Wayne State University Wayne State University Dissertations 1-1-2011 Gender and race, online communities, and composition classrooms Jill Anne Morris Wayne State University, Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations Part of the Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Instructional Media Design Commons, and the Rhetoric Commons Recommended Citation Morris, Jill Anne, "Gender and race, online communities, and composition classrooms" (2011). Wayne State University Dissertations. Paper 323. This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@WayneState. It has been accepted for inclusion in Wayne State University Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@WayneState. GENDER AND RACE, ONLINE COMMUNITIES, AND COMPOSITION CLASSROOMS by JILL MORRIS DISSERTATION Submitted to the Graduate School of Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY 2011 MAJOR: ENGLISH Approved by: _________________________________________ Advisor Date _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ © COPYRIGHT BY JILL ANNE MORRIS 2011 All Rights Reserved DEDICATION Without Norandor, Raik, Zynlessa, Anaxagora, Nysarra, Saurastus, Senormuerto, Rhetoroxor, Hessie, John, Tony, Patrick, Sheryl, Donna, Amanda, Candace, Sharon, Anthony, Teresa, Jennifer, Donatella, Kim, Mayville, Colette, and Miss Bev none of this would be possible. You never know who you have till you need them. I also thank my committee and my family, for they are who really make this process happen. I dedicate my work to my students—each of you keeps me sane, laughing, and inspired every day. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication ....................................................................................................................................... ii List Of Figures ............................................................................................................................... vi Chapter One .................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Literature Review ............................................................................................................................ 2 Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 19 Chapters’ Descriptions .................................................................................................................. 22 Chapter Two .......................................................................................................................... 22 Chapter Three ........................................................................................................................ 23 Chapter Four ......................................................................................................................... 24 Chapter Five .......................................................................................................................... 25 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 26 Chapter 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 27 The Case Of Biting Beaver ........................................................................................................... 27 4Chan .................................................................................................................................... 34 Enter Anonymous ................................................................................................................. 41 Analysis: Are Anonymous And 4Chan Always Bad? .................................................................. 49 4Chan .................................................................................................................................... 49 Anonymous ........................................................................................................................... 52 Rules And Serious Business ................................................................................................. 54 Analysis: Cyborg Difficulties ....................................................................................................... 61 iii What To Do? ................................................................................................................................. 68 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 72 Chapter 3 ....................................................................................................................................... 73 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 73 The Open Source Boob Project – One Ferrett’s Attempt To Change The World ........................ 73 The Open Source Boob Discussion .............................................................................................. 82 Negative Responses .............................................................................................................. 83 Positive Responses ................................................................................................................ 94 Analysis: The Open Source Boob Project Vs. Biting Beaver ..................................................... 100 Analysis: The Original Open Source Boob Project As Feminist Space ..................................... 107 Analysis: The Open Source Boob Project Meets The Internet ................................................... 112 What Does This Mean For Our Classes? ............................................................................ 114 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 119 Chapter 4 ..................................................................................................................................... 121 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 121 Harry Potter And The Racist Kink .............................................................................................. 122 Analysis: Race On Networks ...................................................................................................... 134 Analysis: Online Fandom Discussion And Critical Race Theory .............................................. 141 Racism In Canon And Embedded Learning About Race ................................................... 142 Classroom Implications ...................................................................................................... 143 Analysis: Groups Resisting Groups ............................................................................................ 146 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 151 Chapter 5 ..................................................................................................................................... 154 iv An Introduction To A Conclusion .............................................................................................. 154 Positioning .......................................................................................................................... 155 Getting Our Students An Audience Online ................................................................................ 158 Understanding By Design (UBD) ............................................................................................... 162 Desired Outcomes ....................................................................................................................... 164 Assignments ................................................................................................................................ 172 Rhetorical Invention .................................................................................................................... 181 A Conclusion To The Conclusion ............................................................................................... 183 References ................................................................................................................................... 186 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... 210 Autobiographical Statement ........................................................................................................ 211 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: 4Chan Raiding Technique ............................................................................................