The English 101 Experiment
English professors Mason Joiner and Monica Mankin explore an unconventional experiment in college freshman composition, where students choose their own assignments, set their own deadlines, and grade themselves. Each episode discusses what happens when the traditional classroom structure is removed and students take ownership of their learning. The podcast is an independent project and does not represent Delgado Community College, with content intended for general educational purposes.
Episodes
Together & Alone
In this episode of The English 101 Experiment, Mason and Monica are joined by colleagues Andrew Gibbs and Ari Zeiger to discuss "The Monks in the Casino," Derek Thompson's essay on the growing problem of male loneliness in an increasingly digital world. From there, the conversation expands to consider loneliness and solitude more broadly, the experiences of asynchronous students, and the ways gene
The Swinging Compass: A Student-Led Inquiry into Ethics and AI
In this episode of The English 101 Experiment, Mason and Monica are joined by Kaia Layson, one of Mason’s students, to discuss her researched paper on ethics and artificial intelligence. In the course of discussing Kaia's project and experience with The English 101 Experiment approach, the conversation meanders through big and unsettled questions: What does it mean to talk about consciousness in r
Problems on the Path: Generative A.I. and Writing Assessment
In this episode of The English 101 Experiment, Monica and Mason talk with colleague Ari Zeiger about the problems arising in the writing classroom in the age of generative A.I. The conversation doesn’t rush toward solutions; instead, it explores the long-held assumptions that AI now unsettles—the belief that students must write independently, that a polished final product reliably measures learnin
Walk the Way
Season 3 opens with a powerful conversation rooted in the quote that begins every English 101 semester: “As you walk upon the way, the way appears.” Monica and Mason talk with former student Mo Cataland about how her “way” unfolded in class through her independent project, Breaking the Boulder—a podcast exploring addiction, stigma, and the science of recovery. Mo shares how the non-traditional app
Aretē vs. Technē in the GenAI Gym
What happens when the ancient Greek pursuit of aretē—excellence of mind and character—meets technē—craft, skill, and know-how—in the age of GenAI? In this episode, we step into the “GenAI Gym” with our colleague Jackson Moss, Assistant Department Chair and Professor of English, to explore the tension and harmony between these ideals in the composition classroom. Drawing on Margaret Renkl’s NYT op-
Voices in the Maze
In episode six, Mason and Monica talk with colleagues Joseph Buckley and Ari Zeiger about what happens when creative writing enters the composition classroom. Through a discussion of "Class Barriers: Creative Writing in the Freshman Composition" by M. Thomas Gammarino, "Creating Possibilities: Embedding Research into Creative Writing" by Jason Wirtz, and "The Transformation of Silence into Languag
A Labyrinth of Good Intentions
In episode five, colleagues Sarah Inman and Jennifer Kooken join Mason and Monica as they wander through the maze of "good writing"--from academic conventions to cross-cultural ideals--asking whether the rules meant to guide us sometimes get us lost. We explore "The Five-Paragraph Essay" by Will D. Desmond, "Should Writers Use They Own English?" by Vershawn Ashanti Young, and "Defining 'Good Writi
(L)imitations in Play
In episode four, Mason and Monica talk with colleagues Matt Hanson and Brett Evans about the value of play in the composition classroom. To guide this discussion, we reference "The Art of Imitation" by J. Scott Shields and self-portrait poems from Edna St. Vincent Millay, Evie Shockley, Karisma Price, and Chen Chen.
Lines of Thought
In episode three, Mason and Monica welcome colleague and New Orleans poet Gina Ferrara to a discussion of poetry's place in the composition classroom. We dive into "Missing Link: Metacognition and the Necessity of Poetry in the Composition Classroom" from Valerie Martinez and poems "The Fish" by Elizabeth Bishop, "A House Called Tomorrow" by Alberto Rios, and "Spoon-Rest Mammies" by Skye Jackson.
Literature (Un)Bound
In this episode of The English 101 Experiment, colleague Andrew Gibbs joins Mason and Monica to explore the role of literature in the composition classroom. Drawing on scholarship from Jessica Lindemann, Gary Tate, and Kate Chanock, we debate the value and challenges of integrating literature into writing instruction and, through a discussion of Langston Hughes' "Thank you, Ma'am," investigate how
Daedalus (re)Emerges
In season two of The English 101 Experiment podcast, Mason and Monica join colleagues for text-based discussions about the philosophies and practices at work in their college composition classrooms. In episode one, Ari Zeiger joins us for a talk about "Daedal," a poem by A.E. Stallings, and "Daedalus and Icarus Within: The Literature/Art/Writing Connection," a work of scholarship by Gabriele Lusse
What's Next?
In this last episode of season one, Mason and Monica consider Icarus, in Jack Gilbert’s “Failing and Flying” and E.L. Mayo’s “Icarus,” as they reflect on their own failing and flying during the last year and discuss what’s next for the English 101 Experiment.
What About AI?
In episode nine, Mason and Monica welcome colleague Jen Kooken to a discussion of generative AI tools, how they impact our role as writers and writing teachers, and how they fit into the English 101 Experiment.
What Do Students Think? (Part B)
Monica Talks to Mason's StudentsFeatured in this episode are two students who took Mason’s ENGL 101 class in the Fall 2023: Chloe and Rachel.
What Do Students Think? (Part A)
Mason Talks to Monica's StudentsIn episode eight, a two part episode, Mason and Monica take turns talking with each other’s students about their experiences in The English 101 Experiment.
Which Texts & Why?
In episode seven, Mason and Monica welcome back colleague Andrew Gibbs for a deep dive into the texts they’ve chosen to use throughout The English 101 Experiment.
What Did We Learn?
In episode six, Mason and Monica welcome colleague Ari Zeiger to a discussion full of reflections and outlooks as they begin another semester of The English 101 Experiment.
What Are the Challenges and Pleasant Surprises?
In episode five, Mason and Monica welcome colleague Sean F. Munro to a discussion of the challenges and pleasant surprises encountered throughout the first semester of The English 101 Experiment.
What's Fair? And Other Questions Concerning (Self)Evaluation
In episode four, Mason and Monica welcome colleague Audra Rouse to a discussion of fairness, grades, student learning outcomes, and (self)assessment as they apply to The English 101 Experiment.
What Happens Day-to-Day?
In episode three, Mason and Monica welcome colleagues Abbey Wallig and Andrew Gibbs to a discussion of what happens on a day-to-day basis during The English 101 Experiment.
How Are Projects Developed and Monitored?
In episode two, Mason and Monica welcome colleague Joseph Buckley to a discussion about how students’ self-directed composition projects are developed and then monitored throughout the semester.
What Are We Doing?
In episode one, Mason and Monica welcome colleague Corey Pellerin to an initial discussion of how and why they decided to conduct The English 101 Experiment.
