Teaching Composition

In this course,
students will have an opportunity to implement the theories they learn about
teaching writing in actual interactions with students. The course will begin by
exploring the evolution of theories about teaching writing over the last
several decades and articulating them with social and political moments. We
will examine how those theories translate into practices for working with
writers, specifically in a writing center context. Readings and discussions
will address practical approaches for helping students at all stages of the
writing process, including invention, organization, grammar, as well as writing
for different genres and in different disciplines. The complex
teacher/tutor/student relationship will also be a focus as students will be
asked to reflect on how to incorporate their own style into the
teaching/tutoring dynamic. The work students do in class and in the center will
provide a departure point for examinations of how place
figures into the teaching of writing—specifically, we will look at the cultural
connections and demographics of the students we work with and interrogate
theories and approaches in terms of their efficacy with our students.

 

Students will work
several hours each week in UHM’s Writing Center through which students will
gain actual tutoring experience. Because this course involves a 5 hour/wk paid
tutoring position, students need to apply to enroll. For application materials,
please contact the instructor at georgann@hawaii.edu

 

Assignments:

Weekly responses to readings

Tutoring observations

Tutoring

Journal log on tutoring interactions

5-7 page mid-term
paper synthesizing composition theory/practices with writing
center theory/practices

10-page final paper
that, drawing from the tutoring log, situates/critiques tutoring practices
employed within both composition and writing center theory

In-class presentation
that involves leading class discussion on readings /tutoring practices

 

Attendance is required in this class.

 

Required Texts (available at the UH Bookstore):
Murphy, Christina, and Steve Sherwood. The St. Martin’s
Sourcebook for Writing Tutors
. 4th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s,
2011.
 
Ryan, Leigh, and Lisa Zimmerelli. The Bedford Guide for
Writing Tutors
. 5th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010.

 

Additional readings will be provided via a course packet or
uploaded to a class website.