A philosophy of composition entails a set of assumptions concerning the aim of writing instruction and the nature of language and learning. . . . You cannot adopt an “atheoretical” or “nonphilosophical” approach to a course, as every act of teaching arises from some set of assumptions about what teachers should teach and how students learn.  --Stephen W. Wilhoit (28, 31)

DESCRIPTION: English 594 is a rigorous introduction to the competing pedagogies and theories of discourse that make up the field of composition studies.  Entering a field as dynamically interdisciplinary as this one requires intellectual daring and flexibility, and so we will keep Alton Becker’s phrase as our collective mantra.  This semester we will engage in a number of research, writing and collaborative activities designed to help us put theory into practice and to think carefully through our inclinations, actions and reactions in the classroom.  We will also spend significant time working through the challenges and opportunities that arise in our English 101 courses.  Our goals for the seminar are the following:

• to engage a broad range of pedagogical positions in composition studies and thus give you a strong introduction to the field.
• to help you establish a reflective teaching practices within this dynamic and contentious critical conversation.
• to help you develop an understanding of the relationship between theory and practice and between theory and pedagogical choices.
• to extend and maintain a community of teachers and scholars who will support one another.
• to professionalize you as academics in general and as teachers of writing specifically.
• to provide a space for collaborative problem solving as you go through your first semester teaching at A.S.U.
• to familiarize you with the English 102 course and textbook in preparation for the spring semester.

TEXTBOOKS:

Tate, Gary, Amy Rupiper, Kurt Schick, eds. A Guide to Composition Pedagogies. New York: Oxford, 2001. (Guide)

Heilker, Paul, and Peter Vandenberg, eds. Keywords in Composition Studies. Portsmouth, NH: Boyton/Cook, 1996. (Keywords)

ENG 594 Course Pack (CP) [Available at Alternative Copies, located at 715 S. Forest. Phone: 480-829-7992]

The following books will be supplied to you:

Wilhoit, Stephen W. Teaching Assistant’s Handbook: A Guide for Graduate Instructors of Writing and Literature. New York: Longman, 2003. (TA Handbook)

Morahan, Shirley, and T.R. Johnson, eds. Teaching Composition: Background Readings. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2002. (TC)

George, Diana, and John Trimbur. Reading Culture: Contexts for Critical Reading and Writing. 5th ed. New York: Longman, 2003. [Textbook for ENG 101]

Lunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters. Everything’s an Argument. 2nd ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2001. [Textbook for ENG 102]

REQUIREMENTS

Assignments: Detailed explanations for each of the following will be distributed.

• Scholar’s Log             30%
• Group Presentation   20%
• Book Review             25%
• Teaching Portfolio     25%

Incompletes: Please do not assume that an incomplete will be given upon request. University and departmental policy on the handling of incompletes will be followed; only in the case of verified emergencies and illnesses will an incomplete be given.

Scholar's Log: Your scholar's log provides a space for you to: respond to each reading (an average of a page per reading, though some readings may give rise to more than a page and others to less); make observations on readings and class discussions; draw connections among assigned readings and your experience teaching; pose questions, explore issues, and ponder theoretically informed teaching practices. Thus, your log will serve as a valuable resource for grappling with both the readings and with your teaching. Bring your scholar's log to each class; you will be reflecting on your responses in class, and we will use these at times as a jumping off point for discussions and activities. You will turn in your weekly log entries on every Thursday.

Withdrawal Deadlines:

Unrestricted Withdrawal Deadline: September 19
Restricted Course Withdrawal Deadline:       October 31**
Restricted Complete Withdrawal Deadline:   December 3

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