Tactics of Hope: The Public Turn in English Composition

by Paula Mathieu

Institutions of higher learning seem traditionally isolated from the realities of the neighborhoods around them. But increasingly, colleges and universities have thrown open their gates and made a public turn toward school-community partnerships, bringing literacy activities to the streets and service-learning opportunities to faculty, staff, and student volunteers. Paula Mathieu is one such faculty volunteer, and in Tactics of Hope she examines the workings behind the public turn in composition studies at several institutions. Recounting various types of initiatives, she describes how these ideas for outreach were received by both local residents and members of the campus, and she outlines how each side worked together to relieve town-gown tensions. More important, Mathieu examines why a tactical, not strategic, approach to outreach provides the most flexibility for all involved and creates the best opportunities for real learning and deeper interaction between volunteers and their community. Outside the dormitories, the classrooms, and the gates of every university live people who can benefit from public-academic partnerships. And on the inside of those very same structures are people who can benefit equally. Read Tactics of Hope and discover ideas and tactics for tapping the transformative power of learning on and from the streets.

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2005

Reviews

[Bruce Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but was disappointed with the focus on service learning at the expense of other forms of public writing. I understand and respect PM's experience with service learning, and strongly agree with her critique of institutionalized s-l programs as well as her repeated warnings about misrepresenting the community's needs and their voices. The message of the book, however -- taking the writing classes to the streets -- can be further engaged with a larger appreciation of socio-environmental forces (she alludes to these, I know) such as discussed in Welch's _Living Room_ while simultaneously addressing other public rhetorics in more detail and discussion, such as those briefly mentioned in chapter 1 -- ethnography, community literacy projects, etc. I like her verve.

[Jessica Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mathieu writes from her experience with the international street newspaper movement in Chicago and Boston and her post as a post-doctoral candidate at a major research institution. Her data and tactics are laced with personal anecdotes, interviews, and stories written by the homeless, which sweetens her otherwise dry institutional format. A helpful read for any one who wishes to straddle the world of academia... AND the world-at-large.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Street composition.

[Paula Mathieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I wrote this, I'm not the best to review it.
I say: read it!