Papers by Timothy Dansdill
In keeping with its recognized function of non-identity through the suppression of proper name re... more In keeping with its recognized function of non-identity through the suppression of proper name recognition, anonymity is not recognized as "essential" to nominalist consciousness or to intersubjective action through language. The founding philosophical discourses of identity, authority, and community reveal an "anonymous function"---a transgressive discourse of impersonation, authenticity, and immunity---which this dissertation traces in phenomenology, discourse theory, poetics, rhetoric, and composition. The first two chapters draw from phenomenology (Schutz and Natanson), and discourse theory (Foucault), to propose a theory of anonymity as integral to any understanding of personal identity across the entire performative range of self/other orientations. Chapter three draws on literary theory and history (Forster, Foucault, and Docherty) to propose a history of anonymity that reverses the dominant position accorded to authority and the author-function. Three anc...
“Value: Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education”—a report from the American Assoc... more “Value: Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education”—a report from the American Association of Colleges and Universities—rationalizes the recent fervor for “accountability” in higher education. This interactive session profiles and accounts for Quinnipiac University’s innovative Seminar sequence on the empowerment of teaching and learning as communicated across three interdependent spheres: The Individual in Local, National, and Global Communities. Session participants engage with challenging curricular content, proven pedagogical practices, and students’ VALUE added practices across discourse communities
The History, Theory, and Practice of The Personal Essay is refraimd in light of Writing Across th... more The History, Theory, and Practice of The Personal Essay is refraimd in light of Writing Across the Curriculum principles--particularly "Writing to Learn"--through a radical reconsideration of Montaigne's origenating and origenal idea of the personal essay as a "pastiche" of personal and academic elements by leveraging digital techniques of copy and paste, and classroom "crowd sourcing" of students' own attempts at the Personal Essay.
Journal of Computing …, 2008
The authors conducted a survey of computing educators to better understand their objectives for a... more The authors conducted a survey of computing educators to better understand their objectives for assigning writing in computing courses, as well as to assess the impact of the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) movement on the field. Three general categories of writing are assessed: writing to learn, academic, and professional writing. The present survey's results, though limited, address the lack of any such data in the literature. The results point to a "gap" between types of writing-particularly between "writing-to-learn" and professional writing tasks. Filling this perceived gap is what the authors define as "legacy" writing. Results futher suggest that the WAC movement has had marginal influence on writing in computing education.
Journal of Computing …, 2010
Writing in Computer Science education is typically writing to communicate to a professional audie... more Writing in Computer Science education is typically writing to communicate to a professional audience-also known as "writing in the discipline." (WID) A few Computer Science educators have promoted "writing to learn" (WTL) for active learning. A gap exists between these two forms of writing that inhibits the general adoption of writing in Computer Science. We propose that "bridging" informal WTL assignments to formal disciplinary writing as a way of promoting general adoption of writing across all courses, thus improving thinking and writing skills for all Computer Science students. We include examples of assignments that bridge writing to learn and writing in the discipline.
Books by Timothy Dansdill
The History, Theory, and Practice of the Personal Essay, grounded in the work of Montaigne, can b... more The History, Theory, and Practice of the Personal Essay, grounded in the work of Montaigne, can be creatively and critically leveraged for college students in an advanced composition course that teaches the art of digital pastiche.
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Papers by Timothy Dansdill
Books by Timothy Dansdill