WK1 | August 19/21 | Welcome to the Discipline
Readings Due:
- Skorczewski, “From Playing the Role to Being Yourself: Becoming the Teacher in the Writing Classroom” (2005)
- Fish, “What Should Colleges Teach?” Part 1 (8/24/09), Part 2 (8/31/09), and Part 3 (9/7/09)
- I recommend reading the series on the NYT website via the links above (because of the numerous links within them), but for convenience, I copied the text of all three parts into one .pdf file.
- Bizzell, “Composition Studies Saves the World!” (2009)
- Though it’s not required, if you’re interested in the review Bizzell mentions early in the article — Lazere’s “Stanley Fish’s Tightrope Act” (a review of Fish’s Save the World on Your Own Time), it’s linked here.
As you read the articles above, think about the following questions (in the context of FYC at FAU and in general):
- In 2015, what is/are the purpose/s of the university? What should it be?
- What is/are the purpose/s of composition (particularly first-year composition [or FYC])? What should it be?
- What is at stake? Who are the stakeholders?
- What are the possibilities offered by universities/FYC? What are the limitations of universities/FYC?
Please bring the readings with you in either print or electronic/digital format (i.e., you may bring hard paper copies or .pdf copies on your laptop or tablet computer). Be prepared to discuss them in class, so highlight important passages, note questions, make annotations, etc. Also, there is no written response due this week, but be prepared to answer/discuss the bulleted “think about…” questions above. You may be called on give your thoughts, so jot down notes if you need to.
Assignments Due:
Please take the ENC 6700 Questionnaire.
In Class:
In class this week (W 8/19 or F 8/21, depending on your section):
- Distribute the ENC 6700 course syllabus; discuss expectations and requirements for attendance, engagement/participation, coursework, etc.
- Talk about course goals, the nature of “survey,” potential organizational schema, and necessary flexibility.
- Introduce the course website/course schedule, website-related post assignments, logging in, posting, editing, commenting, etc.
- Discuss Fish, Bizzell readings and responses to questions (“think about…” questions bulleted above).
- Identify lenses, contexts, and questions through which we will frame our discussions about the theories and practices (and praxis) of composition.