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On January 12, I lead a workshop through the KU Center for the Enhancement of Teaching called “Facing the Challenges of Writing Intensive Courses.” I proposed this workshop in response to the probable inclusion of WI courses across departments that will be ushered in with the upcoming reform of our general education program. What’s more, as director of the University Writing Center, I’m often approached by professors who want more strategies for working with student writers–and for tackling mountains of papers!
I was really excited to see over 20 faculty show up on a cold day of winter break to brainstorm and share ideas. The two hours flew by (at least from my perspective) as we discussed a range of strategies, from goal-oriented workshops to conferences to minimal marking (thanks, Richard Haswell!) I look forward to continuing the conversations I began with professors from History, Biology, Education, Sociology, Geography, Math….How great is it that they all care about writing? Cheers~Amy L-B
On January 29th, our little composition and rhetoric group will be having a full-day retreat. It will be our first official retreat and it couldn’t come at a better time.
With several new courses on the books, a program in the final stages of approval, and a load of ideas about where we go from here, it’s going to be good to be able to spend some sustained time hammering out our plans. I also thinks it’s a good time to formalize some of the principles that shape both our programmatic identity and our pedagogical practices. From my perspective, this is our chance to discuss what we want to be as a distinct intellectual and teaching community as well as how we want to be as a community.
So, here’s to a spectacular spring 2010 semester!
Speaking of MLA, I saw this article on Inside Higher Ed about a panel there and thought I’d pass the link on:
What direction for Rhet-Comp?
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/12/30/comp#Comments
Seems like a good read as we prepare our courses for next semester, plus there’s a very spirited discussion in the comments section that bears reading as well. T0 me, the article and discussion points to disciplinary struggles that have long characterized English Studies as a whole and will continue indefinitely because of current economic realities and constantly emerging writing technologies. I also thought it was interesting that when rhet/comp is “voiced” on a larger level, it’s generally not by a rhet/comp person. In fact, Jim Ridolfo, who was at the panel, takes issue with the reporter’s account, and begins a post by writing, “I must have attended a different session.” (And, of course, Jaschik’s article has a much wider academic reach than Ridolfo’s blog.)
http://rid.olfo.org/2009/12/response-to-what-direction-for-rhet-comp/
Anyway, some food for thought and maybe something to discuss next semester. Amy’s work ethic has inspired me, and I’m going to go fall asleep in my sauerkraut now 
Happy New Year!
Moe
Happy New Year from Comp/Rhet at KU!
This past December 28th and 29th, Linda Cullum, Kevin Mahoney and I traveled to the Modern Language Association’s annual conference (this time in Philadelphia) for a first round of interviews, meeting candidates for a position in multiethnic rhetorics. We hope the person who fills this position will add a new dimension to our developing concentration in Composition, Rhetoric, and Literacy Studies.
We met and chatted with a group of very bright, very impressive candidates. I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed the process, even if it left me so exhausted that I fell asleep while eating take-out Chinese food in my room on Monday evening!
I look forward to furthering the conversations we began at MLA. Here’s to a successful search for a new colleague!
~Amy L-B
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