“Writing as Learning: Understanding and Promoting Intellectual Growth and Critical Thinking in the Writing Center,�

Charleston, SC
February 10-12, 2005

Call for Proposals:

In the 1970s as writing centers were developing across the country, Janet Emig argued that writing is a mode of learning. Since then this idea has been embraced by writing centers as well as WAC and WID programs around the globe. So now we, the Southeastern Writing Center Association, pause to ask how this idea is embraced as pedagogy and explored as ideology, especially within, through, and around the writing center.

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We invite faculty, administrators, and students to explore this year’s theme, “Writing as Learning: Understanding and Promoting Intellectual Growth and Critical Thinking in the Writing Center,� and to submit proposals for individual and panel presentations, roundtable discussions, workshops, and poster sessions. Presentations that address one or more of the following questions, as well as those that invite audience participation and discussion, are especially encouraged:

§ How do we define critical thinking? How can we use writing as a tool to stimulate intellectual growth and critical thinking? How does the writing center foster such growth? How do we assess such growth?

§ How can the writing center impact cognition and behavior through significant learning experiences? How can we connect interactive writing/learning sessions, learning styles and writing conferences? How do we address motivation, organization, and self-directed learning in the writing center?

§ What is the role of the writing center and writing instructors in developing intellectual competence with issues of multicultural appreciation, social equity, communication and the complexities of their own lives?

§ How can we expand the boundaries and influence of the writing center program? How can we work with WAC/WID programs to implement effectively writing-to-learn techniques throughout the institution?

Proposals should include a title, the names and contact information of all presenters, the presentation format, a description of the presentation (250 words for individuals and posters; 500 words for panels and roundtables) and a 50-word abstract. We encourage you to submit proposals electronically at the SWCA Web site (www.swca.us). If necessary, proposals may be mailed to Trixie Smith, MTSU Department of English, P.O. Box 70, Murfreesboro, TN 37132 (postmarked by Oct 10). Questions should also be addressed to Trixie Smith at tgsmith@mtsu.edu. All presenters must be members of SWCA by the time of the conference.

Electronic proposals are due Oct 15, 2004.