Course Info: Spring 2024
- Day/Time: M 5:50-8:35
- Room: HU 412
- Professor: Byron Hawk
- Email: byron.hawk [at] gmail [dot] com
- Office/hours: HU 316 M-W 2:30-3:50
Description
This course will examine some historical and theoretical grounds for composition as a field and work to develop connections among historical contexts, theories or concepts, and pedagogical practices. The seminar will examine some initial historical perspectives, trace the historical emergence of key issue areas in the field, look at a series of sub-conversations in the field, and close with the development of students' own "brief histories" of a conversation centered on an issue, practice, or sub-field of composition studies. Students will write weekly responses to the readings, three short papers, and a final proposal and paper that lays out a conversation in an area of interest.
Goals
The course goals in this seminar are
- to develop students' understanding of histories and theories of composition studies, and
- to build connections among these understandings and the issues and pedagogies relevant to their own scholarship and teaching.
Texts
- Miller, Susan, ed. The Norton Book of Composition Studies. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-393-93135-8
Grading
I will use this basic grading scale: A (90-95), B+ (85-89), B (80-84), C+ (75-89), C (70-74). See Assignments for a breakdown of percentages, but needless to say a solid final will be crucial for the overall grade.
Attendance
This is a seminar course, so it's important to attend and be prepared to discuss the readings. If you need to miss a class, please submit any work due on that day via email and check the online syllabus for any potential changes in the schedule. In accordance with University policy, anyone who misses 25% of our scheduled class periods (4 of 16) will fail the course, and anyone who misses more than 10% (2 of 16) may receive a grade penalty.
Office Hours
I will have office hours on M and W 2:30-3:50. In some cases I may have other meetings during that time, so be sure to drop me an email and let me know you are coming. Otherwise, we can schedule a Zoom meeting that is convenient for both of us. I check my e-mail several times daily, so this will be the best way to contact me outside of class.
Accommodations
In keeping with the University of South Carolina's commitment to non-discrimination--based on age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation--and providing program accessibility for qualified students with disabilities, I am happy to provide reasonable accommodation through the Student Disability Resource Center. Students wishing to make such arrangements should contact their offices at LeConte Room 112A or 777-6142.