ENGL 59100: Introduction to Composition Theory

A survey of major contemporary theories, pedagogies, and practices across the field often referred to as Composition or Writing Studies. While attention will be paid to the historical development of this field, our readings and conversations will focus on contemporary trends and debates in Composition, especially as they relate to writing pedagogy at the secondary and post-secondary levels.

Topics include literacy, growth, voice, process, community, language, (dis)ability, ecology, and assessment. Our primary course text will be Joseph Harris’s A Teaching Subject: Composition Since 1966 (2012); all other readings will be available online as pdfs. Coursework will involve bi-weekly “conversation papers” written in response to readings. Students will also write longer pieces in authentic genres related to the course content: composing a teaching statement, crafting a multimodal book review, and designing a writing-focused course syllabus. Artifacts from the course will be collected and submitted as part of a final digital portfolio.

Please review the syllabus for full course information. An optional introductory class meeting (via Zoom) will take place on Tuesday, January 11th, from 3:30-4:30pm Central / 4:30-5:30 pm Eastern.

This is a Full Semester course. Participants may register for one Full Semester course OR one course each in Winter/Spring I and Winter/Spring II.

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