Syllabus

We acknowledge and are mindful that CSU, Chico stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, and we recognize the Mechoopda and their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that once sustained the Mechoopda people for centuries.

English 634: Teaching Composition
Spring 2021
Thursdays 2:00-4:50 via Zoom (I’ll send Zoom link to your Wildcat Mail)

Dr. Kim Jaxon, Professor of English (Composition & Literacy)
Office: like everyone right now…in my home.
Office hours: I check email all the time, so feel free to email. If we can’t resolve something over email, then we can find a time that works for you to chat via Zoom.
Email: kjaxon@csuchico.edu  (best way to reach me)
Email for sharing Google Docs: kjaxon@mail.csuchico.edu
Twitter: @drjaxon

Course Description

Teaching Composition is a graduate seminar designed to prepare participants for the teaching of writing at the college level. For spring 2021, we will explore goals for writing, and ways to support writers, in writing intensive courses. Our culminating project is the development of a syllabus, assignments, course activities, and rationale for a writing intensive course you imagine teaching. Those students who plan on applying for a teaching assistantship in CSU, Chico’s Academic Writing program (English 130) will write a syllabus for that program. Those who plan on teaching elsewhere or at another level will write a syllabus that fits their context. (Note: you must be a currently enrolled MA student in the English Department to be eligible to teach English 130.)

Texts & Materials

Readings are available as a pdf or links in a platform called Perusall. Nothing to buy.

Assignments

• Response to readings & annotations (30%)
• Short paper: learning and teaching philosophy (20%)
• Syllabus & Rationale: a teaching philosophy/statement, syllabus, assignments with rationale, and a daily calendar with rationale (50%)

---

Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the Wildcat Basic Needs Program. Furthermore, please notify the professor if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable her to provide any resources that she may possess. You can find many, many campus resources HERE too.

Americans with Disabilities Act

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability or chronic illness, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Please also contact Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) as they are the designated department responsible for approving and coordinating reasonable accommodations and services for students with disabilities. ARC will help you understand your rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide you further assistance with requesting and arranging accommodations.

Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting

As a Chico State professor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment for Chico State students.  It is my goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in our one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep information you share private to the greatest extent possible.  However, I am required to share information regarding sexual misconduct with the University.

Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting the Counseling and Wellness Center (898-6345) or Safe Place (898-3030).  Information about campus reporting obligations and other Title IX related resources are available here: www.csuchico.edu/title-ix