Me too. I like the idea of redefining the commonplaces so that "skill," for
instance, becomes the ability to conform to the stylistic conventions of
particular (disciplinary) communities. Likewise, the importance of those
members' participation in the apprenticeship of the novices can be agreed
with as can the idea that responsibilities for supporting writing are
shared responsibilities requiring varied types of institutional support.
Isn't this the way to initiate the outsiders: picking up on what can be
made to work if reframed and ignoring all the rest?
Katharine
At 05:23 PM 3/18/2008, you wrote:
>I think Theresa's take on this makes really good sense. The Good Dean
>isn't totally off the mark in some of his comments, as Theresa points out.
>And he's actually done us a service in giving us a platform to formulate
>and communication out own perspective.
>
>Graham
>
>
>>Just to get in my 4 cents (inflation), while I agree that the good Dean
>>oversimplifies the case, I really think he is inviting a discussion about
>>how to forefront good writing within the university curriculum. The fact
>>that he is willing to publish this process-oriented, collaborative
>>piece, shows that he wishes to promote this type of writing within/
>>across the curriculum. That's not a bad thing, is it? Sure his arguments
>>are simplistic, and ignore all the good research that has been done on
>>how best to teach good writing practices. But I don't think there is a
>>political maevin alive who wouldn't agree that the best way to get as
>>many people on side as possible is to state an issue in simple
>>terms. Find something that everyone can agree on, and you can begin to
>>build an accord on appropriate measures to take that will, in the end,
>>address the complexities of the problem. I think we need to figure out
>>who our friends are and pick our fights accordingly. That's not to say
>>that we shouldn't respond to him. I think his piece invites a full,
>>thoughtful, collective response ----- and it's about time the experts in
>>the field supplied that response. Therefore, kudos to Susan, Roger, Tosh,
>>et al for beginning that process! Theresa.
>>
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