Re: turf problems

[ENGL-DMC@nich-nsunet.nich.edu]

On Thu, 1 Feb 1996 Prof. Carol writes:

>> >To Whom It May Concern:
>> >	All I can say is, you must have much more time in your job to 
>> >communicate on this email system than I do!  Is this a little 
>"in" group 
>> >that is spending much time corresponding with each other rather 
>than 
>> >proofing and editing your own messages?  What type of job do you 
>have?
>> >I would like one just like it. I teach two five-hour classes a 
>day and 
>> >tutor 17 hours a week in the Writing Lab.  I find your ideas 
>stimulating 
>> >but theoretical.  Are you research assistants?  Thanks!  Carol. 

A five hour class you say? Must be some sort of developmental 
program? So you teach 10 hours a week? I teach 12 (Nyah, nyah, 
nyah), plus 9 office hours and 3 hours a week as a _volunteer_ in 
the writing center. And I'm writing a dissertation. And serving on 
committees. And writing a newsletter for SCWCA. And all other kinds 
of bull crappy that I have to do every day. And between all that I 
find a few minutes every day (usually during office hours or in the 
half hour I have before my 7:30am class) to be with the "in" group 
(grope?). 8-) 

Interestingly enough most questions on the list begin with a 
"praxis" question and develop into theory as we consider different 
ways and reasons for handling the question. Maybe that's the nature 
of the beast. We all work in the "ivory tower" (although most are 
slugging it out at the clay foot of that tower [how's that for a 
mixed metaphor?]). The nature of academia is to have theory to 
support praxis, or to develop praxis from theory. Either way theory 
has become the soul of that beast. And that is our training. Social 
constructions in academia? (Hmm. Never thought about that connection 
before. Development of theory vital portion of the social 
construction of an academic climate? Anyone else thought of this 
before? Maybe I'm stating the obvious again.)

We know where you are Prof. Carol; we are there, too. Not enough 
time to think much less correspond on a list. Yet we make time. Why? 
I can only speak for myself: I need the comaraderie, the shoulders 
to cry on, the intellectual stimulation. I need this list for my 
sanity.

deany

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| DEANY M. CHERAMIE         | engl-dmc@nich-nsunet.nich.edu |
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