Unit 3: Inventing the University

  • Doubting & Believing Games

    Peter Elbow introduced the “doubting” and “believing games” in the 1970s to make critical thought conscious and easily practicable. As Elbow described it in his 2008 address to the CCCC, the doubting game is “the disciplined practice of trying to be as skeptical and analytic as possible with every idea we encounter. By trying hard…

  • What is a thesis?

    I recommend using this in tandem with the following resource: https://louis.pressbooks.pub/englishcomp2/chapter/5-5-connecting-thesis-and-argument/ The chapter by Amy Guptill does an excellent job of explaining the difference between a complex thesis and the kind of simple thesis students used in high school. What is a thesis? Editable version:

  • Lehman Alumni

    I like to welcome students with this slideshow on the first day of class. Because many of my students are first-generation college students, it’s particularly important to me that they feel proud of their school and confident in their decision to attend.

  • Before Handing in a Paper

  • Understanding Analysis

  • Practice Writing Research Questions

  • Decoding Writing Prompts

  • Welcome to College. It’s different here.

    On the very first day, I like to discuss the college experience in the abstract. I briefly explain how perceptions of higher education have changed over time and offer students an opportunity to think about how they want to grow and develop over the next four years. It’s not just about the degree! I also…

  • Introduction to Academic Writing

  • Introducing the University

    Materials: Slideshow “Welcome to College,” sticky notes I like to introduce Peter Elbow’s believing and doubting games on the very first day and to explain their relevance to critical thought using this slideshow. Divide students into two groups—one that “doubts” and one that “believes” the statement “Higher education empowers us.” Make 3 columns on the…