Composition Coordinator

Selection Process:  Appointed by the Chair upon recommendation of the Steering Committee.
Term of Office: Three-year renewable term.  

Description:

The Composition Coordinator administers the department’s composition program under the supervision of the Chair. The Composition Coordinator receives one course release each semester.

Responsibilities:

Chairing Composition Committee  

• Sets policies and shapes the curriculum of English Department’s writing and writing-intensive courses that satisfy basic studies requirements.
• Maintains standardized list and review copies of acceptable textbooks for use in basic studies writing and writing-intensive courses; reviews and approves changes in the list.
• Devises a list of core assignments for each basic studies writing and writing-intensive course.  Revises Goals, Course descriptions, catalogue descriptions, etc.

Oversight of Instruction in Basic Studies Writing and Writing-Intensive Courses

• Advises chair on hiring of PT and FT lecturers to teach writing or writing-intensive basic studies courses in ENG.
• Advises chair regarding scheduling of basic studies writing and writing-intensive courses each semester (and each summer term).
• Orients FT and PT faculty assigned to basic studies writing or writing-intensive courses:
• Consults regarding Departmental guidelines for and requirements of courses.
• Advises on construction of  syllabi.
• Imparts information on important university deadlines and policies (e.g., add-drop policies, withdrawal dates, so forth).
• Provides technical assistance (e.g., basic uses of email, MySeaport, Seanet).
• Aids in textbook selection, e-reserve, and course packs.
• Oversees instruction of FT and PT faculty assigned to writing and writing-intensive courses required for basic studies in English:
• Reviews course syllabi and sample assignments for each course each term.
• Works with faculty to resolve perceived problems.
• Reviews SPOT results for each course.
• Makes recommendation to chair regarding reappointment of part-time lecturers.
• Holds Annual full-day workshop for PT, FT, and GTA’s every August and January.

 Support for ENG Graduate Program  

• Meets with Second-year GTA’s every week (teacher preparation)
  Orients first-year English GTAs to departmental guidelines and requirements for basic studies writing courses and to relevant university and departmental policies.
•  Assigns first-year English GTAs to faculty mentors teaching basic studies writing classes in consultation with department chair.
• Monitors the work of first-year English GTAs as tutors in the Writing Center in consultation with the center’s coordinator.
• Typically teaches ENG 503 (“Theory and Practice of Teaching Composition”).
•  Oversees first-year GTAs in their textbook selection and the development of their syllabi for basic studies writing and/or writing intensive courses they will teach the following year.          
• Observes each second-year GTA each semester and prepares classroom observation report.
•  Nominates GTAs for University’s annual Graduate Teaching Awards, writes letters of recommendation, and coordinates the collection of materials from nominees.

 Liaison with other Offices and Programs  

• Registrar’s Office, re maintenance of proper SAT and ACT scores to determine student placement in basic studies writing courses, and evaluation of credits in composition earned by transfer students at other institutions
•  Testing Office, re scoring of CLEP exams
•  General College, re such issues as student placement and transfer credits 

• Writing Place, re requirements for basic studies writing and writing-intensive courses

•  Center for Teaching Excellence, re development of writing across the curriculum
•  Dean of Students (Honor Code, Plagiarism, Cheating)
•  Counseling Services (student referrals, concerns, etc.)
•  Athletic Office (coaches, athlete issues, etc.)
•  Public schools and other members of the community re issues relevant to college writing instruction

 Support for Campus-Wide Writing Initiatives  

• Offers ongoing faculty development via one-to-one or department-wide consulting in developing writing-intensive classes.
•  Offers campus-wide workshops (through the Center for Teaching Excellence) covering pedagogical issues related to writing instruction.

 Other Responsibilities  

• Serves as resource person for all ENG faculty teaching basic studies writing and writing-intensive courses regarding pedagogy, plagiarism, student misconduct, and other concerns as they arise.

• Teaches a minimum of one basic studies writing course each year.

• Actively participates in the recruitment of new permanent composition faculty.

• Serves on the ENG Department’s Steering Committee.

• Performs other program-related duties designated by the department chair.