Katharine Hunt PERSONAL DETAILS Full name: Katharine Elizabeth Hunt Age: 33 Current occupation: volunteer pre-school assistant Where you live: Bournemouth, Dorset, England Your program: Metaphysics Start date: so long ago I can't remember! 1. CHOOSING PATHWAYS How did you find out about us? was it by accident? were you searching for a philosophy course? It was from a tiny advert in one of the broadsheet newspapers. What alternatives were you considering at the time? What considerations were uppermost in your mind when you decided to apply to Pathways? I was looking for a way to maintain my interest in philosophy, having left University after a degree course in the subject. I was interested in studying an area of philosophy not covered by my University course. How do you feel about that decision now? I found the course interesting and challenging, I'm glad I had the chance to do it. 2. STUDY MATERIALS Did you take any of the six Pathways written programs? which one(s)? Metaphysics How did you find the Pathways study materials? were they too easy, too difficult or just about right? The written program was just the right level but I seem to remember being recommended a few rather difficult books! How do the Pathways materials rate in comparison with text books that you have seen or studied? They were more interesting and easier to read!! Do you feel that you made the right choice of program, or given the chance would you like to try a different Pathway? why? I was pleased to have the chance to study some Metaphysics as I didn't have the chance during my University course. I think the other Pathways courses were all things I'd covered to some extent at Uni. 3. PATHWAYS WEB SITE How useful have you found the information provided on the Pathways web pages? I've looked things up in the Ask a Philosopher archive occasionally. I think all the information a prospective student might need is there. How might the content or layout of the Pathways pages be improved? Actually I would find them more attractive if there was more colour and not so much blue and grey. In your view, does the Pathways web site convey an accurate impression of what it is like to study with Pathways? Hard for me to say — I did my course so long ago that things may have changed since then! 4. INTERACTION WITH YOUR MENTOR Who is/ was your Pathways mentor? Geoffrey Klempner Are you generally happy with the interaction and feedback that you have have received from your mentor? N/a as I studied so many years ago. How well, in your view, does the current system of providing mentor interaction work? how would you like to see it improved? How does the tuition you received compare with other philosophy courses you have taken, whether online or face-to-face? It was the one-to-one nature of the tuition that was the biggest difference compared to being taught at Uni. Being able to have a dialogue with the tutor. 5. INTERACTION WITH OTHER STUDENTS Have you ever participated in the Pathways online conferences? I tried it once. If you did participate, how would you rate the quality of the philosophical discussion? A few people seemed to dominate the discussion. It was difficult to keep up with the thread of discussion as I wasn't able to keep checking it all the time — I was in full-time work! If you did not participate, what kind of conference provision would tempt you to join the conference? Would you like to see further opportunities provided for Pathways students to engage in dialogue? do you have any ideas? I liked the idea of posting e-mail addresses on the contacts page for Philosophos members but I have never heard from anyone this way. 6. IMPACT OF STUDYING WITH PATHWAYS What effect, if any, has studying Philosophy with Pathways had on your life? If I hadn't got involved with answering Pathways questions I would never have got in touch with my friend Yevgenia. Have you been motivated to continue studying Philosophy after you complete your course? Never seemed to have much time/energy for studying after a day's work! But I did answer Ask a Philosopher questions for a while after I finished the course. Have you taken another Philosophy course? or do you plan to? What other benefits or consequences have you noticed from studying Philosophy with Pathways? 7. FUTURE PROJECTS Do you have any thoughts about future projects which we might undertake? I think it was a shame the Pathways t-shirt idea never got off the ground. Some students have expressed an interest in a conference where Pathways students could meet face-to-face. How do you feel about that idea? There are the usual problems with conferences: wherever you hold it, it will be difficult for lots of people to get there. Conferences cost a lot. And unless they're held at the weekend, working people can't attend them. Would you be prepared to travel to Sheffield to attend a Pathways conference? To be honest I'd be very unlikely to do that due to the distance/costs involved. Currently, there are two free Pathways e-journals, Philosophy Pathways and Philosophy for Business. What are your thoughts about a third journal dedicated to publishing the best examples of course work by Pathways students? It would be great for the students to have their work published online and read by lots of people. 8. CONTRIBUTING TO PATHWAYS Do you have any thoughts about possible articles for Philosophy Pathways or Philosophy for Business? Or have you already written a piece that you could send us? Have you have successfully completed the ISFP Associate or Fellowship Awards, or the first year of the University of London Diploma or BA in Philosophy? If so, would you like to join the panel of Ask a Philosopher? If you have successfully completed a BA degree in Philosophy, would you like to become a Pathways mentor? 9. GENERAL ASSESSMENT In the most general terms, how would you rate your experience with Pathways: Strongly positive? More positive than negative? About equal? More negative than positive? Strongly negative? Strongly positive How would you summarize the reasons for your assessment? The best thing about my work with Pathways has been the people it has put me in contact with. 10. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE YOUR COMMENTS Are you prepared to allow us to reproduce any of your comments above, under your name, on the Pathways web site? yes Or, is there something in particular you would be prepared to say for publication? **END OF QUESTIONNAIRE** Email info@philosophypathways.com if you would like to comment on this page.