Course Objective
Graduate students in this course will:
1. develop an understanding of second language writing theories
2. get familiar with methods and findings of ESL/EFL writing studies
3. develop ability to read writing research papers critically
4. learn to analyze different types of writing research
5. learn to design research projects

Course Objective
Graduate students in this course will:
1. develop an understanding of second language writing theories
2. get familiar with methods and findings of ESL/EFL writing studies
3. develop ability to read writing research papers critically
4. learn to analyze different types of writing research
5. learn to design research projects

This MA course introduces students to theoretical and methodological perspectives on second language writing research, and involves them in actual research practices in the field. Topics to be covered include contrastive/intercultural rhetoric, L1 & L2 writing/literacy, writing process, peer response, teacher response, and computer mediated communication across cultures. Class discussions are conducted to explore the processes of conducting writing studies and analyze the research reports in which major finding are presented. Studies conducted by writing researchers and students researchers will be used to as examples to demonstrate the processes and products on the selected research topics. Students will compare and analyze different kinds of writing research conducted in the English-as-a-second- and foreign-language contexts in order to design their own research project.

This MA course introduces students to theoretical and methodological perspectives on second language writing research, and involves them in actual research practices in the field. Topics to be covered include contrastive/intercultural rhetoric, L1 & L2 writing/literacy, writing process, peer response, teacher response, and computer mediated communication across cultures. Class discussions are conducted to explore the processes of conducting writing Studies and analyze the research reports in which major finding are presented. Studies conducted by writing researchers and students researchers will be used to as examples to demonstrate the processes and products on the selected research topics. Students will compare and analyze different kinds of writing research conducted in the English-as-a-second- and foreign-language contexts in order to design their own research project.

Major Course Texts
Matsuda, P. K., & Silva, T. (Eds.) (2005). Second language writing research: Perspectives on the process of knowledge construction. Mahwah, NJ: Lawarence Erlbaum.

Supplementary articles are selected from the following books:
Kroll, B. (Ed.) (2003). Exploring the dynamic of second language writing. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Leki, I., Cumming, A., & Silva, T. (Eds.) (2008). A synthesis of research on second language writing in English. New York: Routledge.
Liu, J., & Hansen, J. G. (2005). Peer response in second language writing classroom. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press.
Manchon, R. M. (2009). Writing in foreign language contexts: Learning, teaching, and research. Buffalo: Multilingual Matters.
Matsuda, P. K., Cox, M., & Ortmeier-Hooper, C. (2006) Second-language writing in the composition classroom. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Ransdell, S., Barbier, M.-L. (Eds). (2002). New directions for research in L2 writing. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Silva, T., & Matsuda. P. K. (Eds.). (2001). Landmark essays on ESL writing. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Major Course Texts
Matsuda, P. K., & Silva, T. (Eds.) (2005). Second language writing research: Perspectives on the process of knowledge construction. Mahwah, NJ: Lawarence Erlbaum.

Supplementary articles are selected from the following books:
Kroll, B. (Ed.) (2003). Exploring the dynamic of second language writing. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Leki, I., Cumming, A., & Silva, T. (Eds.) (2008). A synthesis of research on second language writing in English. New York: Routledge.
Liu, J., & Hansen, J. G. (2005). Peer response in second language writing classroom. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press.
Manchon, R. M. (2009). Writing in foreign language contexts: Learning, teaching, and research. Buffalo: Multilingual Matters.
Matsuda, P. K., Cox, M., & Ortmeier-Hooper, C. (2006) Second-language writing in the composition classroom. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Ransdell, S., Barbier, M.-L. (Eds). (2002). New directions for research in L2 writing. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Silva, T., & Matsuda. P. K. (Eds.). (2001). Landmark essays on ESL writing. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.