ENGL 1150: Composition II (WA)

Language and Identity: Social Sciences

Sample Syllabi (Partial)

Course Description:

In Language and Identity, we write about the power of language and its impact on our society, especially in areas related to the social sciences

Comp II Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the semester, Comp II students should be able to do the following:

  • Reaffirm their mastery of the Comp I learning outcomes
  • Create a thesis that establishes claims for both a main argument and intermediate arguments that support it
  • Be able to distinguish between background, primary, and secondary research sources, and use those sources appropriate for the genre they are writing and the audience for whom they are writing
  • Write collaboratively with others, while remaining responsible for their own contribution to a group project
  • Use at least two different citation styles, and identify the disciplines for which they are appropriate
  • Apply advanced methods for integrating outside sources into an argument, such as endnotes, footnotes, appendices, or similar references
  • Use electronic environments to collaborate on texts, conduct peer review, and produce texts appropriate for publication in electronic forums
  • Produce a minimum of 7,000 words in final draft form, which means producing a final portfolio of at least 22-25 full pages of text, not including works cited pages. (English Department requirement).

Required Textbook:

The Little, Brown Handbook by Jane Aaron (UT customized version)

Assignments:

The course is divided into four projects

Project One: Critical Analysis and Response (Topic: Censorship)

The goal of this first project is to hone your analyticaland persuasive skills. You will be writing two brief response documents, analyzing and critiquing periodical articles and/or visuals. And the major paper you will be writing is an open letter.

Project Two: Ethnography (Topic: Naming)

The goal of this project is to conduct primary research about ‘naming’ and write an ethnography.

Project Three: Primary Research Report (Topic: Cultural Identity)

The goal of this project is to become proficient at writing collaboratively. You and your teammates will collect primary research data via surveys and transmit it in a memo report and a Power Point presentation.

Project Four: Researched Argument

The goal of this last project is to be able to write a sustained argument and successfully use secondary research to support the claim. In addition to a researched argument paper, you will be writing a planning guide and an annotated bibliography to help with the final paper.

Grading:

I am using a point system for grading. Then, at the end of the semester, I will add up all the points you’ve earned and convert this number to a letter grade for your final course grade using the chart below:

Points earnedFinal Course Grade

278-300A

268-277A-

258-267B+

240-257B

231-239B-

225-230C+

210-224C

200-209C-

180-199D

0=179F

How do you earn points? All points come from graded writing assignments. (There are no points given for attendance, participation, or extra credit.) On the next page is a chart of what each writing assignment is worth.

Project / Assignment / Potential Points
Project One / Two Response Writings / 10
Project One / Peer Review of Open Letter RD / 5
Project One / Instructor Review of Open Letter RD / 5
Project One / Open Letter final draft / 40
Project Two / Field Research Planning Guide / 15
Project Two / Peer Review of Ethnography RD / 5
Project Two / Instructor Review of Ethnography RD / 5
Project Two / Ethnography final draft / 50
Project Three / Survey / 10
Project Three / Graphics Assignment / 10
Project Three / Instructor Review of RD / 5
Project Three / Collaborative Res Report & Presentation / 50
Project Four / Ann. Bib. & Res. Planning Guide / 20
Project Four / Peer Review of RD / 5
Project Four / Instructor Review of RD / 5
Project Four / Researched Argument FD / 60