Podcasts
On Writing EVENTS
On Writing with Robert Scherrer
November 9, 2009
In addition to research into the dynamics of dark energy and the moderately early Universe, Dr. Scherrer is also a writer of science fiction. Having authored both a story about baseball in outer space and an introduction to quantum mechanics, Robert Scherrer knows the joys and challenges of writing in different genres.
On Writing with Amy Griffith
November 6 , 2008
Amy Griffith knows deadlines. She covers the public education beat for the Nashville City Paper and writes for NashvillePost.com. Before moving to Nashville, Amy worked as a business writer and editor for the News-Examiner in Connersville, IN. Join us as we ask Amy about writing under the gun.
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On Writing with Cecelia Tichi
September 18, 2008
William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of English Cecelia Tichi is well known in the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities for her diverse writing interests. Professor Tichi has published works on American literature, country music, television, and political activism. In her spare time, Professor Tichi writes mystery novels, including three set right here in Music City.
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On Writing with Catherine Wagner
February 15, 2008
Catherine Wagner is Assistant Professor of English at Miami University in Ohio. She is the author of two books of poems, Miss America and Macular Hole, and co-editor of Not for Mothers Only: Contemporary Poems on Child-Getting and Child-Rearing.
On Writing with Sally Adee
November 15, 2007
Sally Adee is a science writer who writes about such topics as geology, solid-state physics, nuclear energy, and defense technology. She earned her B.A. and M.A. from the Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins, where she also taught expository writing. Presently she freelances for publications like Geotimes and is on the editorial staff at IEEE Spectrum Magazine.
UNDERGRADUATE WRITING SYMPOSIUM
In the first annual Vanderbilt Undergraduate Writing Symposium, Vanderbilt students read and discussed successfully written course papers from across the disciplines. The event included remarks from Provost Richard McCarty and Dean of the commons Frank Wcislo. Below is a sampling of the events that occured at the symposium on March 22, 2009. To view papers submitted to the symposium please visit DiscoverArchive.
Opening remarks
Opening remarks for the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Writing Symposium featuring Provost Richard McCarty.
On Loss and Longing
Loss and longing are two classic literary themes. This panel will explore these themes through two poetry explications and an original work of short fiction. In her paper “The Labor of Lust,” Allena Berry argues that Wallace Steven’s Poem “Peter Quince at the Clavier” takes the counterintuitive perspective that rather than being erratic, lust is valuable and worth working for. Wenting Chen brings the issue of longing to life in a short story entitled, “The Undergraduates.” In her paper, “The Role of Voice in ‘Man and Echo’,” Hayley Karlan argues that W.B. Yeats’ poem “Man and Echo” employs an ironic dialogue between man and his echo to show that controlling one’s own voice can lead to internal conflict.
Social and Psychological Phenomena
In this panel we have three different papers that explore how individuals influence society, how society influences individuals, and how individuals influence each other. In her paper, “The Effect of Parental Attitudes and Alcohol Use on College Students’ Drinking,” Heather Benzmiller demonstrates how parents’ attitudes towards alcohol use affect their children’s behavior. In his Paper, “Generally on Edge: An Overview of Generalized Anxiety Disorder,” Dustin Lynn investigates Generalized Anxiety Disorder from its definition to its causes and impacts, and suggests some strategies to combat the disorder and minimize its negative effects. In her Paper, “All the Cool Kids are Doing It: The Effects of Group Involvement on Non-electoral Participation,” Aarika Patel suggests that one’s involvement in a group positively impacts one’s participation in non-electoral political processes.
Closing remarks
Closing remarks for the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Writing Symposium featuring Dean of the Commons Frank Wcislo. Also, a certificate presentation to participants.
WRITING AND DISCIPLINE
Vanderbilt's Writing Studio hosted a symposium on "Writing and Discipline" March 19 and 20, consisting of panel discussions and presentations by faculty and graduate students from across the university. Participants addressed issues of writing practice and pedagogy, the roles of discipline and creativity in writing, and the ways in which shifting conventions inform, shape, and re-shape our experiences as writers. Below is a sampling of the events that occurred at Writing and Disciple on March 19 and 20, 2009.
Writing with Feeling: Personal Reflection in Student Writing
This panel offers instructors' perspectives on personal writing as a course component - in the form of journal entries and personal narrative papers, and as part of otherwise analytical papers. Members of the English Department: Sarah Kersh, John Morrell, and Jane Wanninger. Panel Chair: Nicole Seymour, English Department & Women's and Gender Studies Program.
I-Search 2.0
We argue for reconceptualizing the research process and, specefically, the I-Search paper (Macrorie, 1988) so that students can take advantage of the possibilities for inquiry, publishing, and connectivity afforded by Web 2.0 technologies and culture. The presenters provide a theoretical foundation for rethinking research and also demonstrate specific strategies for teaching composition. Members of the Department of Teaching and Learning: Emily Bigelow, Nathan Phillips, Jasmine Ma, Blaine Smith, Bridget Dalton, Erin VanDeWater, Walt Colt, and Tara Alvey. Panel Chair: Kevin Leander, Department of Teaching and Learning.
Teaching and Evaluating Non-native Academic Writing
Writing in a non-native language poses obvious challenges for both writers and those who read their writing. And clearly there are many purposes for writing in academic contexts. The focuses of this two-fold presentation are 1) to shed light on specefic types of problems commonly encountered in academic writing by internationals and 2) to offer workable approaches to problems that arise and resources for readers (professors, teachers, teaching assistants, writing consultants, editors, etc.) Members of the English Language Center: Nancy Calonge and Michael Jumonville. PhD Candidate Rob Watson and Brad Teague. Panel Chair: Lee Martin, Assistant Director of the English Language Center.
Critical Writing about Mass Media: Bridging the Great Divide
The panelists discuss their distinct approach to writing about film, television, and other media not counted among the "high" cultural forms that academics are expected to address (the novel, poetry, drama, paiting, sculpture, etc.). Members of the English Department: Nafissa Thompson-Spires and Donika Ross. Member of the Department of Communication Studies & Film Studies: Assistant Professor Claire Sisco King. Panel Chair: Paul Young, Director of Film Studies, Associate Professor of English.