TEXTS
Muller, Gilbert H. The New World Reader
Raimes, Ann. Pocket Keys for Writers
Writing Matters
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A Global Composition: In this course, students will write and think more critically
about key global issues. Key questions will include but are not limited to
the following: "What does Globalization mean?" "How does globalization
affect the environment, the economy, language, gender, and sexuality?" "How
has the Internet changed the world?" "What does it mean to be an
'American'?" "Why have American customs and culture become so popular
in other countries?" You will be asked to keep a journal, write critical
responses to the readings, and compose three formal papers.
This course is geared for students studying English as a second language; with that in mind, we will focus on writing, reading and critical thinking processes. We will engage in informal writing, formal writing, peer editing, revision, a fair amount of class discussion, reading and group work as a means of improving your writing and critical thinking abilities both within and outside the university. We will look at various writers and we’ll talk about rhetorical strategies, how to develop them and how to use them. It is also my hope that this class will provide a space for you to be creative and experiment with your writing. Most of the writing you’ll do will come from our readings, class discussions, and your own experiences.
SPECIFIC COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Improve writing and oral communication skills
Evaluate and use relevant information
Understand and use various methods of intellectual discourse
Consider and evaluate different viewpoints
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1 Personal Narrative Essay (4-5 pages)
1 Critical Analysis Essay (4-5 pages)
1 Persuasive Essay (4-5 pages)
Weekly Reading Responses (1-2 pages each)
In-class writing/informal writing
Group presentations and activities
3 conferences with me
Final Portfolio (primarily a collection of your semester’s work)
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 more or less know
from my feedback). Your final grade will be based on the writing you do (throughout
the semester and culminating in your Final Portfolio) as well as your participation
and involvement in class. If you want to think in terms of percentages, it
might break down to something like this: each Essay is worth 20%, Weekly
Responses are worth 20%, and Class Participation (which includes informal
writing and group work) is worth 20%.
Attendance:
If we had world enough and time, your tardiness and absences were no crime.
However, this course lasts only sixteen weeks and so much depends on your
participation and attendance. In fact, your success depends on your classroom
participation. As a result, if you miss more than four classes, your grade
will be compromised.
There really is no excuse for frequent tardiness; heck, this isn’t the
8:00 am class after all! Frequent tardiness can also compromise your grade.
General Courtesy:
Make sure you come to class prepared to discuss the materials for that day,
turn off your cell phones before entering the classroom, and most importantly
respect your instructor and fellow students. Consider this classroom a safe
forum for you to express your ideas and opinions. If you are rude or inconsiderate,
I will send you to the closet to grab your ashes and sackcloth.
Participation:
Students will be asked to write in a journal, weekly responses/essays, and
in-class writing. In-class responses will be graded holistically. This means
that while they will not be scrutinized as much as your papers, you should
still take them seriously. In addition to in-class responses, students will
be required to participate in class discussion. To help facilitate this requirement,
occasionally the class will be split up into groups and will be required
to lead class discussion once during the semester. The instructor reserves
the right to handout unannounced quizzes.
Weekly Reading Responses:
Most weeks, you will be required to hand in a response essay on any of the
assigned texts (I use the term text broadly) for the week. The essay should
be at least one page and no longer than two pages. It should address an aspect
of the text you found interesting. The papers should be clear and focused.
Weekly responses aren’t summaries, so they should always include a
thesis statement and be argumentative in nature.
Late Assignments:
Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period noted on the syllabus.
Any late paper will lose a half a grade per day it is late, if the student
has not previously spoken to the instructor and requested an extension.
Conferences:
All your writing has a revision process built into it. You will meet with the
instructor three times for a 10-15 minute conference to discuss the ways in
which you can revise your essay for increased effectiveness. Following that
meeting, you will usually have a weekend to address the instructor’s
suggestions for improvement and turn in a final paper.
All papers should be typed and double-spaced. Use standard font styles (no larger than 12 point), and standard one-inch margins. Handwritten papers will not be accepted.
The Writing Center:
I encourage you to use the Writing Center to get new and different perspectives
on your writing. Think of the Writing Center as an extension of the classroom
community and the staff is available to give you useful feedback. The WC
is located in McIver 101 and is open every day and some nights. Drop by or
call for an appointment.
Disability Policy:
If you have any sort of disability that could affect your performance in the
class or for which you need accommodation, please contact the Office of Disability
Services at 334-5440.
Plagiarism:
Part of your work and responsibility as a scholar is that you accept the rules
and ethics of writing and documenting your outside sources. In addition to
downloading a paper off of the Internet or getting someone to write one for
you, plagiarism is:
•
Verbatim copying without proper acknowledgement—whether you copy a phrase,
a sentence, a paragraph, or a whole paper, the source material must be introduced,
in quotation marks, and documented.
•
Paraphrasing without proper acknowledgement—reworded source material
must be introduced and documented; again, the length of the paraphrased material
doesn’t matter—you still have to cite it!
•
Failing to acknowledge sources—any time you use sources, you need to
identify the source material both within the essay and on a works cited page.
•
Use of other's ideas without acknowledgement.
When you submit work, your reputation as a writer is at stake. Do not risk
your grade on an essay or in the course by either deliberately or accidentally
plagiarizing. Visit http://studentconduct.uncg.edu/policy/academicintegrity/ for more information on the University’s Academic Integrity policy.
Tentative Schedule
August
M/15 Peru
W/17 Peru
F/19 Peru
M/22 Introductions
W/24 The Rhetorical Triangle
F/26 NWR: pages 1-28
M/29
W/31
September
F/2
M/5 NO CLASS
W/7
F/9
M/12
W/14
F/16
M/19
W/21
F/23
M/26
W/28
F/30
October
M/3
W/5
F/7
M/10 NO CLASS
W/12
F/14
M/17
W/19
F/21
M/24
W/26
F/28
M/31
November
W/2
F/4
M/7
W/9
F/11
M/14
W/16
F/18
M/21
W/23 Thanksgiving Break
F/25 Thanksgiving Break
M/28
W/30
December
F/2 Turn in Portfolio
M/5 Last Day of Class