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Examines the relationship between theoretical and practical knowledge, within the academy in general and composition studies in particular.
In this thought-provoking and gracefully written new book, Sidney Dobrin examines current debates over the relative value of theoretical and practical knowledges, both in the academy in general and in the discipline of rhetoric and composition. He explores arguments about whether theorizing is an appropriate mode of scholarly inquiry for a field that is primarily informed by practical knowledge, whether theory-building in general speaks to local concerns, and whether the production of theory in composition leads to scholarship that is more obfuscating than illuminating. Ultimately, Dobrin argues that theoretical investigation should be an indispensable form of knowledge-making in composition and that theory and practice must necessarily inform one another.
"One of the first book-length studies to investigate the nature and ramifications of something that has come to be called 'post-process' theory in the areas of composition and rhetoric. I believe that the post-process theory represents the most important new development in composition research during the last twenty years or so, and that this book contributes significantly to both composition scholarship and writing practice." — Thomas Kent, Iowa State University
"The topic is very timely and much in keeping with contemporary debates over the role of theory in composition studies. Constructing Knowledges succeeds in coalescing these debates into a manageable scope, and the analytical apparatus is helpful in recognizing the various forms that the debates take. I particularly appreciate Professor Dobrin's rigorous attempt to link theory and practice throughout. An enjoyable read that made me think and think again." — J. Rocky Colavito, Northwestern State University
Preface
Foreword
Patricia Bizzell
1. Composition and the Politics of Theory Building
What is Theory ?
Big Ts and Little ts
Anti-Foundationalism and Theory Fear
Anti-Theory from Without
Anti-Intellectualism and the Battle Within
Theory, Knowledge Making, and Composition
2. Postmodernist Thought and the Teaching of Writing
Toward Poststructuralist, Postmodernist Thought
Foucault's Archaeology
Contending with Poststructuralism in Composition
Applying Foucault
Finding Balance Between Theory and Praxis in Composition
Postmodernism and Dialogic Pedagogy
Perceiving Theory in Composition
3. Postprocess Theory and the Pedagogical Imperative
New Pragmatism and Contingencies of Language
Alternative Tools and Triangulation
Postprocess Theory
Postprocess and the Composition Classroom
Postprocess Composition and Anti-Foundational Fear
4. Feminist Theory and Its Interaction with Composition Pedagogy
Validating Feminist Theory
Disrupting Composition
Neutralizing Theory
Writing (with) Feminisms
Teaching Conflict
Feminism and the "Identity" of Composition
Feminist (Academic) Discourse
5. Ideology, Literacy, and Radical Pedagogy in Composition Studies
Ideology
False Alarm(?)
Literacy Debates
Cultural Literacy
Literacy and Liberatory Learning
Composition and Radical Pedagogy
Getting It Right(?)
6. Continuing the Theory Debates
Where Are We Going?
Theory, Theory, Theory
Final Thoughts
Afterword
Gary A. Olson
Notes
Works Cited
Index