Welcome to my academic website. If you're looking for the short version of my bio: I'm an associate professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, where I teach rhetoric and writing in the Department of English. 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 rhetoric and writing studies. My recently published monograph, Invisible Effects, investigates complexity and systems theory--and in particular, the concept of emergence--in the context of writing studies and writing pedagogy. The result of this investigation shows us how to look for and trace what I describe as the invisible effects (hence the title) of writing, both in the classroom and in the wider world.
My other research projects examine the diverse ramifications of looking at writing and rhetoric via systems and complexity theory (for example, this article looks at how complexity might shift our understanding of "facts," writing, and genre, and this one looks at arguments themselves as stable systems--a formulation that helps explain why some conversations appear to be pervaded by "stubbornness"). I've also written about the concept of "ignorance" from a rhetoric-systems perspective. As I contend, systems theory helps us understand how language and rhetoric help us manage (and, sometimes, ignore) our complex world.
For more info on my research click here--that page also includes brief descriptions/excerpts from some of my projects, including from Invisible Effects, as well as from my co-edited collection, Kenneth Burke + The Posthuman.
My teaching focuses on writing, rhetoric, pedagogy, posthumanism, and media theory, among other topics. For syllabi, assignments, and classroom exercises from some of these courses, click on the "Teaching" header at the top of the page.
Finally, you can email me at cmays@unr.edu.
A bit more specifically, my research focuses on the implications of complexity and systems theory in rhetoric and writing studies. My recently published monograph, Invisible Effects, investigates complexity and systems theory--and in particular, the concept of emergence--in the context of writing studies and writing pedagogy. The result of this investigation shows us how to look for and trace what I describe as the invisible effects (hence the title) of writing, both in the classroom and in the wider world.
My other research projects examine the diverse ramifications of looking at writing and rhetoric via systems and complexity theory (for example, this article looks at how complexity might shift our understanding of "facts," writing, and genre, and this one looks at arguments themselves as stable systems--a formulation that helps explain why some conversations appear to be pervaded by "stubbornness"). I've also written about the concept of "ignorance" from a rhetoric-systems perspective. As I contend, systems theory helps us understand how language and rhetoric help us manage (and, sometimes, ignore) our complex world.
For more info on my research click here--that page also includes brief descriptions/excerpts from some of my projects, including from Invisible Effects, as well as from my co-edited collection, Kenneth Burke + The Posthuman.
My teaching focuses on writing, rhetoric, pedagogy, posthumanism, and media theory, among other topics. For syllabi, assignments, and classroom exercises from some of these courses, click on the "Teaching" header at the top of the page.
Finally, you can email me at cmays@unr.edu.