Rhet/Comp is a large and diverse discipline. Thus while we might then approach the field from any number of avenues, our forays into it are intended specifically to provide you with the conceptual tools needed to understand what you’re doing in the classroom and to reflect on it in ways that add to the body of knowledge for this field. Because of this particular emphasis, we will emphasize theory much more than methodology.

We will also emphasize theory in contrast to pragmatism. The Teaching Colloquium, which you should also be taking this semester, will provide you with the day-to-day advice, the pedagogical guidance on practical concerns, and the answers to inevitable questions that you will, without a doubt, find yourself having throughout your first semester of teaching.

This course works with both the Colloquium and with your experience in the classroom to introduce you to the professional and scholarly conversations that have and continue to take place in Rhet/Comp.

• Bean, John C. Engaging Ideas: The Professor’s Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2001.
  
• Corbett, Edward P.J. et. al.The Writing Teacher’s Sourcebook. New York: Oxford UP, 2000.
  
• Miller, Richard E. Writing at the End of the World. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh, 2005.
  PLEASE NOTE: This text will not be published until September 23. You will have to purchase it separately through Amazon or another online retailer.

 The following text will be provided by the English Department:

• Bartholomae, David and Anthony Petrosky. Resources for Teaching Ways of Reading. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2002.

There will also be several readings available online. Normally, these readings would be hosted by the library’s e-reserve system; however, for this semester you can find these readings on the class homepage instead. Access to the readings will require login information, which I will send to the class mailing list.

• Two 4-5 page analytic response papers. These papers will respond to specific assignments that I will give to the class.
• A minimum 6 blog/journal entries, a minimum 6 blog/journal comments, and a minimum 6 forum postings. (More on these technologies in the separate technology handout given to the class.)
• One final 10-12 page ( conference-length) paper, on a topic of your own choosing.

• Come to class having completely read all required readings.
• Be prepared to discuss the readings for each class.
• Hand in all work on time, or speak with me about complications that prevent that from happening.
• Attend all classes.
• This class will make fairly extensive use of technology. If you have limited access to a computer with an internet connection, or limited skills with computers and surfing the Web, please speak with me so that we can make alternate arrangements.

• Two analytic response papers 30%
  (15% each)
• Forum postings, journal entries, journal comments, and
  general class participation 10%
• Final conference length paper 60%