ENG
102S-15
Syllabus
Written and Oral Arguments
Give me the liberty to know,
to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties. (John Milton)
I disapprove of what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it. (Voltaire)
T,
TH:
Room:
PETT 219
Instructor:
Laura E. Savu
Office:
McIver 137D; office phone: 334-5867
Office
Hours: T: 11-12:30; TH. 11-12:30
E-mail:
lesavu@uncg.edu
Mailbox:
McIver 133
Required
Texts
Aaron, Jane E.
The Little, Brown Essential
Handbook for Writers. Third Edition.
Goshgarian, Gary, et. al. Dialogues:
An Argument Rhetoric and Reader. 4th Ed.
Reynolds,
Nedra. Portfolio Keeping.
A Guide for Students.
1
binder of your choice for your final portfolio
3
two-pocket folders for your essays
1
loose-leaf notebook for your informal writings
Videotape
(one per group)
Useful
links: http://www.uncg.edu/cac (UNCG Speaking Across the Curriculum)
http://www.abacon.com/commstudies/index.html
(Ally and Bacon Communication Website)
ENG
102S is both writing- and speaking-intensive, which means that it seeks to
provide you with a basis for effective written and oral communication in order
to prepare you for writing, speaking, and analytical thinking in your academic
career and beyond in a multicultural world. More specifically, this course is
designed to help you accomplish two goals: 1) think critically about the
rhetorical power of other people’s arguments; 2) become persuasive in your own
arguments, using them, however, to close, rather than widen, the gap between
opposing, seemingly irreconcilable, points of view. The underlying premise of
this course is that we read, hear, and make arguments everyday. In this class,
we will look at argument as an opportunity for dialogue, as a challenge
to overcome black and white thinking and to embrace contradictions that
normally divide us.
While
you may not always reach a consensus of opinion, you will be able to initiate,
enter, or carry on a conversation about various issues in a thoughtful and
productive way. When talking and writing about a subject through the lens of
non-adversarial argument, your goals will be to express your position clearly
and respond constructively to the concerns of the other side so as to win the
respect of your audience. I do not expect you to be confident or fabulous
speakers coming into this course (if you are, that’s great), but I do expect
you to be more active and involved in oral participation than in a regular
writing class. Like writing, speaking is a skill we’ll be working on and
supporting one another in attaining through the activities listed below and
explained in more detail on a separate handout:
Writing Requirements: Double-entry notebook (weekly assignments); a
performance analysis paper; 3 argument-based essays; the writing portfolio.
Group/Collaborative
activities
Two Student-teacher
conferences
One group-teacher conference
Evaluation is based on a variety of factors—meeting all course requirements, quality of written work, quality of speeches, participation, attendance, general improvement, and willingness to try new perspectives and take chances.
Your portfolio will also count towards your final grade, so you should be working on that throughout the semester. As a record of your accomplishments in reading, writing, and critical thinking, the portfolio will provide you with the opportunity to have your best work evaluated Thus, it will include not only the polished versions of the three essays you are required to write in the course of the semester, but also handouts, samples of revised media journal entries, reader-responses, and in-class writings. More specific details will be given when the time draws close to turning them in.
The
speaking components of this class will be graded using a specific list
of criteria established by me as well as your classmates. Because of the
temporal nature of speech you will not be able to revise your speeches. If you
are absent on the day you are to present, you will not be able to make it up.
Your weekly writings will be given a check plus, a
check, or a check minus, depending on the effort, completion, improvement, and
depth of thought. The overall grade will be based both on the quality of your
response and on the number of responses out of the total possible. I will
not accept late entries.
You will receive
extensive feedback on the drafts of each of the three essays so that you can
improve them through revision. For each essay, you will produce a rough draft for a peer review, and
then a revision of that draft for me to read. I will ask you to turn in this
revised draft in a two-pocket folder with the current draft for me on one side,
and the rough draft, prewriting, peer review comments, outlines, notes, etc. on
the other. When the rough draft is due for a workshop in class bring at least
two copies. No late papers will be accepted. Failure to turn in an essay will result in a
letter grade deduction of your overall final grade and will also impact your
portfolio grade.
Because
this class is centered on in-class discussions, writings, and speaking
activities, regular attendance is crucial. If you miss more than two classes,
your grade will drop considerably. After more than six absences, you will be
dropped from the course. In the event of a real emergency, one with verifiable
documentation, arrangements may be possible. However, computer or printer problems
in the lab or at home are not excuses. No exceptions are made. Being late or
leaving early also affects your final grade.
Respect
for others is expected. Any behavior that disrupts, distracts, or is
disrespectful will not be tolerated. Tardiness is rude and so is coming to
class unprepared. Sleeping in class, putting your head down, and working off
topic will be grounds for removal and thus counted as absences. Cell phones and
pagers should be turned off during class time. You may be reached during
classes or conferences at the department phone number (334-5311) in the case of
an emergency.
The
Speaking Center, located in 22 McIver, provides opportunities for students and faculty
to receive assistance in speech preparation, delivery, and to develop knowledge
and skills in the areas of interpersonal and group communication.
Special
Accommodations: If you have a disability
that could affect your performance in this course or for which you need
accommodation, please contact me and/or the office of Disability Services at
334-5440.