English 510 is an introductory composition theory course. The course serves
to situate composition teaching and research in a broad range of historical
and cultural movements. Tracing the teaching of writing through rhetorical,
expressivist, cognitivist, social constructivist, cultural, critical,
and political schools of thought, members of the class will explore how
composition teaching has been constituted and contested. Our examination
will include both an interrogation of process and post-process approaches
and a questioning of a range of theoretical frameworks in composition.
One guiding assumption of the course is that we will strive to connect
these theories in our own everyday teaching lives, thus making all class
members responsible for thinking through how such scholarship informs
a range of practical, material practices in the teaching of writing.
The course further asks students to take a lead role in defining and redefining the boundaries of composition teaching and research. Drawing upon the historical and theoretical readings as the starting point for further inquiries into the making of the field of composition, students will collaboratively trace the history of a composition theory or practice; create a pedagogical project; and develop a sustained inquiry on a certain issue in the field to share with the rest of the class.
The course further asks students to take a lead role in defining and redefining the boundaries of composition teaching and research. Drawing upon the historical and theoretical readings as the starting point for further inquiries into the making of the field of composition, students will collaboratively trace the history of a composition theory or practice; create a pedagogical project; and develop a sustained inquiry on a certain issue in the field to share with the rest of the class.
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