Release me from my bondage; I can't take the flogging of English Studies anymore!
Okay, I get it. I've made the connection. The Hopper and Byrnes chapters reflect 422 and 312. Hopper could even be used to explain the nationalism attitude addresses in my previous blog. I find them to kind of have a brief introduction to some of what I'm familiar with, and can't relate to the other stuff that bounces of my forehead. While I find linguistic study boring, I also see how it fits into the concept of what is English studies. I also find it interesting that the majority of the information emerged in the 90's, considering how the field really came to life in the 70's.
As I have struggled through the readings, many times I question how does this pertain to research; however, I starting to tie up loose strings this quarter and realize how everything is connected with the other classes I am currently enrolled in. I'm starting to see 609 more than a research class, but an introduction to the program as a whole. I never should have dropped the first time around.
Does the English Department take suggestion?
I liked 422, History of the English Language, because it showed how languages were related and transformed in terms of the Proto-Indo European family, but I think there are three other family groups for all the languages ever to exist. Would it be feasible to have a class, which addresses these other family groups.
As I've said, I'm not much for linguistics, but I do love history! Let the flogging continue!!!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Blog-pression
I sit here pounding my head trying to find the inspiration to write, but I find myself utterly depressed in cyberspace. I don't know why. Part of it maybe contributed to not knowing how I am excelling in this abstract world. Part maybe contributed to the infinite amounts of info lodged in my brain; pages of reading trying to escape its way to printed thought. The easiest path to take shall be to address a single chapters to prevent overload, even though it will cause me to prolong my existence in a cyber-world.
Sommer addresses the issue of language and culture identity, as it has played out through societal histories. The positive aspect of language is that it helps forms a sense national identity; i.e, French, German, English, etc. This national identity helps end fights within internal political and Territorial boundaries; however, it creates more of a problem outside these areas.
This can be seen in colonialism, where language difference becomes grounds to conquer other cultures. This view has also been seen in the Manifest Destiny policies of the American Government interactions with the Native Americans. Furthermore, this heightened sense of nationalism led to World War I.
Nationalism also led to the concept of viewing bilingualism as a negative skill. This turned around shortly after World War I; part of me believes this is the dawn of globalism, because America could no longer maintain an isolationist policy. Furthermore, as Sommer points out, people learned other languages as a method of survival; especially, during the chaos of World War II.
Ironically, there is a split in today's society. Bilingualism is viewed to be positive within the concept of a global economy; however, negative within the confines of the United States. I make this claim referencing hostilities in immigration issues, as well as laws trying to make English the only form of language used in public education.
It's late, and I think I've addressed everything for the third time (lost internet connection and had to retype); more post will come tomorrow as I finish the readings (or should I now say today). I'll try to contain my own personal commentary and stay closer to textual content in the future.
Sommer addresses the issue of language and culture identity, as it has played out through societal histories. The positive aspect of language is that it helps forms a sense national identity; i.e, French, German, English, etc. This national identity helps end fights within internal political and Territorial boundaries; however, it creates more of a problem outside these areas.
This can be seen in colonialism, where language difference becomes grounds to conquer other cultures. This view has also been seen in the Manifest Destiny policies of the American Government interactions with the Native Americans. Furthermore, this heightened sense of nationalism led to World War I.
Nationalism also led to the concept of viewing bilingualism as a negative skill. This turned around shortly after World War I; part of me believes this is the dawn of globalism, because America could no longer maintain an isolationist policy. Furthermore, as Sommer points out, people learned other languages as a method of survival; especially, during the chaos of World War II.
Ironically, there is a split in today's society. Bilingualism is viewed to be positive within the concept of a global economy; however, negative within the confines of the United States. I make this claim referencing hostilities in immigration issues, as well as laws trying to make English the only form of language used in public education.
It's late, and I think I've addressed everything for the third time (lost internet connection and had to retype); more post will come tomorrow as I finish the readings (or should I now say today). I'll try to contain my own personal commentary and stay closer to textual content in the future.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Library Politics
Mann discusses the advantages and disadvantages to the variety of ways books can be categorized and placed upon the shelf, or input into the library database. Interestingly enough, the decision on which to do could be seen as one of a political nature. I make this claim because such decisions could be made based upon simple economics, as it applies to cost. This can make research a challenging task as books maybe placed next to others with no reference to the same topic. Is this fair?
Libraries are for the public use, and usually provided at no cost (not considering tax dollars); so, when we discuss economic cost, which side do we direct the argument. One side could say that the library should be constructed to be customer friendly; after all the library is a public service institute. By just placing books on a shelf means the patron has to work harder to find the material they are seeking; hence, not economical to the individuals in society (time is considered to be a scarce resource in economic philosophy).
On the other hand, how much is the library indebted to their patrons? Sure tax dollars pay for libraries, but does that mean an institution which houses books is protected from budget cuts? In this light, the grounding argument is that the institution must cut cost to protect the institution for the public sake; hence, overlooking individual economic necessity. As a result books may have to be filed by the order they are received, instead of by topic.
Is there another option?
I think Mann overlooks a compromising element. Why can't the libraries continue to file books effectively, using the file by topic system, but cut library hours? This could be the answer of mediation, but Mann doesn't suggest it in chapter 3 if such approach has been looked into. After all, what percentage of the public uses these institution and would it really hurt them to only have access 3-4 days a week?
It will be good once the general election occurs; hopefully everything will become good again!
Libraries are for the public use, and usually provided at no cost (not considering tax dollars); so, when we discuss economic cost, which side do we direct the argument. One side could say that the library should be constructed to be customer friendly; after all the library is a public service institute. By just placing books on a shelf means the patron has to work harder to find the material they are seeking; hence, not economical to the individuals in society (time is considered to be a scarce resource in economic philosophy).
On the other hand, how much is the library indebted to their patrons? Sure tax dollars pay for libraries, but does that mean an institution which houses books is protected from budget cuts? In this light, the grounding argument is that the institution must cut cost to protect the institution for the public sake; hence, overlooking individual economic necessity. As a result books may have to be filed by the order they are received, instead of by topic.
Is there another option?
I think Mann overlooks a compromising element. Why can't the libraries continue to file books effectively, using the file by topic system, but cut library hours? This could be the answer of mediation, but Mann doesn't suggest it in chapter 3 if such approach has been looked into. After all, what percentage of the public uses these institution and would it really hurt them to only have access 3-4 days a week?
It will be good once the general election occurs; hopefully everything will become good again!
Monday, April 14, 2008
I need a vacation...
... And the quarter has just begun. I really hate the spring quarter, I think it comes to quickly and burns you out way to fast. Is summer here yet?
In reality, it is probably the minute busy work, which I find myself hammered with this quarter, and yes this blog falls into that category. It's not that I hate the blogging experience, I'm quite impartial to it, I just don't know what expectations are required of myself. Could someone explain Topoi to me in generic terms?
As I'm lost here in cyberspace I will generically give an outline of the readings at least what they meant to myself. Mann's chapter bored me, due to the fact that it reiterated that god forsaken library quiz. Jarrat proved to be a nice historical overview of the composition discipline; Bartholomae also gave a nice list of material and their proper places if I need a quick reference list for a research project; however, Bernstein was may favorite.
I've been in the grad program and have taken many classes, been introduced to many theories, but still wondered how in the hell do I go about instructing it. My 662 class is helping me to answer this question, but I also felt that Bernstein's poetics also shed light on the matter, because somehow I was able to draw the connection between theory and teaching. I especially like the material in regards to the purpose of rewriting.
If you have decided to visit me, I'm sorry that I'm a little quick and punchy. Hopefully I can get some system of organization, where I don't feel that I need to rush my way through cyberspace. Can anyone break down topoi for me?
In reality, it is probably the minute busy work, which I find myself hammered with this quarter, and yes this blog falls into that category. It's not that I hate the blogging experience, I'm quite impartial to it, I just don't know what expectations are required of myself. Could someone explain Topoi to me in generic terms?
As I'm lost here in cyberspace I will generically give an outline of the readings at least what they meant to myself. Mann's chapter bored me, due to the fact that it reiterated that god forsaken library quiz. Jarrat proved to be a nice historical overview of the composition discipline; Bartholomae also gave a nice list of material and their proper places if I need a quick reference list for a research project; however, Bernstein was may favorite.
I've been in the grad program and have taken many classes, been introduced to many theories, but still wondered how in the hell do I go about instructing it. My 662 class is helping me to answer this question, but I also felt that Bernstein's poetics also shed light on the matter, because somehow I was able to draw the connection between theory and teaching. I especially like the material in regards to the purpose of rewriting.
If you have decided to visit me, I'm sorry that I'm a little quick and punchy. Hopefully I can get some system of organization, where I don't feel that I need to rush my way through cyberspace. Can anyone break down topoi for me?
Monday, April 7, 2008
Silent Whispers
I sit here in my silent abode, listening to to the crunching of my Skor bar, or is it the sound of the grains of the hour glass; quiet thoughts attempting to surface in print, as to not be time forgot. I finally understand the internal struggle of that funny little yellow bear, as he sits on his special log attempting to search for that unfounded wisdom.
I myself am caught in such a struggle. What do I write? Do I address a chapter, or wait to suffer the pains of unknown conversation; to sound, or not sound, an intellectual amongst my peers? Oh, the conventional wisdom of Samuel Clemens, I shall progress to speak now; hopefully the piercing of emerging thought shall save me later.
Chapter one of Farris deals with "Theory, Research, Practice, Work." It sets out to claim that writing is a transformation of the world, which takes both reflection and action (11). However, this is sometimes overlooked due to the institutional practice pitting theory against the act of teaching (12). As a result of the research-teaching hierarchy, composition is continuously disrespected as a service course (15). In short, Ferry is suggesting that in order to better assist students to become better writers, this position of disrespect needs to change.
Oh, hello again. I didn't know I had visitors. Isn't embarrassing when you get caught talking to yourself?
I myself am caught in such a struggle. What do I write? Do I address a chapter, or wait to suffer the pains of unknown conversation; to sound, or not sound, an intellectual amongst my peers? Oh, the conventional wisdom of Samuel Clemens, I shall progress to speak now; hopefully the piercing of emerging thought shall save me later.
Chapter one of Farris deals with "Theory, Research, Practice, Work." It sets out to claim that writing is a transformation of the world, which takes both reflection and action (11). However, this is sometimes overlooked due to the institutional practice pitting theory against the act of teaching (12). As a result of the research-teaching hierarchy, composition is continuously disrespected as a service course (15). In short, Ferry is suggesting that in order to better assist students to become better writers, this position of disrespect needs to change.
Oh, hello again. I didn't know I had visitors. Isn't embarrassing when you get caught talking to yourself?
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Introduction
Hello,
My name is Jason Frederickson. Please, sit back and make yourself at home, while I share a little about myself...
Beside being a graduate student at California State University, San Bernardino, I am also a substitute teacher. Currently, I teach in the High Desert, as well as San Bernardino. The grad program has had highs and lows, due to issues outside of school, and while I am approaching my second year in the program, I have just passed the half-way mark. However, I try to keep an optimistic outlook on life and just keep plugging away. Eventually, I am hoping to teach at the Junior College level, and I am not really certain at this time if I will continue my education beyond the Masters level. At one time I would have gave a definite 'no way in hell' answer to the notion, but lately I have juggled the idea around of getting a Doctrine in Educational Leadership; specifically focusing on the Community College level. This thought was conceived because I have noticed a difference between the two and four year institution approach to writing; henceforth, in order to fix the issue, we need more compositionist in the higher echelons of decision makers. Pardon me, I have rambled into the future and will now digress back to the present.
In the present I am interested in the way language affects the world we live in. I am currently interested in the arena of law, language, and society, in which I have just recently completed a course. I find it intriguing that the arguments that we hear on everyday issues, are very different underneath the surface when one does a discursive analysis and deconstructs an argument. For example, when society talks about same-sex marriage, many times religion and ethics are thrown around; however, if we go beneath the problem, we find that governments oppose the idea due to the granting of benefits. Religion and ethic are just a patsy, which sidetracks society from the real issue. It makes sense, especially when marriage has moved away from the church and into courthouses; not to mention the Vegas drive-through chapel. If I have stepped on any toes, or offended anyone, please forgive my rhetorical clumsiness.
I am so glad that you have taken the time to stop by and visit. Please feel free to drop in anytime.
My name is Jason Frederickson. Please, sit back and make yourself at home, while I share a little about myself...
Beside being a graduate student at California State University, San Bernardino, I am also a substitute teacher. Currently, I teach in the High Desert, as well as San Bernardino. The grad program has had highs and lows, due to issues outside of school, and while I am approaching my second year in the program, I have just passed the half-way mark. However, I try to keep an optimistic outlook on life and just keep plugging away. Eventually, I am hoping to teach at the Junior College level, and I am not really certain at this time if I will continue my education beyond the Masters level. At one time I would have gave a definite 'no way in hell' answer to the notion, but lately I have juggled the idea around of getting a Doctrine in Educational Leadership; specifically focusing on the Community College level. This thought was conceived because I have noticed a difference between the two and four year institution approach to writing; henceforth, in order to fix the issue, we need more compositionist in the higher echelons of decision makers. Pardon me, I have rambled into the future and will now digress back to the present.
In the present I am interested in the way language affects the world we live in. I am currently interested in the arena of law, language, and society, in which I have just recently completed a course. I find it intriguing that the arguments that we hear on everyday issues, are very different underneath the surface when one does a discursive analysis and deconstructs an argument. For example, when society talks about same-sex marriage, many times religion and ethics are thrown around; however, if we go beneath the problem, we find that governments oppose the idea due to the granting of benefits. Religion and ethic are just a patsy, which sidetracks society from the real issue. It makes sense, especially when marriage has moved away from the church and into courthouses; not to mention the Vegas drive-through chapel. If I have stepped on any toes, or offended anyone, please forgive my rhetorical clumsiness.
I am so glad that you have taken the time to stop by and visit. Please feel free to drop in anytime.
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