2015 Coursework
Language Theory
Spring 2015 // Dr. Michael Kleine
Work Samples
It would be difficult for me to choose a favorite course in the program, but if I had to, this might be it. I have always been interested in linguistics, and Dr. Kleine only increased that interest with engaging readings, assignments and class discussions.
One of my favorite aspects of this class was the weekly "Bringer of Data" assignment. Each week, a different student brought in some sort of interesting language tidbit for us to look at together and discuss. The topics varied widely and helped provide context for many of the concepts we were learning about in class. When it was my turn, I brought in Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 written in IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) that represented the how the lines would have been pronounced when they were performed in Elizabethan England. We read the sonnet together out loud, laughing at our accents and enjoying the writing.
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We also worked together in groups to create a lesson for our classmates, which we took turns presenting. My group, which included Sharon Bealer, Tara Seale, Randy Williams and myself, chose to teach about language and race in America. My research on the subject was really educational and introduced me to some writers who are important to me, such as Ta-
Nehisi Coates. I created a Prezi as my part of the lesson, and I have included it below.
For one of my two research papers for the class, I wrote about "standard English." This subject is close to my heart as a former English teacher and current writing teacher. I want to help my students communicate in a way that will let them be heard, but I also want them to value their own voices and speech traditions and not feel like they should abandon them to achieve some arbitrary language ideal. I read a lot of interesting ideas on this subject while researching and was able to hash out my own feelings about it in the paper. I am really proud of this work, and would like to revise it further and submit it for publication in the future.
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My last work sample from this class is an Introduction to Language Theory unit plan I created for a high school English classroom (ideally AP Language and Composition, but it can be scaffolded for any ability level). I realized that there is no language theory instruction happening at the high-school level, and a closer look at language could be extremely valuable to students who are developing as readers, writers, and people.
Teaching Language Responsibly: The Problem of "Standard English"
Unit Plan: Introduction to
Language Theory
Indexing
Summer 2015 // Dr. Karen Kuralt
I felt some trepidation going into Indexing. The concept seemed so interesting--reading texts to pick out the elements that readers will need to find, then organizing those elements into a comprehensive list. However, that was also the scary part. It seemed like it would be difficult to step outside of my own sense of what I am reading and anticipate how others will approach it. It wasn't easy, but I found that I actually enjoyed the process.
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One of the fun things about indexing is all of the different kinds of texts that you get to read. For class, I indexed texts about opals, the history of jazz, how to brew beer, dog training, black holes, and the future of transportation. Some professional indexers
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specialize in a certain topic, but most of them take on everything they can get, so they learn a lot. I put together a presentation about freelance professional indexing for an assignment that I will probably use for future reference. It is included below.
As my final project, I created an index for "The Future of Transportation," a publication by the Atlantic's "CityLab." It was a massive undertaking--while reading the 77-page publication, I took 38 pages of notes, which turned into a six-page, two-column index. It represents hours of reading, analysis, and organization, and I am proud of the finished product. I have also included a reflection I wrote after I finished the index.
Work Samples
"The Future of Transportation" Index
Transportation Index Reflection
Freelance Indexing Presentation
Writing for Business and Government
Summer 2015 // Dr. Huey Crisp
Writing for Business and Government was an enjoyable, practical class--Dr. Crisp provided useful assignments that allowed me to practice my rhetorical and editing skills (I revised a letter for "Jane," who was asking her boss for a raise, and answered an angry letter for a nursing home). We read about the RTAA formula for correspondence, which is an excellent framework for audience analysis for any type of writing, and I keep it in mind when writing emails and other communication at work.
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One reading that has stuck with me after the class is
“Understanding Failures in Organizational Discourse” by Herndl, Fennell, and Miller. The article examines how communication breakdowns at Three Mile Island and in the Challenger disaster reveal the importance of clarity and understanding in writing.
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For our final assignment, Dr. Crisp asked us to reflect on our learning and synthesize the various readings and assignments from the course. I have included my reflection below since it demonstrates the concepts I encountered and skills that I practiced in the course.