Jacques’ Work Highlighted by APSA
The American Political Science Association is highlighting the work of UCF Political Science professor Peter Jacques, Ph.D. His paper titled “Dialectics and the Megamachine: A Critique of Ersatz Education” analyzes the learning environment of students and considers the effects of online ersatz education on human relations and dialectical reasoning. He acknowledges the benefits an online education may provide, but stresses the importance of face-to-face education. Without human interaction and real-time conversations, the ability to cultivate dialectical communication and challenge students’ critical thinking is limited. Jacques’ critique emphasizes the importance of the learning environment and underscores the significant cost to human relationships that an online education may have on students.