Practicum in Peer Writing Consultation
This course helps students become effective peer writing consultants through practice, additional professional development opportunities, and dialogue around key concepts in writing center work. Students registered for the one-credit course consult in the Peer Writing Center for 7-8 hours per week (min.) and attend twice-monthly staff meetings. In W301, they reflect on course material and on their experiences as consultants through written and oral participation. Students complete a capstone project that represents an integration of their learning throughout the course.
Course Goals
Overarching Goal: To help students become effective writing consultants through dialogue, practice, and study. This course provides an opportunity for students to consult in the Peer Writing Center. Participants
- Register for the 1-credit WRITING 301 and complete the practicum.
- Work in the center up to 10 hours per week for pay.
Provides an opportunity for ongoing critical reflection on their consulting experiences. Participants
- Write reflections on their consulting experiences.
- Are observed and have one-on-one conversations about their consultations.
- Lead and/or participate in discussions about consulting theory and practice.
- Learn to adapt their consulting strategies to situations they encounter in consultations.
Fosters connections between 301 students and staff consultants. Participants
- Mentor one another via small- and full-group discussions about consultations.
- Demonstrate a sense of communal responsibility for Peer Writing Center work through clear communication, participation in outreach activities, etc.
- Participate in solving problems in the Peer Writing Center.
Engages 301 students in creating a capstone project. Participants
- Develop a project that speaks to their experiences as consultants and builds on their research in Writing 300.
- Present their projects and, optionally, prepare to share them at conferences.
