ENGLISH 3313: COMPOSITION II
Summer semester I A
Section 01
I General Information
- Department: English and Modern Languages.
- Catalogue number for course: ENG 3313
- Course title: Composition II
- Section 2, 6 :00- 9:25, Belknap G 3
- Credits in terms of semester hours: 3 hours.
- Prerequisites: ENG 1112W & 45 credits earned
Instructor: Henrik Madsen, Ph.D.
Office: Hemlock Manor 305
Office Hours: Tue. 10 – 12; Wed. 10 – 12; Thu. 10 – 11, or by appointment.
Phone: 662 4785
E-Mail:
Texts used
Moises Kaufman, The Laramie Project. Vintage, 2001 ISBN: 0375727191
Michael Pollan, The Botany of Desire. Random House, 2002. ISBN: 0375760393
Tim O'Brien, The Things They Carried, Broadway 1990, ISBN 0-7679-0289-0
Anthony Grooms, Bombingham. NY: One World Ballantine Books, 2001.
Langston Hughes, Selected Poems of Langston Hughes Vintage Classic, 1990 ISBN: 067972818X
Art Spiegelman, Maus I and II ,boxed set from Pantheon = ISBN: 0679748407
Requirements: 3 papers 3-4 pages
II. Course Description:
English 3313 is an advanced composition course for upper-level university students. The purpose of the course is to develop students’ writing and critical thinking skills. The students will be exposed to a variety of texts from a core-list of readings. The list contains texts from a broad spectrum of disciplines: sciences & technology, social sciences & public affairs, and arts & humanities. The readings are exploring the common theme "Changing Times/Changing Minds." The students will use their background knowledge and class materials to make connections between the various texts and critically discuss them. Through a number of in-class writing assignments and 4 formal papers the students will demonstrate analytical thinking and effective writing. .Reflections on elements of style and rhetorical strategies will help the students mature as writers. Each formal writing assignment is developed and revised via the steps of the writing process and under the guidance of the instructor. The in-class writings assignments will be collected in a journal.
III Course Objectives:
Students completing ENG 3313 will demonstrate a grasp of analytical and critical thinking, an ability to comprehend and respond to a variety of texts, make inferences about them, and be able to write clear, well-structured, and stylistically and grammatically proficient analytical essays. They will use the writing process to initiate ideas, to create and revise drafts, and ultimately to produce a finished product at the university-level. This course meets the following General Education outcomes: enhanced written communication skills, analysis, communication, and critical thinking.
IV Course requirements:
Requirements: 3 papers 3-4 pages and an essay final
In class writing assignments. All assignments are to be kept in a journal.
V Grading policy
Grades will be based on the following criteria:
Each paper = 20% of total grade
Class participation and journal = 20% of total grade
Final = 20% of total grade
Letter average:
A 93 and above A – 90 to 92
B+ 87 to 89 B 83 to 86
B - 80 to 82 C+ 76 to 79
C 70 to 75 D 60 to 69
E 59 and below
Plagiarizing!
Unfortunately plagiarizing has become a fairly common problem on college campuses. Broadly speaking plagiarizing consists in presenting somebody else’s work as your own. Be forewarned! I have had several regrettable incidents with students plagiarizing in the past. Plagiarizing is cheating, it defeats the purpose of higher education and there will be a zero tolerance policy on plagiarizing in this class. Furthermore, the consequences of plagiarizing can be dire: you risk failing the class and you will be reported to the Provost’s Office. At the beginning of the semester we will discuss in more detail exactly what counts as plagiarizing. You are expected to be familiar with the policy regarding plagiarizing and ignorance of the law will not count as an excuse!
Special concerns
Any students whose learning may be affected by documented psychological or learning disorders, as well as other significant medical conditions, may require alternative class or testing situations. If you have such needs, you should contact Mr. William Chabala in our Counseling Center (100a Hemlock Manor, Phone: 662-4798; e-mail ); he will then provide me a letter indicating what arrangements we can make.
Support
When I know what tutors are available for the course I will make an announcement. But please keep in mind that I’m always available during my office hours or by appointment. I want to help you as much as I possibly can.
Class cancellation
If I have to cancel a class I will notify you in advance by e-mail if at all possible.
VI Schedule
Week I
05/18 Babette’s Feast (Movie). Discussion and short in-class essay.
05/19 Michael Pollan: The Botany of Desire. Chapter 1 and 2, The Apple and The Tulip p.1 – 110. In-class writing on chosen theme from Babette’s Feast (Dionysian/Appolinian)
05/20 Mauz I & II. In-class writing. Psychological characterization of Vladek Spigelman. Viewing of segment from Auschwiz (BBC)
05/21 Mauz I & II continued. First paper draft due. Writer’s Workshop
Week II
05/25 Anthony Grooms, Bombingham. Viewing of segment from Eyes on the Prize 1961-63 (PBS)
05/26 Bombingham continued. In-class writing: comparison and contrast between characters in Bombingham and Mauz
05/27 Langston Hughes, Selected Poems. Viewing of segment from I’ll make me a World, Harlem Renaissance. (PBS)
05/28 Hughes continued. 3 Jess B.Semple stories. Second paper draft due. Writer’s Workshop. Individual Conferences
Week III
06/04 Moises Kaufman, The Laramie Project. Viewing of the HBO movie based on the play.
06/05 Kaufman Continued. Tim O’Brian, The Things they Carried. Writing style diagnostic.
06/06 O’Brian Continued
06/07 Final and last paper due.