English
Andy Harper, Ph.D. | andy.harper@slu.edu
Ted Ibur, M.A. | edward.ibur@slu.edu
Sheri McCord, Ph.D. | sheri.l.mccord@slu.edu or Zoom
Announcements! (Last updated 6/25/2024)
1818 Summer Connection Conference & English PD - Tuesday, July 30, 2024 (website and more info coming soon!)
Department of English - Fall/Spring 2024-2025 Course Catalog
Questions about this site? Email sheri.l.mccord@slu.edu or set up a time to talk over Zoom or phone.
Syllabus Submission Process
ENGL 1500: The Process of Composition
Syllabus & Course Planning
Revised Curriculum Outline - ENGL 1500 - SLU Writing Program - Fall 2023
ENGL 1500 Sample Syllabus - Dr. Emily Phillips (SLU Faculty)-Fall 2023
Major Assignments
Critical Literacy Narrative Assignment (Required Common Assignment)
Short Writing Assignments (SWAs)
SWA #1 - Personal Literacy Analysis
SWA #3 - The Importance of Education
In-Class Activities
Peer Review Assignment Sheet for Literacy Narrative
Reclaiming the Classroom - David Willie
Politics of Remediation Group Analysis
Making Connections: MacFarland, Rose, & Harold
Lives on the Boundary, Stories as Argument
Crossing Boundaries - In-Class Assignment
Group work exercise with Brandt and Scribner
Preparing for the Critical Literacy Narrative
Mike Rose, Chapters from Lives on the Boundary
Student Essays
Gloriod - Student Model - Claims Analysis
Laws - Student Model - Claims Analysis
Belarde - Student Model - Critical Literacy Narrative
Leingang - Student Model - Critical Literacy Narrative
Society’s Prejudices about the Academic Abilities of the Underprivileged
Resources
Exploring Linguistic Diversity through Literacy Narratives (pdf)
ASU - Literacy Narrative Assignment
The Power of Literacy Narratives
Digital Critical Literacy Narrative: Project Description
NCTE - Report on the NCTE Task Force on Critical Media Literacy
Additional Course Readings
Alexie, Sherman. Superman and Me
Brandt, Sponsors of Literacy
Digital Archives of Literacy Narratives
Reading Minus Writing: A Literacy Narrative
Douglass, Frederick. Learning to Read and Write
Fishman, Lesson from the Amish
Malcolm X, Learning to Read
Molina, Writing Myself
Scribner, Literacy in Three Metaphors
SLU Writing Program's Directory of Readings for 1500 & 1900 (Excel spreadsheet)
Tan, Amy. Mother Tongue
Textbook Recommendations
Dean, Discovering a Voice: Voice Lessons for Middle and High School
Kennedy et al., The Bedford Reader
Lunsford et al., Everyone’s An Author
Macrorie, The I-Search Paper: Revised Edition of Searching Writing. Revised Edition.
Ramage et al., The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing
Shea et al., The Language of Composition: Essential Voices, Essential Skills for the AP Course
Strunk and White, Elements of Style (full text - Project Gutenberg)
Wardle and Downs, Writing about Writing
ENGL 1900: Advanced Strategies for Rhetoric and Research
Syllabus Template
Course Guidelines
ENGL 1900 Curriculum Outline
The following course outline is intended as an example of how instructors could structure an 1900 course. Instructors are encouraged to determine their own schedule of assignments and to use this sample as a guide.
Sample ENGL 1900 Syllabi
Assignment Prompts, Rubrics, & Model Student Essays
Topic Proposal
Topic Proposal (Medical Humanities theme)
Dissoi Logoi
Rubric
Sample Student Dissoi Logois
How Should the United States Handle Mexican Immigration?
Use and Consequences of Alcohol
The Method of Least Harm: Proposed Solutions to the Cash Bail Dilemma
Why does the United States not have a paid new parent leave?
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose (Technology, Media, and Rhetoric)
Statement of Purpose (Media Research)
Multimodal Project
Multimodal Project (Technology, Media, and Rhetoric)
Visual Media (Ad) Analysis & Development
Rubric
Multimodal Project Grading Rubric
Sample Student Multimodal Projects
Coming soon!
Sample Student Process Papers
Evaluation Argument
Evaluation Argument (Technology, Media, and Rhetoric)
Textbook & Reading Recommendations
Directory of Readings for 1500 & 1900 (Excel spreadsheet)
Clark, Praxis: A Brief Rhetoric
Praxis-Blog (articles)
Johnson-Eilola, Changing Writing: A Guide with Scenarios
Kennedy et al., The Bedford Reader
Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, Everything’s An Argument
Nictora, Becoming Rhetorical
Palmquist and Wallraff, Joining the Conversation: A Guide and Handbook for Writers
Rivers et. al., Eloquentia Perfecta (Table of Contents)
Seyler, Read, Reason, Write
Visualizing Information for Advocacy (open-source book)
ENGL 2000-Level Literature Courses
Course Descriptions & Syllabi Templates
ENGL 2250 - Conflict, Social Justice and Literature
This course introduces literary study within the context and theme of Cultural Conflict and Social Justice. Through the reading of a wide variety of genres - including drama, poetry, and fiction - the course engages students in literary ways of knowing. Methods include close reading, comparative textual analysis, and argumentative writing.
ENGL 2350 - Faith, Doubt and Literature
This course introduces literary study within the context and theme of Faith and Doubt. Through the reading of a wide variety of genres - including drama, poetry, and fiction - this course engages students in literary ways of knowing. Methods include close reading, comparative textual analysis, and argumentative writing.
ENGL 2450 - Nature, Ecology and Literature
This course introduces literary study within the context and theme of Nature and Ecology. Through the reading of a wide variety of genres - including drama, poetry, and fiction - the course engages students in literary ways of knowing. Methods include close reading, comparative textual analysis, and argumentative writing.
ENGL 2550 - Gender, Identity and Literature
This course introduces literary study within the context and theme of Gender and Identity. Through the reading of a wide variety of genres - including drama, poetry, and fiction - the course engages students in literary ways of knowing. Methods include close reading, comparative textual analysis, and argumentative writing.
ENGL 2650 - Technology, Media and Literature
This course introduces literary study within the context and theme of Technology and Media. Through the reading of a wide variety of genres - including drama, poetry, and fiction - the course engages students in literary ways of knowing. Methods include close reading, comparative textual analysis, and argumentative writing.
ENGL 2750 - Film, Culture and Literature
This course introduces literary study within the context and theme of Film and Culture. Through the reading of a wide variety of genres - including drama, poetry, and fiction - the course engages students in literary ways of knowing. Methods include close reading, comparative textual analysis, and argumentative writing.
Additional Guidelines for ENGL 2750
ENGL 2850 - Nation, Identity and Literature
This course introduces literary study within the context and theme of Nation and Identity. Through the reading of a wide variety of genres - including drama, poetry, and fiction - the course engages students in literary ways of knowing. Methods include close reading, comparative textual analysis, and argumentative writing.
Guidelines for Instructors
Reading and Interpretive Practices:
Read texts or view films by authors from a variety of periods and nationalities.
Read closely and critically, learning to interpret literature, film, and modes of rhetorical argument in ways that are both intellectually rigorous and personally significant.
Discuss their own written reflections on literature, film and rhetorical argument in group settings, enriching their ability to express clearly their points and insights.
Writing and Cognitive Practices:
Students will have the opportunity to write in both formative and summative modes: they will be
able to practice their critical writing, with formative feedback, and they will also be expected to
write high-caliber critical essays or creative responses that keep to word limits. They will:
Write a minimum of 12 pages of formal and informal graded prose (3750 words) with one opportunity for revision.
Develop analytical thinking and writing skills through papers, quizzes, exams, and active participation in discussion.
Literary Analysis (Required Common Assignment)
You are welcome to use any of the materials below but are encouraged to make the assignment your own and unique to your class.
Literary Analysis Grading Rubric
Sample Literary Analysis Prompt & Assignment
Sample Student Literary Analyses
ENGL 2250 - Hemingway and Defining Masculinity
ENGL 2250 - Wicked (Feminist Approach)
Sample Syllabi
ENGL 2250
ENGL 2350
ENGL 2450
ENGL 2550
ENGL 2650
ENGL 2750
ENGL 2850
Classroom Visits
What to Expect at a 1818 Site Visit: A short PowerPoint with basic information on what to expect during a typical site visit.
*Updated for AY23-24* - Classroom Visit Form: The form your faculty liaison will fill out and send to you (via JotForm) after your classroom visit.
Assessment
No assessment artifacts (common assignments) will be collected for Fall 2023.
Collection of the common assignments for ENGL 1500 (Critical Literacy Narrative) and ENGL 1900 (Dissoi Logoi) will resume in Spring 2024. More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
The literary analysis essays, the common assignment for all 2000-level literature classes, are not slated to be collected for now. Any changes will be communicated to provide ample time for collection.
Thank you so much for your patience as we update how we collect these papers for assessment. By refining this process, we hope to have even more quantifiable data than before on the quality and academic rigor of 1818 students' work, which has previously always exceeded expectations.
This high-level of student work would not be possible, of course, if not for your exceptional and dedicated instruction to your students. Thank you!
Newsletters
*No March 2024 newsletter
Professional Development
Summer 2024
July 30 - English PD in the afternoon during the 1818 Summer Connection Conference. More information will be made available soon!
Fall 2023
Recordings
Welcome remarks (Dr. Nathaniel Rivers) & Best Practices: Teaching Themed 2000-Level Literature panel (1 hour 30 minutes)*
Banned Book Lunch Discussion & Designing Multimodal Writing Assignments panel (1 hour 52 minutes)
*Unfortunately, we did not get a recording of the Teaching 2750: Film, Culture and Literature panel. Please see the presentation materials below.
Presentation Materials
Welcome remarks (Dr. Nathaniel Rivers, SLU Writing Program)
Teaching 2750: Film, Culture and Literature
Michael Kelley (Chaminade College Preparatory School) - New York City: America's Eden
Jennifer Staed (Nerinx Hall) -Women in Film
Dr. Michael Callahan (DeSmet) - Film & Literature
Best Practices: Teaching Themed 2000-Level Literature courses
Sarah Hines (First Baptist Academy) - Framing ENG-2000 Courses: The Power of the Essential Question
Dr. Kathryn Ellerbrake (Notre Dame High School) - Best Practices for Teaching 2000-Level Literature
Shannon Kintz (Hazelwood West High School) - Conflict and Social Justice: Course Overview
Rachel Linn Shields (Saint Louis University) - Chimerical Reading
Banned Books Discussion
Designing Multimodal Writing Assignments
Dr. Kimberly Cowan (Cor Jesu) - Multimodal Writing for ENG 1900
Dr. Sheila Coursey (Saint Louis University) - Critical Infographic Assignment
Archives - Past Professional Development
Fall 2021
Fall 2020
Breakout Sessions
Fall 2019
Fall 2018
Fall 2017
Teaching Resources for English
Saint Louis University Links
1818 Program Links
Teaching Dual Credit
Taking the Duel Out of Dual Credit - webinar from NACEP (pdf version)
General Teaching Resources
Cult of Pedagogy - Blog and podcast with handouts and video tutorials
How's it Going? - Handout for checking in with students
Jigsaw Method - Handout with steps for creating Jigsaw groups to encourage collaborative learning
Rubric Teacher Pack - Multiple blank rubric templates, including a single-point rubric
Teaching Shakespeare - Folder with multiple chapters from Sheridan Lynn Steelman's text, Walking in Shakespeare’s Shoes: Connecting His World and Ours Using Primary Sources & resources from the Folger Shakespeare Library
Articles on Teaching and Pedagogy
Golub, Adam. All I Needed to Know about College Teaching I Learned as a High School Teacher
Morris, Karen Bishop. Introductory Writing as the Gateway to Stronger Communities, College and Career Success.
Stommel, Jesse. Ungrading: An FAQ
The Thinking Classroom: An Interview with Peter Liljedahl. Cult of Pedagogy [Podcast & Article].
Wardle, Elizabeth. Easing the Transitions: Finding ways to work in solidarity across the high school/college divide (PDF)
Projects & Assignments: Literature
Donovan, Sarah. Open Mic in Writer's Workshop
Gonzalez, Jennifer. A Few Creative Ways to Use Student Blogs
Levine, Sarah. Up-Down-Both-Why: A Funds of Feeling Approach to Literature
Luther, Marcus. Power Lesson: Poetry Gallery Walk
Projects & Assignments: Writing
Multimodal Literacies Archives (NCTE) - ideas for designing multimodal assignments
Rhetorical Readings
Praxis-Blog. Companion Blog for Praxis: Brief Rhetoric, 3e, Carol Lea Clark - articles for class assignments
Libraries and Online Archives
Folger Shakespeare Library - Full texts, lesson plans, and more resources for teaching Shakespeare
Student Engagement
Other Resources
Prezi - create presentations online
AI & Writing Resources
Using AI in the Classroom
Academic Integrity
Chronicle of Higher Education. Digital Transformation Resource Center
How to cheat on your final paper: Assigning AI for student writing
I'm a student. You have no idea how much I am using ChatGPT. Chronicle of Higher Ed. May 26, 2023.
AI Text Generators and Teaching Writing: Starting Points for Inquiry
Videos/Recordings