Instructor: Elizabeth Renn

Class Info: Graham 307, MWF 10-10:50

Office: 02 Petty Science Bldg.

Office Hours: 11:00-12 noon MWF

3 ring binder

This course is designed to introduce you to some skills and strategies for reading, writing, and thinking in college.

Youll learn some ways of composing: how to generate ideas, how to get them down on the page, revise them and make your work coherent for an audience. Becoming a clear and interesting writer involves much more than following rules and conventions: it means understanding the relationship between the writer, the message and potential readers.

The way to become better at this process is to practice. This class will include a great deal of writing, both formal and informal, in class and outside of class. Youll learn how to read texts closely and do research. You will spend class time in discussions and collaborative group work.

The goal of the class is to help you develop your writing voice and to support each of you to become confident writers as you discover your strengths and weaknesses through reflecting on your writing process.

The theme of this course centers on spiritual identity. Reading and writing assignments will focus on world religion, religious issues, ethics, morality, and how you fit with each.

Grades:

No grades will be given on individual papers. Since the goal of this course is to improve your writing, grades will only be given for the final portfolio and for class participation. You may talk with me at any time about your progress in this course.

Final portfolio (60%)

Class participation (40%): journal entries
reading checks
drafts in progress
writing conferences
group workshops

Portfolios:

The portfolio is a collection of "polished" work that demonstrates your growth and effort as a writer. Ill give you more detailed specifications in the following weeks.

On specified days, you will be required to bring in four copies of your current assignment for Group Workshop. In the workshop, you will read your work aloud to your group then discuss with them possible revision strategies.

Conferences:

We will be meeting individually to discuss your writing-in-progress. These meetings will be scheduled with me and are integral to your progress as a writer. Missing a scheduled conference will count as one absence.

Journals:

Journal entries are typically based on the days reading and require you to form an opinion about a subject and explain yourself coherently and informally.

Writing Center:

UNCG offers a workshop-type lab where you can bring in work-in-progress and receive feedback from writing instructors. Take advantage of this resource and schedule a session with an instructor to try out new ways of thinking about your writing. Drop in or call for an appointment.

(Located in McIver 101, 334-3125)

Attendance: Because this course is focused on developing your skill as a writer, involvement is essential. You are allowed 4 absences. On the fifth absence and each absence thereafter your final average will be lowered 1/3 of a letter grade.

Tardiness: Walking into class late breaks the concentration levels of me and the rest of your classmates. Even being distracted for a few minutes negatively impacts the class. Plus, youll miss the days instructions and possibly a reading check. Three tardies equals one absence.

Due dates: No late work.

Plagiarism: Do not plagiarize. If the idea is not yours, then that idea has to be cited. Talk to me if youre unsure about what should be cited. Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the course and possible university disciplinary action.

Essay Guidelines: All formal essays (and any other work you choose) should be typed and double-spaced. Use standard fonts and font size (Times New Roman 12pt, for example), with 1-inch margins. Adhere to MLA standards.

WEEK ONE:

M 8/20 Intro. to course

W 8/22 Discuss these chapters; artifact exchange pt. 1

F 8/24 Discuss these chapters; artifact exchange pt. 2

WEEK TWO:

M 8/27 Discuss reading strategies and chapters

F 8/31 Class canceled for individual conferences.

WEEK THREE:

M 9/3 Class canceled: Labor Day

W 9/5 Discuss religious pluralism; writing styles and audience in journal entries; How to succeed in your Group Workshop

F 9/7 Group workshop

HW revise essay #1; read "Ship Fever" in Andrea Barretts Ship Fever

W 9/12 Discuss essays and narrative style; intro. to research assignment