So crank it up, blast my ears Townsend style, and enjoy the “Vitanza silence” (to quote Jeff Rice ). Actually, it’s Jeff’s post that get’s me rambling insensibly here. He’s writing about quantitative vs. qualitative research in rhet/comp, spurred by a recent post in the WPA listserv. I want to add to the (un)consciencious objectors […]
My department is mired in deliberations about how to replace two retiring literature faculty. With growing programs in professional writing and teacher education, the numbers indicate the need for faculty in these areas. However, there is concern from some about what this implies regarding the future of our department. It’s a worthwhile concern, and anyone […]
If you are thinking about new media and first-year composition programs, my advice is don’t waste your time. OK, some well-endowed universities might have new media composition. When I was at Georgia Tech, there was a pilot program in writing in electronic environments. But only a pilot program, a curiosity. At smaller colleges, such as […]
It seems like I was writing about this not long ago, but I find myself back at it once again, inspired in part by CeeJ on the TechRhet listserv, as well as by local events on my campus. To start with the latter: it would appear that our dean is unhappy with the small class […]
I have initiated a new blog; this one will be group-authored and include my colleagues at SUNY-Cortland, David Franke and Vicki Boynton. Professional Writing will discuss issues general and specific related to the formation of a professional writing program. The three of us have been at it for a few years now. There is surprisingly […]
Vaughn’s proposal for revising the CPN program strikes me as an excellent starting point for this conversation. I particularly like the idea of major-oriented CPN 101 (provided, of course, that we have instructors interested in teaching in these various areas). I see other thematically-oriented possibilities as well addressing various aspects of popular culture. As we […]
Continuing with my post from last night and thinking specifically about the issue of plagiarism that currently preoccupies the composition faculty at my college and many others. I see three relevant issues that must be explored: 1. The ethics of plagiarism. 2. Plagiarism in the context of technology, copyright, and intellectual property. 3. Pedagogical contexts.
Despite the fact that “composition” is obviously an integral part of my purported discipline, many of my colleagues, including myself, have devised various means to avoid this quagmire. Why? At Cortland, which is certainly not unusual in this regard, composition is delivered primarily by absurdly underpaid adjuncts. While these folks are generally hard-working, committed, intelligent […]
