ENGL 8825 Composition Theory and the Teaching of Writing
This course is designed to (1) prepare graduate students to teach introductory, college-level writing courses; (2) introduce students to central issues, problems, and theories in composition studies; and (3) encourage students to examine the interanimating relationship between critical theory, practical writing experience, and the teaching of Composition/Rhetoric. Though the emphasis is on central, nuts-and-bolts tasks in the teaching of writing (e.g., designing assignments; responding to student essays; selecting texts for discussion; etc.), this is not a prescriptive "how to" course; students are asked to consider pedagogical issues and choices in composition studies from a variety of personal and theoretical perspectives.
Course overview
- Department
- English
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Graduate
- Offered
- Every Spring
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- Permission of Department
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 3.67 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.20 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 5
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Jessica Pauszek | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 17 of 19 |
| Spring 2025 | Paula Mathieu | 3.3 | 4.3 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 3.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 18 of 20 |
| Spring 2024 | Jessica Pauszek | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 16 of 16 |
| Spring 2023 | Jessica Pauszek | 2.8 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 11 of 13 |
| Spring 2022 | Paula Mathieu | 3.2 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 3.6 | — | 13 of 19 |