History of Composition Studies
English 512

Course Description:

The goal of this course is to work toward an understanding of the history of composition and current trends in composition studies. We'll look at some of the instructional models that have governed assumptions about the writing process and that have influenced our own perceptions about reading and writing. As practicing members of Composition discourse communities, we will explore various rhetorics, epistemologies, and philosophies informing the ongoing debates concerning composition studies.

Required Readings:

• Whipple, Socratic Method and Writing Instruction
• Rosner, Boehm, Journet, History, Reflection and Narrative
• Elbow, Everyone Can Write
• Newkirk, The Performance of Self in Student Writing
• Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed
• selected articles

Elements of a Good Grade:

Active participation in class discussions, presentations, in-class writings (20%)

Participation in class discussions leads to increased understanding of the readings we will do do in this class. I expect everybody to provide frequent input that will further our understanding of each other, of texts that we read, and of the writing that we will do. This includes acting as a discussion leader for in-class discussions and an oral presentation as parts of the learning process
 

Response File (15%)

To make participation easier, you are expected to keep a response file in which you write your impressions about the works that we are reading. Don't write a summary, but write about your responses/reactions to the readings. Write an entry before every class meeting focusing on the texts we are reading. You can write about problems you have with the texts, questions you want to ask, or clarifications you need. I'll collect them halfway through the semester and again at the end of the semester.
 

Collaborative Textbook Critique (15%)

Many of you will be teaching (or are already teaching) English 105, 205, or other courses that require you to use textbooks. You'll be writing a collaborative critique (with 1-2 other people in the class) of a textbook of your choice to increase your understanding of how editors and authors use their understanding of composition to influence the texts they produce. You will also create a lessonplan based on one of the textbooks that you liked. This should be about 5-8 pages.
 

Two Written formal responses to readings (15%)

Part of the formal writing assignment will be 2 papers in response to the books/articles we'll be reading in this class. You can choose which articles you want to use for your reaction papers. They should be about 2-3 pages long.
 

Paper based on research (35%)

This is one of the fun parts of the class. For this paper, you'll need to do library research and/or field research. You'll need to choose your topic based on issues important in your field of specialization. This paper should be about 15-20 pages.

Attendance Policy

This class can only be successful if you participate and attend. We need to work hard to make this class a success for everybody involved and that is only possible if you are actually present. For this reason, you are expected to be in class every time we meet. If you miss more than a week of classes, it will affect your grade.

Grading

A: Outstanding work (90-100 %)
B: Above average work (80-89%)
C: Average work (70-79%)
D: Below average work (60-69%)
F: Failing Grade (0-59%)

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