Writing Center Theory and Practice (Writing Intensive)
ENGL 4912S/6912S
3 hours
Writing Center Theory and Practice (Writing Intensive)
Course Description
A survey of important topics in writing center theory, with regular seminar-style discussion of how these theories work in our writing center tutoring practice.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: In addition to the work above, graduate students will also be required to lead at least one class discussion, read one book in the field of writing center studies, choose 1-2 chapters from that book for the class to read and lead a discussion on that book, and create a more robust, independent writing center research project. Possible additional class meetings and longer writing assignments.
Athena Title
Writing Center Theory Practice
Non-Traditional Format
Course includes a service-learning project during the semester that either employs skills or knowledge learned in the course or teaches new skills or knowledge related to course objectives. Student engagement in the service-learning component will be up to 25% of overall instruction time.
Undergraduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
After taking this course, students will be able to discuss and critique tutoring theories and practices.
After taking this course, students will be able to apply a variety of tutoring strategies to their work with writers.
After taking this course, students will be able to understand the complexity of tutoring writing;
After taking this course, students will be able to develop a flexible, creative tutoring style.
After taking this course, students will develop greater awareness of their own writing styles.
Topical Outline
Approaches to individualized writing instruction
Qualities of successful writing center sessions
Working through writer’s block
New media and online tutoring
Supporting multilingual writers
Working with writers in the disciplines
Navigating error
Investigating how different identities surface and play out in the writing center
The written work that students produce during the semester will be dependent on the instructor, but it may include assignments, such as short “summary-response” papers, which summarize weekly readings and apply them to tutoring observation/practice; reflective essays about observations and tutoring in the writing center; argumentative essays that explore some aspect of writing center theory or practice; tip sheets, handouts, or presentations for use by students or tutors in the writing center; and empirical research projects that present original writing research.
