English 583:
Contemporary Theories of Composition

Spring 2002
Western Illinois University

Blackboard



Like the field of literature, the discipline of composition has been revolutionized by the recent emphasis on theory. In English 583 we'll read several theoretical texts by compositionists. These texts will be the core of our work together, to be supplemented by other books and essays to which our texts direct us.

TEXTS:

  • Villenueva, Victor: Cross Talk in Composition Theory
  • Karen Burke LeFevre: Invention as a Social Act
  • George Jensen and John DiTiberio: Personality and the Teaching of Composition
  • Sherrie Gradin: Romancing Rhetorics
  • Lester Faigley: Fragments of Rationality
  • Joan Tornow: Link/Age
  • O'Donnell, James: Avatars of the Word
  • Additional articles (photocopies, reserve, or web)

We'll spend two weeks on most of the texts for the course. I'll lead the discussion of a few articles from Cross Talk. Thereafter, you will take over. Groups of two or three will be responsible for the work with each of the remaining texts. From time to time we'll move the class to a computer lab for some on-line work.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Faithful attendance (an expectation in all graduate courses).
  • Careful reading of texts and appropriate supplementary material.
  • Two papers on issues raised by the reading.
  • Postings to the Blackboard discussion board. I expect 3-4 contributions a week, including responses to readings, to points raised in class, to one another's ideas and questions. All posts should observe standard netiquette conventions.
  • Participation. We will be acting as a discourse community, writing and talking in order to discover meaning. Your participation in the class discussion is essential.
  • Group leadership of discussion of texts.
  • A final exam which synthesizes several theoretical approaches.

SCHEDULE

The schedule of assignments will be posted (and updated) on the Blackboard Calendar

GRADING:

You'll receive grades on the two papers and the exam. I'll also grade your participation (a major component of which will be your group presentation) and your discussion board contributions Each of the five grades will be approximately 1/5 of the final grade.

How to Find me:
Office: Simpkins 217
Phone: 298-2212
email: mfbhl@wiu.edu
homepage: http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfbhl/
  • Mon 1-2
  • Tue 10:30-11:30
  • Wed 1-2
  • Fri 1-2
  • and by appointment

SPECIAL NEEDS:

If you have a condition which requires physical accommodation in the classroom, or which may interfere with your completion of any course requirements, please let me know at once. If illness or personal emergency prevents you from attending class at any time, please let me know by phone or email. If at any time you feel you are falling behind or failing to work up to your potential, come in to see me.

Escape clause: This syllabus is subject to revision as circumstances dictate. You can expect additional links to be added with some regularity--check this site often!.



http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfbhl/583/syllabus02.htm