Instructor: Heidi Hanrahan
Class Info: MWF 9:00-9:50
Office Info: Petty 01-H
Mailbox: 133 McIver
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 10:00-10:50, 12:00-1:00, and by appointment.
Email: hmhanrah@uncg.edu
Website: http://www.uncg.edu/~hmhanrah/102fall04.htm
“The youth of America is their oldest tradition. It has been going on now for three hundred years.” – Oscar Wilde
“The youth gets together his materials to build a bridge to the moon, or, perchance, a palace or temple on the earth, and, at length, the middle-aged man concludes to build a woodshed with them.” – Henry David Thoreau
Course Information and Student Learning Goals:
The goal of this course is to provide you with reading, writing, speaking,
and thinking strategies for your college work and beyond. Both speaking and
writing intensive, our course will focus on analyzing, evaluating, and developing
arguments. As a way into this process, we will focus specifically on one
topic: coming of age in America – what it means to go from a child
to a young adult in our country. We will read books and watch movies that
deal with this interesting topic. We will discuss and write on this topic,
sharing ideas and learning how to express our thoughts while listening to
others. Along the way, through papers, group projects and presentations,
we will sharpen our rhetorical skills and learn how to make intelligent and
articulate arguments (both written and oral) about this important phase of
life in our society.
Texts:
J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye.
One book club text (to be decided at a later date).
Other texts available on e-reserve or as handouts.
Course Requirements:
1. Reading Assignments: Keep up with your reading assignments. You cannot expect
to do well in class if you do not read and you can expect regular reading
quizzes.
2. Formal Papers: You will write 2 papers, each around 4-5 pages long. Specific guidelines for these papers will be given at a later date. Late papers will not be accepted. Failure to turn in a paper will result in a failing grade in the course.
3. Short Individual Presentations: Remember, this is a speaking intensive class. At least twice during the semester you will make short, informal presentations to the class. More information about these will be given at a later date.
4. Commonplace Book/Entries: Commonplace books have a long tradition in literate societies, serving as sites for readers/writers to record significant passages from the works they read and reflect on them. For this course, you will keep a commonplace book of your own, including in it your in-class writings, your reading responses done at home, and any other writings you feel are relevant. I will collect your commonplace books several times during the semester, so be sure to keep up with your assignments. More specific information about commonplace books can be found on a separate handout.
5. Class Participation/Workshop Participation: Again, this is a speaking intensive class, so make your voice heard. Tell us what you are thinking. This is one way for me to know you are reading and doing the work. Just remember to be respectful of your classmates’ opinions. Before each formal paper is due we will devote an entire class period to reading each other’s drafts and providing helpful advice. Do not miss these workshop days and do not show up without a draft. A missed draft will result in a failing grade in the class.
6. Group Work/Presentations/Book Clubs: Throughout the semester, you will work in groups since this is one of the best ways to learn from each other. I know many students have strong feelings about group work, but it is an important aspect of this class, and we will all work to make group time valuable and enjoyable. For a large part of the semester, you will work in a book club group, reading a novel together and presenting it to the class. All group members will be held accountable for what goes on in their time together and I will regularly monitor the groups’ progress.
7. Portfolio: At the end of the semester you will submit a writing portfolio for evaluation. You will not receive individual grades on any formal writing before this time. Your portfolio will include some final versions of your formal essays, drafts of these essays in progress, and excerpts from your commonplace book, as well as a reflective introductory letter. To prepare for this, be sure to save all the drafts of your work. More specific information on the portfolio will be given later in the semester.
8. Conferences: You will meet with me at least two times in the semester: at midterm, and sometime toward end of the term. You will sign up for appointments for these conferences. Please feel free, however, to see me anytime if you feel you need some advice or assistance with course work. A missed conference equals an absence.
9. Attendance: In this type of class, attendance and crucial and missed class time cannot be made up. Therefore, you are allowed THREE absences. Anymore will reduce your grade by one third a letter grade. More than six absences and you will fail the class. Additionally, being late to class is rude and disruptive. Don’t do it. If you are more than 10 minutes late to class twice, that counts as one absence. Finally, if you miss class it is your responsibility to contact me or a classmate to find out what you have missed. An absence is not an excuse for being unprepared for the next class.
Other Items to Note:
Email/Internet Access: Please activate your UNCG email account as soon as possible
and make sure you can get onto the internet. Email is the best way to get
into contact with me and the rest of the class.
Grading Breakdown: Final Portfolio – 25%
Book Club Work and Presentation – 25%
In-Writing Leadership – 5%
Discussion Leadership – 5%
Commonplace Book/Entries – 20%
Quizzes – 10%
Participation (Class Discussions, Group Work, Workshops), etc. – 10%
Academic Honor: Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please see the section on academic honor in the UNCG Student Handbook if you have any questions. If you are still unsure about citing something, see me.
The Writing Center: This free resource is available to all UNCG students. At the Center, you may make an appointment or just drop in to have a one-on-one conference with a writing consultant. They can assist you on any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming topics to revising a final paper. Also, students who miss a workshop will be required to take a draft by the Writing Center. Please take advantage of this unique resource located in 101 McIver and open Mon.-Thurs. from 9-8, Fri. 9-3, and Sun. evenings 6-9.
The Speaking Center: This other free resource offers assistance in the preparation
and delivery of speeches, as well as development of knowledge and skills in
interpersonal communication, and overall success in group or team communication
situations. Call 256-1346 to make an appointment. Hours of operation: Mon.-Wed.
from 10-5, Thurs. 10-8, and Fri. 9 – noon. Location: 22 McIver Underground.