ENG 101-027 Cara Williams

ENG 101-027 Cara Williams

Fall 2009 Office: MHRA 3210 D

MWF 12:00-12:50 Office Hours: MW 10-12

MHRA 3208 email:

Course Overview

Writing for the university requires that we, as writers, recognize that, with each writing project, we are a part of an on-going conversation. We must learn to respond and attempt to expand that conversation. For the purpose of this course, we will explore several contemporary culture wars, political conflicts based around competing cultural values. There are extensive conversations in the form of articles, blogs, books, television shows, movies, and other texts that surround these conflicts. This course emphasizes a process of reading and evaluating these competing cultural values, researching the conflicts and main points, responding to these points, and revising our ideas. We will also look extensively at how other writers use different tools and skills in order to create persuasive and convincing arguments. We will borrow from other writers (and even artists), learning and using similar skills to create interesting, original, persuasive arguments of our own and joining the conversations that surround these cultural conflicts.

Course Description and Objectives

Students read and write in varied forms, styles, and lengths. Goals include developing ideas and revising writing, experimenting with aims and approaches in producing writing, and understanding appeals to various audiences.

English 101 satisfies the Reasoning and Discourse (GRD) requirement at UNCG, which asserts that students “gain skills in intellectual discourse, including constructing cogent arguments, locating, synthesizing and analyzing documents, and writing and speaking clearly, coherently, and effectively.

In addition, English 101 is designed to address the following three proficiencies listed under Student Learning Goals in the UNCG Education Program:

·  Ability to write and speak clearly, coherently, and effectively as well as to adapt modes of communication to one’s audience

·  Ability to interpret academic writing and discourse in a variety of disciplines

·  Ability to locate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information

English 101 Course Objectives:

·  To help students develop the ability to analyze texts, construct cogent arguments, and provide evidence for their ideas in writing;

·  To provide students with multiple examples of argumentative and analytical discourse as illustrated via student and professional/published texts;

·  To introduce students to rhetorical concepts of audience, writer, message, and context, and how to employ these in both formal and informal writing situations;

·  To help students develop the ability to summarize, paraphrase, and use direct quotations in writing;

·  To promote to student writers the value of writing-to-learn through sequenced assignments rooted in a common theme or focus;

·  To introduce students to the act of writing as a public and community-based process through the activities of drafting, peer review, and revision.

Attendance Policy

There are no such things as excused absence or unexcused absences in this course.

Students are allowed a maximum of three absences without a grade penalty (“absences” include those related to work, illness, deaths in the family, children, emergencies, court, the IRS, school functions, mechanical difficulties, community events, and other disasters both natural and unnatural). A fourth absence will result in a half-letter grade deducted from the student’s final grade. A fifth absence will result in a whole letter grade deducted from the student’s final grade. A sixth absence will result in failure of the course per English department policy.

Classroom Conduct

This course relies heavily on student participation and collaboration. Students should be prepared to share their work with other students, read their work aloud if asked, and help other students through the writing process. It is very important that each student attends class faithfully and is prepared engage in the day’s lesson. You, as a student, are expected arrive on time for class with all required materials, homework, and assignments and behave with attention and respect to both the instructor and fellow classmates. Chronic tardiness, failure to bring required materials and homework to class, unpreparedness, use of cell phones (including text messaging) and mp3 players in class, inappropriate or untimely use of laptops in class, or disruptive, disrespectful behavior will result in the offending student being asked to leave the class and receive an absence for the day.

Required Materials

Graff, Gerald, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel Durst. They Say, I Say With Readings: The

Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. New York: Norton, 2009.

Lyda, Laurie, Will Dodson, and Alan Benson, eds. Technê Rhêtorikê: Techniques of Discourse

for Writers and Speakers. Southlake, TX: Fountainhead, 2009.

Nazario, Sonia. Enrique’s Journey. New York: Random House, 2007.

Grabow, Brandy, Laurie Lyda, and Melissa J. Richard, eds. Writing Matters. 4th ed.

Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt, 2008.

Recommended Materials:

Loose-leaf Paper for in class writing assignments and note-taking

A pen or pencil

A College Dictionary and Thesaurus or Access to Online Versions

A pocket folder or 3-ring binder to organize assignments and drafts in preparation for the portfolio.

Assignments and Grading

Your grade will consist of the following:

Three Major Writing Projects…………………………………….40%

Critical Rhetorical Analysis………….10%

Annotated Bibliography………………10%

Researched Argument Essay…….….20%

Final Portfolio………………………………………….…………….….40%

Participation……………………………………….…………….………20%

The Final Portfolio: The final portfolio is your final exam for this course. It consists of the original and newly revised versions of your critical rhetorical analysis, annotated bibliography, and researched argument essay as well as an initial, mid-term, and final reflection statement of 2-3 pages in length each. The portfolio must also contain a 2-3 page revision plan describing the basis for revision in each of the three major writing projects. It is the student’s responsibility to keep all copies of your work including drafts. Printing additional copies and keeping them in a folder or binder, keeping copies on a USB drive or disk, or keeping emailed copies is highly recommended. Your final portfolio will be submitted during the final exam in paper format according to the instructions in the assignment.

The Participation Grade: Your participation grade is calculated based on in-class writing, informal writing assignments, homework, in-class quizzes, tardiness, attentiveness, engagement in class discussions, and productiveness in writing workshops.

Late Work: Work is due on the date listed on the calendar by the start of class time. Late work will receive a deduction of one letter grade per day (including weekends and days we do not have class). Please remember that emails and electronic submissions are time stamped. Make sure that your assignment is submitted by the designated time (the start of class).

Grades will be given by letter scale and be graded according to standards in the English 101 Essay Rubric (to be handed out on the 2nd class day).

Writing Conferences

Class will be cancelled for four days this semester in order for me to meet with you individually to discuss your writing. You will be required to sign up for a time to meet with me in the coffee shop in the Elliott University Center. You must bring a complete draft of your work with you. If you miss your conference time or arrive unprepared, you will be deducted one absence.

Laptops, Blackboard, and Electronic Submission

If you have a laptop, you are encouraged to bring it to class to compose, conduct research, for electronic copies of readings, and to take notes. Any student found using instant messaging, social networking sites, email, gaming sites or programs, or other internet and computer functions not directly related to class work will be automatically dismissed from class, receive an absence for the day, and have his/her participation grade negatively affected.

I take up all assignments, with the exception of the final portfolio, by email () or through Blackboard. Additionally, all writing assignments, some readings, and some handouts will be distributed through Blackboard. It is very important that you activate your Blackboard account, make sure you know your password, and be able to access Blackboard on a regular basis.

Academic Integrity Policy

Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic resources, falsification, and facilitating academic dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall not be tolerated. (UNCG Academic Integrity Policy)

Specific information on the Academic Integrity Policy and obligations of faculty and students may be found online at http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu. Students found plagiarizing, cheating, falsifying, misusing academic resources, or facilitating academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class and will be subject to disciplinary action by the Office of the Dean of Students, automatic failure of the assignment, and possible automatic failure of the course.

Disability Services Accommodations

Students with documentation of special accommodation requirements from the Office of Disability Services should see the instructor as soon as possible to make the necessary arrangements. Please do not attempt to hide your needs or decline assistance as accommodations cannot be made retroactive. If you believe you require special accommodations, you must first register with the Office of Disability Services in the Elliott University Center.

Course Calendar

Mon. 8/24—Introduction to the Course

Wed. 8/26—WM: “Hindsight, Foresight, and Insight: Reflection in the Composition

Classroom” by Stephanie R. Womick, p. 106-109

Fri 8/28—TR: “Introduction to Rhetorical Concepts” by Will Dodson, p. 26-37

Mon 8/31—TSIS: Chapter One, “They Say: Starting With What Others Are Saying,” p. 17-

27

WM: “The Art of Reading: Active and Rhetorical Reading,” p. 27-31

UNIT 1: PREPARING TO ENGAGE: CRITICAL RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

Wed 9/2—BB: “Still Separate, Still Unequal: America’s Educational Apartheid” by Jonathan

Kozol

Fri 9/4—TSIS: Chapter 2, “Her Point Is: The Art of Summarizing,” p. 28-38

TR: “Developing an Idea of the Audience,” p. 65-71

Mon. 9/7—NO CLASS—LABOR DAY HOLIDAY

Wed 9/9—TSIS: Chapter 3, “As He Himself Puts It: The Art of Quoting,” p. 39-48

Fri 9/11—TR: “Performing Rhetorically: Understanding the Movements of Tone in Text,”

p. 72-78 and “Rhetoric of Voice,” p. 79-86

Mon 9/14—TR: “The Wrestler and the President: Using Appeals and Canons to Convey

Your Message,” p. 38-46

Wed 9/16—TR: “Logical Fallacies,” p. 215-219

TSIS: “Skeptics May Object: Planting a Naysayer in Your Text,” p. 74-87

Fri 9/18—TR: “Visual Rhetoric” and “Student Example: Film Analysis” p. 138-150.

Mon 9/21—TSIS: Chapter 4, “Yes/No/Okay, But: Three Ways to Respond,” p. 51-63

Wed 9/23—BB: “Manufacturing Depression: A Journey into the Economy of Melancholy”

by Gary Greenberg

Fri 9/25—TSIS: “So What? Who Cares?: Saying Why it Matters,” p. 88-98

Mon 9/28—TR: “Theses, Claims, and Forms of Argument,” p. 220-249

Wed 9/30—TSIS: “’As A Result’: Connecting the Parts,” p. 101-114

Fri 10/2— TSIS: “’Ain’t So/Is Not’: Academic Writing Doesn’t Mean Setting Aside Your

Own Voice,” p. 115-122

Mon 10/5— WM: What Do We Talk About When We Talk About Flow? Revising, Editing,

and Proofreading,” p. 48-52

Wed 10/7—WM: “Making the Move From ‘Peer Editing’ to Writing Workshops,” p. 32-37

Fri 10/9—Draft of Critical Rhetorical Analysis Due

Mon. 10/12—NO CLASS—FALL BREAK

Wed. 10/14—Mid-Semester Reflections

UNIT 2: THE CULTURE WARS: INVESTIGATING CLAIMS, FINDING AND EVALUATING RESEARCH

Fri. 10/16—WM: “Rethinking Research,” p. 100-102

BB: “Lazy Ass Nation” by Jim Windolf (http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/lazyamerica200710)

Mon. 10/19—TSIS: Read Chapter 13, “Is Fast Food the New Tobacco?”

Wed. 10/21—TR: “The Research Process,” p. 110-116

TSIS: Read Chapter 14, “Are 24, Family Guy, and Grand Theft Auto Actually

Good For You?”

Fri. 10/23— TR: “The University Libraries” by Amy Harris, p. 117-123

Mon. 10/26—TSIS: Read Chapter 15, “Is Economic Mobility Just A Dream?”

Wed. 10/28—TR: “Using MLA,” p. 278-300

Fri. 10/30—Writing Conferences

Mon. 11/2—Writing Conferences

Wed. 11/4—Writing Workshop

Fri. 11/6—Annotated Bibliography Due

TSIS: Chapter 16, “Is America Over?” p. 394-441

Mon. 11/9—TSIS: Chapter 15, “Is America Over?” p. 442-481

UNIT 3: JOINING THE CONVERSATION

Wed. 11/11—EJ: Prologue and Chapter 1

Fri. 11/13—EJ: Chapters 2 and 3

Mon. 11/16—EJ: Chapters 4 and 5

Wed. 11/18—EJ: Chapters 6 and 7

Fri. 11/20— EJ: Afterward, Epilogue, and Notes

Mon. 11/23— Writing Workshop

Wed 11/25—NO CLASS—THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

Fri 11/27—NO CLASS—THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

UNIT 4: (RE)VISIONING…AGAIN

Mon. 11/30—Researched Argument Essay Due

Wed. 12/2—Writing Conferences

Fri. 12/4—Writing Conferences

Mon 12/7—Portfolio Workshop

Fri 12/11—Portfolios Due

Final Exam

EJ= Enrique’s Journey

TR= Technê Rhêtorikê

TSIS= They Say, I Say

WM= Writing Matters

ENG 101 Syllabus Williams 1