1020-025 / Fall 2009 1

English 1020-025: Research and Argumentative Writing

Ethnography and the University

Prof. Catherine Cooper

Murphy Center 100AM/W 2:20-3:45 p.m.

Office: Peck Hall 105

Office Hours: M/W, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (and by appointment)

Phone: 904-8262 (can reach me here during office hours)

Email: (the best way to reach me!)

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS
  • FieldWorking, Third Edition (FW)
  • My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student, by Rebekah Nathan (MFY)
  • Surviving Freshman Composition, Sixth Edition (SFC) *MUST BE PURCHASED NEW FROM MTSU BOOKSTORE*
  • I’m not requiring you to purchase Hodge’s Harbrace Handbook, but I am requiring you to have access to it.
  • Regular access to and use of Internet, including MTSU email and D2L is required. I will post announcements and assignments regularly to D2L. Reading and writing assignments will be posted and must be printed by students (on their on time, from their own printer or a campus printer). Students will also receive important class information via MTSU email account.
  • In order to complete and turn in writing assignments, all students must also have access to Microsoft Word, a printer, and a stapler.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

English 1020, Research and Argumentative Writing, is the second course in the two-semester freshman writing sequence and a continuation of the work begun in English 1010. Students should note that many of the course objectives remain the same; however, students will be expected to gain greater competency in those areas. This course is designed to help prepare students to analyze and evaluate the rhetorical strategies of various kinds of writing. Students will also gain the ability to write effectively in a variety of contexts (on-demand, informal, formal, researched, etc.). Reflection is a skill that students learned in 1010 but they will develop it more in 1020 and learn how to support their reflection with research. Students will also be required to read and write a critical analysis of a longer work. This class is focused, much like 1010, on the process of writing and the product that results from that writing. For more information on course guidelines and objectives, see the English Department’s website (

Ethnography and the University is the theme of this composition course. What’s “ethnography,” you ask? That’s a complicated question, and we’ll spend a considerable amount of time trying to answer it. The short answer, given by the textbook for this course, FieldWorking, is that ethnography is “the study of people in other cultures and the resultant written text from that study” (500). We will borrow methods from anthropology and sociology to explore a wide range of local subcultures, like student clubs, sports or performance groups, a sorority or fraternity, a place of employment, a restaurant, a college course—whatever. You will chose a community somehow connected to the university to use for the basis of your research and analysis in many of your major writing assignments this semester. This will be a very hands-on course; you’ll be required to get out in the “field” and “work.”

EVALUATION AND GRADING SCALE

Assignments and Total Percentages:

Introductory In-Class Essay0%

Essay 1: Positioning Paper (3-4 pages)10%

Essay 2: Artifact/Space Analysis (4-5 pages) 15%

Essay 3: Ethnography Analysis Paper (4-5 pages)15%

Essay 4: Mini-Ethnography (8-10 pages)25%

Research Portfolio (with 2-3 page reflective essay)15%

Field Journal10%

Participation (quizzes, writing exercise, group work, presentations, etc.)10%

100%

Essay grades are based on a 100-point scale, which corresponds to the following letter grades: A: 100-90% B: 89-80% C: 79-70% D: 69-65% F: 64% and below

Final grades will also be based on a 100-point scale and will be converted to the following letter grades: A: 100-90% B+: 89-86% B: 85-80% C+: 79-76% C: 75-70% F: 69% and below

NOTE:You may receive a D or an F on essays, but to pass this course and earn three credit hours, you must earn a final grade of C or above. First-time 1020 students may receive an “N” instead of an “F” for the final grade—IFthey have met all the course requirements, completed all 4 essay assignments, and have not exceeded five absences.

ESSAY GUIDELINES

Major Assignments: All major essay assignments (1-4) and final research portfolio must be turned in to pass the course. Failure to turn in one or more of these assignments will result in automatic failure of the course.

Assignment Sheets: For each essay and for research portfolio, students will be given detailed assignment sheets, containing information on the topic, research requirements, grading, due dates, page count, etc. These assignment sheets will be posted to D2L and students will be required to print them off and bring to class while we are working on each specific assignment.

Formatting: All papers must be typed (in MS Word), double-spaced, printed in black in Times New Roman or similar font in 12-pt size. Papers must have a 1” margin at the top, bottom, and both sides. Papers should include a heading in the top left corner and page numbers in the top right corner. Papers must be legibly printed and stapled BEFORE CLASS.

Page/Word Count: Department guidelines require that students write at least 6000 words in 1020. This has been broken up into 4 required essays. At MTSU, 250 words is one full page. Do not rely on your computer’s word count device.

Late Paper and Makeup Work Policy: In general, essays are due to me in both digital and hard copy format when class begins on the due date. Failure to turn in one or both parts = late.

  • In the event that you can’t come to class for any reason (illness, funerals, car wrecks, etc.) the day an essay is due, post your paper to D2L by 2:20 p.m. in order to receive full credit and bring the hard copy to class the next period. (Failure to turn in a hard copy by next class meeting = 10 point deduction.)
  • I will accept late essays, automatically deducting 10 points for each class meeting it is late. Essays turned in more than 5 class meetings late will receive an automatic 50.

Graded Essays: I will try to return essays to you within three class periods; you will always receive your graded essay back at least one class period before the next essay is due. Your final essay and research portfolio will be returned to you during our scheduled final exam time.

CLASS POLICIES

Classroom Environment: As we are all adults, mature and respectful behavior is expected of everyone in the class at all times. We may have class discussions or you may read texts that challenge your belief systems or make you uncomfortable. You do not have to agree with everyone or anyone, but you should respect the freedom of expression guaranteed to all of us.

Attendance Policy: Absences are neither excused nor unexcused. You are allowed four absences for the semester without significant penalty. Please note that if you miss class, you will miss the daily activities. Daily work may not be made up. You will be responsible for the material you miss. (Check the syllabus with a classmate to get caught up.)

  • After the fourth absence, three points will be deducted from your final average for each subsequent absence.
  • The only exception to this rule is for university-sanctioned functions. If you foresee this kind of absence, notify me prior to the absence. You must turn in class work prior to the absence to receive credit.

Tardy Policy:Three late arrivals (5-15 minutes) equal one absence. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you will be counted absent. Also, leaving class early (for any reason other than dire emergencies) will count towards tardies.

Late/Makeup Work:Daily work cannot be made up. If you arrive late or leave early, you may miss this daily work.

Inclement Weather Policy:Don’t assume class is cancelled due to weather. Check the MTSU homepage for university closing information. Also, check your school email account on extremely bad weather days for a message from me.

Electronic Devices Policy: Please turn off and put away electronic devices, such as MP3 players, before class begins. If you can’t follow this rule, you will receive no participation credit for the day. Repeated instances of failing to follow this rule may result in your being asked to leave class, resulting in an absence.

  • In accordance with MTSU policy concerning the Emergency Text Messaging System (ETMS), you may leave your phone out during class if you wish, but it must be set to vibrate. You may not actively engage your phone during class (no talking, text messaging, playing games, etc.). If ETMS is activated, multiple phones will vibrate, and you may check the message.

Prof. Cooper’s Pet Peeves: The following is a list of my pet peeves—just to let you know. Don’t do them during class time.

  • Text messaging
  • Playing on the Internet
  • Working on homework for other classes
  • Audible sighing, groaning, moaning about assignments
  • Sleeping or otherwise keeping your eyes closed
  • Wearing headphones (even if you’re not listening to anything)
  • Side conversations
  • Chewing tobacco
  • Packing up books and bags before class is over. (The mother of all pet peeves!)

PLAGIARISM POLICY

  • The most flagrant instances of plagiarism are (1) submitting work copied from another student’s writing, (2) having someone dictate what should be written, and (3) using printed or Internet sources without documentation.
  • MTSU policy requires that I notify judicial affairs in any plagiarism case. This matter is serious and equivalent to criminal fraud or theft.
  • You will receive a zero for a plagiarized essay. Also, instances of questionable citations or lack of credit to the original source may result in an automatic 50 on the essay.
  • I have access to the website Turnitin.com, which allows me to search the Internet and essay databases for plagiarism in your papers.
  • You will be required to read, sign, and turn in the plagiarism statement in Surviving Freshman Composition (6th ed., pg. 15) by Wednesday, September 9. Signing the form shows that you are aware of what constitutes plagiarism. All students must purchase their own NEW copy of this book in order to turn in this form. In the event that you are unable to turn in the form by the due date, none of your assignments will be graded until I receive it.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

University Writing Center

The University Writing Center, located in both Peck Hall 325 (904-8237) and Ezell Hall 119, and online ( offers valuable one-on-one writing assistance. Appointments are necessary; don’t wait until the last minute to sign up. Attending the writing center may increase your essay score,so take advantage of it.

Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, please provide a letter from the Office of Disabled Students. You may contact them at 898-2783 with any questions about accommodations.

Scholarship Information

You are responsible to know and adhere to the terms and conditions of whatever means of financial support you benefit from. In no instance can your instructor be held responsible for any neglect of your duties. This applies in particular to the Hope scholarships that are lottery funded.

Students receiving the lottery scholarships must earn a 2.75 GPA after attempting 24 credit hours and maintain the 2.75 GPA until they have attempted 72 credit hours. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA while attempting 72 credit hours through 120 hours when scholarship eligibility expires. If a student drops below a 3.0 between 72 and 120 hours, he/she will regain eligibility IF the 3.0 GPA is reached again.

Students who drop below full-time status (12 hours) during the first 14 days of the semester will have their awards adjusted and will owe money to the University. Students who drop after the 14th day of class will have their future lottery scholarships suspended unless the drop was approved in advance by the Office of Financial Aid. Students may appeal the suspension if the drop is due to documented personal illness, illness or death of immediate family member, extreme financial hardship, military service, or other extraordinary circumstances beyond their control. The lottery appeal form may be obtained at < Failure to attend classes may also result in the loss of lottery scholarship eligibility.Scholarship recipients must continue to attend classes through the end of the semester to maintain his or her enrollment status.For more lottery information please see < You can also find up to date information at <

FINAL NOTE: This syllabus is a contract. By staying in this class, you are agreeing to follow all of the guidelines above and be responsible for your own actions. If you are unable to comply with ANY part of the above, please drop this class.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Please note that this schedule is subject to change according to class needs and interests, time constraints, class cancellations, etc. If necessary, an updated schedule will be announced in class and posted to D2L.

DateActivityReadingDue

1 / 8/31 / Course Introduction
9/2 / Review Writing Process
Introductory In-class Essay / SFC chapters 2-4
2 / 9/7 / NO CLASS—Labor Day Holiday
9/9 / What is Ethnography?
Choosing a Fieldsite
Assign Essay 1 / FW chapter 1 / SFC Plagiarism Form
9/11 / Last day to drop without a grade
3 / 9/14 / Field Notes
Essay 1 Topic Workshop / FW chapter 2
9/16 / Essay 1 Conferences and Revision Workshop / Draft of Essay 1
4 / 9/21 / Field Notes (cont.)
Ethics and Ethnography / FW chapter 3
MFY chapters 1-2
9/23 / Ethics and Ethnography (cont.) / MFY chapters 1-2 / Essay 1: Positioning Paper
5 / 9/28 / Artifacts and Archives
Assign Essay 2 / FW chapter 4 / Bring artifact from your fieldsite
9/30 / Conducting Research / SFC chapter 7 / Field Journal Check
6 / 10/5 / Mapping Space/Reading Place / FW chapter 5 / Map of fieldsite
10/7 / Essay 2 Conferences and Revision Workshop / SFC chapter 5 / Draft of Essay 2
7 / 10/12 / Argument Analysis / D2L reading
10/14 / Rhetorical Situation and Audience Analysis
Assign Essay 3 / MFY chapters 3-4 / Essay 2: Artifact/Space Analysis
10/16 / Last day to drop or withdraw with a grade of W
8 / 10/19 /
NO CLASS—FALL BREAK
10/21 / Analyzing Another’s Ethnography / Finish MFY
9 / 10/26 / Argument/Rhetorical Situation/Audience (cont.)
MLA, Annotated Bibliographies / SFC chapter 5
D2L reading / Field Journal Check
10/28 / Essay 3 Conferences and Revision Workshop / Essay 3 draft
10 / 11/2 / Analyzing Language / FW chapter 6
11/4 / Analyzing Language (cont.) / Essay 3: Ethnography Analysis
11 / 11/9 / Interviewing / FW chapter 7
11/11 / Interviewing (cont.)
12 / 11/16 / Incorporating Research / FW chapter 8
11/18 / Incorporating Research (cont.) / Field Journal Check
13 / 11/23 / Essay 4 Conferences and Revision Workshop / Draft of Essay 4
11/25 / Essay 4 Conferences and Revision Workshop / SFC chapter 6
14 / 11/30 / Assign Portfolio / TBA
12/2 / Portfolio Conferences and Workshop / Essay 4: Mini-Ethnography
15 / 12/7 / Portfolio Conferences and Workshop / TBA
12/9 / Class Reflections
Presentation of FieldWork / Research Portfolio
12/16 / FINAL EXAM PERIOD
12:30 p.m.