NEWSLETTER OF THE TWO-YEAR COLLEGE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION - SOUTHWEST CHAPTER

HALLMARKS OF OBLIGATIONS: Inside this Issue THEMES, LITERACY, OR TECHNOLOGY By Irma Luna Keynotes for the Conference . . . . 3 A few of my colleagues have Conference Registration ...... 5 recently retired. One of these “bud- dies” told me, “You’d better start 2008 Conference Agenda ...... 7 cleaning out your files soon! That’s more time consuming than grading Poetry ...... 8, 9, 15 term papers all semester.” So, this History of ...... 11 summer, I started going through the folders in the first drawer of the file Colleges and Ike Update ...... 12 cabinet. I found two folders full of “Leave Requests” that I have had Teaching with Shakespearian to fill out in order to be able to at- IRMA LUNA Sonnets ...... 13 tend conferences. The first academic, professional Leadership Roster ...... 16 conference I attended was SRCE I have found TYCA-SW presenta- Th (conference for the Southwest Re- tions are very innovative and helpful. gional Conference on English in the As I reread Dave Charlson’s Join us in Oklahoma City for the Two-Year College Association, article in the May newsletter, I 43rd TYCA-SW Conference former name of TYCA-SW) in clearly understood his rationale for October 30-November 1, 2008 1985, and I first presented at a con- the Elephants in the Room: Ten- at the Sheraton Hotel—Downtown ference in Laredo, , in 1986. I sions in Higher Education theme. know I have changed quite a bit in Over the past few weeks, I have 22 years; yet, without a doubt, been mulling over the topics and TYCA is now and has always been issues behind most conference the professional organization that themes for the last 22 years. (That has helped me the most as a teacher is what happens when you start and professional.From my point of clearing out old files; each report is view, new English instructors need a different memory.) Conference to compare TYCA to other organi- themes usually relate to what we, as faculty, deal with daily in the class- zations and evaluate which one is w Oklahoma City— more useful in terms of what one room along with the varied committee Home of does in the classroom. Undoubtedly, work—the hallmarks of obligations. Cont. pg. 2

Member NCTE, Affiliate Information Exchange Agreement, Vol. 28. No. 4, Oct. 2008 1 HALLMARK - CONT. FROM PAGE 1 skills programs in order to work with a group of students Any attempts to characterize or define themes or in developmental education. We thought that retention topics, particularly for those of us who are or have and educational success were problems then. Now, we been conference chairs, does not always prove logical are faced with teaching basic literacy and continuing to to many, but I, for one, was always open to suggestions strive to improve student retention and success in higher and appreciated any help. In effect, the activities and education. Administrators continuously tell us that stu- the tasks of individual conference chairs or those sup- dents need to be innovative, need to make critical judg- portive colleagues to choose a theme do not necessarily ments, and/or need to seek information and discern it. In involve any great designs or studies or data but, rather, my opinion, all of us have been doing that in the class- evolve from informal and emotional intuition of what room for many years. might work. Yet, as I look at the current crop of students, I have For this year’s conference, I want to congratulate to ask: “Who is the illiterate one here?” Me, of course! and acknowledge the great foresight that Dave I have always loved to read, to teach, and to do re- Charlson and Bertha Wise had in choosing an appropri- search. Nevertheless, I still cannot change the voice ate theme. So, I’ll use the El- message on my cell phone or use it to ephants in the Room concept as take a picture of my grandchildren the instrument for analyzing my without someone’s help. I admit I 25 years of teaching. This time need a literacy book entitled Cell frame is not very long, consider- Phones for Dummies. While my ing that many of my valued col- students often do not read or edit their leagues have taught for 35 or 40 own work, they can easily whip out years. (In my previous profession their cell phones, text each other, and [life], I was a buyer for one of check the Internet on their cell phones as the oldest department stores in they walk between classes. Amazing! south Texas, Joske’s. But, in my Consequently, instructors are next profession, I am going to be being advised to cultivate the a plumber or a mechanic—for student’s core skills for literacy devel- obvious financial reasons. How- opment. Instead of creating data to ever, teaching has been psycho- justify a current study, why not reor- logically rewarding.) ganize the current surveys and re- As I expected, the topics or search data to reflect what the stu- issues presented in the 1980s dent really needs? In any event, the were quite similar to what we see teachers, in the trenches, are still today, with some differences in being asked to do everything for every technology. While some of us different group, which only takes may have had access to a mainframe computer, not more time away from student-teacher classroom prac- many of us in academia had even heard of the Internet. tices. Are there any “possible resolutions”? In the mid-1980s, the themes dealt with the major Hence, times have truly changed. For me, the cell characteristics of composition and research, interdisci- phone is a part of a different era and, similarly, the el- plinary cooperation in the different curriculum, stan- ephant in my life. In like manner, many of these new dards of inquiry in social and behavioral roles, aca- learning-based studies have definitely created tension in demic freedom, and professional development. On the the classroom. After all, I’ve been there and done that. other hand, the principal concept of this year’s theme Fortunately, I can live with most of these restrictions, deals with what Dave refers to as tensions “due to a and, thankfully, I still learn from my students and interact variety of competing forces,” or those proverbial with them, in the old-fashioned way, not on a spread- ‘elephants in the room’.” sheet. So, I consider historical issues, just like recent I will consciously strive to get my files better orga- topics, as an extension of the past into the present. nized, become more ecologically aware of my paper The major steps, processes, or aspects of historical trails, become more skilled as a 21st century teacher, and research of the past, remain a collection and evaluation become at least competent when using the cell phone. of data, with students as sources, and institutional More importantly, I look forward to our two distinguished research documents being presented as statistical facts speakers on Halloween and All Saints’ Day in Oklahoma —all subject to interpretation, of course. City, and I hope to be able to visit with many of you at In the 1980s, English faculty at community colleges the conference. (I was too busy last year.) Leave your across the country drudged through state academic elephants in the classroom, and let’s release some tension. 2 ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM: TENSIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION (AND POSSIBLE RESOLUTIONS)

43rd Annual TYCA-SW Conference in Oklahoma City, Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2008 CONFERENCE KEYNOTES

This year’s conference features bold and useful presentations from educators across the United States. THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE: Information about guest speakers, including Ira Shor, GUY AND PHYLLIS LOGSDON Rachel Jackson, and Guy and Phyllis Logsdon, is pre- sented below. Also planned is a breakout schedule of On the Life and Songs of Woody Guthrie presentations dealing with all sorts of “elephants in the classroom” – from racial issues to how to connect with Millennials, from problems with concurrent enrollment to the pleasures of service learning (and even one presentation on the Elephant Man himself). For addi- tional information about the conference, including ac- commodation details, excursions, and breakout sessions, please visit the TYCA-SW website at tycasw.org. The biographies presented below can also be found on the organization’s website, where they first appeared.

FRIDAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER: IRA SHOR Dr. Guy Logsdon is a native Oklahoman who has earned international recognition as a Confronting Inequities in Higher Education scholar and entertainer. It is his liner notes that A friend who taught as a graduate student at a grace the Smithsonian Folkways CD’s of grand university experienced culture shock upon landing Woody Guthrie, and he sings and plays her first full-time job—teaching in a community college himself too. His books include The University that she described as a glorified garage. Many of us know her story, and of Tulsa, a History 1882-1972 and the no one analyzes her award-winning “The Whorehouse Bells Were situation and the nu- Ringing” and Other Songs Cowboys Sing, merous inequities it with co-authorship credits for Saddle suggests better than Serenaders and Ada, Oklahoma, Queen City Ira Shor. His various of the Chickasaw Nation. In person, he tells books take an un- compelling stories about Woody Guthrie, flinching look at higher education in including why Oklahoma didn’t always IRA SHOR WITH PAULO FRIEIRE America, yet his titles welcome their prodigal son, and he performs also suggest the hope Woody’s songs too. Joining him is his wife, of his friend and mentor, Paulo Freire—for example, Phyllis, a talented “cowgirl” in her own right Critical Teaching and Everyday Life, Empowering Edu- from Woody’s hometown of Okemah. They’ll cation, and When Students Have Power. Ira’s current tell stories and sing songs, a bit like Woody did cutting-edge project involves examining with his stu- with Lefty Lou. Don’t miss this great survey of dents and fellow teachers visual as well as quantitative the deep roots of American musical culture. representations of reality so that we all can read the world better and write about it honestly. He looks for- ward to sharing his ideas with you. 3 SATURDAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER: RACHEL JACKSON

Cultivating the Wisdom of the Underdog: Applying Freire, Shor, and Shorris to the Fertile Ground of the Southwest

Rachel Jackson loves Oklahoma in all sorts of radical ways, but her affection for it doesn’t always come easy. Her struggle with the preju- dices that are often applied to many Oklahomans and other “Southern- ers” has led to doctoral work at Oklahoma University in Composition, Rhetoric, and Literacy (with a focus on Oklahoma regional studies) and a book project for the OU Press on 20th Century radical progressives in Oklahoma. She also edits the online publication “The Oklahoma Revela- tor – A People’s Almanac and Cultural Journal,” a joint venture of her Red Flag Press and the Mongrel Empire Press. Her ten-year career in teaching college English currently includes her Kiowa Clemente course, which explores tribal culture and wisdom alongside Western humanities (and has been guided by Clemente founder Earl Shorris himself). As Program Director for the inaugural Teacher Training Institute for the Oklahoma Humanities Council, Rachel helps K-12 teachers in Oklahoma Rachel Jackson incorporate the tribal Clemente Course model into their classrooms. She is excited to share with you her zeal for reaching and teaching all our regional populations—who deserve our best and who have much to give back.

For additional information about the conference, including breakout sessions, please visit the TYCA-SW website at http://tycasw.org/. Membership

The traditional TYCA-SW membership, still and always a real bargain at $20 for the academic year, entitles members to receive a copy of this newsletter and present at the annual conference. For an annual institu- tional membership fee of $200, all of the English faculty at your campus would have the membership privileges described above. Finally, the Lifetime membership, for $200, might be a way that you could contribute to TYCA-SW coffers in appreciation for its importance in your professional life, or it might be a way to recognize and reward excellence in teaching in your English department. Annual dues are paid to TYCA-SW, and sent to Toni McMillan, Paris Junior College, 2400 Clarksville St., Paris, TX 75460.

NAME ______COLLEGE ______ADDRESS ______PHONE ______FAX ______

EMAIL ADDRESS ______

4 THE TYCA 2007 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION 43RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

Directions: Print out and mail registration form, including the following information:

Name______

College______

College Address (city, state, zip) ______

______

Phone (including area code) ______

Email Address______

Please check the appropriate items below and remit the total amount:

_____ $90 Conference Pre-Registration Fee

_____ $100 Conference Registration After September 1

_____ $60 One-Day Registration Only

NOTE: All conference attendees must be current TYCA-SW members. This form can be seen on page 4 or downloaded at http://tycasw.org.

Make Checks Payable to TYCA-SW and Send to:

Division of Arts and Humanities Attention: Bertha Wise Oklahoma City Community College 7777 S. May Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73159

For Further Questions, Please Contact Bertha Wise at [email protected] .

PLEASE VISIT THE TYCA-SW WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ON THE ORGANIZATION, LINKS TO REPRESENTATIVE COLLEGES, AND UPDATES ON THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE. http://tycasw.org/

5 COME TO OKLAHOMA CITY FOR YOUR INTELLECTUAL CHECK-UP

By Bertha Wise

October is my favorite month. As autumn is in Guthrie, and help us appreciate the role that Guthrie full swing with pleasant Indian summer days and cool, played to raise people up out the Great Depression almost frosty nights, October is a significant time with his wit, humor, and wisdom. Logsdon is a native partly because it’s my birth month. Throughout my son of Oklahoma, just as Guthrie was, so it’s little teaching career, however, October has become the wonder that he understands the importance of hope midway point in my classes, which means my stu- and renewal. Oklahomans seem to have that quality dents will make it through their classes with some that things will always get better—we just have to keep help perhaps—if it’s not too late yet to improve their going. Woody Guthrie was like that and then some. work. There is hope as they strive toward that A or He’s quoted as saying, “I am out to sing songs that will B or C. October is when I now get annual checkups. prove to you that this is your world and that if it has hit I use “checkups” in the plural form because not only you pretty hard and knocked you for a dozen loops, no do I schedule my physical checkup during the month matter what color, what size you are, how you are built, (and hopefully get a clean bill of health), but I also get I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in an intellectual checkup yourself and in your work. in October. How? By And the songs that I sing attending the annual are made up for the most TYCA-SW Regional part by all sorts of folks just Conference. about like you.” This year the TYCA conference is in As we begin Novem- Oklahoma City, so it’s ber, our last featured even closer to me than presenter, Rachel Jackson ever. When Dave will help everyone explore Charlson and I signed on Expand your horizons in Oklahoma City on Halloween weekend! not only the past and what as the co-planners of the it’s meant but also the conference, we started talking about what we could potential for change and progress. Jackson, an do to make the conference provocative, to shake experienced composition teacher,Picture has long beencoming. things up a little bit—to be a little edgy. As various involved with the Red Flag Press, taught Clemente events occurred both at our college as well as across courses, and influenced many students to find their the nation, we saw a lot of elephants coming into the own voices through writing. She’s an inspiration but room—those things that everyone said were too edgy also challenges teachers with her “radicalism” to take or too tense or too difficult to talk about but there a stand and keep promoting education. nonetheless. As this year’s “Elephants in the Room: I know that we’re all too busy with our own Tensions in Higher Education” has come together, I’m interests, family responsibilities, and work. Take a really looking forward to hearing about Confronting short break, though, and come to Oklahoma City. Inequities in Higher Education from our keynote You’ll also have a chance to visit with old friends, speaker Ira Shor. I want to be given hope of the make new friends, see what’s new in Oklahoma City, “Possible Resolutions” that we parenthetically in- and hear some great speakers and presenters. Make cluded in the conference theme too. a little time to see the largest collection of Chihuly The end of October also brings Halloween with its glass, wander down Flaming Lips Alley, or cruise the fun and revelry. To help prepare for it at the confer- canal through Bricktown. Join us in getting that ence, we have Guy Logsdon and his wife Phyllis who intellectual checkup midway through the semester. will perform Woody Guthrie’s songs, tell stories about

6 TYCA-SW CONFERENCE AGENDA

When and What Who Where FRIDAY 7:00–8:50 BREAKFAST Business Meeting at 8:00 9:00–9:50 BREAKOUT SESSION I Frontier Teachers vs. the Internet: Designing Paper Assignments that are Difficult to Plagiarize Jack Marshall Great Plains Defining “Student Success” as a Civil Right: Analyzing Developmental Education in a Mark Silvia “Culture of Evidence” Environment Red Carpet Looking at Both Sides of the Question: Suanna Davis Introducing Controversial Issues Risky Business: Meeting the Elephants Head- Rayshell Palm er, Jessica Isaacs, Christian Morgan, Kelli Green Country On to Retain Rural Community College Students McBride, Jason Garrison, and Beth Humphries 10:00–10:50 BREAKOUT SESSION II Frontier What A re We Going to Do about Those Black Carlotta Hill Males? Great Plains Using Online Originality Checking Programs to Mark Picus Help Students Write Red Carpet Do High School to College Transitional Liz Ann Báez Aguilar Programs Foster Student Success? Green Country The Service-Learning Elephant Mike Matthews 11:00–11:50 BREAKOUT SESSION III Frontier “Teaching in Community” Partners with Local Julie Lesko-Bishop and Jerri Elementary School to Build a Better Future Tittle Great Plains Instant Gratification: A Workshop to Bring Raj Chekuri and Nancy Along Non-Readers Herschap Red Carpet Ancient Elephants Yield Contemporary Kevin Davis, Robin Murphy, Results: Zen, Kaizen, and Aikido in the and Teresa Rothrock Composition Classroom Green Country Elephant in the Room: Plagiarism and the Erin O'Neill College Research Paper 12:00–2:00 LUNCH Keynote address: Stories in the Pavilion East Numbers Ira Shor 2:10–3:00 BREAKOUT SESSION IV Green Country Stories in the Numbers, Part I Ira Shor The Elephant Man in the Room: Using Joseph Frontier Merrick to Teach the Difference between Michael Berberich Popular and Academic Cultures YouTube and Podcasting Lead the Great Plains Resurgence of the Oral Tradition—Can They Aliscia Rogers Penetrate the Composition Classroom?

7 TYCA-SW CONFERENCE AGENDA

FRIDAY Afternoon continued 3:10–4:00 BREAKOUT SESSION V Green Country Stories in the Numbers, Part II Ira Shor

Frontier Student Engagement Research: From Theory Mitchel Burchfield and to Practice in the Writing Classroom David Sabrio Know Thyself: Reassessing the Importance of Great Plains Creative Writing and Emotional Intelligence D. Brian Anderson in the Community College Red Carpet No Tricks—Just Treats! The New Millennium Marsha Anderson Teacher 4:10–5:30 20th C. Literary Readings “Poetry and Poltergeists” Ballroom 6:00–7:30 18-19 Dinner “College after Hurricanes” Special th C. Ballroom Panel

SATURDAY 9:00–9:50 BREAKOUT SESSION VI Giving Voice to Humanity in the Classroom: Frontier Socrates, Roberto Clemente, Bart Simpson, Stephen Morrow and Juno Speak Out Composition I AS the Elephant: Using Stacy Burleson and Gilchrist Great Plains Stephen King's Fiction as a Strategy for White Success and Retention Red Carpet Reading the Mystery Quilt: Using Material Viki Craig Culture as Writing Prompt Wine Elephants in the Room? Teach Them to Sing! Donna Jarma

10:00–10:50 BREAKOUT SESSION VII "Oh, I Get It Now": Developing Nonreaders Joanna Paull, David Drayer, Frontier into Readers of Literature Deborah Shearer, and Susan Kincaid When “Calling a Spade a Spade” Works and When It Doesn't: Addressing Student Conduct Great Plains Doug Yates and Inflammatory Social Issues in the Community College Classroom Red Carpet The Ethics of “Political Correctness” in the Laura Boercker and Judy College Classroom Harris Ensuring Information Literacy in Low Wine Socioeconomic Students: Giving Them what Suanna Davis They Need to Complete College

8 CELEBRATING WOODY GUTHRIE The Magical Musical Goosing Water-Tower Antenna for Peace

By Dave Charlson

If you look north from I-40 near Okemah, Oklahoma, you’ll see a water tower that says “Okemah Industrial Park,” but it’s really a giant antenna that marks a place where musicians play to a crowd in a pasture of plenty on the other side of it every July for free, all there to celebrate Woody Guthrie’s birthday. It’s a magical musical water-tower antenna that plugs the musicians who play there into a direct connection with Woody Guthrie in heaven, a special mystically electrical force that gooses each one in the ass and makes them either ornery or Autograph (This Name is Your Name) extra-ornery, depending upon how ornery they were in the first place. By Dave Charlson It makes them play their right, it makes them not shut up about peace, it makes them rock out into the night, and At the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival it connects them with a rare kind of caring that needs to get in Okemah, Oklahoma (go next year), less rare. Someone else asked “What’s so funny about peace, I got to meet Woody Guthrie’s love, and understanding?” and the answer is nothing except sister that all this is fun too, and right, and right here in Oklahoma if Mary Jo Guthrie Edgmon, you want it, and it just might be that that magical musical an artist in her own right who sells a four-part poster print of antenna plugs us all into that special force of peace that is her famous brother’s life Woody and friends, the best kind of industry in the whole to raise money to fight Huntington’s Disease, world. which took her mother and brother.

She was glad to talk with me a while, glad to meet yet another fan of the music, and then, what the heck, I asked her for her autograph.

So she asked me MY name and then wrote it down on my keepsake, adding “You are special, 7-16-05.”

She didn’t write her own name at all, for that’s just not the way things are done Mary Jo Guthrie Edgemon in the land she lives in and makes better for you and me. Woody Guthrie 9 GUEST LIST: WOODY GUTHRIE FREE FOLK FESTIVAL (OKEMAH, OKLAHOMA, MID-JULY)

By Dave Charlson

Disclaimer: This is a folk poem, and it ain’t quite perfect at all. If you like it but want to polish it up your way, you go right ahead.

The T-shirts don’t quite get it right, Martin Luther King still going strong for the list is much longer. and in 2005. Malcolm X. Sure, Arlo is here if he can be, Let’s hear it for ALL the sisters, and others Guthrie, There’s the Red Dirt Rangers especially the ones making Sarah Lee and so on, and other guitars and fiddles sing. but I swear Leadbelly’s here Oklahoma geniuses of all kinds too, and and all ages, and many (And the Carter family, from other states and countries too, in his very own little stanza!) especially Maybelle, fathers and and mothers and So there’s Arlo Rob McNurlin walks in tall sons and and with Hank Williams daughters, Cisco Houston, and old wisdom Johnny Cash and and and young hope Lefty Lou, all the other gentlemen outlaw cowboys, in the unbroken circle, and you tell me and and there’s you and me too, your favorites I left out Ronny Elliot brings along walking down the streets of Okemah, cuz I know Jerry Lee Lewis meeting the friendly locals, I did—like Odetta and mingling with musicians and friends and family and ; Elvis Presley like it’s a small town in Heaven. and last and first is and anyone else who’ll ride Woody Guthrie in his truck, Out at the campground is and his good friend and an old timer or two or three Jesus Christ. raves up who make the late night sing, , and But that don’t all fit and he brings along an incredible new guy named there’s a new kid or two on a T-shirt. Jimmy LaFave, who will make a name who brings his friends, for themselves This thing and was that real soon. was made Marvin Gaye for with ? And God blesses you and me. Mary Jo Guthrie Edgmon There’s as she blesses everyone else and who delights in meeting Peter Yarrow, Woody’s sister Ramblin’ Jack Elliot and , and Jack Kerouac somehow shows up too, as well as

10 OKLAHOMA: A BRIEF HISTORY OF ‘INDIAN TERRITORY’

By Bertha Wise Oklahoma—from the Choctaw words okla cattle rustlers and horse thieves. As law arrived in the (people) and humma (red)—has a long history despite territory, though, infamous outlaws such as Bill Doolin its being a state for only 101 years. Before Coronado and Belle Starr were eventually killed or sentenced to arrived in 1541, looking for El Dorado (or the “Seven prison. Of note, Belle Starr spent time in federal prison Cities of Gold”), for horse stealing, but returned to private life after throughout the South- being released, only to be murdered near her Eufaula west, indigenous home. Combine the image of the cowboy with the idea peoples including the of the “wild west” and you have the makings of the Clovis culture, later Wild West show, which incorporated the rodeo with the Mound Builders, sharpshooting and stunt riding. and finally the Osage From those roots, Oklahoma today has produced and Quapaw tribes many famous celebrities and important people who considered it their have contributed their talents to the nation and the native land. Indian world. Woody Guthrie is perhaps one of the most Territory (how Okla- famous entertainers, song writers, and political activ- homa was referred to ists. In addition, Will Rogers, Wiley Post, Gordon Coo- after the 1803 Louisi- per, Owen Garriott, Shannon Lucid, William Pogue, ana Purchase) be- Stuart Roosa, and Thomas Stafford became part of came the home for aviation or space history. The list of musical entertain- the Five Civilized ers seems endless: Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Patti Tribes, the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, and Page, Reba McIntire, Gene Autry, Kristin Chenowith, Seminole. Plains Indians already lived in the region, Carrie Underwood, Wanda Jackson, Toby Keith, Bryan Cheyenne, Kiowa, Comanche, and Arapaho, among White, Charlie others, and much conflict ensued between the Civilized Christian and Tribes and the others. Despite the conflict, though, many others have each tribe established a constitutional government, left their musical school systems, and a strong economy, providing a marks. fairly peaceful and prosperous environment for the More rel- eastern parts of Indian Territory. In the western parts evant to TYCA- of Indian Territory, the Cheyenne, Kiowa, Comanche, SW devotees, Arapaho and eventually Apache came into conflict with Oklahoma has the white settlers who were moving in, and the U.S. given many Army was charged to control things. Each tribe voices to the wanted autonomy, but it was not to be. By the time world through its authors and poets. N. Scott statehood was granted in 1907, settlers and Indians Momaday combines his Native American heritage, love combined their resources to develop the state. There of storytelling, and strong, poetic voice. Ralph Ellison, are still thirty-five tribal councils in Oklahoma, and the S. E. Hinton, Billie Letts, Clifton Taulbert, John tribes follow many of their traditional customs and Berryman, Tony Hillerman, Louis L’Amour, Joy Harjo, ceremonies are celebrated at powwows as well as and ever so many other authors have provided hours of featured in many museums around the state. reading for us all. Another part of Oklahoma’s colorful past includes Enjoy your short stay in Oklahoma when you at- both cowboys and outlaws. Cattle was a major indus- tend the ’08 TYCA-SW Conference, but plan to return try from Texas to points north, but the center of the to learn more about the “land of the red people.” railroad used to get the beef to the Easterners was in Kansas. Cowboys from throughout the region moved — Bertha Wise (with information culled from “A Look the cattle from Texas up the Chisholm Trail, one previ- at Oklahoma: A Student’s Guide.” Oklahoma Tourism and ously used by the Indians, all the way to the railhead at Recreation Department Website. Accessed on September Abilene, Kansas. Along with cattle ranching came 28, 2008. http://www.otrd.state.ok.us/StudentGuide/. 11 Ike’s Impact on Galveston and Houston Colleges

age to trees and outdoor lights, College of the Mainland (COM) reopened its campus September 21. This was a full week before many other schools in the Houston area, including the San Jacinto College system, were able to resume classes. However, the COM semester has been extended by one week to make up for lost class time, and college staff and faculty continue to assist students displaced or otherwise affected by the storm. The COM campus was used as a staging area for FEMA search-and-rescue operations, and, in the aftermath of the storm, the administration has been trying to accommodate requests by Galveston island schools to hold classes on the campus.

Palm trees damaged by severe winds lie fallen in front of Galveston College’s Moody Hall in this photo taken in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. (Photo Courtesy of Galveston College.) Galveston College students returning to class on October 7th will have to make up the time they missed by attending extra classes on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the fall semester. Students will be required to make up laboratory, clinical and class time by attend- ing extra classes, though it’s possible that some assign- ments might be available on the Internet. Meanwhile most Houston colleges were opened by College of the Mainland suffered minimal the end of September. After suffering only minor dam- damage from Ike, mostly to trees and outdoor lights.

On behalf of the entire TYCA-SW membership body, the executive committee wishes to express its sympathy and support for all of those affected by or displaced by Hurricane Ike. We wish everyone luck in this difficult time of rebuilding and recovery.

TYCA-SW Newsletter is edited by Brian Anderson. For submission articles or ideas submit to [email protected]. TYCA-SW Conferences offer an opportunity to renew personal and professional relationships. Hope you can join us Halloween weekend.

12 TEACHING WITH SHAKESPEARIAN SONNETS

Jeffrey Runyon here shares a lesson he has found effective in his introduction to literature class.

FORMAL POETRY: SHAKESPEARIAN SONNETS

By Jeffrey Runyon

The situation and premise as presented to class: STEP ONE: In order to better understand how Formal Poetry— Okay, think of your beloved, or someone whom you poetry with formal requirements—can actually be a wish were your beloved. In fact, doing this from the creative process, not a hindrance to an author’s perspective of a secret admirer might be the best way. creativity, let’s look at the Love Poem. After all, Think how excited the person will be if you actually sonnets traditionally concern either Love or Loss. give this to him/her! Ah, it’s Valentine’s Day. Long-stemmed roses and Picture your beloved. Make a list of 6-10 items cheesy boxer shorts have been done. But, you should that you have noticed about your beloved. Be specific. not worry because there is a cheap and effective way Remember, specifics are what let this person know you to impress that special someone. Since the beginning have noticed them. Many greeting cards fail because of time nothing has impressed a lady (or a man) more they are so generic. than a valiant effort in her (or his) honor. Examples: And, ladies, remember that even though your fella —Your long reddish-brown hair may scoff at a love poem, you will later find it right —Your beautiful skin there in his box of personal possessions—right next to —Your sexy sweaters his first baseball cards and the picture of his first truck. —The way you spoil my dog

OR, if you’re in an evil mood, you can always make Heard enough gender stereotyping? Okay, let’s this into an Anti-Valentine’s Day Poem. get started. Examples: Relax. No one is going to see this effort but you. —Your lank, greasy, barely-there hair And, it’s easy! Just follow these steps. Don’t be —Your stubby ankles —Your huge skin pores afraid to be as personal, imaginative, bawdy, or sexy as you wish! It’s that personal touch that makes a love STEP TWO: poem work! Remember that the Greek word for love is Eros. [At this point, they’re already familiar with formal At the heart of Eros, or eroticism, are the five senses. You have to let your beloved know that you have poetry conventions, such as rhyme scheme, meter, feet, noticed some of his/her specific characteristics. So, scansion, and so forth. We’ve also looked at a few of now take a few items from your list, and add sensory Frosts’ poems and a few of Shakespeare’s sonnets. As details to them. we progress, I hand them each step on a separate piece of paper to keep them focused.] Examples: —Your long reddish-brown hair

13 • how heavy it feels when it’s wet after you take a —Your beautiful skin shower (touch) • pale white and so soft (sight, touch) • how clean and fragrant it smells when you lay • the freckles that follow the curves of your back next to me (smell) (sight) • how shiny and complex the colors are (sight) —the milk and honey of your skin —Your beautiful skin (metaphor) • pale white and so soft (sight, touch) —Your sexy sweaters • the freckles that follow the curves of your back • can hear swooshing when you walk gracefully (sight) (hearing) —Your sexy sweaters • that leave little to the imagination (sight, •I can hear swooshing when you walk gracefully touch???) (hearing) —like the prow of a yacht (simile) • that leave little to the imagination (sight, touch???) —The way you spoil my dog • how I love to hear you laugh when I’ve caught STEP FOUR: you (hearing) • how you sit all curled up on the couch in your PJs This is the final step! Now, take what you’ve with my dog (sight) learned about Formal Poetry, and turn this list into a Shakespearian Sonnet. Or, if you’re feeling evil… -14 lines Examples: -ABABCDCDEFEFGG Rhyme scheme —Your lank, greasy, barely-there hair -Iambic Pentameter (five sets of two syllables, the • has the texture of snot on a doorknob (touch) stress on the second syllable) —Your stubby ankles • crack when you put on your high-heels (hearing) Bring this to class for optional readings! You’ll get —Your huge skin pores credit by showing it to me upside down (so I can’t read • I can see from across the room (sight) it, but can tell if you did it, or not) unless you want to share. STEP THREE: Remember, what you have at this point will change We’re almost done! Remember what we learned dramatically. Don’t fight it. The rules and formality of about Similes and Metaphors? (Think of Browning’s this kind of poetry can actually tap into something words, “my love is like a red, red rose…”). Now, primal within you. What comes out often shocks the insert some similes and metaphors into your list. You writer! It can almost be therapeutic. Because you will don’t have to create similes and metaphors for all of have to change wording and such to fulfill this format your items, but do so for as many as you can. requirements, these sonnets tend to morph into something very insightful! Have fun. And, don’t worry Examples: if you don’t nail it perfectly. It takes time to perfect —Your long reddish-brown hair this art form. • how heavy it feels when it’s wet after you take a shower (touch) [What follows are the Shakespearian Sonnets I • how clean and fragrant it smells when you lay wrote to share with class as a way to get them to next to me (smell) share. Please don’t criticize; they are not perfect.] • how shiny and complex the colors are (sight) —like an autumn woodland (simile) Cont. on next page

14 SONNET #1 SONNET #2

Life Gets Old and Love Makes It New Don’t Wear Thin

She will not come to me today. Morrow My lover’s eyes are green and wet because

Will bring more of the same. Her pale face dim, She cannot find her way. I wish it right

Freckles dots on a map, I must follow But ‘tis a path she must find without pause.

Them, in darknesses, down her parchment skin. My beautiful probably-not. One night,

To read her like some old forgotten text. Is that all we shall have? ‘Tis November now

Stare in her ancient eyes and knowing face And all she is is gone from me. Remind

And know she has been waiting for this test. Me. I am lost, your violin voice low,

The two of us have not won this slow race. Your white tiger grace, held like redwood pine

She sat on some shore waiting; love to come. All shadows of the greatest past I’ve known.

Her body was full as an ocean ship. Still you never will believe it…your face

Curves follow curves, waves follow waves. We run A haunt I won’t live down. The things I own

At the end of our lives towards the lip Are all that I have loved and lost. Your grace

Where Sun meets Ocean depths. I know her not I don’t deserve but still I fight to free

But find her I must, for life is forgot. my want. I will not let you go from me.

—J. Runyon, July 8, 2007 —J. Runyon, November 6, 2007

Jeffrey Runyon is an Assistant Professor of English at Colorado Mountain College—Timberline Campus.

15 TYCA SOUTHWEST 2008 LEADERSHIP ROSTER

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OTHER EXECUTIVE OKLAHOMA COMMITTEE MEMBERS Dave Charlson Chair 3E5 Arts and Hum. Bldg. Irma Luna (2007-2009) 2008 Conference Co-Chairs Oklahoma City Community College San Antonio College Dave Charlson and Bertha Wise 7777 South May Oklahoma City, OK 73159 1300 San Pedro (see info in third column) San Antonio, TX 78212 0: 405-682-1611 x7638 [email protected] O: 210-733-2595 2007-2009 Conference Chair [email protected] Amy Baldwin Bertha Wise Distance Education Coordinator Oklahoma City Community College Associate Chair Pulaski Technical College Arts and Humanities Division Vacant 3000 W. Scenic Drive 7777 S. May Avenue North Little Rock, AR 72118 Oklahoma City, OK 73159 National TYCA Representative O: 501-812-2262 O: 405-682-1611 x7658 David Lydic 501-812-2340 (fax) [email protected] Austin Community College [email protected]. TEXAS 5930 Middle Fiskville Rd. Austin, TX 78752 ADVISORY BOARD Raj Chekuri O: 512-223-3386 Laredo Community College [email protected] ARKANSAS West End Washington Street Amy Baldwin Laredo TX, 78040-4395. Archivist (see info above) O: (210) 721-5227 Jill Coe (2006-2008) [email protected] Southwest Texas Junior College Joseph Cole 2401 Garner Field Rd. Dean, Fine Arts and Humanities Gilchrist White Uvalde, TX 78801 Pulaski Technical College College of the Mainland 830-591-7334 3000 W. Scenic Drive 1200 Amburn Road [email protected] North Little Rock, AR 72118 Texas City TX 77591-2499 O: 501-812-2243 409-938-1211 x 316/214 Treasurer and FAX: 501-812-2340 [email protected] Membership Recruitment Chair [email protected]. Toni McMillen (2006-2008) Toni McMillen Paris Junior College COLORADO (see info in first column) 2400 Clarkville Street Jeffrey Runyon Paris, TX 75460 Assistant Professor, English COMMITTEE CHAIRS Phone: 903-782-0450 Colorado Mountain College [email protected] Accreditation Studies Committee Timberline Campus (Leadville) Michael Berberich Newsletter Editor New Discovery #234 Galveston College Brian Anderson O: (719) 486-4240 4015 Avenue Q College of the Mainland [email protected] Galveston, TX 77550 1200 Amburn Road 0: 409-763-6551 Texas City TX 77591-2499 LOUISIANA [email protected] 409-938-1211 x 186 Lillian Wooley [email protected] Louisiana State University - Eunice Awards Committee O: 337-457-7311 Lillian Wooley Secretary [email protected] (see info in second column) Jim McInturff (2006-2007) East Arkansas Community NEW MEXICO Political Information Committee College Mary H. Snaden David Lydic 1700 Newcastle Road University of New Mexico-Gallup (see info in first column) Forrest City AR 72335 200 College Road O: (870) 633-4480 EXT 234 Gallup, New Mexico 87301 E-mail: [email protected] O: 505-863-7535 [email protected]

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