"Reading & Interpreting" is a seminar on the disciplinary practices in writing research. in this seminar, we will engage in two large categories of activity: first, we will use rhetorical tools (stasis theory, new rhetoric, and argument structure) to interogate the production of knowledge in the field; second, we will use our knowledge of disciplinary practices and knowledge production to begin our own research production. in more specific terms, we will use our various rhetorical tools to understand how individual scholarly works critique other work in the field, construct new knowledge, and contribute to theory.

Learning Objectives:

• students should be able to apply explicity the critical tools of stasis theory, new rhetoric, and argument structure to relevant disciplinary objects,
• students should be able to read critically and productively new scholarship in the field, understanding the construction of the research questions, key theoretical constructs, methodological assumptions, epistemological significance of that new scholarship,
• students should develop the ability to identify relevant issues, objects of study, and rhetorical moves necessary to contribute to the field.

Texts:

Nadeau, R. (1957). Hermogenes' On stases: A translation with an introduction and notes. Speech Monographs 31(4), 361-424. [on Vista]

Dieter, O. (1950). Stasis. Speech Monographs 28(4), 345-369. [on Vista]

Perelman, C. & Olbrechts-Tyteca, L. (1969). The new rhetoric: A treatise on argumentation. Notre Dame, IN: Notre Dame University Press.

Toulmin, S. (1958, 2003). The uses of argument. (Updated edition.) Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Bazerman, C. (2008). Handbook of Research on Writing: History, Society, School, Individual, Text. Philadelphia, PA: Lawrence Erlbaum.

APA. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psycological Association. [not ordered: buy online or pick up in bookstore.]

Other materials will be available on the course Vista site and through Kentlink and Ohiolink (current journal articles.)

Requirements:

The reading and writing for this seminar are listed on the seminar schedule. The submitted work will include the items listed below. All work should be submitted in APA format, so that this becomes second nature. 60% of the grade will be based on the bulk of your assignments, those submitted weekly (critical summaries and concept work), 10% each for the review essay, reflective critique, collaborative project, and final examination. All work will be submitted on WebCT Vista, with the exception of the final examination, which will extend across finals week, completed during the exam period, and submitted in class.

• critical summaries
• concept reports, analyses, presentations
• review essay
• reflective critique
• collaborative project
• final examination

Office & Hours:

Consultations will be by appointment this semester: make appointments with me during class, via email or through Dawn Lashua. We will be using WebCT Vista (vista.kent.edu) and I will hold regular online office hours on vista (tba in class). I also respond quickly to simple or substantive queries and requests for appointments via email: raymond.craig@kent.edu. phone messages may be left at 2-1741.