English Artifact

I'm sorry that I'm absent! I caught a nasty virus from my little girl. I know that this won't quite look right in Blogger--I hope that its okay! KT


Kathaleen White (Katie) February 20, 2009
English 102-0048 (PoWeR) Artifact of English Educators
Inst: Melissa Keith

The clinging, sneezy, dust of chalk hangs heavily in the air of my high school English classes. Chalk, dry erase markers, and what not are artifacts of the profession. They are in no way unique to English departments. The past few weeks have opened my eyes to many twists and turns down teaching English.
Every university requires that its English staff is published. What shocked me was the pressure on our instructors. Some universities/colleges require less publication and burden the professors with more classes. In short, the amount of writing is directly proportioned to the amount of time in a classroom. Boise State has a policy that appears quite algebraic; "teaching: 6 + x; scholarship: 2 +...” (Chronicle of Higher Education) Broken down it means that every tenured professor teaches 6 classes per week. Then they are required to be published X (what is required for the year).
There are benefits and draw backs to policies such as these for everyone involved. Students are able to read their instructors’ writing. It can be helpful for students to understand the basic, “how and why,” of writing. These are phenomenal models for students. It also helps professors keep in touch with their art. Since professors are still honing their craft; they don’t lose touch with what they are asking of their students. The drawback is that many students don’t know that their teacher is published or how to find a copy. It seems a terrible waste of resources to me. It’s also important to weigh the burden of publication. Very few writings are deemed worthy of a publisher’s stamp. Literally thousands of aspiring writers send manuscripts, essays, poems into editors. A handful will actually be read thoroughly. Out of that handful, two will eventually land on book stands. That is a heavy burden, it’s not any wonder that some instructors are so critical of students’ writing. Perhaps its jealousy. More likely, they understand what it will take their students to be published. They are attempting to push them into submission ready work. They are doing their job without students’ understanding the why.
The artifact that is of utmost importance then—the faculty’s published works. Digging through the English Department’s site you will be able to find a few of the publications that are put out. It is fascinating the breadth and scope the department reaches. They don’t just publish stuffy, technical texts. They are poets, playwrights, critics, and so much more!
In 1971, the Boise State faculty began publishing; “The Western Writer’s Series.” They are booklets that high light a particular artist of the previously mentioned genre. They give readers insight to the life and skill of the writer. (June, A) They are written for every day readers and scholars alike. They provide knowledge and insight to an author that you may not have had before. The majority of them also have a critical essay by the professor writing the booklet.
There are many venues that the English department has written for and in. This is one of the many samples of their talent. It is true that English educators teach English. What is even more significant is that they are lifelong learners and strive for excellence throughout their careers.

Works Cited

Boise State University. The Western Writers Series. About Us Tab.
<http://westernwriters.boisestate.edu/>

June, Audrey Williams. “Teaching, Research, and Service by the Numbers at Boise State.” The Chronicle of Higher Education. 2009
<http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i45/45b02401.htm>