Integrated Reading and Writing

Activity 4

After reading through this page and watching the videos, write your responses to the following reflection questions:

  • What topics/issues do you think are being discussed in your field of interest?
  • Where do you think these conversation are taking place?
  • What aspects do you think are important for constructing authority in your field (education, experience, etc.)?
  • Who (which positions) do you think would be important voices to include in a conversation about a topic in your field?

Scholarship Is a Conversation

Interesting Conversation by Federico Zandomeneghi

The central theme of this assignment is that Scholarship is a Conversation--but what does this mean?  The Association of College and Research Libraries states that "Communities of scholars, researchers, or professionals engage in sustained discourse with new insights and discoveries occurring over time as a result of varied perspectives and interpretations."  Essentially, information and knowledge is debated and discussed, and that discussion leads to new knowledge and understanding over time.  Whenever you read an article or book about an important issue in your field, it is important to understand that it is part of a larger conversation.

When we think of a "conversation," we envision multiple participants with multiple perspectives and ideas.  Those participating in the conversation interact and engage with each other--sometimes agreeing and sometimes disagreeing--with the goal of moving the issue forward.  Part of your assignment will be to explore a conversation in your field to better understand who is participating, what they are saying, and how they are saying it.  For more information about this concept, watch the brief video below and reflect on the Activity 4 questions before our library session.

Authority Is Contextual

A companion theme that will help explore a conversation is Authority is Constructed and Contextual.  Basically, this concept expresses the idea that someone's authority (their expertise and credibility) is contingent on a number of factors and should be evaluated.  As the Association of College and Research Libraries states, "Authority is constructed in that various communities may recognize different types of authority. It is contextual in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required."  We might add that authority can also be contextual based on the scholarly conversation--in order to better understand the authority of a source, it is important to situate that source within the larger conversation.

For more information about this concept, watch the brief video below and reflect on the Activity 4 questions before our library session.