Cyborgenics of Higher Education

In “A Cyborg Manifesto,” Donna Haraway discusses the feminization of the workplace, or jobs considered a woman’s work. This categorization distinguishes between that which is accepted into the “system” and those whom are outside of the system; hence exploited (Haraway 166).

Within this logic and the framework of higher education, the college institution has in a sense feminized English Studies, especially the realm of Composition. This is because the field has been demonized as a service course to meet the needs of “more important” disciplines within the institution. This demonization has led to the vulnerability and exploitation, which is discussed within the manifesto (Haraway 166). This exploitation turns educated instructors into unrespected service workers, due especially to increased workloads, lower pay, and the lack of benefits; not to mention any real sense of job security.

If the institution of higher education is a cyborg it is not fully operational. It will never be complete until it fully embraces English Studies; especially, Composition.