English 605: Foundations for Teaching Composition

 Fall 2010 Google Group

Introduction and Policies
Those granted the privilege of teaching writing should be prepared; they should be acquainted with of the theories, research, and history of composition; argument; new media; research; style; and rhetoric. We will touch on all of that in this course in order to help teachers of college-level composition, old and new, ground their practices in theory and theorize from their practices.

The main goals of the class are simple. I want students who go on (or continue) to teach writing to know more than their textbooks about composition, so they can teach with confidence and expertise. Secondly, I want students to understand enough about the field of Composition Studies in order to navigate in it, draw on its knowledge base, and see themselves as emerging members in it. An introduction to teacher research will help reach these goals.

In addition, this course will be taught in a way that models appropriate pedagogy for FYC (first-year composition). Collaboration, mini-lectures, whole class discussion, reflection, student presentations, and revision will be key components in this.

English 605 complements ID 601 (TPrep), its partner course. This course will focus on global issues in composition and ID 601 is focused on local issues, specifically teaching composition at Ball State. Although 605 is a required course for teaching assistants, this is still a graduate seminar; you will be held to the same high standards expected in other graduate seminars in your preparation, reading, presentations, and composition projects.

Required Texts
Chiseri-Strater & Sunstein: What Works? A Practical Guide to Teacher Research
Miller: The Norton Book of Composition Studies
Herrington & Curtis: Persons in Process
Hunt: Misunderstanding the AssignmentBlack: Between Talk and Teaching
Davis & Shadle: Teaching Multiwriting
Butler: Out of Style
Roberts-Miller: Deliberate Conflict

Attendance Policy
I expect you to attend class, arrive on time, and stay for the entire class period.  Your final grade may be lowered or you may be asked to withdraw from the class if you have trouble meeting these attendance expectations.

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 encouraged to take advantage of the Writing Center.  The Writing Center offers free one-to-one feedback on all of your writing projects for all of your classes. The Writing Center is located in RB 291. It is open Monday-Thursday 10-8 and Friday 10-2. You may drop by or make an appointment at www.bsu.edu/writingcenter. You may also schedule an appointment or drop by my office hours as needed throughout the semester to discuss the readings, your writing, or other class issues.  I also am fairly quick in responding to email questions, so you may contact me that way.

Assignments
Discussion Board Posts: 25% of final grade
Collaborative Pedagogy Project (presentation & digital text): 25% of final grade
Research Project (includes proposal, presentation, and report): 50% of final grade

Schedule
Aug 26: Imagine that you enter a parlor.

Part One: You Come Late
Sept 2: NB: Emig; Macrorie; Crowley
Sept 9: NB: Bizzell; Bruffee; Flower & Hayes
Sept 16: NB: Berthoff; Faigley; Berlin
Sept 23: NB: Bartholomae; Reynolds; Royster
Sept 30: NB: Canagarajah; Villanueva; Lunsford

Part Two: You Put in Your Oar
Oct 7: What Works?
Oct 14: Misunderstanding the Assignment
Oct 21: Between Talk and Teaching
Oct 28: Person in Process
Nov 4: Research Proposal drafts

Part Three: The Discussion is Interminable
Nov 11: Teaching Multiwriting
Nov 18: Deliberate Conflict
[Nov 25: Thanksgiving, No Class]
Dec 2: Out of Style

Part Four: Still Vigorously in Process
Dec 9: Research Presentations
Final Exam Period, Dec 16, 7-9pm: Research Presentations