Projects
Reading Response Journal
[35%] | [35 points]
On Sundays (before each Monday class), you will upload a weekly reading response to your Google Doc folder. In these responses, we're looking for honest reactions and responses to the concepts you come across in the readings regarding writing, writing centers, and consulting. This is the place for you to pose any questions about the concepts from the readings or in-class discussions, but in general, think of this as an informal space for you to react and respond to what you're learning in the class. Each weekly respond should be about 400 words.
Assessment: Be sure to critically address readings and track questions that come up for you, and avoid merely summarizing the readings. Imagine all members of our class are your audience—so don’t just write to Kathleen and Bridget. Try to tie what you read to your practice as a writing consultant. Ideally, these responses will help us build and sustain more reflective and critical dialogue in class.
Due: Every Sunday before class (by 11:59pm) except classes on the August 24th and September 7th
Observation/Consultation Reflections
[35%] | [35 points]
One of the key ways to practice consulting will be through observing and co-consulting throughout the semester. As part of this class, you will be expected to visit the HWI for one hour every week to observe other consultations, participate in consultations (as a student writer), and eventually, co-consult and consult. You will keep a journal (posted to your Google Drive folder) reflecting on your time in the HWI, detailing your experiences as you take on these multiple roles--that is, you should document your experiences 1) as a writer, 2) as an observer of other consultants, and 3) as a consultant yourself. Length: About 300-500 words per entry. You should make two entries per week.
Assessment: We will read and assess your journals twice—once at the beginning of the fourth week, and once at the end. The purpose of these journals is to pause and reflect upon the experiences you've observed at the HWI. What have you learned throughout the process? What do you still have questions about? In what ways might you apply what you’ve learned to future writing consultations? Did you observe any session that you felt went really well, and what accounts for that successful session? Although these journals are informal reflections, they should be example-driven. Exemplary entries will connect observations to the readings/discussions we've had in class.
Due: progressively
Discussion Leading
[10%] | [10 points]
Once this semester you will co-lead a discussion and learning activity on a chosen (and approved) business genre with a partner(s). This discussion is the opportunity to lead the class and to help your classmates 1) understand the material for that day, and 2) sustain a meaningful discussion about the material and topics. Plan spending about 20 minutes to lead the class in an activity and discussion. To receive full credit, you'll need to make sure to do two things:
1) make a short handout for the class on the topic you discuss (summarize/define any key words or phrases, and provide the class with a take-away that will help them understand the material covered)
2) communicate with Bridget and/or Kathleen at least 48 hours before the course to discuss and refine your plans.
Assessment: Grade will be based on quality of presentation and handout. Think of these discussions as opportunities to explain writing concepts to student writers--you don't have to be experts per se, but you need to exhibit a solid understanding of your given genre and be prepared to raise valuable questions that will help your classmates think about how best to explain business writing concepts to other writers.
Due: various dates throughout the semester: 9/14, 9/21, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26
Participation & Professionalism
[20%] | [20 points]
BUS 203 is a professional course, and we expect you to conduct yourself as writing center professionals in the course. In class, we will do a number of activities that will require your participation, including mock consultations, discussions, and in-class writing. As such, you must be in class every week (unless there are extreme circumstances) and contribute frequently to class discussion/in-class work. You should also visit the HWI for observing/consulting hours regularly.
Assessment: Although participation is a somewhat subjective category, there are a few concrete behaviors that can result in a high grade in this category:
[35%] | [35 points]
On Sundays (before each Monday class), you will upload a weekly reading response to your Google Doc folder. In these responses, we're looking for honest reactions and responses to the concepts you come across in the readings regarding writing, writing centers, and consulting. This is the place for you to pose any questions about the concepts from the readings or in-class discussions, but in general, think of this as an informal space for you to react and respond to what you're learning in the class. Each weekly respond should be about 400 words.
Assessment: Be sure to critically address readings and track questions that come up for you, and avoid merely summarizing the readings. Imagine all members of our class are your audience—so don’t just write to Kathleen and Bridget. Try to tie what you read to your practice as a writing consultant. Ideally, these responses will help us build and sustain more reflective and critical dialogue in class.
Due: Every Sunday before class (by 11:59pm) except classes on the August 24th and September 7th
Observation/Consultation Reflections
[35%] | [35 points]
One of the key ways to practice consulting will be through observing and co-consulting throughout the semester. As part of this class, you will be expected to visit the HWI for one hour every week to observe other consultations, participate in consultations (as a student writer), and eventually, co-consult and consult. You will keep a journal (posted to your Google Drive folder) reflecting on your time in the HWI, detailing your experiences as you take on these multiple roles--that is, you should document your experiences 1) as a writer, 2) as an observer of other consultants, and 3) as a consultant yourself. Length: About 300-500 words per entry. You should make two entries per week.
Assessment: We will read and assess your journals twice—once at the beginning of the fourth week, and once at the end. The purpose of these journals is to pause and reflect upon the experiences you've observed at the HWI. What have you learned throughout the process? What do you still have questions about? In what ways might you apply what you’ve learned to future writing consultations? Did you observe any session that you felt went really well, and what accounts for that successful session? Although these journals are informal reflections, they should be example-driven. Exemplary entries will connect observations to the readings/discussions we've had in class.
Due: progressively
Discussion Leading
[10%] | [10 points]
Once this semester you will co-lead a discussion and learning activity on a chosen (and approved) business genre with a partner(s). This discussion is the opportunity to lead the class and to help your classmates 1) understand the material for that day, and 2) sustain a meaningful discussion about the material and topics. Plan spending about 20 minutes to lead the class in an activity and discussion. To receive full credit, you'll need to make sure to do two things:
1) make a short handout for the class on the topic you discuss (summarize/define any key words or phrases, and provide the class with a take-away that will help them understand the material covered)
2) communicate with Bridget and/or Kathleen at least 48 hours before the course to discuss and refine your plans.
Assessment: Grade will be based on quality of presentation and handout. Think of these discussions as opportunities to explain writing concepts to student writers--you don't have to be experts per se, but you need to exhibit a solid understanding of your given genre and be prepared to raise valuable questions that will help your classmates think about how best to explain business writing concepts to other writers.
Due: various dates throughout the semester: 9/14, 9/21, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26
Participation & Professionalism
[20%] | [20 points]
BUS 203 is a professional course, and we expect you to conduct yourself as writing center professionals in the course. In class, we will do a number of activities that will require your participation, including mock consultations, discussions, and in-class writing. As such, you must be in class every week (unless there are extreme circumstances) and contribute frequently to class discussion/in-class work. You should also visit the HWI for observing/consulting hours regularly.
Assessment: Although participation is a somewhat subjective category, there are a few concrete behaviors that can result in a high grade in this category:
- Showing an enthusiastic willingness to participate in discussion or mock consultations
- Demonstrating preparation for class (e.g., it’s clear you’ve done the reading, prepared homework, etc.)
- Paying attention and listening respectfully to others (e.g., no texting/facebooking/tweeting/snapchatting/etc. during class)
- Showing respectful consideration for others and for others’ views
- Being professional and always on time
In general, be a generous colleague :)