With social media and platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom being used more frequently during the coronavirus pandemic, a group of Keuka College staff and faculty members wondered how to keep the College’s Writing Program dynamic, interactive, and—yes—social.
“One of the driving factors of our Writing Program is the idea that writing is a social act,” says Dr. Steven Kapica, assistant professor of English. “Collaboration, both at the student and faculty level, is key to good writing, good thinking, and good writing instruction.”
So what is the best way to keep students engaged as the Writing Program adopts a hybrid teaching model this fall? Enter the new “KC Writing Program Lecture Series.”
The three-lecture series, which began last week, is aimed at students enrolled in ENG 100, 110, and 112, who will be required to attend at least two of the lectures, and encouraged to attend all three. Lectures are held twice each month during Wolf Pause (12:30-1:30 p.m.) in Hegeman Hall 109. Remaining lectures are scheduled for Oct. 13 and 15, and Nov. 17 and 19.
Students attending the lectures must wear a mask, comply with social distancing guidelines, and register and print out a free ticket. Each lecture will have its own link for tickets, with a maximum of 64 students.
Writing specialist and adjunct instructor of English Cathy Reed delivered last week’s installment, titled “Conversations in Writing.” She focused on how students engage in academic conversations through research and writing. As with all the lectures, Professor Reed’s presentation was recorded and will posted on the Writing Center’s blog page: https://kcwritinghub.weebly.com/
Born out of Dr. Kapica’s desire to showcase the Keuka College faculty’s strengths and the participatory nature of writing, the new lecture series allows students an opportunity to experience something that’s a bit more “normal” in a very abnormal semester.
“The lecture series also serves a practical purpose. I thought it would be worthwhile to create a few events that would allow us to get together safely but under carefully monitored conditions,” says Dr. Kapica. “It also retains the benefits and core principles of effective writing instruction.”
The Oct. 13 and 15 lectures will explore how “academic writing” is premised and uses basic narrative (storytelling) principles. November’s installment will focus on “Rhetorical Situations in the Wild.”
Dr. Kapica intends to continue the lecture series during the Spring 2021 semester with three all-new lectures.
Click here to learn more about Keuka College’s Writing Program.
