Instructor:
Carl N. Peay
Tues./Thurs.
2:00-3:15 pm
Office
Phone: 334-4697
Office
Hours: MWF 2-3:00 pm
E-mail:
cnpeay@uncg.edu
LANGUAGE
BEYOND WORDS:
Self
–Expression and Discovery through Writing and the Arts
“The only time I know that something is true is the moment I discover it in the act of writing."
-
Jean
Malaquais
“Painting is silent poetry; poetry is painting that
speaks.”
-
Simonides
Purpose: The purpose of English 101 is to help you become a
better writer and thinker through a more confident and skillful use of
language, and we will examine the languages of other arts to reveal the
possibilities of the language of words.
Dedication in this course will reward you for the rest of your academic
career and beyond. Assignments will
include readings from several texts, formal and informal writing, and group
work; the primary basis for your final grade in English 101 will be a 20-page
portfolio of your work that you will revise and compile throughout the
semester. Other factors determining
your grade are attendance, class participation and contribution to group
activities.
This course involves exercises, readings and instruction designed to provide you with a variety of skills and strategies for writing and reading in your college courses and everyday life. We will explore the stages of the writing process, from prewriting to revision, touching upon types of styles and technique. You will learn methods for interpreting and evaluating arguments, elements of their construction, and effective means of communicating your own thoughts and beliefs while challenging you to appreciate the perspective of others. Simply put, the best way to improve your writing is through the act of writing; thus, this class is based primarily on the creative process of writing. You will learn to write in a wide range of styles, each adapted to the desired effect of the final draft. You will learn that all writing is on some level persuasive, and this course will provide you with tools in the art of persuasion.
At the completion of this course, you will be able to:
· Interpret and evaluate argumentative discourse, including writing and speech
· Construct cogent arguments
· Communicate those arguments clearly, coherently and effectively
· Locate, synthesize, and evaluate relevant information
· Demonstrate an understanding of the aims and methods of intellectual discourse
· Weigh evidence and evaluate the arguments of differing viewpoints
Grading: Though you may be
unaccustomed to a system that assigns letter grades infrequently, this method
of evaluation has proven most effective in cultivating good writing and
fostering regular improvement over the length of the semester. Letter grades will only be assigned to the
final portfolio, though you will receive comments from me on formal assignments
and credit toward your final grade for work completed on time and in the proper
format. Additionally, I am accessible
at any point during the semester to discuss your development as a writer and
your progress in the course.
Required Texts and other
Materials:
I will provide more information about
required texts shortly. The texts
listed below will be available in the university bookstore soon. I’ll let you know when they arrive. Until then, any reading that is required for
the course I will provide in class.
Writing Matters: A Guide to Freshman English
The Little, Brown Essential Handbook for Writers
A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest Gaines
3-ring loose-leaf notebook for portfolio
3-ring loose-leaf notebook for journal and in-class writing assignments
Course Requirements:
5 revised essays
Writing Notebook (for journals and in-class assignments)
Group activities/presentations
Conferences
Portfolio (20+ pages of polished writing)
Other Materials: Occasionally you may be required to read selections
provided in class or placed on electronic reserve through the library’s web
page. I will provide more information
on these materials as necessary.
Writing Notebook: You will need a loose-leaf
notebook for journal entries and in-class writing. Because you may decide to revise some of this work for inclusion
in your portfolio, it is important to save everything
you write for this class. These
notebooks will not be formally graded but may be collected from time to time
for evaluation.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory.
Your participation is vital to the success of the class as a whole and
your performance as an individual; each absence beyond two will lower your final grade by 1/3 of a letter grade, and six or more absences will result in a
failing grade. In addition, you are
expected to arrive on time, fully prepared to engage in writing exercises and
class discussions. Three late arrivals to class will be treated as one full absence. Please discuss any problems affecting your
attendance with me as soon as they arise.
Plagiarism: The attempt to submit even a small portion of someone else’s work
as your own is plagiarism. Intentional
plagiarism is cause for automatic failure of the course and will be reported to
the Academic Integrity office. See the
section on plagiarism in Writing Matters
for more information; if you still have questions, see me before completing the
assignment. When in doubt, cite your
sources.
Special Assistance: UNCG provides assistance to
students who require unique learning needs.
Please speak to me if you need additional support or accommodations due
to a disability or medical condition.
The Writing Center: The Writing Center, located
in McIver 101, is a free and valuable resource that students can take advantage
of throughout their academic career at UNCG.
You may set up an appointment by calling 334-3125 or drop in for a
session between 9:00 am and 8:00 pm Monday-Thursday and between 9:00 am and
3:00 pm on Fridays.
Miscellaneous:
·
All
papers are due at the beginning of the class for which they are assigned. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
·
It
is important to create a classroom environment that encourages learning and
respect for diverse voices and opinions.
Behavior that distracts others or is disrespectful is unacceptable. Cell
phones and pagers should be turned off during class time.
·
Unless
otherwise noted, papers should be typed and double-spaced in 12-point Times New
Roman font or an equivalent.
Finally,
please be aware that I am accessible at any point during the semester to
discuss your development as a writer and your progress in the course. Feel free to stop by McIver 136G during my
office hours or make an appointment if at any time you have concerns or
questions, would like to discuss your writing, or simply want to chat. I look forward to working with each of you
in making this a productive and enjoyable semester.
Schedule for Weeks One and
Two:
8/20 Introduction to the course
8/22 Journal
Entry Due: letter to me on your past writing experience
8/27 discussion on rhetoric
8/29 “Hills Like White Elephants,” Ernest
Hemingway (I’ll provide a copy of this
story on Tuesday)