'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
May 27th 2012, 1:31 pm
#46
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Re: 'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
wow. Just as well I deleted my first post - some jokes are best left in my own head.
May 27th 2012, 1:34 pm
#47
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May 27th 2012, 2:36 pm
#49
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Re: 'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
You aren't the only one, I too think the topic is just a bit much for that age group. The question is one of those statements , cause frankly it comes across as an ambiguous statement about as much as a question, that leaves one just dumbfounded and not sure how to respond.
Last edited by Boomhauer; May 27th 2012 at 2:42 pm.
May 28th 2012, 5:18 am
#50
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Posts: 1,107
Re: 'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
It is a poor question because it is both potentially offensive and academically imprecise.
The offence is the obvious implication from the lazy wording that there may be some rational explanation and justification for the prejudice.
The lack of precision allows for speculation and any number of potentially "correct" answers which have no relevance to what the students are supposed to have learned. "Because they are stupid" is an example.
This could easily be addressed by rephrasing something like this:
What factors are believed to have caused prejudice against Jews to become widespread?
It took me a massive 20 seconds to think of phrasing that is both neutral and usefully directed. And this question was set by people who should understand how words can be so simply deployed to inculcate hate and that this subject, above all, requires properly reasoned discussion.
The offence is the obvious implication from the lazy wording that there may be some rational explanation and justification for the prejudice.
The lack of precision allows for speculation and any number of potentially "correct" answers which have no relevance to what the students are supposed to have learned. "Because they are stupid" is an example.
This could easily be addressed by rephrasing something like this:
What factors are believed to have caused prejudice against Jews to become widespread?
It took me a massive 20 seconds to think of phrasing that is both neutral and usefully directed. And this question was set by people who should understand how words can be so simply deployed to inculcate hate and that this subject, above all, requires properly reasoned discussion.
May 28th 2012, 5:22 am
#51
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Re: 'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
It is a poor question because it is both potentially offensive and academically imprecise.
The offence is the obvious implication from the lazy wording that there may be some rational explanation and justification for the prejudice.
The lack of precision allows for speculation and any number of potentially "correct" answers which have no relevance to what the students are supposed to have learned. "Because they are stupid" is an example.
This could easily be addressed by rephrasing something like this:
What factors are believed to have caused prejudice against Jews to become widespread?
It took me a massive 20 seconds to think of phrasing that is both neutral and usefully directed. And this question was set by people who should understand how words can be so simply deployed to inculcate hate and that this subject, above all, requires properly reasoned discussion.
The offence is the obvious implication from the lazy wording that there may be some rational explanation and justification for the prejudice.
The lack of precision allows for speculation and any number of potentially "correct" answers which have no relevance to what the students are supposed to have learned. "Because they are stupid" is an example.
This could easily be addressed by rephrasing something like this:
What factors are believed to have caused prejudice against Jews to become widespread?
It took me a massive 20 seconds to think of phrasing that is both neutral and usefully directed. And this question was set by people who should understand how words can be so simply deployed to inculcate hate and that this subject, above all, requires properly reasoned discussion.
That's what you just asked.
May 28th 2012, 6:05 am
#52
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,107
Re: 'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
No, it isn't.
What I asked could indeed be rephrased as you have, though it would still not be the same question. You also seem to be missing the essential point about this. That is: the very specific words and phrasing of the question matter greatly.
Almost anything can be given an offensive context if you seek to do that. The point is to pick an appropriate phrasing for a question, both to encourage a useful response and to avoid unhelpful misinterpretation. That is what has failed here.
This is an examination question which will have gone through several reviews and revisions before being issued. This one should not have got through.
What I asked could indeed be rephrased as you have, though it would still not be the same question. You also seem to be missing the essential point about this. That is: the very specific words and phrasing of the question matter greatly.
Almost anything can be given an offensive context if you seek to do that. The point is to pick an appropriate phrasing for a question, both to encourage a useful response and to avoid unhelpful misinterpretation. That is what has failed here.
This is an examination question which will have gone through several reviews and revisions before being issued. This one should not have got through.
May 28th 2012, 6:10 am
#53
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Posts: 0
Re: 'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
No, it isn't.
What I asked could indeed be rephrased as you have, though it would still not be the same question. You also seem to be missing the essential point about this. That is: the very specific words and phrasing of the question matter greatly.
Almost anything can be given an offensive context if you seek to do that. The point is to pick an appropriate phrasing for a question, both to encourage a useful response and to avoid unhelpful misinterpretation. That is what has failed here.
This is an examination question which will have gone through several reviews and revisions before being issued. This one should not have got through.
What I asked could indeed be rephrased as you have, though it would still not be the same question. You also seem to be missing the essential point about this. That is: the very specific words and phrasing of the question matter greatly.
Almost anything can be given an offensive context if you seek to do that. The point is to pick an appropriate phrasing for a question, both to encourage a useful response and to avoid unhelpful misinterpretation. That is what has failed here.
This is an examination question which will have gone through several reviews and revisions before being issued. This one should not have got through.
But alas, this was discussed in monumental length yesterday.
Agree with the last point, it would have saved offense if it hadn't been asked (even though I disagree with not asking questions that push boundaries).
May 28th 2012, 6:27 am
#54
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,107
Re: 'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
But I think that the question, however dressed, remains the same fundamentally.
But alas, this was discussed in monumental length yesterday.
Agree with the last point, it would have saved offense if it hadn't been asked (even though I disagree with not asking questions that push boundaries).
But alas, this was discussed in monumental length yesterday.
Agree with the last point, it would have saved offense if it hadn't been asked (even though I disagree with not asking questions that push boundaries).
I do think the topic should be covered but this was the wrong way to do it.
I agree with you about the need to push boundaries. It should be done in order to make people think about the subject and its wider implications. But it is precisely when pushing such boundaries that great care needs to be taken in exactly how the question is asked. I suspect there was an intention here to be provocative and that was just not appropriate in a public exam.
May 28th 2012, 6:47 am
#55
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Re: 'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
I have come late to the conversation but I did not see the point being made explicitly enough about the obligation to make a specific attempt to phrase such a sensitive question appropriately.
I do think the topic should be covered but this was the wrong way to do it.
I agree with you about the need to push boundaries. It should be done in order to make people think about the subject and its wider implications. But it is precisely when pushing such boundaries that great care needs to be taken in exactly how the question is asked. I suspect there was an intention here to be provocative and that was just not appropriate in a public exam.
I do think the topic should be covered but this was the wrong way to do it.
I agree with you about the need to push boundaries. It should be done in order to make people think about the subject and its wider implications. But it is precisely when pushing such boundaries that great care needs to be taken in exactly how the question is asked. I suspect there was an intention here to be provocative and that was just not appropriate in a public exam.
May 28th 2012, 7:02 am
#56
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Re: 'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
Meanwhile, my daughter was recently asked to discuss whether the reasons for Elizabeth 1st's quest for new lands was politically or personally motivated...and she is 8 yrs old and being schooled here. On that basis, I don't think a 15-16 yr old is too young to discuss anti-Semitism.
Last edited by mentalist; May 28th 2012 at 7:06 am.
May 28th 2012, 7:08 am
#57
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Re: 'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
Meanwhile, my daughter was recently asked to discuss whether the reasons for Elizabeth 1st's quest for new lands was politically or personally motivated...and she is 8 yrs old and being schooled here. On that basis, I don't think a 15-16 yr old is too young to discuss anti-Semitism.
Then you debated it with yourself and drew a conclusion.
Wasn't easy at 6 years old, but I managed it.
May 28th 2012, 7:18 am
#58
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Re: 'Why do some people hate Jews?' - GCSE question
May 28th 2012, 7:54 am
#60
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