The topic I am most interested in studying throughout this semester is probably queer theory. In Harry Denny’s iconic work “Queering the Writing Center”, Denny writes that, “Queer theory advances awareness of the presence of multiplicity of these binaries as means for constructing individual and collective existences as well as knowledge of the politics involved in navigating and subverting them” (41). This interests me immensely because as I so often find myself saying in this class particularly, I believe that gender is a social construct. Gender, of course, is a unique facet within the queer community, and navigating one’s gender so often goes hand in hand with navigating one’s sexuality. I haven’t given much thought as to what a research question would be regarding this topic, just because there is simply so much to explore within it, however, I believe I am mostly leaning towards gender binaries and identity within the writing center. The queer experience is so vastly different, both from the non-queer experience and from other people within different realms of the queer-experience. Queerness is one of the most unique and individual parts of oneself.
Hofstra prides itself on being a liberal school, (which I think isn’t entirely fair but that’s another story entirely) and often uses minorities such as queer-identifying individuals in their promotional content. However, is there anything the university is actually doing to ensure the safety and support of their queer students? Clubs like The Pride Network, The Queer and Trans People of Color Coalition, and The Gender Identity Alliance are all student-run organizations. I know Hofstra has a few different diversity boards across campus, but is there much else being done? The writing center, while part of Hofstra, should be different than the institution it exists within. The writing center should be a place of comfort and warmth for all types of students, queer ones included.
For theoretical research, I will of course by utilizing queer theory within the writing center at Hofstra specifically. For empirical research, I believe that would consist of perhaps interviewing a few queer students who have had experiences within the Hofstra writing center- both positive and negative- to see how their sessions made them feel. I believe empirical research could also include a survey questioning how one felt being greeted in the writing center, throughout the session, and once the session had been completed, focusing primarily on their queerness and the treatment/respect (or lack thereof) of their queer identity.
Rihn, Andrew J., Sloan, Jay D. “‘RAINBOWS IN THE PAST WERE GAY’: LGBTQIA IN THE WC.” Praxis: A Writing Center Journal. http://www.praxisuwc.com/rihn-sloan-102?rq=queer%20theory
Early on, Rihn and Sloan assert that “It is our view that an unconscious ideological bias toward heteronormativity has dominated writing center scholarship, unintentionally but effectively winnowing out sexual identity as a subject for sustained reflection and interrogation.” This is Rihn and Sloan’s main argument throughout the work, and crops up repeatedly in the 5 different sections they have outlined for the reader, each of which addresses a different facet of queer theory. In their first section, they discuss the inherent dissonance between queer and heteronormative readers, and site an example of how one piece of work can double in meaning depending on the identity of that reader, explaining how words such as “rainbow” and “gay” have come to grow multiple different meetings as time goes on and writing develops. The duo then goes on to give definitions to a few instances of “queer” vocabulary, writing, “We encourage readers to consider these definitions not as rigid or finite, but as contestable and fluid.” The article continues on, focusing on heteronormativity within the writing center, the need for inclusion, and why it’s extremely necessary to continually combat homophobia.
I am deeply interested in using this article as I continue my research because I think it is accessible for all different types of readers/tutors/tutees. I love the way that they break down each section of their work, and tie that right back into queer theory as a whole. Rihn and Sloan’s work focuses majorly on the lack of queer and non-heteronormative practices and writings within the scholarly world of the writing center and makes the claim that in order to properly reflect the writing center as a whole, we must, therefore, include all types of tutors and tutees regardless of how they identify. This work also includes an annotated bibliography at the end, citing many different sources with a host of different focuses and ideas. Many of which I will be able to use as my research continues. Rihn and Sloan break down queerness in a comfortable and accessible manner, which I can use to highlight the importance of queer representation within our own writing center.
Hopkins, Justin B. “Preferred Pronouns in Writing Center Reports.” Praxis: A Writing Center Journal, http://www.praxisuwc.com/hopkins-152?rq=gender binary.
Hopkins opens his work by showcasing the recent change the writing center at Franklin and Marshall college made when tutoring students which are, “a policy of asking students for their preferred pronouns at the beginning of each tutoring session, to use in the reports for our own records and—with the students’ permission—to send to their professors.” This piece focuses more narrowly on gender identity within the writing center, and how the writing center can become more inclusive and welcoming by employing steps to ensure the comfort of queer students. Hopkins introduces us to a survey he created and administered to the 336 students who attended a tutoring session in the Spring 2016 semester and then lays out his research and outlines how it will affect a change in the writing center at Franklin and Marshall College. The final section of the work focuses on the survey responses Hopkins received from students, and how Franklin and Marshall College is continuing to change their preferred pronouns policy as time goes on and as language develops.
While this piece is shorter than the others, I believe it will be incredibly useful in my own research. First off, this work is written by an undergraduate tutor in the midst of gender-identity conflict at a writing center. I think this is incredibly important because a student has a much different view on the writing center than a scholar or professional may. This is because a scholar is someone who dedicates most of their professional life to writing centers and writing center research, where a student may just be there as a part-time job to help pay the bills. This perspective is important to me, as the writing center at colleges is a space for students, and that should be reflected in all research and writing. This piece is also a perfect example of how a research question became an actual project and developed even further into a piece of scholarly work.
Pure Vibes. 