ENC 6745, Practice in Teaching Composition
Term: Fall 2012
Class Meeting Day/Time: Wednesday; 3:05p.m. - 5:50p.m.
Location: CPR 202
Instructor(s): Joe Moxley, Megan McIntyre, Dianne Donnelly, Ellie Bieze, Jason Carabelli, Barbara McLain, Whitney Egstad, Jenni Nance
Office Hours: By appointment. Feel free to drop by my office (CPR 306) at any time. If I'm not in a meeting, I'm glad to talk with you. Also, I check my email frequently.Required Texts:
- Students do not need to purchase textbooks for this course. Readings will be available inside our shared dropbox.
Description:
This course prepares Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) to teach ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 and to contribute to the First-Year-Composition Program. The course introduces research and scholarship on composition theory and research, introduces faculty to instructional technology tools (Blackboard, SharePoint, Blogging interfaces, Select Survey, etc.) and provides a forum for new teachers to share strategies with one another as well as with their mentors. In-class activities include discussing effective responses to student writing, discussing composition practices and teaching methods, contemplating teachers' and students' changing roles within fluid classrooms and literacies, and practicing varied assessment techniques.
Contract Grading:
Provided you complete the required course projects and don't miss any classes, you'll receive an A grade in this course.
Requirements: (Not graded although required for passing)
Not Graded but required for a passing grade |
Weeks 3-10 |
Classroom Observation by Professor Dianne Donnelly
Log on to this calendar with your USF Net ID. Tell Dianne what time your class meets, and what day/time you would like for her to visit. Following Dianne's visit, please stop by my office so we can discuss. Ideally, stop by that day or within a day or so of my visit. |
Not Graded |
Week 8 |
Complete Mid-semester Teaching Evaluation Survey:
Design a mid-semester survey, submit it to Moxley/McIntyre for approval, and then distribute to students; Share results (i.e., provide a printout of all results) with Moxley by Week 10 (For example questions, see here!) |
Requirements: (Graded)
Weight |
Due |
Description |
50%
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Weeks 2-14
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Professional Blog. Maintain a teaching/reading blog in which you:
1. Synthesize a coherent and critical response to all assigned readings
- Write one entry/week (~ 200 words minimum) for first 13 weeks of class in which you reflect on your responses to course readings.
- Each blog is due on the by 12:00 p.m. each Tuesday (I want to have read your blogs before each class)
- Responses to readings should address all assigned readings as opposed to just one or two readings. This requires a pretty high level of synthesis. It's fine with me if you take a shot at a few synthesizing comments and then focus on one of the readings but in general I prefer to read a synthesis of all three readings, as opposed to an analysis of one/two particular readings (although exceptions may occur).
- A-level blogs will be written well, include links to additional resources/theorists, ongoing threads/subjects, and references to other students’ blogs.
2. Articulate an insightful response to a peer's blog
Respond to peers’ blogs at: http://fyc.usf.edu/Practicum/blog/default.aspx. Write at least one entry/week (~20 words minimum) in which you critically address, challenge, and respectfully question your peers’ perspectives, interpretations, practices, etc.
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| 10% |
Weeks 3-12 |
Observations
Complete one observation by week 7 and a second obseration by week 13. Observe two teachers (one peer and one non-assigned mentor or experienced teacher). Write a one page memo and email it to me outlining your observations, reflections, and suggestions. |
| 40% |
Weeks 3: Proposal
Week 5: Progress Report
week 7: Progress Report
Week 14: Final Draft
Week 15: Presentations |
Group Research Project
Topics are open but in general should FYC curriculum matters--classroom practices, theory, or research.
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Attendance:
Classroom participation is an important part of this course. Missing one class will result in no penalty, but missing two classes will lower your grade by one letter grade. For instance, an A grade will drop to a B with two absences, to a C with three absences, and so on. We will follow all USF policies. "Excused absences, as outlined by the University, will be permitted with proper notification (these include school trips, jury duty, etc. and in some cases, documented illnesses). Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the second class meeting."
Grading:
I'm following a form of "contract grading": If you attend class, partcipate, and complete projects as assigned on time you will receive an A. Unexcused absences, late work, sloppy work/blogs, or incomplete work will result in grade deductions. If you slip from the A range to a lower grade, I will notify you via email or in person.
Emergency Plans:
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and e-mail messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor the course website for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, e-mails, and MoBull messages for important general information.
Important Campus Resources for Students:
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