Welcome to my academic website. If you're looking for the short version of my bio: I'm an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, where I teach rhetoric and writing in the English Department. I earned my PhD in English Studies, with a specialization in Rhetoric and Composition, from Illinois State University. A bit more specifically, my research focuses on the implications of complexity and systems theory in various contexts in rhetoric and writing studies. For example, two of my current research projects examine how writing functions in complex and dynamic environments (one explores conceiving writing as a system, and one looks at how complexity might shift our understanding of writing, "facts," and genre). Another project looks at arguments as stable systems--basically, why some conversations appear to be pervaded by "stubbornness." I'm also finishing up a book project that examines the ramifications of complexity and systems theory for writing: how we might look for and trace what I call the "invisible effects" of writing.
For more info on my research click here--that page also includes a brief description/excerpt from my and my co-editors' recently published collection, Kenneth Burke + The Posthuman. For teaching and more rhetoric related info, tools, etc, click any of the headers and links on the site.
Finally, you can email me at cmays@unr.edu.
For more info on my research click here--that page also includes a brief description/excerpt from my and my co-editors' recently published collection, Kenneth Burke + The Posthuman. For teaching and more rhetoric related info, tools, etc, click any of the headers and links on the site.
Finally, you can email me at cmays@unr.edu.