English 405: Teaching Composition

In this course, students will have an opportunity to implement the theories they learn about
teaching writing in actual interactions with students. The course will begin by exploring the
evolution of theories about teaching writing over the last several decades and articulating
them with social and political moments. We will examine how those theories translate into
practices for working with writers, specifically in a writing center context. Readings and
discussions will address practical approaches for helping students at all stages of the writing
process, including invention, organization, grammar, as well as writing for different genres
and in different disciplines. The complex teacher/tutor/student relationship will also be a
focus as students will be asked to reflect on how to incorporate their own style into the
teaching/tutoring dynamic. The work students do in class and in the center will provide a
departure point for examinations of how place figures into the teaching of writing
specifically, we will look at the cultural connections and demographics of the students we
work with and interrogate theories and approaches in terms of their efficacy with our
students. Everyone enrolled in the course will work several hours each week in UHMs
Writing Center through which students will gain actual tutoring experience.
Targeted Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate an introductory knowledge of the theories and practices of
writing tutoring and ability to articulate these theories within the larger discipline of
Composition Studies.
Develop an ability to tutor peers at all stages of the writing process and in a
variety of genres.
Develop skills in reflecting on your own tutoring practices as well as
observing others and use this information to inform and refine your own praxis.
Develop skills in leading class discussions and writing academic discourse
(grounding discussions in scholarship by synthesizing and juxtaposing various
approaches and schools of thought).
Required Texts, available at the UH Bookstore
Murphy, Christina, and Steve Sherwood. The St. Martins Sourcebook for Writing Tutors. 4th
ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011. (SMS)
Ryan, Leigh, and Lisa Zimmerelli. The Bedford Guide for Writing Tutors. 5th ed. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martins, 2010. (BGWT)
Other readings will be available in pdf form on Laulima.

Course Info
Class Meetings on Tuesdays, 2:30-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Jim Henry; jim.henry@hawaii.edu; 956-3074
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1:15-2:15, Thursdays, 9:30-10:30, & by appointment, Kuykendall
716
KOKUA
Classroom accommodations will be provided for class members with documented disabilities
or special learning needs. Please contact the instructor for accommodations for the course
prior to or within the first week of class. Please contact the KOKUA Program on campus at
808-956-7511 located in the Student Services center on the ground floor, Room 013 to
coordinate reasonable accommodations.
Rules & Regulations
You will be expected to adhere to the Responsibilities of Students, as stated in
theUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa Academic Grievance Procedures:
In the classroom, in seminars, in the laboratory, studio, practicum or other instructional
setting, students are expected to adhere to the highest academic standards of behavior and
conduct. The responsibilities of students include, but are not limited to, the following:
to exhibit behavior which does not interfere with the rights of other students
and faculty to learn or carry out their research or creative activities.
Behavior that transgresses this responsibility will result in reprimand or course failure.
Additionally, you must adhere to University standards concerning plagiarism:
submitting, in fulfillment of an academic requirement, any work that has been copied whole
or in part from another individuals work without attributing that borrowed portion to the
individual; neglecting to identify as a quotation anothers idea and particular phrasing that
was not assimilated into the students language and style or paraphrasing a passage so that the
reader is misled as to the source; submitting the same written or oral or artistic material in
more than one course without obtaining authorization from the instructors involved;
(Student Conduct Code, University of Hawaii at Manoa.)
If you are in doubt as to what constitutes plagiarism or if you find yourself on the verge of
knowingly presenting writing that is not your own and original for this course, come and talk
to me! Willful plagiarism could result in failing the course.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is one type of sex discrimination under Title IX, United States Education
Amendments of 1972. The U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

states that sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual Violence
is a severe form of sexual harassment. Some examples of sexual violence include threatening
someone into unwanted sexual activity; sexual contact with someone who is drunk, drugged,
unconscious, or otherwise unable to give a clear, informed yes or no; and rape or
attempted rape. For more examples, visit the Office of Gender Equity website. Under Title
IX, responsible employees cannot ensure confidentiality. Responsible employees must report
any instance or disclosure of alleged sexual harassment. If you would like to speak to
someone confidentially about your options regarding something you have experienced or
witnessed, please contact:
The UH Office of Gender Equity, confidential resource that provides information about
options regarding University policies and procedures to potential complainants of genderbased discrimination, sexual violence, stalking, dating violence, or intimate partner violence.
You can contact this office at 808-956-7077 (voice or text) and email at eeo@hawaii.edu.