Goals for Writ 1301, Fall 2007
Next fall, as those of you who know me know, I will be returning to teaching freshman composition...my "native" area of instruction, if you will.
As I begin to think ahead to next fall, I am starting to compile a list of goals that I have for this semester of teaching. (actually, who am I kidding, I've been theorizing this class since last october...anyway).
As I move through the summer, I am hoping to take these somewhat lofty/abstract goals and mould them into actual teaching and learning strategies I can use in the classroom. This is just the first step in that process.
Goals:
#1. Engage a critical awareness of "self" and "voice" in each student's writing as well as a critical awareness of how "self" and "voice" conflict with the demands of academic discourse.
#2. Explore the function of writing in the academic space in a critical manner.
#3. Employ various forms of writing that help teach academic conventions with out implying or perpetuating the myth that "academic writing" is the best way to write.
#4. Use drama, parody, satire, cultural criticism, multimodal composition, and collaborative work (on occasion) to help crack open "ivory walls."
#5. Provide a space for individuality as well as a collective social awareness.
#6. Create in-class dynamics and situations that point towards meaningful peer-peer interaction (i.e., students talking with students instead of students talking at students).
#7. Employ grades and grading as a means to incite discussion on meaning, value, and worth.
#8. Re-connect the mental with the body whenever possible in whatever way possible.
#9. Empower students by employing writing as a tool of social justice and personal liberation.
#10. Have as much fun as possible.