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Dr. Paulette Childress |
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Teaching Philosophy In addition to lecture and textbook study, I use in-class exercises including collaborative activities, peer editing, and frequent assessment exercises to facilitate learning. To reinforce writing as a process, prewriting exercises and instructor-edited first drafts are required in basic writing courses and, to a lesser extent, in other composition courses. Biographical materials, films, documentaries, and websites are used to enrich student learning in English 132 and English 248. Gradually, I am incorporating more collaborative learning activities in both composition and literature courses as research indicates students learn more when they interact to solve problems, discuss concepts, and complete assignments. I strive to maintain a friendly, positive learning environment. Composition Courses English 093 is a writing course designed to instruct students in basic grammar and mechanics as well as in the writing of college-level expository paragraphs and essays. Students learn writing as a process that includes several steps: prewriting, drafting, editing, and proofreading. Some writing assignments are subject to peer and instructor review and must be revised. Students focus on writing effective paragraphs before writing complete essays, and important areas of grammar and mechanics are studied weekly. Practice exercises in the textbook are supplemented by in- class assignments. Students participate in group learning activities in addition to working as individuals. Another goal of this course is to facilitate students' transition to college, so there is some instruction in developing habits that foster academic success. English 132--Composition Continued is intended to help students develop critical thinking and writing skills. To accomplish these goals, students read literature and learn research methods in order to write literary essays and the required research paper. My current topic in English 132 is the contemporary American family. All essays and the research paper focus on topics of concern to and issues facing American families, for example, divorce, child rearing, the household division of labor, abuse, sibling rivalry, adoption, and others. Students read two novels and two plays and write four literary essays, each 4-5 pages (about 1,000 words) long. Two of the literary essays are typed outside of class and two are written in class. The research paper must be 6-8 pages (1,500-2,000 words) long. First drafts of the first typed literary essay and the research paper are instructor-edited and resubmitted for a grade. The final exam is an in- class essay comparing and/or contrasting two of the literary works read for the class.
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Literature Courses English 248: African American Literature is a survey course in the African American literary tradition from the 18th century to the present. The primary text is the Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Students read the vernacular tradition, selected slave narratives, fiction, poetry, essays, and drama. Lectures and documentaries focusing on the historical and cultural contexts of various literary periods, major authors, and major works are included. This course meets the multicultural studies or humanities requirement of most four year colleges. As an English major with a specialty in African American literature, one of my first duties at Henry Ford Community College was to design and teach a course in African American literature. I now teach English 248 regularly, and 248 online will be offered beginning in the spring 2006 semester. I am pleased to add that most students evaluate English 248 very positively. I also occasionally teach English 131--College Writing and English 246--Children's Literature.
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