Instructor: Petger Schaberg Program for Writing & Rhetoric

WHAT’S A WORLDVIEW?

WRTG 3020, Sec 57, 62; Fall 2007

E-mail: Office Hrs: T&Th 1:55-3:25

Office phone: #303-492-5429 Office: TempBuilding 1-110

FOCUS: CRITICAL WRITING

Although students sometimes question the need for a mandatory upper level writing class, faculty and administration at the University of Colorado have fought hard to keep the 3020 writing course in the curriculum. Many of us believe that our students’ success—both in their chosen careers and in their personal self-fulfillment—will be determined, to some degree, by their ability to write. This section of WRTG 3020 will build on the work accomplished in the 1150 and 1250 classes by engaging a deeper examination of personal, analytical, and argumentative writing. Students will be encouraged to ask fundamental questions about the power of worldview to shape events. How are worldviews constructed philosophically? Are there commonalities between seemingly opposing worldviews? What particular factors might limit the likelihood of meaningful dialogue? How are the values of particular worldviews disguised or otherwise camouflaged in contemporary media? Are there viable examples of pluralism as regards worldview? To this end we will investigate the deep structure of worldview through a wide range of cultural media, including: film, newsprint, music, television culture, literature, the visual arts, psychology, advertising, political rhetoric, technology, economics and the environment. Required texts for the course are Lakoff’s Thinking Points and Jon Marks’ What it Means to be 98% Chimpanzee. I will hand out other readings as needed.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

*To understand “worldview” as the pervading structure of human experience.

*Recognize and evaluate a statement of fact, of taste, and of arguable opinion.

*Read critically, both for argument and beauty of style.

*See writing as a process extending over several drafts.

*Argue for and against other interpretations in order to advance your argument.

*Develop unique perspectives and a powerful personal style.

*Direct your ideas to specific audiences.

*Improve Grammar skills.

*Improve your critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills.

*Learn proper citation methods.

THE WORKSHOP FORMAT

The writing workshop is an exciting way to develop writing skills. By carefully reading and commenting on each other’s work—in an open forum that invites frank discussion—we will develop the critical and stylistic skills we need to succeed as writers. Keep in mind that faculty have the professional responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which students express opinions. Student drafts will regularly be work-shopped in class and will serve as secondary texts. For workshops, please e-mail drafts of your work—with the specified number of copies—when due.

ASSIGNMENTS

During the semester students will complete several short assignments for UNIT 1, a full 6-7 page critical essay for UNIT 2, and an 8-page final critical essay for Unit 3. Grade percentages are: UNIT 1: 20%, UNIT 2: 25%, UNIT 3: 35%. The rest of your grade will be derived as follows: Class preparation and participation: 10%. Miscellaneous work including, quizzes, peer reviews, short exercises, and worksheets: 10%. Student drafts will regularly be work-shopped in class and the ensuing discussions will help us develop our writing. All drafts of papers must be typed. Please double space final drafts. Only final drafts will be graded.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance is an important factor in a class organized largely around workshops. It is essential that you be in class, both for the discussion of your own papers as well as those of your fellow students. If you miss a class you will be expected tobe fully prepared for the next class. A one-grade-for-each-absence penalty will be instituted with each absence over one--(B-=C+ for two misses; B-=C for three). There will be no penalty for being over the limit only if all absences are due to medical reasons, and you have presented me with a medical excuse for each of them. I will make every attempt to deal fairly with students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. As it constitutes a disruption of our work, lateness will not be tolerated. Consequently, the grade for class participation will be lowered in direct proportion to the amount of lateness incurred. If you are late you will be marked absent and it will be your responsibility to have me strike that absence from the record. Please turn off pagers and cell phones before class.

HONOR CODE

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council. Students found to be in violation will be subject to both sanctions from me and from the University of Colorado.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

TheUniversity of Colorado Policy on Sexual Harassment applies to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff, or faculty member who believes s/he has been sexually harassed should contact the Office of Sexual Harassment (OSH) at 303-492-2127, or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit a letter to me from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, or

CONCLUSION

One of the great benefits of small class sizes is that we can interact on a personal level and thus improve our chances of creating both personal expression and authentic learning. This is important because the two are interdependent, I believe. Our work will be difficult at times, but the art of writing may well be the most important basis by which you succeed in your career. I look forward to teaching this class and hope you enjoy the semester.

ADVANCED FIRST-YEAR WRITING AND RHETORIC

WRTG 1250, Sec 010, Fall 2007

Instructor: Petger Schaberg Program for Writing Rhetoric

E-mail: Office Hrs: T, TH: 1:55-3:25

Office phone: #303-492-5429 Office: TempBuilding 1-110

FOCUS: CRITICAL WRITING

Although students sometimes question the need for a mandatory writing class, faculty and administration at the University of Colorado have fought hard to keep required writing courses in the curriculum. Many of us believe that our students’ success—both in their chosen careers and in their personal self-fulfillment—will be determined, to some degree, by their ability to write. Working from the belief that a strong personal expression offers the maximum potential for achieving exceptional writing skills, this section of WRTG 1250 will seek to meld personal writing with academic analysis and larger civic debate—broadly defined as making and defending inferences persuasive to various audiences. The course will also introduce you to the fundamentals of library research.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

*Examine texts as both logical (Logos) and emotional (Pathos) evidence for particular ideas.

*Recognize and evaluate a statement of fact, of taste, and of arguable opinion.

*Read critically, both for argument and beauty of style.

*Argue against other interpretations of the facts in order to advance your argument.

*See writing as a process extending over several drafts.

*Develop unique perspectives and a powerful personal style.

*Direct your ideas to specific audiences.

*Improve your critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills.

*Learn library research and proper citation.

THE WORKSHOP FORMAT

The writing workshop is an exciting way to develop writing skills. By carefully reading and commenting on each other’s work—in an open forum that invites frank discussion—we will develop the critical and stylistic skills we need to succeed as writers. Faculty at the University of Colorado have the professional responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion, and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which students express opinions. Student drafts will regularly be work-shopped in class and will serve as our main texts. For workshops, please have typed drafts of your work ready when due for e-mail submission.

ASSIGNMENTS

During the semester students will complete several assignments for UNIT 1; a 3-4 page speech and a 3-4 page analysis for UNIT 2; and a 6-8 page final research paper for UNIT 3. Grade percentages are as follows: UNIT 1: 20%; UNIT 2: 25%; UNIT 3: 30%. The rest of your grade will be derived as follows: Class preparation and participation: 15%. Miscellaneous work including, quizzes, peer reviews, short exercises, and worksheets: 10%. Only final drafts will be graded.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Please note that attendance is an important factor in a class organized largely around workshops. It is essential that you be in class, both for the discussion of your own papers as well as those of your fellow students. A one-grade-for-each-absence penalty will be instituted with each absence over two—(B-=C+ for three misses; B-=C for four). There will be no penalty for being over the limit only if all absences are due to medical reasons, and you have presented me with a medical excuse for each of them. I will make every attempt to deal fairly with students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. Since it constitutes a disruption of our work, lateness will not be tolerated. Consequently, the grade for class participation will be lowered in direct proportion to the amount of lateness incurred. If you are late you will be marked absent and it will be your responsibility to have me strike that absence from the record. Please turn off pagers and cell phones before class.

HONOR CODE

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council. Students found to be in violation may be subject to both sanctions from the instructor and from the University of Colorado.

TEXTS

Thinking Points, by George Lakoff. Since I will be providing most of the other reading materials in class, the other primary text for the course will be your essays, circulated for class discussion. These must be submitted on time through e-mail.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

TheUniversity of Colorado Policy on Sexual Harassment applies to all students, staff and faculty. Sexual Harassment is unwelcome sexual attention. It can involve intimidation, threats, coercion, or promises, or create an environment that is hostile or offensive. Harassment may occur between members of the same or opposite gender, and between any combination of members in the campus community: students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Any student, staff, or faculty member who believes s/he has been sexually harassed should contact the Office of Sexual Harassment (OSH) at 303-492-2127, or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

CONCLUSION

One of the great benefits of small class sizes is that we can interact on a personal level and thus improve our chances of creating both personal expression and authentic learning. This is important because the two are interdependent, I believe. Our work will be difficult at times, but the art of critical writing may well be the most important basis by which you succeed in your career. I look forward to teaching this class and hope you enjoy the semester.