attend a ELT workshop at a famous COUNCIL, which promotes it. Participants, mostly drawn from all parts of the State were there, and the program started punctually at 2 sharp... But that was the only sharp element in it... Three hours of elemental kidding for College Professors...to say the least... And at the end of this elemental kidding, we were poorer by 300 bucks... they had made at least half a lakh rupees for a single session. This set me wondering whether the whole exercise was just a money spinner, or was it a case of sheer callousness on the part of the organisers to take English language professors for granted?
Elementary school teachers would have profitted by the exercise to an extent.. but surely not at our level... I mean, the key speaker missed out on this fact...
Now this sets my mind thinking on whether programs like this really mean anything to us... without proper planning and proper resource persons the whole thing becomes nothing but a farce... and a lack of precious time and money for the participants...

Another sore spot of the day was that, most of the delegates were in their early thirties or late twenties… and the resource person, a lady was also in her early thirties… There was just one respectable senior professor amongst us, who was the victim of haughty onslaughts of the resource person. She was making fun of him time and again for no fault of his, which he took in his stride magnanimously, much to the consternation of most of the delegates. The way the resource person conducted herself in this situation was in very bad taste...It kept us wondering on whether such workshops are worth attending, in the near future, cos a respectable professor’s reputation goes for a six, in the eyes of compatriots and colleagues, by a resource person.

Why is culture with a Capital 'C' for the Africans alone...? (III B.A English...)

The Africans are supposedly the only people who use the word Culture with an upper case "C"... Why is it so? Is it just for the heck of it, or is there a method in their 'madness'.?
Try to relate your thoughts with Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart.

Three Golden Rules for Literature Classes... Reason and Scope...

This semester, after much interactions with friends, like-minded colleagues, students, and class representatives, i hit upon three golden rules for the Literature classes, which has met with great success for the past four years in our General English classes.
Now, the three Golden Rules framed thus, are:

Golden Rule No.1. Always come to class in time. Late comers will on no account be entertained, so don’t try to convince the teacher by giving any kind of excuse.

Golden Rule No.2. Passport is essential for entry into class. Without your text book (passport), entry is denied.

Golden Rule No.3. If the concentration of one student gets distracted because of you, you are out. And once you are out, that implies that you are out for the whole of that particular semester.
The scope of these rules in Literature classes, as i see it, are meant to make the students enjoy the spirit of the class, preserving its good old ethos.

Still, i throw the forum open for discussion...

Monday - Holiday [Exam postponed]...:

Exams slated for Monday, 30 October have been postponed and the new dates are yet to be announced. Still, do confirm with the College Notice board/Exams Office Notice Board.

Regards, Rufus

Saturday's Exams Postponed...:

Exams scheduled for Saturday (28 October) have been rescheduled for 11th Forenoon and 13th Afternoon respectively.

Do check out the College Notice Board and Exams Office Notice Board for confirmation.

Regards, Rufus

Attention - I BSc Pbt/Zoo & II Tam/Phil Students...:

Dear Students, (I Pbt/zoo) & (II Phil/Tam)

Your Internal assessment marks have been displayed on the English Dept's Notice Board on Monday, OCT 9. Clarifications, if any, should be made on or before Friday, 13 OCT. On no account will any corrections be made after the due date.

So kindly check out your marks. With Regards and all best wishes for your upcoming exams, Rufus

Attention - I BSc Pbt/Zoo & II Tam/Phil Students...:

Dear Students, (I Pbt/zoo) & (II Phil/Tam)

Your Internal assessment marks have been displayed on the English Dept's Notice Board on Monday, OCT 9. Clarifications, if any, should be made on or before Friday, 13 OCT. On no account will any corrections be made after the due date.

So kindly check out your marks. With Regards and all best wishes for your upcoming exams, Rufus

Dear Students...:

Dear Dynamic Students (I PBT/Zoo)...:

Your first semester at MCC has come to an end, and in just over a month's time, you're going to make ur debut into the world of Sir.Winston Churchill, hope u get me...

I was planning to upload ur II & III C.A marks over the net last week itself, but then, you see, some 'outstanding' guys and gals are still 'submitting' their assignments... So wait for a day till i have my say... as regards your marks...

The competitions which have to be completed will soon be done. Another good news for you guys is that, your long delayed often expected notes (spoon feed) has come... its now on the Top Notchers' Page on our site...

This week i wont be available for chat as i have got another program on the cards. I'l keep u posted of news n views regularly..

So stay in touch. Regards n all best wishes for ur exams, Rufus

Call for Assignments - I Pb&Pbt / Zoology..:

Dear students, Your II C.A Test is partly an assignment.

Interview any senior from MCC (student or staff), and write it down neatly in Paper: A 4 Word limit: Minimum 1000 words

Page limit: Minimum Four pages

Last Date: Friday, September 8, 2006

"Interviewed by: Interviewee's Signature & Class:" should be entered clearly on the front page.

CYNOSURE...: The Preliminary Schedule...:

Group Competitions - CYNOSURE - I BSc Pb & Pbt / Zoology - :
Dear Students, The Preliminary Schedule of the Group Competitions to be held soon has been given in the Top Notcher's Page. The date and the venue will be decided in the next GD class on Monday, August 28, 2006
Regards, Rufus

Results of the First CA...:

Dear Students,

Results of the First C.A Test have been uploaded in the TOP NOTCHERS page on Tuesday, 08 - 08 - 2006. Clarifications, if any, should be made in person either in class or at the Dept. of English within ten days of the display of marks. Regards, Rufus

Welcoming the New Academic Year...:

Dear Students,

We are in the threshold of another academic year, and as students and teachers, let's look forward with renewed vigour and determination to rededicate ourselves to our educational endeavours.

Classes commence on Wednesday, 14 June, 2006. Wishing you all a rewarding and fruitful year ahead, regards, rufus

Welcoming the New Academic Year...:

Dear Students,

We are in the threshold of another academic year, and as students and teachers, let's look forward with renewed vigour and determination to rededicate ourselves to our educational endeavours.

Classes commence on Wednesday, 14 June, 2006. Wishing you all a rewarding and fruitful year ahead, regards, rufus

I BSc Zoology (Reg) - Internal Mark Statemnt - Nov-Apr 2006

No.	Name	C.A-1	C.A-2	C.A-3	Total	Avg
01.	Adline Jennefa Daniel	68	70	Ab	138	35
02.	Anitha, P	Ab	Ab	Ab	Ab	Ab
03.	Blessey, D	78	72	Ab	150	38
04.	Dhanalakshmi, A	50	64	Ab	114	29
05.	Divya, K	72	48	Ab	120	30
06.	Elizabeth Karen, M	76	72	Ab	148	37
07.	Esther, M	80	76	78	158	40
08.	Geetha, V	56	30	Ab	86	22
09.	Isaiarasi	Ab	Ab	Ab	Ab	Ab
09.	Kalaivani, N	Ab	72	56	128	32
10.	Priya, G	72	58	38	130	33
11.	Rekha, G	62	60	Ab	122	31
12.	Revathy, G	48	72	Ab	120	30
13.	Saranya, S	Ab	60	52	112	28
14.	Savithri, A	60	60	Ab	120	30
15.	Tamizh Ilakkiya, P	76	72	Ab	148	37
16.	Aadhavan, R.T	Ab	64	56	120	30
17.	Dhanasekaran, M	52	58	Ab	110	28
18.	Junior Chacko, V	56	68	Ab	124	31
19.	Madhanraj, K	Ab	68	60	128	32
20.	Naveen Prasad Yallasiri	60	60	Ab	120	30
21.	Sabasteen, S	58	58	Ab	116	29
22.	SHanmuga Sundaram, T	66	68	Ab	134	34
23.	SHanmuga Rajan, P	64	66	Ab	130	33
24.	Sheen, S	64	60	64	128	32
25.	Sri Gowthaman, S	62	76	56	138	35
26.	Thiyagarajan, K	Ab	66	Ab	066	17
28.	Gopi Krishanthan	Ab	Ab	Ab	Ab	Ab
29.	Gabriel Arulraj	60	48	Ab	108	27
30.	Preetha Mini Jose, H.M	60	34	Ab	94	24
31.	Irudhaya Mary, V	52	52	Ab	104	26
32.	Menaka Jennifer, S	66	26	50	116	29
33.	Bheulah Devakirubai, C	70	64	Ab	134	34