ENGL 514-80 – Fundamentals of Teaching Composition
Course Policies
Western Carolina University
Fall 2010
Instructor: Nate Kreuter
Email: nakreuter [at-sign] email [dot] wcu [dot] edu
Course Website: Blackboard
Alternate Course Website: www.natekreuter.net/courses
Office: Coulter 207
Office Hours: W 9-11, R 9-10, and by appointment
Meeting Time: R 6-8:50
Class Location: UNCA, Karpen Hall 103
In the unlikely event that a policy described herein conflicts with a Department of English, College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate College, or University policy, the Department, College, or University policy shall prevail.
The expectations for a graduate course are, and should be, high. This document outlines the basic expectations and policies for students enrolled in ENGL 514 – Fundamentals of Teaching Composition.
Description: This graduate course fundamentally rejects traditional divisions between “theory” and “practice” and will strive consistently to muddy the distinctions between the two. Our intellectual drift will be in the littoral zone between the “shallows” of everyday classroom concerns and the “deeps” of theory’s musings. Students will develop familiarity with texts and theories fundamental to the contemporary teaching of composition. Class discussion will focus on the readings, as well as the practical ways in which we might apply the principles espoused in the readings in actual classrooms. Students will develop a portfolio of writing assignments for first-year composition students over the course of the semester, and will conclude by designing a composition curriculum of their own. Readings will be organized thematically.
Primary Course Objectives:
- Gain Familiarity with Primary Texts Regarding the Teaching of Composition
- Develop Assignments Based Upon Current Theory
- Develop Personal Principles for Teaching Composition, and Disciplinarily Supported Justifications for Those Principles
- Understand the Current “Givens” and “Tensions” Surrounding the Teaching of Composition
- Develop an Understanding of the Current Institutional and Cultural Forces that Shape the Teaching of Composition
Required Texts: The following texts are required for this course, and are available through the WCU bookstore, as well as other (cheaper) outlets. Additional texts will be posted in Blackboard.
- Strategies for Teaching First-Year Composition, edited by Roen, et al
- The Norton Book of Composition Studies, edited by Susan Miller
- Fragments of Rationality, by Lester Faigley (not required, but highly recommended)
- Phaedrus, by Plato, Nehamas and Woodruff translation (not required, but highly recommended)
Communications: Students should communicate outside of class with Nate via email, and are required to provide him with their Catamount email. As per University policy, Nate is only permitted to correspond with students about the course through .wcu.edu email accounts. Students should check their email accounts at least once daily and expect to receive any updates or changes via email. All assignments will be submitted via email. In the event that students cannot make it to Nate’s regular office hours, they should email to set up an appointment at another time.
Academic Honesty Policy (from student handbook): Students, faculty, staff, and administrators of Western Carolina University strive to achieve the highest standards of scholarship and integrity. Any violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is a serious offense because it threatens the quality of scholarship and undermines the integrity of the community. While academic in scope, any violation of this policy is by nature a violation of the student code of conduct. Violations of the Academic Integrity Policy include:
a. Cheating—Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.
b. Fabrication—Creating and/or falsifying information or citation in any academic exercise.
c. Plagiarism—Representing the words or ideas of someone else as one’s own in any academic exercise.
d. Facilitation—Helping or attempting to help someone to commit a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy in any academic exercise (e.g. allowing another to copy information during an examination).
Instructors have the right to determine the appropriate sanction or sanctions for academic dishonesty within their courses up to and including a final grade of “F” in the course. Within 5 calendar days of the instructor’s knowledge of the violation of the Academic Integrity Policy, the instructor will inform his/her department head (Associate Dean of the Graduate School) in writing of the allegation and sanction. See student handbook for further information.
Expectations: Graduate students are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times. As a graduate student, you are expected to go beyond work completion; you should actively and thoughtfully engage the course material and participate in class discussions and activities in which we explore the course content.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Western Carolina University is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for students with documented disabilities. Students who require disability services or reasonable accommodations must identify themselves as having a disability and provide current diagnostic documentation to Disability Services. All information is confidential. Please contact Disability Services for more information at (828) 227-2716; or 144 Killian Annex. You can also visit the office’s website: http://www.wcu.edu/12789.asp
Grades and Grading: The following list outlines our major assignments and how each assignment will be weighted towards the calculation of your final grade.
Weekly Assignments: 30%
Statement of Teaching Philosophy: 20%
Capstone Project: 50%
Grading Scale: The following scale will be used to determine final grades. Holistic scales will generally be used for individual assignments, and will be explained on individual assignment prompts.
A 100% – 90%
B 89% – 80%
C 79%-70%
F 69% – 0%
Questions: Please come to Nate with any questions or concerns, in person or via email. The demands placed upon graduate students are great, and he is happy to help make accommodations when appropriate. It is easiest to make accommodations sooner than later.
