What do I do with class time?

It's true, you aren't all reading Jane Eyre, and then coming in to discuss it. But there is plenty to do in class. Many ideas will come across the listserv, but let's start with these categories: research, writing and critical thinking skills. The student's ability to acquire these skills is central to the class. In this way, 39C is not a content class in the same way that some other classes you may have TA'd. There is a primary text, and sometimes the content there is useful to the work that they are doing on their own project. But more often, the primary text is an example -- positive or negative -- although we would be very happy indeed to have our students reach the level of the writers we teach, whatever flaws we see there. An example of careful research, use of evidence, and critical thought. Even topic sentences!