Writing Samples
Contemporary Critical Theories
Beyond Cruel Optimism: A New Type of Empathy
aRgumentative Essay
Prompt:
[This essay] essay requires writers to extend or invent concepts and move forward at least one line of critical thought with original writing. Each week’s reading material features a writer (among other writers) advancing critical thinking in general and with analysis of literary, cinematic, cultural, narrative-based, discursive, linguistic, and/or rhetorical situations as sites of inquiry. . . .
- Essay must advance critical thought along a claim-based argument (either extending, challenging, or nuancing, a previous claim or inventing an original claim)
- Essay must demonstrate in-depth analysis as a way to demonstrate a claim’s validity in a number of scenarios (literary, cinematic, rhetorical, real-world, linguistic, etc.)
- Essay must incorporate research to advance argument and demonstrate contextual awareness about concepts being deliberated
Essay: Boruff – Beyond Cruel Optimism, A New Type of Empathy
Explanation of Purpose and Impact: This argumentative essay explores the possibility of using Jeremy Rifkin’s “empathic civilization” concept as an antidote for what Lauren Berlant identifies as “cruel optimism.” This artifact highlights skills related to argumentation and analysis that is both sociocultural and theoretical in nature.
Contemporary Critical Theories
A Romantic Response to Capitalist Realism
argumentative Essay
Prompt:
The final essay requires writers to extend or invent concepts and move forward at least one line of critical thought with original writing. Each week’s reading material features a writer (among other writers) advancing critical thinking in general and with analysis of literary, cinematic, cultural, narrative-based, discursive, linguistic, and/or rhetorical situations as sites of inquiry. . . .
- Essay must advance critical thought along a claim-based argument (either extending, challenging, or nuancing, a previous claim or inventing an original claim)
- Essay must demonstrate in-depth analysis as a way to demonstrate a claim’s validity in a number of scenarios (literary, cinematic, rhetorical, real-world, linguistic, etc.)
- Essay must incorporate research to advance argument and demonstrate contextual awareness about concepts being deliberated
Essay: Boruff – A Romantic Response to Capitalist Realism
Explanation of Purpose and Impact: This argumentative essay asserts that Romantic ideals can minimize the impacts of “capitalist realism,” as described by Mark Fisher. Like the previous writing, this artifact highlights skills related to argumentation and analysis that is both sociocultural and theoretical in nature.
Cross-Cultural Studies: Posthumanism
The Dangerous Myth of Human Exceptionalism
Argumentative Essay
Prompt:
What does it mean to be human in a world that works at a scale and speed beyond human comprehension? Scientific and technological advancements develop at speeds to which we cannot attend. Information develops at an exponential rate. Medicine targets our brain chemistry and our longevity and from intelligent mechanical prosthetics to xenotransplants affect who we are. In such a world do we change what it means to be human? In other words, are we already posthuman? How do we fit or not in such a world?
Essay: Portfolio – Boruff – ENG 504 Final
Explanation of Purpose and Impact: This argumentative and analytical essay begins with the assertion that our world is already substantially posthuman. That assertion is then expounded, clarified, and justified. In addition to highlighting skills shown in previous artifacts, this artifact highlights skills related to nuanced synthesis of highly conceptual and metaphysical texts.
History of English Language
History of Words Related to Film and Cinema
A Website
Prompt:
The goal of this assignment is for you to explore a topic of your own choosing within the history of English and thus demonstrate what you have learned and how you can apply that knowledge. You will need to perform independent research and analysis, potentially using some of the resources that have been introduced in the course thus far (the OED, OE and ME texts, etc.).
Website: History of Words Related to Film and Cinema
Explanation of Purpose and Impact: This website contains a detailed history of the etymology of words related to film and cinema. This online repository of cinematic etymology contains both well-researched information and original analysis.
World War II in Literature: the Nobel Prize
The Swedish Spätaufklärer: Both Grass and Vonnegut Deserved Prizes
Analytical Essay
Prompt:
Compare and contrast Günter Grass (Literature Nobel Prize 1999) with Kurt Vonnegut (as a potential Nobel laureate in Literature, who did not receive the prize). . . .
Your argument must draw from your response to the contributions of these authors to World War II literature; it will demonstrate your understanding of 1) the comparability and value of these writers’ work in their national historical and literary contexts, and 2) your understanding of the Nobel Prize in Literature as a transnational system in the context of World War II in literature, corresponding to the course objectives.
Essay: Portfolio – Benjamin Boruff – ENG 568 – Final Draft
Explanation of Purpose and Impact: This analytical essay dissects the sociopolitical nuances of the decisions made by the Swedish Academy, and it explores the literary themes and qualities contained in the works of both Günter Grass and Kurt Vonnegut. This artifact further highlights skills related to argumentation and analysis.
Graduate Capstone Seminar
Empathy Through Knowledge: My Academic Journey
Autobiographical Narrative
Prompt:
The purpose of this assignment is to reflect on your academic journey and articulate your intellectual worldview and the personal, professional, and leadership values you have acquired/refined during your MA in English Studies program and consider how you are now poised to move forward in your discipline/career. The point is to reflect back on the pivotal learning experiences and relationships that have gotten you to where you are today, synthesize your intellectual growth, and project your goals moving forward.
Essay: Portfolio – Benjamin Boruff – ENG 597 – Autobiographical Narrative
Explanation of Purpose and Impact: This autobiographical essay explores my growth as a professional educator and a lifelong academic. This essay also identifies and examines themes that emerge throughout the narrative of my professional and academic journey.
Ben Boruff 