Fall 2008 Rhet/Comp Graduate Seminars
There are three Rhetoric/Composition seminars scheduled for the Fall 2008 semester:
ENG 7061 (Rhetorical Theory)
Rhetorical Theory
Wednesdays 3:00-6:00 PM
Professor Richard Marback
Since its discovery in ancient Greece rhetoric has been simultaneously praised as the medium of civic virtue and blamed for propagating individual vices. As a result the study of rhetoric historically has been a chronicle of attempts to account for the ambiguity of the influence we can exercise over others through our manipulaiton of symbols. In this seminar we will study contemporary efforts to account for rhetoric’s influence. Seminar participants will be introduced to the current disciplinary organization of the study of rhetoric in English departments, they will then learn the range of issues that constitute rhetorical theory. Participants will also learn how rhetoric is mobilized in popular media such as comics. Through this survery of the current cultural, institutional, and theoretical manifestation of rhetoric seminar participants will acquire a broad awareness of the field of rhetorical studies.
ENG 7065 (Writing Technologies)
Writing Machines: Rhetorical Technologies and New Media Ecologies
Thursdays 6:00-9:00 PM
Professor Jeff Pruchnic
Writing Machines is designed to introduce students to the increased focus within English Studies on the rhetorics, politics, and aesthetics of new media and information technologies. Topics covered will include the relationship between episteme and tekhne in the Western philosphical tradition, the impact of technology on contemporary critical and cultural theory, and, most generally, the kind of work on and with new media and its associated vectors that takes place within English Studies. Althought this is a Rhetoric/Composition courses, we will spend equal time engaging work within philosophy, film and television studies, economics, and literary studies. Out tenative list of texts includes works by Adam Banks, Jonathan Bellar, Richard Dienst, Deleuze, Derrida, Johndan Johnson-Eilola, Alexander Galloway, N. Katherine Hayles, Jeffrey T. Nealon, Bernard Stiegler, Stuart Selber, and Paulo Viron. Whenever possible, these authors will join us via tele- or videoconference for short periods during class meetings to personally field students’ questions and comments about their work. In addition to a research paper, course deliverables include weekly responses, brief presentations on works related to our readings, and the design of a professional web presence for use during the job research process (no previous web design experience required).
ENG 8007 (Seminar in Composition Studies)
Writing Peace: Literacy Studies and Contemplative Practices
Mondays, 6:00-9:00 PM
Professor Gwen Gorzelsky
This seminar will examine spirtual efforts to promote peace and justice by using literate practices (activities associated with reading and writing). We will briefly overview historical ad contemporary literacy scholarship to develop a basis for evaluating research on spiritual uses of literate practices, which will be our primary focus. I’ll present a case study of one Zen teacher’s contemplative practices by analyzing key texts, outlining several approaches to researching these practices, and discussing their theoretical implications for literacy studies. Major assignments will include: discussion leadership with a partner; a project proposal and two individual conferences with me; and a final essay that undertakes one of the following projects: developing a theoretical position in response to questions, issues, and/or debates raised in seminar; developing a historical case study of spiritual uses of literate practices; developing a qualitative case study of spiritual uses of literate practices; or pursuing a project developed in consultation with me.
As usual, the pedagogical practicum for new Graduate Teaching Assistants will also be offered this Fall:
ENG 6001 (Graduate Teaching Practicum)
The Pedagogical Toolbox
Wednesdays, 3:00-6:00 PM
Professor Jeff Pruchnic
The pedagogical practicum is designed to build skills in teaching English Studies at a university level generally and teaching Wayne State’s English 1020 course specifically. By reading pedagogical scholarship, familiarizing themselves with the challenges and controversies of the profession, and composing lesson plans and teaching strategies throughout the semester, students will engage both the theoretical and practical vectors of teaching first-year composition. Most classes will be devoted to discussion of class readings and of lesson plans for Eng 1020. There is no research paper required for the course; graded deliverables include weekly responses to readings and other prompts, lesson plan designs and teaching demonstrations, assignments involving the use of technological resources for teaching, and the drafting of a teaching portfolio for use as a job application resource.