This marked our last week within what Fulkerson called CCS axiology (critical, cultural studies, feminist). Of the three lumped together here, I think feminist composition theory may have been the most clearly grasped. This was due in no small part to the facilitators, concerned as they were with defining necessary terms. Ideology is not criticism is not composition theory, they posited in a convincing manner. Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies as well as references to Lady Gaga and Xena helped bring this point home.
What appears to separate feminist composition theory from critical and cultural studies theories concerns self-criticism and reflection. At least in how facilitators framed it, feminist composition theory has a greater degree of openness in terms of active pedagogical changes, that if an activity or assignment doesn't work well, a feminist pedagogue may be more likely to reflect on its failure and perhaps even engage students in discussion of that failure. It was on this point that I later raised the question of whether or not it was on the basis of this aspect that Fulkerson separated one feminist approach from CCS. I see now that I was wrong to pose such a query. Fulkerson declares one feminist approach as concerned with raising students' consciousness, with having them come to voice (666). In light of this, perhaps an argument could be made that Fulkerson overlooked this self-critical/reflective aspect.
Much of the conversation beyond the facilitation signaled deviations, but not to a distressing degree. Of course, I say this having instigated such deviations to some degree, curious as I am about the processes and spaces of writing. Perhaps some of the discussion also had to do with the facilitation and the readings for the week, given nods to the importance of fun and joy and conveying passion and viewing the class as a developing community.
Also, despite any thoughts to the contrary, I have considered the suggestion of a location change for next week's class. With many more reasons for denial than approval, I look forward to meeting with all of you at our regularly scheduled time in our regularly scheduled classroom. If you are at all curious about the reasons why, I'd be happy to discuss them via email.