Good morning, everybody. Thank you so much for coming along to this little meeting. I know how very busy you all are at this point in the term, so I'll try not to take up too much of your valuable time.

What I wanted to have a word with you about was the length of some of our modules. When I became head of department last year, these were all one or two terms long -an arrangement that seemed to work rather well.

But recently I've been thinking it might make sense, and I put it no more strongly than that, to consider the possibility that, in certain circumstances, and again I put it no more strongly than that, it might just make sense to give some thought to the idea that we might also allow some of these modules to stretch to three terms.

Now, I wouldn't in any way want to suggest that this is a decision that could be taken straight away. We would need time to think about the impact of such a change. What I would like to do at this time, in the most general way, is to ask you for your opinions or, if not your opinions, at least your preliminary thoughts, about this matter.

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I am, of course, only too happy to have any comments whatsoever and only too pleased to remain here until such time as you all feel that the subject has received a proper airing. I have some of my own thoughts on the matter but I do not in any way want these to enjoy any precedence at all over your own views. What I'd really like is to get a sense of your feelings, an intimation of your views. Now, would anyone around the table like to start us off on this one? Yes, Mr Odgers.

All this stuff about extending the length of our modules.

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Yes, Mr Odgers.

Well, I just want to know one basic thing.

Please, Mr Odgers. Please.

I just want to know why we weren't consulted?


* Laurie Taylor will be signing copies of the University of Poppleton Calendar 2004 at Hatchards, 187 Piccadilly, London W1, between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday November 26. Readers who bring along a copy of The THES will receive a 15 per cent discount on all books in the store.

Alternatively, you can order the calendar at price ?10.00.