Methods of Teaching English 5367

College Composition Fall 2000

Course information on the web:

http://english.ttu.edu/Rickly/5367/fa00.html

TOPIC

Instructor: Dr. Rebecca Rickly

Office: English 309

Office Phone: 742-2500, ext. 268

Office Hours: M 12-4; T, W, TH 2-4 and by appointment

E-mail: rrickly@ttacs.ttu.edu

Course Requirements:

In English 5367, we will focus on methodological approaches to teaching college composition, chiefly through classroom observation of writing classes and the writing center, close interaction with teaching mentors, and reflection on these experiences in a weekly forum. A three-hour weekly requirement includes:

• A one-hour seminar to be held Wednesdays at 1:00 in EN 226A
• Participation in a regular email discussion
• Participation in TOPIC
• Regular weekly class visits to freshman writing classrooms and a two-week observation in the University Writing Center
• Weekly scheduled meetings with mentors to discuss classroom practices
• Supervised participation in teaching activities.

Assignments include weekly response papers to be submitted online, the creation of a teaching philosophy, and a detailed assignment sequence.

Readings:

We will be reading and responding to short articles and excerpts that will be handed out in class. The one book you will be required to buy is:

George Hillocks, Jr. Ways of Thinking, Ways of Teaching. NY: Teachers College Press. 1999.

Schedule:

Following is a topical schedule for the semester. In your observations and meetings with mentors, try to focus in on the topics below during the week they're listed; if, however, something else comes up, don't hesitate to follow up on any opportunity. Our goal will be to seek out "teachable moments" for ourselves and our students. The mentors will have a copy of this schedule as well.

English 5367 Fall Semester 2000 Schedule

(Please note that the schedule below is TENTATIVE, and may be altered at any time)