Teaching College English

Course Details

Course Number: 5023 Section Number: 201

Spring 2012

Location: Bea Wood Hall

Classroom Number: 226

Days & Times:

TR 2:00-3:20 P

Course Attachments

Class Schedule 5023 spg12 Base Sched Post-20120403-150237.docx

Textbooks

Fall texts.Helping Students Write Well. 2nd ed. MLA.
A trusted, tested guide.
ISBN: 9780873522014

MSU Faculty Member

Dr. Robert Johnson III
view Profile »

Course Objectives

Class members will be working to develop the skills necessary effectively to teach university-level composition classes.

Additional information about department objectives can be found on the department webpage, http://libarts.mwsu.edu/english/index.asp.

Course Expectations

As a formal class, we will meet about the first half of the semester (roughly six or seven weeks). After that time, you will continue with your working in the Writing Center (or other assigned tasks) and with your team-teaching in ENGL 1113 or 1123.

Term Assignments Working with the assigned text readings, and based on mentoring experiences,

a. Make an appointment and check in with instructor about midterm:

Bring general questions, reactions, as well as your latest thinking about what you believe will be your style as a teacher¾or paper problems and early drafts.

b. Compose, polish, an eight-page personal (“I-voice”) essay that summarizes the key issues with which, you now believe, GAs are concerned—as new teachers and as tutors in the Writing Center. Be thinking about your experiences grading, as well. Then, please consider how you will respond to these issues . . . as you see them developing. Your object will be to generate a next effort at assembling a philosophy of teaching composition. How is this best done . . . and why?

Mind, such philosophies necessarily (and constantly) evolve, over the years of one’s experience in classes. But, quite useful is to establish a posture from which to build.

In the essay, link theory with observed and anticipated practice. A possible format: open with a survey of the situation; then delve background readings (and our discussion) for applications; close with a summary of what you now believe to be true. Up top, offer a firm thesis statement that announces your position in advance; allow the essay, then, to bring the reader around to understanding how you arrived at that thesis.

Due, by day’s end, on 3 May, the paper will be presented in MLA format. One earlier draft will be attached to the final reading copy. In addition, the essay will be submitted simultaneously as an e-mail attachment. We will not use dropped quotations; we will avoid long block quotations, unless they are needed. Please cite class texts with strong attribution tags and by page number. Unless we move outside the class materials, no “Works Cited” page will be necessary.

For a model to follow for appropriate tone, see the Bly essay in GW (2 ff.). Note the pattern for thesis placement and the use of strong, transitional topic sentences. I should like to read an essay that shares the orderliness and style of this one.

Final Grade

Your final mark will be created from these factors:

1. Performance on the above written assignment (50%).

2. Participation in daily 5023 discussions (30%). An A grade in participation will be reserved for members who willingly and actively participate in our investigations of assigned texts, as judged holistically by instructor.

3. Satisfactory attendance and performance in mentored section of 1113 or 1123 (20%). Recall that, this term, you will have teaching and grading responsibilities.

Grading Standards

In this class, the following numerical equivalents for final grades are used: A = 100-90%; B = 89-80%; C = 79-70%; D = 69-60%; F = 59-0%.

Submission Format Policy

See "Requirements," above.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Late work cannot be accepted, without arrangement with instructor.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Class members will be expected to attend prepared to discuss the day’s assignment. All planned absences need to be arranged in advance.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.