“I am alive”/Autoethnography Brief description: a paper engaging/reacting to

“I am alive”/Autoethnography

Brief description: a paper engaging/reacting to any topic related to the class materials the first

two-three weeks of class. One to two pages in length is perfectly acceptable. Please upload a

word document or a pdf to Canvas by the end of the day on February 10
th
. The directions are fairly loose because I want you to write something that is relevant to your life and how the notion

of gender (and language) plays a role in your life.

The topic of this paper is open to anything that we have read/talked about in class (lectures and

readings). You have many options including:

Reflect on why you found something to be interesting or important

Describe a view that you’ve had changed or challenged

Expand on a topic that you find interesting

Etc.

So long as you prove to me that you are BOTH paying attention AND keeping up with the

readings (and drawing connections) your topic is acceptable. The response should be personal

and may be written in the first person. I’m really curious to find out that there has been

something in the first couple weeks that has challenged a view or that you found to be interesting

or unusual. A few topics that might get you thinking include:

Core questions in the study of language and gender

Myths about language and gender (sociolinguistic or otherwise)

Defining gender and sex

Linguistic systems as they relate to gender

Sociocultural issues related to the study of language and gender

Systemic nature of all language patterns/levels, etc.

I expect you to be able to write coherently about the topic including (socio)linguistic terminology

appropriately, making sure that your argument/analysis is consistent with what we’ve discovered

in class about language. Feel free to bring your own insights/anecdotes to it (go beyond this class

or the class readings) but you should show that you’re paying attention in class, doing the

readings, and making connections between the class material and your language views/use (show

me that you’re alive!).

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