ENG 803: Literature Teaching-Observer Practicum
Course Description: The TO Practicum provides opportunities for students to gain pedagogical experience by observing the teaching of a course in the English Department taught by Literature Program faculty. Students learn and develop pedagogical skills through professor-led workshops, class observation, and supervised development of a lesson plan, a dream syllabus, and a positionality/teaching philosophy statement.
Students attend all classes they are observing and meet regularly with the class instructor on an ongoing basis throughout the semester to discuss pedagogical issues and course logistics. Under the direct guidance of the instructor of record, students learn about and gain experience in:
- Leading class discussions, breakout sessions, and class lectures
- Assessing the learning of students and self
- Evaluating and responding to undergraduate writing and assignments*
*In accordance with University guidelines, students will only practice commenting on a small number of assignments, and comments may not be shared with UG students. The instructor of record is responsible for all assignment comments, feedback, and grades.
Students may take ENG 803 no more than twice. Students who complete ENG 803 once are eligible to apply for a position as a paid Grader, ideally but not necessarily in the course for which they have previously served as a TO.
Note: paid graders are usually only hired for larger courses, typically ENG 583 and sometimes ENG 460 & 461.
Pedagogy Workshops: In addition to working closely with a professor as a Teacher-Observer, ENG 803 students participate in a series of Friday workshops designed to explore a variety of pedagogical issues. These Friday workshops typically comprise 8 sessions across the semester and are led by faculty working with TOs.
Topics usually include:
- Designing a Lesson Plan (discussions & lecturing)
- Designing & Assessing Writing and Other Assignments in line with Student Learning Objectives
- Teaching and Technology; Teaching and Neurocognition; Teaching and Universal Design
- Planning a Course and Writing a Syllabus with Backward Design
Eligibility: To be eligible, a student must have completed at least 6 units of coursework towards the MA and must formally apply for this Practicum on a semester-by-semester basis. All qualified applicants are accepted into the Practicum, and the Graduate Coordinator will assign qualified applicants to eligible courses based on preference and availability.
Course Requirements: Specific course requirements are determined by the instructor of record. Those requirements typically include:
- Meeting with the class instructor at least once at the beginning of the semester to discuss the course syllabus and class
- Meeting with the class instructor on an ongoing basis throughout the semester to discuss pedagogical issues and course logistics (schedule to be determined during the first meeting)
- Completing all assigned undergraduate course readings and attending all classes
- Developing a lesson plan with appropriate guidance and feedback from instructors
- Responding to student writing and/or other assignments as part of supervised training in assessment strategies
- Participating fully in Friday pedagogy workshops associated with ENG 803
- Completing all assignments associated with pedagogy workshops, including a lesson plan, a “dream syllabus” and a positionality/teaching philosophy statement
Evaluation: Students will be evaluated based upon their satisfactory completion of the above requirements. 75% of the final grade will be determined by the student’s performance as a TO in the individual class to which he or she is assigned; 25% will be determined by the student’s fulfillment of the expectations of the Friday pedagogy workshops.