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.
