Ins. Jenny Noller
136g McIver
Office Hours: 12-1 MWF
Email: jknoller@hotmail.com (you must write ENGLISH in subject heading)

We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations. –Anais Nin

They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
–Andy Warhol

No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.
–Alice Walker

BOOKS:

Contemporary and Classic Arguments edited by Sylvan Barnet and Hugo Bedau
Fast Food Nation by Eric Scholosser
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
The House of The Spirits by Isabel Allende
TBA (Book group’s choosing)
Little, Brown Handbook

PURPOSE:

This course will help you to read, think, write, and, most importantly, speak at a higher level. We will focus on one topic: controversy. Every Friday class will engage in a debate about topics ranging from the death penalty to affirmative action. The first part of the semester we will learn how to write letters by drafting (and mailing) letters to companies, editors, and/ or government officials. The second part of the course will center on the issue of banning books. We will read two novels which are considered to be great literature but are “questionable” reading for public school children. We will approach these texts from a literary stance and then discuss whether or not they deserve to have been banned from public school reading lists. At the end of the semester we will work in book groups where you will choose a children’s book off of a banned books list. During this time you will meet with your group and begin to formulate pro- and con- arguments to leaving these books on the shelves of public school libraries. Your final presentation will be a plea to a school board (more information to come later). Students will write 3 letters, complete weekly response logs for Friday debates, lead a Friday debate, speak in class regularly, participate in one book group, and prepare one final presentation. Attendance is mandatory.

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS:
• 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
• Understand and use the conventions of writing and speaking for the academic community
• Become a confident speaker in the classroom setting

CLASSROOM INFORMATION:
You will need to purchase all books at the beginning of the semester. The bookstore dose not usually hold its stock beyond six weeks.

Texts on e-reserve area available through the UNCG library web site. (Library web page, select reserves, and follow the steps using my last name to find readings.)

Always come to class with your text, notebook/ journal, and something to write with. You will be responsible for material covered in class discussions.

Do not come to class unless you have completed the reading. If it becomes apparent that you have not read the text, I reserve the right to ask you to leave the classroom, in which case you will receive an absence.

REQUIRED ITEMS:
Stapler
Three-ring binder
Paper

EXPECTATIONS:
Attendance
Attendance is required! You are allowed TWO absences during the semester—no exceptions. Your final grade will begin going down if you absent beyond this limit. For each day you miss afterwards, your grade will drop one letter. If you miss six or more days, you will automatically fail the course.

Absences include illness, sporting events, car accidents, acts of nature, etc. In other words, an absence is an absence is an absence. I do not need notes from doctors or judges, as it will make absolutely no difference at all. In the most dire of circumstances, you should speak with me immediately.

If you are not present on a day a paper is due, a test/ quiz day, or a workshop, you will receive a zero for the missed assignment and an absence.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is intentionally or knowingly representing the words of another as one’s own in any academic exercise. This is a SERIOUS offense punishable by failure or even expulsion from school. I will not tolerate any act of plagiarism in this course. Using someone else’s words or ideas is wrong and will not be accepted in my class or the university system (or in life for that matter). It is a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy as defined in the student handbook or at www.uncg.edu/saf/studiscp/Honor.html and will be treated as such. Please review UNCG’s policy in the student handbook. If you are concerned about inadvertently violating this policy, please see me before completing the assignment.

Tardiness
Don’t be late. It’s rude! I will take role as class begins. If you are not there, then you will be counted tardy. If you are late by 10 minutes or more, or if you leave from class early, it counts as a ½ absence. Excessive tardies (four or more) will result in a letter grade drop.

Mutual respect
We must respect each other in order for this class to function. Any behavior that distracts (eating, talking, while others are talking, etc.) or is disrespectful (personal attacks, etc.) is unacceptable. Students my be asked to leave the classroom if they choose to behave in these ways. 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.

Special needs
If anyone has extra needs in the classroom due to disabilities, learning differences or any other reason, please just let me know and I’ll be happy to accommodate you.

Adverse weather policy
In the event of canceled classes keep up to speed with the syllabus. (Movies will be viewed on the evening of the next class.)

GRADING:
Late work/ missed testing
Late work is not accepted. Excuses such as my computer failed or my disk was ruined don’t fly with me so don’t use them. You will need to print out copies of your paper as you’re writing it so as to have back up drafts.

You may always turn in work early or arrange to take a test early. Reading quizzes, however, are only offered in class.

Percentages
Reading quizzes 20%
Debate Friday point person 10%
Debate Friday responses 20%
Writing assignments 30% (letterhead, 3 letters)
Final project speech 10%
Participation 10%

Grading scale
A+ 97-100
A 93-96
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D 65-70
F 64 and below

FORMAL ASSIGNMENT & READING SCHEDULE
(Schedule may be modified based on the needs and interests of the class)
(* indicates Debate Friday)

1/10 Introduction to course and classmates
1/12 Grammar review/ letterhead information
1/14 TEST (syllabus and grammar)
Letterhead due Last day to drop

1/17 No class—MLK day
1/19 Discuss how to write letters & “Myth of the Cave” by Plato
1/21* Debate Friday: outside preparation & CCA Chapter 3 (Censorship)

1/24 Letter 1 due—bring 3 copies (written to complain to a company/ individual about something)
1/26 View The People vs. Larry Flint (rent or view in McNutt building on reserve)
1/28 Meet with groups and decide on children’s book for final project

1/31 Letter 1 due (revision of letter to company/ individual about something)
Discuss movie
2/2 Letter 2 due (written to school newspaper about your view on pornography) Discuss “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift & “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell
2/4* Debate Friday: outside preparation & CCA Chapter 5 (Gun Control)

2/7 Discuss Fast Food Nation (Introduction and Chapter 1)
2/9 Discuss Fast Food Nation (Chapter 5)
2/11* Debate Friday: outside preparation & CCA Chapter 4 (Gay Marriage)

2/14 Discuss Fast Food Nation (Chapters 6 and 7 )
2/16 Discuss Fast Food Nation (Chapter 8)
2/18* Debate Friday: outside preparation & CCA Chapter 1 (Affirmative Action)
Six weeks

2/21 Discuss Fast Food Nation (Chapter 9)
2/23 Discuss Fast Food Nation (Chapter 10 and Epilogue)
2/25* Debate Friday: outside preparation & CCA Chapter 9 (Privacy)

2/28 Class changed to 7 p.m.—view Supersize Me in McNutt
3/2 Discuss movie
3/4* Debate Friday: outside preparation & “Against School” off e-reserve
Letter 3 due (written to Morgan Spurlock)
Begin reading The House of the Spirits

3/7 No class—spring break
3/9 No class—spring break
3/11 No class—spring break

3/14 Discuss The House of the Spirits (pgs.1- 208)
3/16 Discuss The House of the Spirits (pgs. 209-261)
Last day to drop course without penalty
3/18* Debate Friday: outside preparation & CCA Chapter 8 (Just War)

3/21 Discuss The House of the Spirits (pgs. 262-317)
3/23 Discuss The House of the Spirits (pgs. 318-365)
3/25 No class—Easter break

3/28 Discuss The House of the Spirits (pgs. 365-433)
3/30 Discuss Lolita (pgs.1-40)
4/1* Debate Friday: outside preparation & CCA Chapter 7 (Drug Legalization)

4/4 Discuss Lolita (pgs. 41-109)
4/6 Discuss Lolita (pgs. 109-154)
4/8* Debate Friday: outside preparation & CCA Chapter 10 (Sexual Harassment)

4/11 Discuss Lolita (pgs. 154-247)
4/13 Discuss Lolita (pgs. 247-end)
4/15* Debate Friday: outside preparation & e-reserve Vanity Fair Article (Patriot Act)

4/18 Group meetings about children’s book
4/20 Group meetings about children’s book
4/22* Debate Friday: outside preparation & CCA Chapter 11(Torture) &
“The Dark Art of Interrogation” off e-reserve

4/25 Presentations on children’s book
4/27 Presentations on children’s book
4/29* Debate Friday: outside preparation & CCA Chapter 6 (Death Penalty)

5/2 Presentations on children’s book
5/3 Presentations on children’s book

Exam 102-14 (MWF 12:00) Wednesday, May 11 from 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Exam 102-15 (MWF 1:00) Friday, May 6 from 3:30-6:30 p.m.