Tues/Thursday 12:30 – 1:45pm
Instructor: G. Warlock Vance, M.I.B.
Office: McIver 137-C. Please note that my office hours will be held in the
Elliot Center
cafeteria – you’ll find me on the second floor of the food court
area
Email: gwvance@uncg.edu
Office Hours: 2:00 – 3:00pm T, TH (and by appointment)
Texts:
You will need a good dictionary and thesaurus, writing implements, folders
for your collected work during the semester, and the following texts:
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
Feel free to purchase any version of these works you can find.
Theme:
Contemplating the fairness of life by examining – Who owns what? What
does “morality” mean? and Why should you care?
Goals:
At the completion of this course, the student 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
General Expectations
• The skills knowledge, and/or attitudes engendered should be foundational and applicable to a significant range of discourse
Students will have the opportunities to improve both their writing skills AND their speaking abilities as they produce both written and oral presentations. The papers will be short research assignments and journals associated with a particular problem. The oral presentations will vary in length and in subject with both informal and formal assignments given.
Requirments:
It should go without saying that you must complete all of the assignments,
hand them in on-time, show up for class AND participate. I cannot stress
to you how important this latter part will be toward the determination of
your final grade.
Other Resources:
The Writing Center (101 McIver) is an excellent place to go if you need help
with your writing. This too will be discussed at length once we begin with
writing projects.
The Speaking Center (basement McIver) can provide you with assistance on your oral presentation skills. Both of these services are free to you so take advantage of them!
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism means that you use the words or ideas of another without acknowledging
credit for that work. DON’T DO IT! This is an idiotic and bonehead
thing to do as it can result in your dismissal from college. Noting and/or
quoting a source is easy – follow the MLA guidelines and you’ll
be fine. Don’t jeopardize your future career by stealing another’s
work. Likewise, copying from classmates is also not permitted or tolerated.
Conduct:
This is where we discuss “respect.” Respect is a funny thing… Some
people demand it while others give it away freely. I will never demand your
respect, because I believe respect must be earned. I shall endeavor to earn
your respect and hope you will do me the same courtesy by complying with some
simple rules: NO SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND NO PERSECUTION OF ANYONE BASED ON PHYSICAL
HANDICAP, RELIGIOUS BELIEF, PERSONAL BELIEF or RACIAL BACKGROUND. I should
also appreciate it if you try not to speak out of turn. Allow the person speaking
to complete their thought before you begin to talk. Likewise, do not talk while
I’m trying to lecture – there will be plenty of time for in-class
discussion thereafter.
Special Accomodations:
The Americans with Disabilities Act provides for special considerations for
individuals with certain disabilities, including learning disabilities. Students
with documentation of special needs should arrange to see me about accommodations
as soon as possible. You must first register with the Disabilites office
on campus before such accommodations can be made.
Grading:
Journals will receive a ? often accompanied with a + or – … if
you get a – symbol that means you need to write more or work more effectively
with the journal process. Grades will be given for all quizzes, papers and
oral assignments. You will also receive a grade based on a combination of your
attendance and class-participation. Your final grade will be determined through
an average of these various other grades earned during the semester.
Please note that there are no “extra credit” assignments given or accepted.
Journals 20%
Papers 20%
Attendance/Class Participation 20%
Speaking assignments 20%
Quizzes 20%
NOTE:
All syllabi and course-schedules received for this class are subject to change
at the instructor’s discretion. Often events dictate that the lesson
plan be rearranged – I will always try to let you know ahead of time
if such is to occur.
Weeks 1 – 2
Introduction to the class, getting to know one another, understanding what
102S is all about. We will begin discussions on SEMIOTICS, PHYSICS, OBSERVING,
MORALITY, and FAIRNESS. These discussions and exercises will continue throughout
the semester. Journal writing begins immediately.
Weeks 3 – 4
Read Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Your reading of
this book should be completed before our discussions begin. We will begin work
on the first longer term paper and talk about the mechanics of writing. We
will also focus on THE BUBBLE METHOD and how to construct useful outlines to
assist with paper construction. Journals continue.
Weeks 5 – 6
Time to stand up and tell us what you believe in! SPEECHES begin here. We will
revisit our friends, SEMIOTICS, PHYSICS, and OBSERVING and delve deeper into
our experiments with each. Journals continue.
NOTE:
Each week you will be responsible for a two-page journal on a particular topic
(to be announced). There will be some free writes throughout the semester,
but even these must follow particular criteria. All journals and papers submitted
must use MLA format, be typed using 12pt Times Roman and double-spaced. Please
use only one side of each page.
If you feel you need help with your writing or in-class speaking, please see
me during office hours or visit both the Writing and Speaking Centers both
located in McIver.