HMN 380—Writing Center Theory and Practice

Beginning with an inquiry into your own writing processes, this class will introduce you to theories of learning, particularly those related to writing and writing development. Students will explore writing center research with a special emphasis upon one-to-one teaching and teaching across cultural and linguistic borders. The class is experiential in that it involves observation and participation in UB?s Center for Excellence in Writing as well as in class active learning activities that help students to develop social mediation skills. Through field study, students gain introductory experience in social scientific research designed to create a richer sense of genre and disciplinary differences. This course will benefit any student who has a heightened interest in writing, teaching, one-to-one interpersonal work such as counseling, or working with non-native English speakers. Completing this course is the primary way that students become eligible to work as peer consultants in the Center for Excellence in Writing.