<English 690: Syllabus>

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Summer I 2008, M-F 11:00-12:35
Dr. Jackie Grutsch McKinney
jrmckinney@bsu.edu
Course documents: jackiegrutschmckinney.com
Summer 2008 office hours: M & W 9-11

English 690: Writing Center Theory & Administration

In this section, we will explore issues of writing center pedagogy, history, theory, research, and administration. Through readings, discussions, and assignments, students will be immersed in this relatively new subfield in Rhetoric and Composition. Starting questions for us will be:
• Out of what historic conditions did writing centers emerge? In what conditions are they sustained?
• How does a writing center's site as a non-classroom space fit with theories of composition that come from classroom spaces?
• Do writing center pedagogies have anything to give back to classroom teachers?
• What relationships should writing centers forge with faculty across the campus?
• Who makes a good peer tutor? What training does a tutor need to be successful?
• How could one engage in administration as intellectual and scholarly work?
• How do different technologies of composing alter writing center practices?
• What's a postmodern writing center ethic? How would one put such an ethic into practice?

This class is appropriate for all graduate students in Rhetoric and Composition, students who want to prepare for the possibility of administrative work in the academy, and those who teach writing and want to know more about writing center theories and pedagogies.

Required Texts
Longman Guide to Writing Center Theory & Practice (Eds Robert Barnett & Jacob Blumner)
Everyday Writing Center: A Community of Practice (Geller, Eodice, Condon, Carroll, & Boquet)
Good Intentions: Writing Center Work for Postmodern Times (Nancy Grimm)
Writing Center Director's Resource Book (Eds. Christina Murphy and Byron Stay)
Electronic Writing Centers (David Coogan)
At the Point of Need (Marie Wilson Nelson)

Attendance Policy
You are expected to be in class, on time, and prepared each day. If you are unable to make a class meeting, please let me know. If you are not prepared, on time, or in class, your grade will reflect that.

Grading and Late Work
Late work is not acceptable (unless you have documentation of an extremely dire situation: accident report, hospital bill, etc.).  If you have to miss class on a day an assignment is due, please arrange to have a classmate bring it to class for you, bring it to me before class, or email it to me before class.

Classroom Expectations
Respect for others is expected. Any behavior that distracts (eating, talking while others are talking, etc.) or is disrespectful (personal attacks, etc.) is unacceptable. Students may be asked to leave the classroom if they choose to act in such a way. Cell phones, IM, and email should be turned off during class time. In the case of an emergency, you may be reached during classes or conferences at the department phone number (285-8580).

Plagiarism/Academic Misconduct
Using someone else's ideas or words as your own on any assignment is plagiarism.  It is a violation of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities as defined in the student handbook (or at www.bsu.edu/sa/dean/stucode/) and will be treated as such. If you are concerned about inadvertently violating this policy, please see me before completing the assignment.

Special Needs
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

Writing Center & Optional Conferences
You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the Writing Center.  The Writing Center offers free one-to-one assistance on all of your writing projects for all of your classes. The Writing Center is located in RB 291. It is open this summer M-F from 10-2.

Alternatively, if at any point in the course you’d like to meet with me to discuss an assignment, reading, paper revision, or another aspect of the course, you may.  You are welcome to come during my office hours, or we can arrange another meeting time.  As a professional courtesy, I expect you to show up if you ask me to make a special appointment to meet with you.