Each week, I think our discussions can’t get any better, but you keep proving me wrong. I really loved our conversations about Corder and Brent, and even if you didn’t agree with those authors, I hope you found some value in their alternative approaches to argumentation. As we move into the second half of the semester, I hope we’ll be able to keep raising the bar when it comes to reading and analyzing the assigned texts.

Due to a guest speaker coming to class next Tuesday, I had to make a few minor modifications to the syllabus. Here’s a quick overview of what we’ll be doing each day:

• On Tuesday (3/6), we will meet with Dr. Loewe’s class in RCC 231, so please do not come to our regular classroom. A guest instructor will lead our discussion on “Teaching about Writing, Righting Misconceptions: (Re)Envisioning ‘First-Year Composition’ as ‘Introduction to Writing Studies,’” by Douglas Downs and Elizabeth Wardle, which is available as a PDF file on the Readings page.
• On Thursday (3/8), I will introduce our new textbook and the guidelines for the final paper, which is connected to the new book. Jennifer and Katie will be our note takers on Thursday. Before you come to class, please read the “Introduction” to Digital Writing Research, by Heidi McKee and Dànielle Nicole DeVoss [DWR 1–24], and “Through the Eyes of Researchers, Rhetors, and Audiences,” by Kevin Eric DePew [DWR 49–69].

One final note about the wiki assignment: Yesterday I emailed each of you with some feedback about your proposal for the wiki. If you have not read that feedback yet, please do so this weekend, and if you’d like to discuss or modify your proposal at any point during this assignment, please let me know.