Blog 3: Kean University Writing Couture

Since this is my first semester at Kean University, I actually did not have a clue about the assignment even as Dr. Chandler was explaining it.  But here it goes...

Well, from what I've seen on almost every syllabus in my classes and the talk around campus, every professor values good writing and proper speaking.  I truly agree with them, because after all that is what an education gives you--the know how to write properly and the way to speak correctly.  It's not just about grades or merely going to college.  It's about getting educated.  It may seem like something in a textbook, but I am a surviving first person to go to college in my family and still trying to make it true-life story.

I value a good education, and it really drives me crazy when a person has some college yet speaks like a third grader.  It may be just me.  But I feel we should be educated to the fullest extent.  Make our investments, time, and hard work actually mean something and have something to show for it.  I have two brothers who are comfortable in middle class society and have decent paychecks along with nice careers, but I wasn't content with middle-class, I want to travel, be comfortable, not worry about paycheck to paycheck living and own some property; and attend charity events from time to time while donating money to a good cause.  Again that's me.  It always throws me for a loop that when I speak to my brothers, they tell me not to use big words.  I always laugh and say I'm talking normal--but then I remember all the English classes I've had to endure; those fancy smancy words pop through my vocabulary every once in a while.  That pep talk with them keeps me motivated, grounded, and knowing that a good education is to be valued.

A good education seems what Kean University is all about.  Since I walked through those doors in CAS to apply last year, every single person I came into contact with spoke eloquently and efficiently.  I was floored and impressed.  I looked at my husband and said, "I want to go here and be as educated as them."  So I feel that the Kean University Writing Culture is about academics, good writing etique, and for us as students to get as much practice as we can.  It's not a cliche that "Practice makes perfect", and for many writing and education majors, I think it's about time that someone made college students do work.  I'm really trying to keep up with all the essay writing, papers, blog writing (lol), and reading overhaul that I have to do.  But because of the writing culture at Kean, I know I will become a better student, better teacher, and a better Professional in my life/career. 

Looking up writing culture at Kean website was not too helpful.  The journalist in me wanted to do more research, but having worked on this on given time.  I will do my research later and add it to the final copy before Dr. Chandler gets to read it (I hope).  I'm almost afraid to write out of context or even not to structure my sentences.  That's all I know, and all I've done, to free write on the internet and/or something for class makes me jitter, since I know I will get graded and/or my peers/professor will see what mistakes I make.

 This is a sample of a syllabus that came up when I typed "writing cultures" here at Kean.edu.

Class Activities

Writing and reading assignments, class discussions, compositional coaching, written commentary, conferences, email correspondence, peer collaboration and review, interactive and other software, audio-visual presentations, lectures, web-site visits, tutorials, blogging, publishing, library and internet research, internet chat-room discussions, interventions, and competitions.


Expect to spend approximately 12-15 hours per week outside of class to complete all assignments.

This last sentence threw me for a loop, wow, 12-15 hours, I would have had learning fatigue if I were in this class.  But my other classes have 2-5 papers in each class to write, not including essays, reports, mid-term and final take homes/essays and reading.  I think I may have my share to do as well.  So I would say that the writing culture here at Kean University is pretty much academically inclined.  Many people have laptops and their mobile devices, along with facebook yet use each to their advantage not only toconnect with friends but as a gateway to enhance their education.  It's quite different from other colleges and universities I've attended because after class the usual talk was about what party they were attending, not what you're professor talked about.  Cafeteria talks are about paper topics, what's due, or how much homework your professor assigned you.  And here at Kean University, you feel a studying ambiance and a real learning environment--the real Kean University writing couture.