Syllabus for ENG 466:  Practicum in the Teaching of Writing

and ENG 316:  Internship in English

 

Missouri Western State University

Department of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism, Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences

ENG 316/466

Instructor:  Dawn Terrick

Fall 2006

 

TH 3:30-4:20 Murphy 104

Office:  Eder Hall 222C

Office Phone:  816-271-4313

Office Hours:  MWF 11-12, Thursday 1-3 and by appointment

Email:  terrick@missouriwestern.edu

 

Required Texts:

·ENG 100 Writer’s Workshop Fall Edition

·Answer Key/Manual (booklet will be distributed)

·Packet of required essays/readings (in bookstore)

 

Course Description:

“Academic writing, reading and inquiry are inseparably linked; and all three are learned not by doing any one alone, but by doing them all at the same time.  To “teach writing” is thus necessarily to ground writing in reading and inquiry.”                                                                                                                                -James A. Reither

 

This course is designed to help you both navigate your way through the ENG 100 workshops and provide you with a solid foundation for your future teaching and writing endeavors.  As a result, I would like this course to function mainly as a “seminar” in which we will all read and discuss essays regarding composition theory and pedagogy, while making connections between these essays and our “real life” teaching experiences.  I want you all to develop and refine your own critical perspectives on teaching writing and the most effective way to accomplish this is to truly discuss, debate and question the issues we read about and then to discover your own place within and against others’ theories and approaches to teaching writing.  Please remember that class discussion is the key component to your success in this course and in the workshop, so feel free to ask questions of your instructor and your classmates, both inside and outside of the classroom. 

 

Most class sessions will follow a similar format:  In class we will discuss workshop questions and problems and review upcoming workshop lessons and exercises.  In addition, we may also discuss the assigned readings and issues and concerns related to the readings.   

 

**All Student Assistants must attend every weekly meeting for training sessions and discussions.  You will also spend a minimum of two additional hours per week as a Student Assistant, leading your assigned ENG 100 students in a Writer’s Workshop.  All student assistants must attend all workshop sessions, be on time for each session and conduct each session for the full 50 minutes.  If you cannot make a workshop session, it is your responsibility to contact Dawn Terrick and, if possible, find coverage for your workshop.  All students enrolled in ENG 316/466 are also required to attend every weekly meeting and successfully complete all reading and writing assignments. 

 

Course Objectives:

You should aim:

·to become knowledgeable about writing processes, particularly heuristics and prewriting

·to deepen your understanding of writing and of designing writing assignments

·to become a more skilled and experienced teacher, particularly of composition

·to comprehend the rationale for the MWSC ENG 100 course design

·to develop your own critical perspective on teaching writing  

 

Methods of Instruction:

Methods of instruction include assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, group work/in-class workshops, informal writing assignments and formal writing assignments.

 

 Policies:

Attendance and Class Preparation/Participation:  All students are expected to attend every scheduled class meeting and every workshop session.  If you miss class three times during the semester for any reason other than a legitimate, documented emergency, you will fail the course and you may be removed as an SA.  However, please feel free to talk with me about any extenuating circumstances.  If for any other reason any SA should simply fail to meet the minimal requirements and standards for a responsible student tutor, that SA may be replaced and will earn an F in any related class.  If you are going to miss class due to a school-sponsored event you must notify me in advance.  Also, arriving to class late is disruptive.  As a result, chronic lateness will likely affect your final grade.  Students are also expected to come prepared to every class meeting and participate in class discussion for this is the only way we can all share ideas, ask questions and learn.

 

Late Work:  All writing assignments are due on the due date stated on the assignment sheet and course schedule.  Each student is allowed one late paper (and only one late paper) and this must be discussed with the instructor. I will not accept/grade any other late papers.  This is important because you must complete, turn in and receive a grade for all papers in order to pass this class.  Consequently, if you submit more than one late paper, you will fail the course.

 

Grading:  Your employment status and final grade for the internship/practicum will be based upon your workshop performance as well as your classroom observation/report, reaction paper, writer’s workshop activity/materials, teaching log and final self-evaluation.  Please remember that you must complete all assignments in order to pass the course.  Also note that class preparation and participation are very important and do affect your overall grade.

 

· Classroom observation/report:              100 points each                all tutors/316 and 466 students

· Reaction paper:                                 100 points     316/466 students

· Writer’s workshop model activity:100 points                316/466 students

· Teaching log:                                     100 points     all tutors

· Self-evaluation:                                 100 points     316 and 466 students

· Class preparation/participation:   100 points     all tutors

 

(Note:  316 students who are assigned a separate project and/or who are repeating this class do not have to complete the above assignments except the assignments for “all tutors”).

 

Due Dates:  Please be aware of due dates for all assignments which appear on your assignment schedule. 

 

All papers for this course must be word-processed.  Please note that you must complete all major assignments in order to pass this course.  It is also important to save all work on disks, keeping back-ups if necessary.  

 

Academic Honesty Policy:  Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors.  Violations of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking credit for another’s work, falsifying documents or academic records or any other fraudulent classroom activity.  Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable.  You must also honestly fulfill all responsibilities for your workshop sessions.  You will receive a grade of F (0 points) for any paper/assignment/exam that shows evidence of cheating and/or plagiarism.  You have the burden of proving that a paper/assignment showing evidence of cheating and/or plagiarism has been in fact written by you.  You should keep thorough evidence of your writing processes for all papers so that you can meet this burden of proof.   Please make sure to correctly document all borrowed information and ideas, using MLA guidelines, on all of your writing assignments.  Violations of academic honesty will be reported to the Provost or the designated representative on the Academic Honesty Violation Report forms.  Please note carefully the statement on plagiarism on the departmental website, found at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/EFLJ/plagiarism.asp, and please see the 2006-07 Student Handbook and Calendar on page 21 for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and the student due process procedure.  This handbook is also available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf.

 

Students with Disabilities:  Anyone who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of his or her potential to succeed in this course must notify me as soon as possible so that we can discuss class requirements and accommodations.   You must also contact Michael Ritter, Special Needs Coordinator, and be sure that all necessary documents are on file in his office.

 

Please feel free to come see me if you have any problems or questions and feel free to discuss workshop situations (both successes and failures) both in class and in my office.  I believe communication is very important between an instructor and her students and, as a result, I will make myself available to you for any reason.