ENGL-722 Approaches to Teaching Writing

Faculty:

Tilden, Norma

This course offers a practical introduction to the history, theories, and issues that shape the field of Writing Studies. The systematic study of the production of texts – rhetoric and composition --began as a “school” discipline, and these origins are preserved in the title of our course. Written assignments and class discussion will focus on teaching and course design, with particular attention to the integration of reading and writing. Weekly readings will assist you to design writing assignments and to theorize your own practice in composing assignments for your courses. But the teachable parts of writing need not be reduced to techniques, whether of close reading or mechanisms of process, skill, and craft. In the words of theorist Walter Ong, “Writing is a technology that restructures thought.” We will explore issues of cultural and critical literacy as these concepts inform the teaching of writing.

By definition, the graduate seminar offers the opportunity to enter an ongoing conversation among scholars in a particular field as well as a forum for intellectual exchange among peers. Students will be expected to take an active role in the course as evidenced by close, critical attention to the readings; contributions to discussion; organized seminar presentations of their research; and engaged, informed writing.

Bulletin: A practical introduction to the history, theories, and issues that shape the field of Writing Studies and inform the teaching of writing.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2004-2005 Fall and Spring
• 2005-2006 Fall and Spring
• 2007-2008 Fall and Spring
• 2008-2009 Fall and Spring
• 2009-2010 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring
• 2013-2014 Fall and Spring

More information
Look for this course in the schedule of classes.

The academic department web site for this program may provide other details about this course.