Becky Lynn Caouette
Academic Background
B.A. Eastern Connecticut State University
M.A., Ph.D. University of Connecticut
I came to Rhode Island College in August 2009, a matter of days marking the space between the conclusion of my graduate work (at the University of Connecticut) and the beginning of my faculty position here. While I have lived in Connecticut my entire life, my family has strong roots in this state.
As the Director of Writing, I identify first and foremost as a Writing Program Administrator; my position here at RIC includes, among other things, the oversight and continuing improvement of the First Year Writing Program. I am privileged to talk with other people, programs, departments, and organizations about writing and to help shape RIC’s polices and curriculum. My own scholarship is directly informed by, and contributes to, my administrative work.
I also get to teach some fabulous students in some energetic and inspiring classes. I teach a FYW course nearly every semester, where I get to see great student projects evolve. The Rhetoric and Writing (RAW) minor affords me the opportunity to work with students in a variety of majors, and I have been able to introduce students to my discipline in upper-level and graduate English courses.
At the end of the day, I cross the state line back to Connecticut, where I enjoy spending time with my own active family. I like to be outside where I can hike, plant flowers, and generally just enjoy nature, including the U.S.’s national parks and forests. But there’s also room in my life to watch television and movies, to sneak a nap, and to read, read, read.
Courses Taught
ENGL 010 Basic Writing Skills
COLL 101 The College Experience
FYW 100/H/P Introduction to Academic Writing (includes Honors and Plus sections)
FYS 100 First Year Seminar
ENGL 378 Studies in Composition
ENGL 379 Studies in Rhetoric
ENGL 460 Senior Seminar
ENGL 520 Topics in Composition Theory, Rhetoric, and Language Study
Publications
“A Compelling Collaboration: The First Year Writing Program, Writing Center, and Directed Self-
Placement.” With Claudine Griggs.
Praxis: A Writing Center Journal. Forthcoming Spring
2015.
“All Hands on Deck: Bringing Together High School Teachers and Adjunct Instructors for
Professional Development in the Teaching of Writing.” With Jennifer S. Cook.
T/W: The
Journal of Writing Teacher Education. 2.1 (2013): 49-56. Web.
“On the College Front: Patrick Hartwell's ‘Grammar, Grammars, and the Teaching of Grammar’
and the Composition Anthology.”
Language Arts Journal of Michigan. 27.2 (2012): 57-62.
Print.
