1.23 Second first day of class

So we (finally) had class.  We talked through (kind of randomly) the syllabus and the calendar, and hopefully you have an overall picture of where the class is going, what is expected, and when.  While the calendar is obviously not "correct" (as of now we are one class behind it), it IS a good estimate of the overall sequence of our investigations and writing, and it can help you plan/estimate your time.

This blog is the place for the details of what we plan to do in class and what we actually did.  You should check it after every class.

What you will do this term:  We spent the rest of class talking about what you will be doing in this class: primary research.  You will be collecting and analyzing information/observations from the 'real world' as a way to figure something out about/contemplate some topic relevant to writing studies. While you will be required to read other research on your topic, your primary task is to collect data on your topic, analyze it, and produce writing where you describe what your data (and the relationships you describe within them) mean.

Chosing a topic:  Thanks for sharing your ideas as part of your introductions, and I am excited about the list of ideas for projects that you created.  As you can see from the calendar - we will be doing some more talking/brainstorming to come up with a focus for your research.  For now, try to keep an open mind.

Some features of topics which  might mark it as a good idea:

• a topic you are especially interested in (no matter what it is, there is a way to make it a "writing studies" project - trust me).
• a project which might allow you to explore a topic you have not yet been able to study/research in your course work - but which you are very interested in
• a topic which will help you understand/deepen your knowledge of an idea/group/ practice associated with your chose profession
• a topic which will let you write a research paper which you might include as a writing sample for future job applications 
• a topic you have "connections" for studying because of your interests, living situation, etc (one student researcher traced the evolution of a series of slang terms within a video gaming community)

Topics which are considered writing studies research

• pretty much anything about teaching, assessing, or producing writing/texts (in or out of school and using just about any kind of technology)
• analysis of the way language is used in talk and in "writing" to create and maintain identities, to create and maintain power
• analysis of language forms associated with particular groups, occasions (like introductions in college classes), identities, ideologies, relationships, and so on
• how changing technologies affect "writing" and social practices which surround writing
• lots of other things

Spend some time on this.  The more excited you are about your research topic - the easier/more engaging it should be to do the project.

For next class:
Read:  Browse through the links to the research papers on the left.  I don't expect you to read all these essays, just notice their focus and how they are written.  This overview will give you an idea of the kinds of projects other student researchers have done.

Blog 1:  Post some writing which will give me an idea of what you are interested in researching.  You do not need to have everything worked out.  The more information you give me about what you want to do, what resources you have for doing it, and so on = the more useful feedback I can provide.

If you are wondering how long the post has to be - it's in the syllabus.

Also. work on the NIH training.  Send me a link to the certificate, and bring in a copy (print) of the certificate.  It is listed on the syllabus as due next class, but I will give you until Thursday since we missed our real first class.

Good class today - and see you next week!