Katie and Annie at HJAM, May 2012

Are We There Yet?

One of my faculty friends told me that we are half way through the spummer term (that's the new noun for spring/summer semester). I find this hard to believe especially since it feels like
we just began the term. However, given the degrees of stress seen in my students, I guess
we must be half done with the term. To me, this part of the material we have to cover in
English 121 and 328 is my favorite portion. Reading about online issues (youtube, google etc.)
is so interesting and so current. This term I'm using a few new articles and shifting my focus
from a close look at language to a more comprehensive look at language in terms of identity
and authenticity. Of course, the unit on YouTube is my all-time favorite topic, and I hope
my students in both levels find the information engaging.

cooking lobsters

Lindsay and Katie

Off to a good start- Winter 2012

My classes are off and running and everyone seems like they are on board.  My grad class is probably the most intense as we have three time periods to cover (19th century, early 20th and current). Lots of reading and lots of discussion, but I think the class is ready and willing to delve into the texts and engage in discussion. My English 328 has 20 students, and we too have lots to cover. We're starting the first project which analyzes authorial style in expository prose. Students will be bringing in the texts they've chosen next week. That should be interesting, especially because the choices are so varied. Lastly my freshman (or freshers for the non-gendered noun) are busy formulating their first drafts which are due on Monday...yikes!