With this unusual series of discussions, the Center’s Teaching with Writing program offers University of Minnesota faculty members, TAs, and other instructors a venue for discussing controversial issues related to teaching with writing. Here we will focus on teasing out tangled and difficult teaching issues rather than providing strategies and solutions. To help frame discussions, we will send registrants one or two short articles in advance.

fall discussions

technology enhanced learning: is google making us stoopid? and other burning questions

Friday, October 10
9:00–10:30 am
12 Nicholson Hall (East Bank)

The first in the Engaging Controversies series, this discussion will bring us together to consider how the architectures of online technologies influence our learning and thinking. One or two short articles will be distributed to participants in advance to frame the conversation. Stout coffee provided.

owning ideas: intellectual property, propriety, and plagiarism

Friday, November 7
9:00–10:30 am
12 Nicholson Hall (East Bank)

The second in the Engaging Controversies series, this discussion will bring us together to consider the contested notions of intellectual property and their relationship to scholarship, publication, and teaching. One or two short articles will be distributed to participants in advance to frame the conversation. Stout coffee provided.

profitable education: corporatization of higher education & writing instruction

Friday, December 5
9:00–10:30 am
12 Nicholson Hall (East Bank)

The third in the Engaging Controversies series, this discussion will bring us together to consider the trends and culture of business in higher education and writing instruction in particular. One or two short articles will be distributed to participants in advance to frame the conversation. Stout coffee provided.