A discourse community is group of people centered around an idea or organization. This essay was very challenging for me, turning the data I collected into an organized essay. The actual process of exploring the discourse of CIS was a fun and interesting process. Throughout the paper I will share my findings on the CIS community and how they are different from any other.
How I See a Discourse Community
ERH 101, Section 1
Date due: 21 July 2017
Date Sub.: 21 July 2017
Paper No.1
Help received: Peer response
With Chris ferrill, The Every-writer,
Meeting with LTC Ticen, Joe crockmalny,
CIS department bulletin boards
“at any moment we are using language we must say or write the right thing in the right thing in the right way while playing the right social role and (appearing) to hold the right values, beliefs, and attitudes.” p.275(Gee)
Being a member of a discourse means that you have learned the lexis and how to use all the resources you have available to you. Computer Information Science is one of the many departments at Virginia Military Institute that demonstrates the qualities of being a true discourse community. I have come to this stance through collecting evidence and comparing and contrasting it to the discourse community definition set forth by John Swales and James Gee.
Key concepts
In Swales writing he has identified six key characteristics of discourse communities. He says they must have a clear set of common goals for members of the community. There also must be forms of communication between members. When feedback is given it must be applied to work as a member of the discourse. To be a discourse community you must also use multiple genres of writing such as different types of advertisement. Discourses must have some kind of distinct lexis that requires you being in the discourse to fluently understand and be able to use the lexis. The last key characteristic from Swales is that there must be some form of ranking from an entry-level member up to an expert. Gee does to not use his writing to set standards for what is or is not a discourse community. He talks about the fine line between being a part of a discourse or not and the process of learning them.
My point
Computer Information Science is a perfect example of a discourse community. I had no problem finding evidence that shows how it is nearly impossible to just be somewhat part of the discourse. The Computer Information Science department looks after its members and have a very organized network within the discourse.
Description of method
I researched Virginia Military Institute’s web page for Computer Information Science and collected data showing how it was a discourse community. I walked the halls of the department and looked at what kind of information they had up on the walls. As a perspective member of the discourse I was looking for what draws me into the department and what kind of interesting information they made available. With the information that I gathered, I formed my own ideas of why it was a discourse. I met with Major Wainwright, a Professor in the department, I asked him questions trying to see if his answers would match my ideas.
My findings
As I walked the halls of the Computer Information Science department I knew what kind of information I was looking for, but did not know what to expect as this was my first time in the department. Having an interest in the department but still being an outsider to the discourse helped me read more into what was posted. As a first timer in the building there was all kinds papers posted on the wall, a little bit overwhelming. The majority were advertisements to summer positions but they had a range of genres. This seems to be a common theme in most departments but shows how they want to help their students find work in their fields on interest. It also shows they have faith in the work of students to set them up with summer work while still being in the “learning” at Virginia Military Institute. They also had color coated schedules up the walls easy for anyone to find and keep up to date with important information on the schedule. One bulletin board was full of personal statements from cadets about the department. They were full of great remarks about the classes but some stood out about the department itself.
“The faculty are second to none” (king)
“CIS is the best major at VMI because it prepares us for careers that are in need to be filled across the nation” (Esnardo)
These quotes help show some of the common goals found throughout the department. They are dedicated to helping the students the help they need to learn and develop for the future.
In my interview with Captain Wainwright I got a firsthand account as how to Computer Information Science fits the six characteristics. He talked very highly of their efforts to create good environment for the students to come together and work. They strive help cadets succeed and branch out into the real world while still in school. I explained the difference between the ideas of the two linguists Harris and Gee’s thoughts on Discourses and asked which one he felt related to Computer Information Science. He compared Harris’s grey area to Minor in Computer Information Science rather than a major. At first, Captain Wainwright was talking towards Harris’s views but then said how hard it is to get out of that grey area and become a real member of the discourse. He described the department as being very time consuming so you must either be all in or else you will not be able to build your way up in the discourse and graduate. There is no mushfake way of getting in you must start at the bottom level classes and learn the material.
Computer Information Science may not above and beyond with all six characteristics like feedback system. Professors are always willing to help when they can be found, the key part is when they can be found. This department has clear examples for the other five and shows the discourse more clearly with having a fine line between in or out. It is an exciting discourse with lots of energy from the staffing being that it is so new. As the program continues to expand it will become an even stronger discourse.
Works Cited
Esnardo, Juliet. “L16 Reception “CIS is …””. Malroy building CIS department
Gee, James. “Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics.” Edited by Wardle, Elizabeth, and Doug Downs, eds. Writing about writing: A college reader. Boston: Bedford/ St. martin’s 2011. 274-288. Print.
King, Elija. “L16 Reception “CIS is …””. Malroy building CIS department
Wainwright, Doug. “Major”. Personal interview, 19 July 2017