Proposal for Independent Study – Summer 2012

ENGL499: Independent Study: Composition as Craft (Honors Thesis) 1. Rationale for the Independent Study

This independent study focuses on an exploration of craft and craft criticism as influences on composition and writing processes. It will employ both a disciplinary perspective (what role does craft play in English studies?) as well as cross-disciplinary research on the definitions and application of craft in other fields, particularly art. The study will also focus on how this research can be used by students as they write in academic genres, as well as how it might be used in pedagogical application. This study will serve as the basis for an honors thesis.

2. Objectives for the Independent Study

● To study the intersection of craft and composition, including a brief history of both concepts and how they are situated in the academy.

● To identify working definitions of craft and craft criticism and apply them to the writing process.

● To research theories and scholarship on craft methods for both students and instructors to use.

● To write a thesis on craft and composition that effectively portrays these concepts as interdependent.

3. Readings/Texts/Other Materials

● Towards a Composition Made Whole. Jody Shipka. U. of Pittsburgh Press, 2011.● (Re)Writing Craft. Tim Mayers. U. of Pittsburgh Press, 2005.● Selected scholarly articles from NCTE, College Composition and Communication,

and other available databases. Authors include Robert Johnson, Douglas Hesse, Kip Strasma, and Jody Shipka.

4. Nature of the Study

This study will involve reading, writing, and conversation with the professor on a regular basis throughout the semester. I will also be reaching out to other English department faculty, as well as a former instructor of mine from Henry Ford Community College. I will make contact with both creative writing students as well as fine arts students, and an alumnus of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit who will help develop the conceptual definition of craft as it is separate from “fine arts.” We will work through various theories concerning craft criticism and its presence in composition scholarship, and discuss how these ideas might be used in the academic writing process. Finally, I will put the research together to create a thesis of my own on the subject.

5. Topical Outline

A. What are the definitions of craft, outlined by Tim Mayers and other scholars in the field? What does it look like? How is it related to the idea of fine arts, and how is craft incorporated into the classroom?B. What are the current theories surrounding the use of craft criticism? What is the role of craft criticism in the history of composition?

Proposal for Independent Study – Summer 2012

C. How might this research be useful for students learning to write in academic genres?

6. Role of Professor

The professor will guide me through established theories, and we will discuss readings and current practices, as well as the history of composition and how craft is situated there. He will then oversee the writing of my thesis and provide support and consultation during this process.

7. Frequency of meetings with professor One hour, weekly throughout the Summer 2012 term.

8. Papers Written/Other forms of evaluation

A 30-45 page honors thesis. 9. Proposed Bibliography

See #3 above.