Paper Assignments. Papers are due on the dates listed below (and on the Course Calendar). You may choose to write one or two papers. If you write two, each should be a minimum of 2,500 words (about 10 pages). If you choose to write one, it should, logically, be about 5,000 words. You will have to make this choice by the fifth week (Feb. 12th) of term by handing in 
this form.
The papers are worth 50% of your final grade. Here is the 
Grading Rubric.
Paper 1 Assignment: due on March 19th in class.
Paper 2 Assignment: due on Apr. 28th, by noon in my office. If you choose to write just one paper, it will be due on this date.
Topics? If you are a high school teacher, you might consider writing an argument about how to present material to your classes. If you are seeking to continue in graduate school, seek to craft an argument which builds on ideas present in current scholarship. In either case, the weekly assignments will give you ideas to start from.
Paper Format: Papers are to be formatted in MLA Style, typed in a professional font (11 to 12 point, Times New Roman), and have 1" margins all the way around. MLA Style, which applies to both layout and documentation, is described in any writing handbook (such as those which I assume you purchased for a composition course). If you need a brief refresher, read this on how to quote. Not following this style will adversely affect your grade. In an upper level English course, I assume knowledge of this coming into the course. Writing too short a paper will also hurt your grade; you should be able to manage an argument containing this much information.