Intensive College Composition I and the Studio Model
What follows is a description for ICC1 students as to the rationale for the studio-model. You can copy and paste this into your syllabus or post on a course site. And of course, it provide a useful explanation for instructors as well! Further below, you will also find an FAQ for studio-model instructors.
Explanation of Studio Model for Students
The Studio Model of Intensive College Composition 1 was created by the faculty of the Writing Arts Department in conjunction with the staff of Rowan University’s Writing Center in an effort to expand the writing experiences for our intensive students. Our Studio Model evolved from writing center and composition theory advocating for a place or a “third space” other than a writing classroom where students can share, create, critique and discuss their writing at any stage of the process (Grego/Thompson). While ICC1 students master the same core values as our other first year writing courses, they do so in a unique setting. The studio sessions, held in the Rowan’s Writing Center, provide students in Intensive courses an opportunity to work through the writing process both in and out of the classroom.
All Intensive College Composition 1 courses meet 3 days a week. However, as members of a 4-credit studio class, you will meet with your composition instructor on 2 of the 3 scheduled class days. On the third day, students meet in a small group led by a writing tutor in the Writing Center. The small groups consist of 3 or 4 classmates. Group sessions occur in one-hour periods between 9:00 am-8:30pm. Once you’ve been assigned a studio group and a session time slot, this becomes a permanent appointment throughout the semester. Please be aware that your Writing Center session may occur at a different time than the regularly scheduled class time (ex. MWF class may be held in the classroom on MW 9:25-10:40am with the instructor and F 1:30-2:30pm with the small group/writing tutor in the writing center). Attendance for studio sessions counts the same as attendance for traditional class meetings.
During each session, you may discuss and clarify the class reading with your group members or work on your current writing assignment. At times, you may have a paper in need of revision to be shared, critiqued or discussed with the group members and the writing tutor. This is also your time to voice any questions or insights that may occur to you outside of the classroom setting.. The writing tutor uses a variety of techniques in the group sessions to facilitate the writing process. The writing tutor does not “grade” your writing. After each session, the writing tutor will provide individual feedback for the instructor in order to accurately track your preparation, progress and participation.
All Intensive College Composition 1 courses meet 3 days a week. However, as members of a 4-credit studio class, you will meet with your composition instructor on 2 of the 3 scheduled class days. On the third day, students meet in a small group led by a writing tutor in the Writing Center. The small groups consist of 3 or 4 classmates. Group sessions occur in one-hour periods between 9:00 am-8:30pm. Once you’ve been assigned a studio group and a session time slot, this becomes a permanent appointment throughout the semester. Please be aware that your Writing Center session may occur at a different time than the regularly scheduled class time (ex. MWF class may be held in the classroom on MW 9:25-10:40am with the instructor and F 1:30-2:30pm with the small group/writing tutor in the writing center). Attendance for studio sessions counts the same as attendance for traditional class meetings.
During each session, you may discuss and clarify the class reading with your group members or work on your current writing assignment. At times, you may have a paper in need of revision to be shared, critiqued or discussed with the group members and the writing tutor. This is also your time to voice any questions or insights that may occur to you outside of the classroom setting.. The writing tutor uses a variety of techniques in the group sessions to facilitate the writing process. The writing tutor does not “grade” your writing. After each session, the writing tutor will provide individual feedback for the instructor in order to accurately track your preparation, progress and participation.
Teaching the Studio Model--FAQs
What is the “Studio” model?
Our Studio Model evolved from writing center and composition theory advocating for a place or a “third space” other than a writing classroom where students can share, create, critique and discuss their writing at any stage of the process (Grego/Thompson). While the Intensive Composition students master the same core values as our other first year writing courses, they do so in a unique setting.
How is “studio” different from “non-studio”?
All Intensive College Composition 1 courses meet 3 days a week. However, a 4-credit studio class, meets with the composition instructor on 2 of the 3 scheduled class days. On the third day, students meet in a small group led by a writing tutor in the Writing Center. The small groups consist of 3 or 4 classmates. Group sessions occur in one-hour periods between 9:00 am-8:30pm. Non-studio sections meet for the 3rd day but do so with the course instructor during the regularly scheduled time and in the regular classroom.
*The instructor does not attend the writing center sessions. The tutor does not attend class.
Who is my tutor?
The tutor for your class is assigned by the director of the Writing Center, Celeste DelRusso. The tutors are sophomores, juniors and seniors. Some have more experience as writing tutors than others but all have received training from the Writing Center. You will have the same tutor for your class throughout the semester.
Who schedules the writing center groups & times?
Sometime during the first week of class, your writing tutor will come to your class to introduce him/herself to the class. The tutor will then announce the open slots and ask for volunteers to fill each spot. *I suggest writing the different time slots and the number of spots for each slot on the board before the tutor arrives. Be sure to have your students check their schedules as they may have to attend their writing center session during a different time than the regularly scheduled class. (Ex. Your class meets at 9:30 MWF and the Writing Center day is Friday. The writing center session may be at 6:30 pm on Friday). Once they have been assigned a group and a time, it is permanent throughout the semester. Changes are discouraged, but can be accommodated under extenuating circumstances. Be sure to check that the change will not overcrowd an existing group.
How does the writing center session “fit into” my weekly schedule?
Your Writing Center day is permanent. You cannot shift the day around during the week. If you teach on Monday and Wednesday, then you must work through the syllabus and assignments on those 2 days. Be sure that there is always writing to be done, reviewed, or discussed when the students go to their session.
Do I give an assignment for the Writing Center?
Technically, no. The “studio” theory is such that the students should choose what to work on during the session. With that said, the session is connected to your comp class, so the work they “choose” to do must be associated with one of your comp class assignments, past or present. During the class before the Writing Center day, review the current assignments and tasks to be completed before the next regular class meeting. For example, if you are working on a reading and a summary or an annotated bib entry is due the following week, the student may work on that assignment during the Writing Center session. They may also choose to work on a revision of a previous essay. Regardless, the student must arrive with an assignment from your class in order to be considered “prepared” for the session. The tutor will keep track of attendance, preparation and participation.
Does writing center attendance count as class attendance?
Yes. Attendance in regular class and the attendance at writing center logged by the tutor are combined to a total number of absences. Total absences exceeding six (the limit) are cause for concern; reach out to a course or program coordinator to discuss how to handle this on a case by case basis (i.e., the student's individual circumstances will inform the approach).
Communicating with the Tutor…
How do I contact the tutor?
You and your tutor should agree as to how you will communicate throughout the semester. Email is the traditional and most commonly used method. You (and the tutor) may agree to exchange cell phone numbers if both parties are comfortable communicating via text message.
What documents should I provide the tutor?
Please provide the tutor with a copy of your syllabus, essay assignments and readings. Textbooks can be provided if requested.
What do I communicate with the tutor?
· Before each writing center session…
Our Studio Model evolved from writing center and composition theory advocating for a place or a “third space” other than a writing classroom where students can share, create, critique and discuss their writing at any stage of the process (Grego/Thompson). While the Intensive Composition students master the same core values as our other first year writing courses, they do so in a unique setting.
How is “studio” different from “non-studio”?
All Intensive College Composition 1 courses meet 3 days a week. However, a 4-credit studio class, meets with the composition instructor on 2 of the 3 scheduled class days. On the third day, students meet in a small group led by a writing tutor in the Writing Center. The small groups consist of 3 or 4 classmates. Group sessions occur in one-hour periods between 9:00 am-8:30pm. Non-studio sections meet for the 3rd day but do so with the course instructor during the regularly scheduled time and in the regular classroom.
*The instructor does not attend the writing center sessions. The tutor does not attend class.
Who is my tutor?
The tutor for your class is assigned by the director of the Writing Center, Celeste DelRusso. The tutors are sophomores, juniors and seniors. Some have more experience as writing tutors than others but all have received training from the Writing Center. You will have the same tutor for your class throughout the semester.
Who schedules the writing center groups & times?
Sometime during the first week of class, your writing tutor will come to your class to introduce him/herself to the class. The tutor will then announce the open slots and ask for volunteers to fill each spot. *I suggest writing the different time slots and the number of spots for each slot on the board before the tutor arrives. Be sure to have your students check their schedules as they may have to attend their writing center session during a different time than the regularly scheduled class. (Ex. Your class meets at 9:30 MWF and the Writing Center day is Friday. The writing center session may be at 6:30 pm on Friday). Once they have been assigned a group and a time, it is permanent throughout the semester. Changes are discouraged, but can be accommodated under extenuating circumstances. Be sure to check that the change will not overcrowd an existing group.
How does the writing center session “fit into” my weekly schedule?
Your Writing Center day is permanent. You cannot shift the day around during the week. If you teach on Monday and Wednesday, then you must work through the syllabus and assignments on those 2 days. Be sure that there is always writing to be done, reviewed, or discussed when the students go to their session.
Do I give an assignment for the Writing Center?
Technically, no. The “studio” theory is such that the students should choose what to work on during the session. With that said, the session is connected to your comp class, so the work they “choose” to do must be associated with one of your comp class assignments, past or present. During the class before the Writing Center day, review the current assignments and tasks to be completed before the next regular class meeting. For example, if you are working on a reading and a summary or an annotated bib entry is due the following week, the student may work on that assignment during the Writing Center session. They may also choose to work on a revision of a previous essay. Regardless, the student must arrive with an assignment from your class in order to be considered “prepared” for the session. The tutor will keep track of attendance, preparation and participation.
Does writing center attendance count as class attendance?
Yes. Attendance in regular class and the attendance at writing center logged by the tutor are combined to a total number of absences. Total absences exceeding six (the limit) are cause for concern; reach out to a course or program coordinator to discuss how to handle this on a case by case basis (i.e., the student's individual circumstances will inform the approach).
Communicating with the Tutor…
How do I contact the tutor?
You and your tutor should agree as to how you will communicate throughout the semester. Email is the traditional and most commonly used method. You (and the tutor) may agree to exchange cell phone numbers if both parties are comfortable communicating via text message.
What documents should I provide the tutor?
Please provide the tutor with a copy of your syllabus, essay assignments and readings. Textbooks can be provided if requested.
What do I communicate with the tutor?
· Before each writing center session…
- Write a detailed message explaining to the tutor what the students have been working on in class. Try to give as much information as possible so that the tutor is ready to provide support for the current essay or reading assignment.
- Tutors fill out an online report in which they log attendance, preparation and participation of each student in each group. Instructors should have access to this report.