Scroll down for a list of courses I’ve caught with brief descriptions. I have also included a proposed course, ENG220, which has been approved by the Department for presentation to the College Curriculum Committee.
When possible, I’ve included links to the course syllabi.
Eastern Kentucky University
(Proposed) ENG220: Introduction to Persuasion, Style, and Audience
ENG 220 Model Syllabus
This course is proposed as an addition for the Professional & Technical Writing concentration within the English major at EKU, and as part of a new, proposed minor in Professional & Technical Writing. It is designed to enhance students’ understanding of and ability to write for professional, workplace, and public audiences.
ENG827: Graduate History of Rhetoric. ENG 827 Syllabus
Provides a survey of foundational texts in the Euro-American rhetorical tradition as well as some examples of less familiar but equally important rhetorical traditions, such as traditions from the Middle East and East Asia. As a survey, the course introduces students to a wide range of concepts and writers crucial to the development of the rhetorical tradition today, taking a historical approach to identify trends and movements through the history of rhetoric that continue to affect how rhetoric is understood and taught.
ENG 806: Graduate Topics in Modern Rhetoric: The Rhetoric of Place-Based Identity. ENG 806 Syllabus
The course explores the relationship of place and identity and how notions of place are constructed through language. The course explores theories about place, identity, and their interconnection; students apply these theories as ways to read performances of place-based identities found in film, fiction, poetry, news, television, and visual art; special attention will be given to examples of constructions of Appalachia as a place and identity, although the concepts covered in class can be applied to any place-based identity.
ENG405: Introduction to Composition.
An introductory course surveying theories of composition and applying these theories to the instruction of composition.
ENG345: Special Topic—Cinema Anime. ENG 345 Syllabus
Students will learn the basics of film theory and explore the history of Japanese animation or anime. Students will engage anime as a transcultural phenomenon. Designed for English majors and non-majors. Due to the focus of the special topic, this section counts toward the Asian Studies Minor and Concentration.
ENG301: Advanced Composition. ENG 301 Syllabus
Refinement of writing skills; application of rhetoric in expository and argumentative writings; planning and writing a research paper.
ENG300: Introduction to Technical & Professional Writing. ENG 300 Syllabus
Introduction to Technical and Professional Writing (ENG 300) is an introduction to written, visual, and oral communication as applied in business, in the sciences, and in technological situations. In particular, the course emphasizes writing technical and professional communications for tightly defined audiences, purposes, and situations, and explores document design principles and strategies.
ENG200: Special Topics—Japanese Pop Culture in Translation. ENG 200 Syllabus
Introduction to areas of literature, writing, and language use through selected topics. Designed primarily for non-English majors. My special topic approaches Japanese manga, or graphic novels, as a popular art that makes use of highly complex meaning-making strategies to produce a wide range of stories and styles. The course explores several genres and authors, tied together by the theme of stories that involve Japanese artists’ depictions and retellings of western stories and cultures. The goal is to develop a greater appreciation of Japanese popular culture as a major force in global entertainment culture and literature. Due to the focus of the special topic, this section counts toward the Asian Studies Minor and Concentration.
ENG115: Learning Dynamics. EKU Summer Bridge Program.
Course concentrates on learning techniques for efficient and effective study of college reading materials. Emphasis on learning, storing, and retrieving information. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply reading and learning strategies within various disciplines.
ENG102: Research, Writing, and Rhetoric. ENG 102 Syllabus
A writing course refining components of ENG 101 studying information sources and research methods; accessing, critically reading, evaluating, integrating, and documenting primary and secondary sources; utilizing information technology for inquiry, analysis, and argumentation.
ENG101: Reading, Writing, & Rhetoric.
Writing course developing critical reading skills while integrating and responding to varied sources; composing texts including summaries, analyses, evaluations, responses, and arguments; emphasizing style, organization, coherence, purpose, and persuasion for various audiences.
ASO100: Student Success Seminar in English.
An introduction to the programs of the University and College of Arts and Sciences, specifically for English majors. Discussion of how to study, what to consider in choosing a profession, and what career opportunities exist for graduates from the College’s programs. All new students are expected to enroll in a Student Success Seminar their first semester at the University.
ENG095R: Introduction to Reading, Writing, & Rhetoric. ENG 095R Syllabus
Focuses on critical reading and academic writing. Provides strategies for comprehending and analyzing source material and integrating sources with written work, with an emphasis on thesis development, organization, voice, and style. ENG 095R combines the objectives of both Developmental English/Writing and Developmental Reading. Because this is an accelerated course, students are required to attend weekly, one-hour workshop sessions with the class’s Course Embedded Consultant.
Miami University
Global Partners Summer School: Advanced Composition.
An intensive four-week writing and rhetoric course offered to visiting Chinese and Korean students. The course included instruction in rhetorical analysis, research, and conventions of American academic writing. In addition to writing individual analysis and research projects, students produced group video essays drawing from their research papers.
ENG223: Rhetorical Strategies for Writers.
A core course in the Professional Writing major and an elective for several majors and minors, including Language Arts Education. ENG223 provides in-depth instruction in classical and modern rhetorics. Students study rhetorical theory, apply it through analytical writing, and employ it in creative, argumentative projects.
ENG112: Composition and Literature.
The second of two required first-year composition courses, with a special topic chosen by the instructor. The class meets in a laptop classroom and students composed both traditional academic essays and multimodal projects. 2014 section theme: Construction of Regional and Group Identities through Texts. 2009 section theme: American travel narratives, with attention to how travel influences individual, group, and regional identities.
ENG111: College Composition.
One of two required first-year composition courses. I planned and taught all sections for either laptop classrooms or computer labs. Students composed a combination of traditional academic essays (such as rhetorical analyses) and multimodal projects.
ENG109: English Composition for L2 Writers.
A four-credit hour first-year composition course designed for L2 writers. Like its three-credit hour equivalent ENG111, ENG109 introduces students to the expectations of the college discourse community and asks them to compose a combination of traditional academic essays (such as rhetorical analyses) and multimodal projects.
ENG104: Writing Studio.
A one-credit hour elective course where students work on writing assignments from across the disciplines in a small group (8 student) environment. I taught a section offered specifically for students for whom English is a second language.
West Virginia University
ENG499: Graduate Colloquium. Co-taught with the ENG101 Coordinator.
Instructor training required for all new graduate students in the English Department. Included readings and discussions about writing pedagogy, workshops on syllabus design, and developing strategies for teaching assignments from the common course description.
ENG102: Composition, Rhetoric, and Research.
Second-year composition course with an emphasis on academic research, argument, and documentation. Students received an introduction to library and database research methods, and composed several research-related genres such as proposals, literature reviews or annotated bibliographies, extended researched arguments, and in-class presentations. I linked the assignments in such a way that each project built into the next.
ENG101: Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric.
First-year composition course with an emphasis on audience, genre analysis, and using genre conventions. Students composed in a variety of genres, including literacy narratives, rhetorical analyses, interviews, and multimodal projects. I planned the course around different themes each year, including regional identity and place.
Dominic J. Ashby, Ph.D. 