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last.updated 12.6.09

The Future of Composition Studies

Purpose

The field of composition, as well as those who teach its courses, face many questions, including what should I be teaching in this course (especially in light of the evolving nature of writing) and who owns writing? In today's discussion we will discuss some of the issue that you will want to think about as you contribute to composition studies as both a practitioner and scholar.

Before Class

• Read Hesse, "Who Own Writing?" NBCS [1247-1261]
• Read Durst "Writing at the Postsecondary Level" NBCS [1655-1689]
• Read Wardle "'Mutt Genres' and the Goal of FYC" [BB]
• Submit the Pedagogical Close-Up on Friday, December 11, 2009 to the instructor (kdepew@odu.edu) by the end of the day.

FreeWrite

Answer the following questions in "Week 15" thread of the Blackboard Discussion Board. You have the first ten minutes of class.

If you were a Director of Composition and given free reign to develop the direction of the program, what would you do and why?

Discussion: To the Future and Beyond

The discussion today will address the following questions:

• What questions or comments do you have about these articles?
• What does Hesse mean by "Who Owns Writing"? In your opinion, who should own writing and why?
• Durst identifies several trends in the field of composition studies. Based upon these trends and what you have seen, what direction do you see composition studies going? Is this academically profitable to the student?
• Wardle suggests a composition course that focuses on the topic of writing, rather than "mutt genres." How would students benefit from this? What would the course look like specifically?
• What practical, theoretical, administrative, or labor questions do you have about the field of composition studies?

Workshop: Pedagogical Close-Up

During the second half of the class, you will have the opportunity to