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last.updated 9.27.11

Scottish Common Sense Realists II

Purpose

As we have established last week the influence of the Scottish Common Sense Realists permeates writing studies pedagogy. In many ways current pedagogies are informed by, responding to, or compromised with the Realist's rhetoric. In addition to talking about the Realist's philosophy on Belle Lettres, you will have an opportunity to explore how their rhetoric influences specific contexts of writing studies.

Before Class

• Read Blair pp. 23-47, 66-87 [Rhet]
• Read Johnson "The Arts of Composition and Belle Lettres" [BB]
• Submit Blog Entry #2 on Blogger by the beginning of class

Activity

Using the assigned Google Document space, work with your group to develop a statement about your assigned context and how the current practices in the assigned context would converse with the Scottish Common Sense Realists. Reference specific passages to talk about how they influence the work in this contexts, how the work in these contexts is currently pushing against the influence of these rhetorics, and any other connections that you find relevant.

Discussion: Scottish Common Sense Realists: Blair

• How questions, comments and/or concerns do you have about the readings for this week?
• What are the main principles of Blair's rhetorics? Where do you see him agreeing with Whately and Campbell? Where do you see him disagreeing?
• Johnson, unlike Crowley and Horner, provides a very objective history with very little commentary on what she relate. What do you see as the value of these different approaches to the histories? How might the approach influence how you use these type of texts to inform your writing pedagogy practices?