CCE

Thematically speaking

As a followup to my last post, I'm interested in thinking about how and why some of us use a thematic approach in designing FYC classes. I've tried out a couple single-theme classes over the past few semesters: food and technology. But there are challenges in finding a theme that as many students as possible can relate to, especially when students are coming into my classes "blind" (i.e., without knowing the theme I have chosen). To prod my/our thinking along a bit, I've got two questions for those of you who've taught with thematic strands of some kind: how many different themes do you think comfortably "fit" within a 15-week semester? and what themes have worked particularly well for you and your students?

What shall we write about?

I just finished a no-doubt-too-long post on my blog trying to think through the assumptions underlying my decisions about whether and how to select essay topics for my students. I'd be very interested to hear what others have to say about the issue. What is your usual practice (if you have such a thing--I certainly don't!)? To what extent do you think assigning subjects is confining or liberating? Can you make any generalizations about "type of student" and subject-selection strategy?

Wayfaring With The Class