Professionalization and Public Life Seminar
Instructor: Frances McCue
Office Hours: W 12:30-1:30 and by appointment
Mission: Connecting Literature to Community Life and Workplaces
Looking Forward: Professionalization and Public Life
5-Credit Seminar
Course Description
This course offers methods for students to identify, highlight, and present transferrable skills and proficiencies gleaned while completing the English major. By drawing connections between specific skills of literary/theoretical and critical reading, writing, dialogue and analysis and the larger demands of contemporary workplaces and civic life, this class offers students the opportunity to consider their post-college goals. It provides a venue in which students can reflect on their experience at UW, while also developing an e-portfolio to help present their skills to potential employers. It will focus on the relevance of the English major beyond the university, both in terms of professional development and civic engagement, helping students articulate how their studies have prepared them to be successful and productive citizens.
Course will meet for both in-class sessions during the first and last weeks of the quarter. For the interim weeks, weeks two through nine, we will meet only once a week for two hours. The rest of the contact hours will be on line, in individual conference and in fieldwork. The course is open to English majors with Junior or Senior Standing.
Learning Goals
> Articulate skills acquired across various English courses
> Relate the study of English to professional goals
> Discuss the public relevance of the humanities
> Produce an e-portfolio, e-vita and/or digital narrative showcasing skills and expertise
> Gather, edit, and showcase a range of writing samples
Evaluation
(4.0 scale)
Class participation (15%) (e.g., contribution to discussion, sharing fieldwork insights, sharing/peer reviewing short assignments and e-portfolios)
Short Assignments (15%)
Fieldwork (30%) (e.g. alumni interview, research a professional field, informational interview, attend public meeting or professional society meeting, internship, service learning)
E-portfolio (40%)