Motto & vignette
Not to follow in the footsteps of the masters, but to seek what they sought (Basho)*
In my opinion the real writer should disobey the rules and formulate their own style, coz originality is valuable and pretty important. However, in most cases, if we try to smash the model or the writing skills, we may got a undesirable mark. So, what should I do? (Student’s voice)**
* This is a motto that led Gregory Ulmer in developing and refining his idea of mystory based on the concept of electracy. It resonates with what Paulo Freire advised as to the challenge to adapt and reinvent his idea of critical pedagogy: "In order to follow me it is essential not to follow me!" (Freire & Faundez, 1989:30 in Shor, 1993). Since these two educators have had a predominant influence on this course design assignment, I have decided to open it with the quote from Basho.
** This quote comes from a longer email response in which the student complained about the tension she felt about writing academically and creatively:
I am interested in reading literature books both in Chinese and other foreign countries, and I appreciate the writer who possess their own writing genre rather than monotonous style. Therefore, I have attempted to make use some innovational perspectives and latitude form to present my opinions and emotions. Unfortunately, I got a not too well mark in writing. Someone told me:"You must be a foolish guy, writing should follow some certain rules and regulations, just like the traffic rules and regulations that a pedestrian is not allowed to jaywalk a road."Yes, i know that the examiner appreciate the essay or paper which has the normal form ,namely, the introduction, then the main body, and the conclusion. But why? aha, there is always a but. I am confused about why could not we break these disagreeable conventions and express our inner opinions while make the essay more active and vivid? Maybe these ideas or writing styles let the old professors bend their brows, but in my opinion the real writer should disobey the rules and formulate their own style, coz originality is valuable and pretty important. However, in most cases, if we try to smash the model or the writing skills, we may got a undesirable mark. So, what should I do?
I have decided to use it as a vignette to illustrate the conflict that arises at the boundaries between cultures (ethnic, academic and popular, digital) which this course is aiming to embrace as a generative space.
Read more about the rationale: context, inspiration and themes, course design and lastly constraints.