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December 31, 2005
Even More MLA Wrap-Up
Just a few quick links that empasize some of the other discussions taking place this year at MLA. First, Inside Higher Ed reports on the MLA panel on tenure evaluation and notes that some changes may be on the horizon (this is another panel I wish I had been able to attend). The highlights: less emphasis on the scholarly "monograph," more willingness to accept peer-reviewed online publications as of equal value with "print" publications, a distinction that has become rather silly with so many "print" journals now making their issues online through Project Muse and eventually through such projects as ElectraPress.
Other changes included a reconsideration of the role of outside readers in determining a candidates' qualifications for tenure; a more explicit understanding of how teaching, scholarship, and service contribute to a tenure case; and a renewed emphasis on mentoring tenure-track professors.
I also wanted to highlight the IHE article on some of the changes in what university presses are looking to publish. That process is still somewhat mysterious to me, so I found the article to be fairly useful in demystifying that process to some extent.
Finally, I think I'm the only blogger who was at MLA who didn't meet Scott Eric Kaufman of Acephalous. I do think that Scott's right to note that having a blog can make MLA a little less daunting and alienating than it might normally be. I had the chance to meet up with several other bloggers, including several bloggers who write anonymously.
Posted by chuck at December 31, 2005 2:36 PM
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» Radical Change for Tenure? from Matthew G. Kirschenbaum
Via Chuck: Maybe the most important thing to come out of this year's convention, the MLA's first serious discussion as an organization about decoupling tenure from the production of a monograph. Coverage via Inside Higher Ed's coverage. [Read More]
Tracked on January 1, 2006 10:01 AM
» What the Editors Want from miscellany is the largest category
At MLA, Chuck told me about the following article at Inside Higher Ed :: What the Press Editors Want: "We're looking for interdisciplinary work that will go beyond the MLA/cultural studies audience," Armato said. That means hot areas include media... [Read More]
Tracked on January 6, 2006 12:20 PM
Comments
Chuck, I meant to contact you after I read on Thursday afternoon that you wondered where John's Thursday morning panel was, but I felt a little sheepish since I'd also meant to check Clancy's site more frequently than I actually had a chance to.
But there's always next year. I may be a little more frazzled, what with the numerous interviews (he brazenly declares) I'll have, but I'm sure most everyone will be there next year too, since it's in Philly.
Posted by: Scott Eric Kaufman at December 31, 2005 7:24 PM
I don't think I could have attended it anyway. I had an interview that morning, and even if there wasn't a direct conflict, I don't think I could have attended the panel.
I'm hoping to go to Philly next year.
Posted by: Chuck at December 31, 2005 10:09 PM