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-ed “I, Human” and Heather Reid’s "Plato’s Gymnastic Dialogues," we discuss how teaching excellence, process, and growth mindset can thrive alongside AI tools, and what it means to train for more than just technical proficiency.

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 Language and Action" by Audre Lorde we explore teaching voice and the risks of creative writing within the institutional maze.

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 Writing' A Cross-Cultural Perspective" by Melinda Reichelt.

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.

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.

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 literature can foster students' growth as writers—and individuals—by promoting belonging, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of academic writing conventions.

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 Lusser Rico.

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.

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.

Monica Talks to Mason's Students

Featured in this episode are two students who took Mason’s ENGL 101 class in the Fall 2023: Chloe and Rachel.