syllabus
google.drive
resources

last.updated
9.18.16

Threshold Concepts

Purpose

The field of writing has placed a strong emphasis on issues of transfer and threshold. "Transfer" refers to the the students ability to apply their current knowledge to the work done in the writing course as well being able to apply what they learn in the writing classroom to other writing contexts. Current scholars believe that threshold concepts provide a framework because they give writing programs and/or individual instructors foundations upon which to build their curricula. In today's class we will examine what threshold concepts are, engage with some of the concepts writing studies scholars are advocating for and their curricular implications, and give you an opportunity to develop your own threshold concept.

Before Class

• Read Estrem "Threshold Concepts and Student Learning Outcomes" [Google]
• Read Dryer "Writing Is Not Natural" [Google]
• Read Villanueva "Writing Provides a Representation of Ideologies and Identities" [Google]
• Read Matsuda "Writing Involves the Negotiation of Language Difference" [Google]
• Read Adler-Kassner et al. "The Value of Troublesome Knowledge"
  
• Submit Blog Entry #2 on Blogger by the beginning of class

Discussion: Composition's History

We will work together to understand the assigned readings by addressing the following questions:

• What questions, comments, or concerns do you have about the assigned readings?
• How are threshold concepts defined? What is troublesome knowledge?
• What do the case studies from Boise State and UCSB suggest about the implications of threshold concepts and the teaching of writing?
• The example threshold concept essays that you were assigned cover different features of the writing classroom, such as the language, the writer, and the contexts in which students write. What other features of the writing classroom should be covered.

Activity: Creating Your Own Thresholds

In this two part activity, you will start off by working with the peers in the groups assigned below. As a team you will create a list of threshold concepts that you think will be important for the writing classroom that you (will) teach (or the program that you administrate). Try to create a list of as many concepts as you can 10 minutes.

For the second part of the activity, you will choose a threshold concept from your group's list and in an individual writing space, you will compose an essay about this concept. In this essay, you will

• define the threshold concept
• describe what activities and assignments that you would use to teach this concept
• explain what troublesome knowledge students will experience learning this threshold concept
• describe how the curriculum you will design anticipate students' response to this threshold concept.

You will have twenty minutes to compose this essay. Be prepared to share what you have written with the class. Also make sure that you can access this essay later in the semester in case you want to build upon it for the Threshold Concept Post.