English 101 is a writing, thinking, reading, and speaking course. This semester we will tackle the theme of “Risky Writing.” We will read texts that challenged the writers and now challenge us to be better readers, writers, and ultimately better people. We will write about risky topics, about ourselves, and about our society. We will write in risky ways, expanding style and form and playing with language. It is my belief that all great writers risk something. This semester, on your journey to become a better writer, you will risk but you will also grow.
Student Learning Goals include:
1. Communicate effectively and clearly through speaking and writing
2. Interpret and evaluate argumentative discourse
3. Construct cogent, logical and critical arguments
4. Communicate those arguments clearly, coherently and effectively
5. Locate, synthesize, and evaluate relevant information
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the aims and methods of intellectual discourse
Required Texts
The Mercury Reader
The Little Brown Handbook
M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A
Writing Matters
Ereserve Readings
Course Requirements
Writer’s Notebook %40
For this class, you need a 3-ring binder with dividers to keep all of your
class work. You will have the following sections: Free-Write, Reading Notes & Responses,
Observation, Literacy, MacNolia,. You need six (6) dividers and loose leaf
paper. I will do a notebook check at least twice during the semester. At
your final conference I will evaluate your notebook and give you a grade
for it. Your notebook will tell me AND you how well you have been engaging
with the texts, revising your papers, etc.
1. Free-write: you will write “freely” every class period. This
section will only be graded based on whether or not you did the work. This
section is for you to write without fear, to capture your immediate thoughts,
to use written language to express yourself in any way you want.
2. Reading Responses: You will type at least five (5) reading responses this
semester. A reading response analyzes or responds to a single issue in a text.
A reading response is not a summary or a “like” or “dislike” paper.
It is a critical response to one aspect of the text. Good reading responses
are usually a full page (1) to 1.5 pages of typed text.
3. Observation: In this section you will keep all of your writing process materials
that help you write the final draft of your observation essay. This section
should include notes, pre-writing, outlines, drafts, teacher comments, Writing
Center comments, group member comments, etc. This will be a thick section.
4. Literacy: same as section 3
5. MacNolia: same as sections 3 and 4
Participation %20
To participate in my class means: 1) to answer and ask questions; 2) to volunteer
to read; 3) to bring in supporting material that relates to the lesson; 4)
to be an active member of your group; and 5) to share your ideas with the
class.
You will also present several times during the semester on various topics. If you don’t present, you will lose a considerable amount of points. If you do not participate in your group, you will also lose points. If you do not submit a paper for the read-around you will lose considerable points. If all you do is come to class and occasionally speak, your participation grade will be an F.
Conferences also affect your grade. You will meet with me several times during the semester. If you do not attend you will lose considerable points.
Final Portfolio %40
Your final exam in this class is a final portfolio. All of the work you do
will go into you submitting 20 pages of revised and polished writing. You
will not receive individual grades on your assignments, only comments. The
comments will help you revise your work throughout the semester. Near the
end of the semester, you choose from all of the writing you have done to
compile a portfolio that demonstrates your growth as a writer, reader, and
thinker. Your portfolio, however, will receive a grade: A, B, C, D, F.
Attendance
Class discussion and participation are really important to me. After six absences
you will fail the course unless you withdraw before the deadline. I do not
deduct points for absences. You have six absences (for sickness, emergencies,
laziness, or whatever). If you know you will be absent when an assignment
is due, make arrangements with the instructor to turn it in ahead of time.
Tardiness is rude and shows a lack of interest in learning. Three tardies
equal one absence. Arriving 15 minutes late or leaving 15 early constitutes
an absence.
Late Work
No late work accepted unless prior permission given by the instructor.
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 in your paper, 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.
General Courtesy
The classroom is first a learning environment. While learning about race, religion,
and other “risky” subjects, it is inevitable for us to get uncomfortable.
Nevertheless, it is not appropriate for us to be disrespectful. We will tackle
all issues as learning issues. We will not threaten, belittle, intimidate,
blame, or mock anyone. If you do, you may be withdrawn from class.
English 101-73 Tentative Calendar
M 8/15 English 101: What is it?
OBSERVATION UNIT
W 8/17 Introduction to Ourselves; Reflecting on Ourselves as Writers
F 8/19 Introduction to Observation – What do we see? How do we see?
M 8/22 Observing an Object; (readings, tba)
W 8/24 Observing Others (readings, tba)
F 8/26 Observing the Self (readings, tba)
M 8/29 Objects, Others, and the Self (cont.)
W 8/31 Writing an Observation
F 9/2 Writing an Observation
M 9/5 Labor Day Holiday
W 9/7 Read Around
F 9/9 Read Around
LITERACY UNIT
M 9/12 Observation Paper Due; Writing Proccess check-in; Defining Literacy
W 9/14 Defining (cont.) ; Reading about Literacy: “The School Days of an Indian Girl” (online)
F 9/16 “Everyday Use” (218) and “Public and Private Language” (179)
M 9/19 “Learning to Read and Write” (159) and “The Human Cost of an Illiterate Society” (355)
W 9/21 Movie excerpts
F 9/23 Movie excerpts
M 9/26 Writing about Literacy
W 9/28 Writing about Literacy
F 9/30 Read Around
M 10/3 Read-Around
W 10/5 No class – Instructor at conference
F 10/7 No class- Instructor at conference
Last day to withdraw from courses without academic penalty; Fall Break Begins
Because I will not see you for an entire week, you need to continue to work
on your own: Go to the Writing Center before 10/10 and revise your paper based
on the comments. Read part one of MacNolia before 10/12 and make a few entries
in your notes section of the notebook. When I return, I want your paper, and
I want to check your notebook.
M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A UNIT
W 10/12 MacNolia, discuss part one; assign web search teams
F 10/14 MacNolia, movie and music
M 10/17 MacNolia (part II)
W 10/19 No class – meet at A. Van Jordan poetry reading; 3:30 Cone Ballroom
(EUC)
F 10/21 MacNolia follow-up “Unforgettable” research essay
M 10/24 “No Name Woman” (99)
W 10/26 “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” (231) and “The Death of the Profane” (91)
F 10/28 “The Things they Carried” (66)
M 10/31 Library
W 11/2 Library
F 11/4 Integrating Research & Citing Sources
M 11/7 Read-Around
W 11/9 Read-Around
F 11/11 “Unforgettable” paper due; Writing process check-in
PORTFOLIO UNIT
M 11/14 Introduction to the Portfolio
W 11/16 Portfolio Workshop; Read-Around
F 11/18 Portfolio workshop; Read-Around
M 11/21 Portfolio workshop; Read-Around
Thanksgiving Holiday
M 11/28 The Reflection Letter
W 11/30 Conferences – no class
F 12/2 Conferences – no class
M 12/5 Portfolio due!! Final class evaluation
W 12/14 Final Exam – Pick up portfolios & final grade. I will be in my office, Petty 01D.