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[monita]

I have applied to two post-docs that sound pretty interesting, but I wanted to know if any forumites had experience with this sort of program*.  They are both freshman-level college writing seminars in good SLACs.  I am not in writing, English, or any related field, but was drawn to the position because instructors propose a seminar of interest related to their field of expertise.  The students must take a writing seminar, but can do it any subject they choose.

My undergraduate university had nothing like this and, apparently, neither does my current institution.  I like the idea of working through various aspects of research and writing through the study of an academically challenging topic, but I'm worried that the students will either (1) be completely disinterested and only go through the motions for the Gen Ed credit, or (2) I'll expect more from them than is reasonable for freshmen.

Any experiences?  Thoughts? 

*Apologies if this topic has already been covered.  I did try the search function first.

[monita]

Nobody?  I applied to something nobody wants, didn't I?

[seniorscholar]

Good SLACs often have a seminar of the sort you describe instead of the ordinary 1st year composition course, assuming that the students they've admitted are already reasonably good writers (don't need to learn about subject-verb agreement, or even about thesis statements) and deserve to be writing on a subject they're interested in, and to be learning about research paper conventions and other specific types of college writing as opposed to "writing for personal expression."

Everyone I happen to know who has had one of these post-docs you describe has been a PhD in English, and generally one who has taught the Honors Comp sections in their 2nd or 3rd years as a TA -- but that's because the only such people I happen to know have been students from my department. Therefore I have no idea what other majors might be included in the pool for such positions, but I can certainly see the advantage of having some of the sections taught by PhDs from other academic fields. In any case, be sure that your application speaks specifically about your experience in writing -- papers you've had students write for courses you've taught or TAed for and similar acquaintance with actual writing instruction -- as well as your research and your suitability for that particular SLAC, etc.

[monita]

Thanks for your thoughts, Seniorscholar.  I have taught a few writing-intensive courses in my discipline and do enjoy teaching research and writing.  It sounds like a pretty good opportunity so far.

[glowdart]

Monita, I applied for some of those when I was on the market.  Didn't get them.  My sense of them was what seniorscholar describes -- "composition" classes at Elite SLACs are not always called "composition" because their students, were they to attend another school, would have placed out of "composition" most likely.  But the schools still want to make sure the skills are there, so they call them something other than "Composition," like "Freshman Seminars" or "Intensive First-Year Seminars" or "First Year Research Methods."

In particular, Beloit or Lawrence (? it's a WI school) has one that has a good reputation for providing a good broad experience on the campus with active mentorship and career development for the post-docs as well as good teaching opportunities with support.  (And the fact that I can't remember the name should be attributed to Friday grading malaise and nothing else.)

[monita]

Thanks, Glowdart!