English Composition 101: Fall 2002

Joe Wagner

Office: 01K Petty; 334-3294

Email: jbwagner@uncg.edu

Office hours: 1-2, M & W; 11-12, F

TEXTS

The Seagull Reader

Writing Matters

The College Writer’s Reference

Ernest Gaines, A Lesson Before Dying

COURSE DESCRIPTION

English 101 focuses on writing, reading, and thinking processes. We will engage in informal writing, formal writing, peer critique, revision, active reading, and group work as a means of improving your writing and thinking abilities both within and outside the university. We will look at a variety of different writers and we’ll talk about how you develop your own style, how you develop ideas and how you change them, and how you understand audience.

SPECIFIC COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Writing and evaluating arguments

Communicating clearly and effectively

Evaluating and using relevant information

Understanding aims and methods of intellectual discourse

Evaluating different viewpoints

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

4-5 essays (about 20 pages of revised, edited writing)

Journal of informal writing

In-class writing

Group presentations and activities

2 Conferences with me

Final Portfolio

GRADING

The grading here might be a bit different from other classes. I will not give you a grade on individual papers, but I will give you comments and feedback throughout the semester. You’ll receive a midterm grade to let you know where you stand (which, hopefully, you will already have an idea from my feedback). Your final grade will be based on the quality of work in your journal, your participation and involvement in class activities, and your final portfolio.

ABSENCE POLICY

As this class relies heavily on discussion, group work, and in-class writing, your attendance is essential to your success in this class. More than three absences (a week’s worth of class) can compromise your grade.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Please don’t plagiarize. It’s a serious offense. Plagiarism is using someone else’s work as your own. We’ll discuss it in class, but if you are unsure at all about what exactly it means to plagiarize, please come talk to me.

WRITING CENTER

The Writing Center is an excellent place to get feedback other than mine on your writing. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this resource. It’s in McIver 101 – more information will follow.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

WEEK 1: Introductions

Writing Matters: rhetoric, reading strategies

Essays: Twain (handout), Jefferson, Stanton

WEEK 2: Essays: Kingston, Woolf

Handbook: writing processes and revision

WEEK 3: Assignment #1: Response/reflection

Writing Maters: student examples

Essays: Grimke

WEEK 4: Conferences with me

Revision workshops in class

Essays: Plato

No Class Wed., 9-11

WEEK 5: Assignment #1 due

Essays: Chief Seattle, Montaigne, Swift

Assignment #2: Modest Proposal

WEEK 6: Essays: King, Malcolm X

Revision workshops in class

WEEK 7: Assignment #2 due

Midterm letters

Essays: Richard Wright (handout)

WEEK 8: Assignment 3: Response/reflection

Essays: hooks (handout)

WEEK 9: A Lesson Before Dying

Revision workshops in class

No class Mon., Fall Break

WEEK 10: A Lesson Before Dying

Conferences on Assignment #3

WEEK 11: Assignment #3 due

Group Presentations from Seagull

WEEK 12: Continue Group Presentations

WEEK 13: Library Tour

Assignment #4: Research Paper

WEEK 14: Writing Matters

Williams, The Brass Ring and the Deep Blue Sea

WEEK 15: Peer Review on Assignment #4

No class Wed. or Fri., Thanksgiving Break

WEEK 16: Work on Assignment #4

Mini conferences

Final Portfolio due in my office by NOON, DECEMBER 9

Final Meeting: December 13, 12:00-3:00. Discuss Final Portfolio