Eastern Oregon University
School of Arts and Sciences

Course Syllabus: WR 220 Methods of Tutoring (DDE)

Credit Hours: 3

Instructor: Susan Whitelock
Office: Loso Hall 234C
Phone: 962-3853
Email: swhitelo@eou.edu

Course Description:

Students prepare to become effective writing tutors and also improve their own writing skills by studying writing center theory, writing process theory, and learning theories. Students will then apply these theories to practice, learning tutoring strategies and tools for responding to others' writing, while also gaining insight into their own writing.

Prerequisite: WR 121 or equivalent

Required Texts:

Irene Clark, Writing in the Center, 3rd ed.
Christina Murpy and Steve Sherwood, The St. Martin's Sourcebook for Writing Tutors. 2nd ed.
Diane Hacker, A Writer’s Reference 5th ed.

Course Objectives and Requirements:

To prepare to work with students as writing tutors, we will explore our own writing histories and attitudes. We will then study writing center history and philosophy, as well as learning theory and writing process theory. After a learning style assessment, studying interpersonal communication skills, and practicing various invention and tutoring techniques, we will begin tutoring for the Online Writing Lab (OWL), working toward applying process and student-oriented teaching and tutoring methods that we have studied in the classroom.

We will prepare for tutoring through readings, writing, study guides, observing online tutoring sessions, and peer responding. To prepare to be effective writing tutors, we will take a close look at the following areas: Invention techniques, Strategies for working from Global concerns (focus) to Local concerns (editing), Strategies for Revision, ESL, Multiculturalism, Research and Documentation, Writing Across the Disciplines, and Learning Disabilities.

Meeting Deadlines:

Since many of the course tasks will involve responding to the weekly readings and to each other’s writing, it is essential that all assignments be completed on time. If work is turned in late, it will be of no use to the class and of little use to the student; consequently, it will not be accepted.

Learning Outcomes:

* Develop ways of coping with writing anxiety or writing blocks
*Learn how to manage their writing time more effectively
*Choose or clarify an assignment, and understand the purpose, audience, and occasion of a piece of writing
*Brainstorm or plan a response to an assignment (introduce Invention Techniques)
*Understand the conventions and expectations of different academic disciplines
*Focus, develop, clarify, refine and organize ideas, helping them to pay attention to, analyze, and improve their writing process to create effective writing
*Discover spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage, and style error patterns, and learn how to correct their own errors
*Find and use available writing resources such as handbooks and online resources
*Develop the organizational and time-management skills needed to complete essays, or projects involving extensive research or other forms of investigation
*Discuss appropriate methods of summarizing, paraphrasing, and documenting outside reading and research
In addition to learning the above skills, tutors will learn how to
*Work with ESL writers and become aware of multicultural issues in writing
*Work with students with Learning Disabilities

*Learn to look through the diversity lenses of race, gender, class, sexuality, and ability as tools for critically thinking about the self, community and world-at-large

Means of Assessment:

Essays (3) 30% (includes Final Reflective Essay)

Study Guides 20%

OWL Response 5%

Discussion Board Participation 20%

Reflections:

Tutor Observations & Reflections 10%

Being Tutored Reflection 5%

Peer Response Reflection 5%

VARK and Personality Assessment Reflection 5%

This is a University Writing Requirement (UWR) writing-intensive course. Students must complete all UWR writing-intensive courses with a C- or better

Outcomes for lower-division UWR writing-intensive courses:

* Students will produce at least 3,000 words (including drafts, in-class writing, informal papers, and polished papers); 1,000 words of this total should be in polished papers which students have revised after receiving feedback and criticism.
* Students will be introduced to the discourse forms appropriate to the discipline the course represents.
* Students will write at least one paper integrating information from at least one source, employing the appropriate documentation style for the discipline represented by the course.
* Students will draft, revise, and edit their formal written work.
* Students will seek assistance from a Writing Tutor in the Writing Lab when needed and when referred by the instructor.

Statement on Academic Integrity:

Eastern Oregon University places a high value upon the integrity of its student scholars. Any student found guilty of an act of academic misconduct (including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or theft of an examination or supplies) may be subject to having his or her grade reduced in the course in question, being placed on probation or suspended from the University, or being expelled from the University –or a combination of these. (Please see Section II of the Student Handbook and Planning Calendar: Campus Citizenship (Academic), p. 32ff: Campus Citizenship (Behavior), p. 41ff.)

Learning Disabilities:

If you have a documented disability or suspect that you have a learning problem and need reasonable accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Program in Loso Hall 234. Telephone: 962-3081.

Course Schedule:

Below is a brief summary of course content. For a more detailed Reading and Assignments Schedule, see WR 220 Methods of Tutoring (DDE) Readings and Assignments Schedule.

Week 1
Learning about Writing Center History
& Theories of Writing and Learning
Week 2
Reflecting on Our Own Writing History & Process &
Practicing Invention /Brainstorming Strategies
Week 3
Preparing to Work with Students
Week 4
Helping Students Develop Ideas
Week 5
Helping Students to Focus Their Writing and Clarify Purpose and Audience
Week 6
Working with Computers in the Writing Lab
Week 7
Helping Students Revise
Week 8
The Research Paper and Documentation
Week 9
Working with ESL Writers /Multiculturalism in the Writing Center
Week 10
Working with Students with Learning Disabilities

More details regarding this course are available on the EOU Online Writing Lab (OWL) at http://www.eou.edu/writelab/. On the homepage, click on "Writing Tutor Corner" and then on "WR 220 Online."

Note: Class Schedule and assignments may be altered during the course of the term as needed.