[Englecturers] Summer Session

[Aline Messer]

May 21, 2008

Dear Summer Instructors,

This summer, as the University Writing Program gets on its feet, we 
have decided that the one-day orientation for summer instructors will 
not be possible.  So, here's the substitute plan:

    * Our orientation process will have to be done via email 
messages, with the exception of instructors who are new, or 
relatively new, to Basic Writing.

    * Those of you who are relatively new to the program have been 
invited in an email from Aline to an hour-long meeting on Tuesday, 
June 3rd.  Anyone not invited but who wishes to attend is 
welcome.  It will give you an opportunity to review the basic 
requirements and ask questions.

    * If you have taught Basic Writing classes in the past and are 
familiar with the requirements, please review the summer orientation 
manual that is attached to this email message.  As you know, English 
4 and 5 are gatekeeper classes and, in fairness to students, the 
standards for fulfilling the ELWR must be consistently applied across 
all sections.  Lecture class instructors, the course requirements are 
somewhat complex, so it isn't a good idea to trust your memory when 
putting together your syllabus and course plan. Check the orientation 
manual to be sure your class will be consistent with the others.  If 
you have questions about the requirements, please email me or come by 
my office in 1102.

    * To repeat Helen's earlier message, instructor copies of summer 
texts are available, so come by 1102 and pick up your copies.

    * Changes this summer

Lecture class instructors:

1.     You will be using Write It Review as the course 
rhetoric/reader, and the readings of your choice from the Poe 
collection.  As the second session draws near, Helen Lovejoy will 
offer a couple of writing prompts and teaching ideas for the Poe.
2.     Students will be required to purchase The New McGraw-Hill 
Handbook, as always.  This summer, however, the handbook, not Write 
It Review, will be the primary text in the Discussion class.  This 
does not mean that you cannot use the handbook in class.  See the 
orientation manual for a sample Discussion class plan.  It will give 
you some idea of what material D instructors may be using.
3.     It is important that you use the ELWR grading rubric to assess 
all student writing throughout the term.  A copy of the rubric is in 
the front of Write It Review.

Discussion instructors:

1.     Please come by 1102 during the tenth week of spring quarter to 
sign up for 11 sections of the summer Discussion.
2.     Discussion classes will meet all five weeks of second session, 
so you will have to come by 1102 before your first section meeting in 
order to set up your student files and pull their Berkeley 
exams.  Aline, Laurie, or I can help you if you haven't done this 
before.  The set-up takes a good hour or so.
3.     Keep in mind that D instructors are not required to hold 
office hours, take home student work, or do extensive course 
planning.  You fulfill your obligation by spending the allotted time 
with students in your sections.
4.     You will be using The New McGraw Hill Handbook for the 
class.  In addition, we will give you a copy of Stephen King's "Why 
We Crave Horror Films."  It is background reading for the final 
exam.  You can use this reading to give students practice in moving 
through the stages of the writing process.  As you'll see in the 
orientation manual, John recommends that you have students complete 
at least one essay over the five weeks.  The sample D-course plan 
found in the orientation manual will suggest one way you can do 
this.  King's essay will not be available to lecture class 
instructors, so you will have all the leeway you want to design the 
way you use this reading.  If you choose to have students write a 
second essay, you are free to draw from the essays in Part IV of 
Write It Review.  Plan to spend a significant amount of class time 
with the handbook, though, because students will benefit from an 
alternative presentation of writing and grammar skills.
5.     You will have to keep an account of students' performance so 
that you have some basis for awarding the S/NC fairly.  We can 
provide you with a form that you can use to keep track of student 
performance.  Remember that mere attendance is not enough to earn 
students an  "S" for the course, so you will want your records to 
give you a way to qualitatively evaluate students.  Come by if you 
would like to talk about easy ways to do this so that you don't end 
up spending time outside of class grading student work.

If you have questions or concerns, it would be great to talk with any 
of you in person or by phone.  Send me an email message and we can 
find a convenient time to meet.  I will be communicating with you via 
email throughout the course of the summer so be sure to check your 
email messages on a regular basis.

Regards,
Kathy
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