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WRITING THE FRAGMENTS: WILLIAM JAMES AND COMPOSITION IN AN AGE OF (DIS)CONNECTION

Overstreet, Matthew (2018) WRITING THE FRAGMENTS: WILLIAM JAMES AND COMPOSITION IN AN AGE OF (DIS)CONNECTION. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This dissertation seeks to reimagine writing instruction in light of Trump, Brexit, and “fake news.” I argue that neoliberal economic trends, along with the rise of digital media technology, have led to a general inability to engage productively with difference. Inspired by the work of American scientist and philosopher William James (1842-1910), I formulate a writing pedagogy to challenge this state of affairs. Drawing on biological principles, this pedagogy foregrounds the always limited, always interested nature of perception. It makes real the world’s innate plurality and moves students to account for this experience. The goal is to enhance students’ meaning making ability, allowing for more generous modes of thought and being. In the fall of 2016, I put a Jamesian writing pedagogy into practice in a first-year writing course at the University of Pittsburgh. I reference my experience in this course, and the student writing generated, throughout my discussion.

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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Overstreet, Matthewmwover@gmail.commwo4
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairBartholomae, Davidbarth@pitt.edu
Committee MemberGlazener, Nancyglazener@pitt.edu
Committee MemberKameen, Paulpkameen@pitt.edu
Committee MemberLyne, Johnjlyne@pitt.edu
Date: 28 June 2018
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 10 January 2018
Approval Date: 28 June 2018
Submission Date: 27 February 2018
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 169
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > English
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: writing, writing instruction, rhetoric and composition, writing pedagogy, pragmatism, critical pedagogy, William James, radical empiricism, pluralism, identity, ontology, metaphysics, social fragmentation
Date Deposited: 28 Jun 2018 18:41
Last Modified: 28 Jun 2018 18:41
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/33838

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