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last.updated 11.1.11

Postmodern Rhetorics

Purpose

Modernism and Postmodernism, as schools of thought, justify different approaches to the teaching of writing. Thus far, we have mostly focused on modernistic notions of language and writing; for the rest of the semester, we will explore postmodern notions. To begin this turn, we will examine the differences between the schools of thought and how they affect the teaching of writing.

Before Class

• Read Lyotard The Postmodern Condition
• Read Faigley, "Introduction" [BB]
• Read Rickert, "'Hands Up, You're Free'" [JAC, 21.2]
• Note  Tuesday, November 8, 2011 is the last day to drop classes

Video – What is Postmodernism?

Freewrite – Applying Postmodernism

First, in your own words, explain what postmodernism is. Then go into Lyotard's rhetoric and pull out a quote from each rhetorician that you see modern composition instructors applying in their classrooms. Reference the quote and explain the connection.

Discussion – Making the Writing Classroom Postmodern

• What questions, comments and/or concerns do you have about the readings for this week?
• How might you update Faigley's introduction to reflect the social outlook, the writing philosophies and the writing technologies of our current time? How does this speak to Rickert's argument?
• What opportunties does postmodernism offer to writing studies? What limitations does it place on what we can do in the writing classroom?