Instructor: Emily Heun Office: FH 24, Desk 9
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One writes out of one thing only—one’s own experience. Everything depends on how relentlessly one forces from this experience the last drop, sweet or bitter, it can possibly give. This the only real concern of the artist, to recreate out of the disorder of life that order which is art. (Quoted in Newkirk 4-5) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
In English 101 you will develop an awareness of both purpose and audience in your writing, as well as an awareness of your writing process. This course is designed to help you develop and fine-tune this process. Ernest Hemingway has said to revise so much that the first chapter of a book may be rewritten forty times. Of course I don’t expect us to get that carried away, but constant revision is a skill that I hope we can acquire and build upon. It is my goal to teach you how to think and read critically, as we rewrite and re-see.
Although it may not seem so clear-cut, the things we read directly influence the way we think and write. The majority of this class will focus on writing, but we will also be doing some reading. Most of the essays we read will relate directly to what we are doing in class and some of it will just be for fun—to see how certain writers play with words.
Above all else, this class is a workshop class. You will work in both small and large groups, looking at your own writing and the work of your classmates, with an eye for strengthening, clarifying, and expanding your talents. By joining this class you are joining a community of writers. You will depend on one another for response and feedback, making your participation essential.
If any questions arise, please ASK! I can’t read your mind and I do not expect you to read mine.
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§ Reading Rhetorically, A Reader for Writers, a book of readings
§ Been There, Done That—Students’ Essays from the Core Writing Program
§ The Everyday Writer (EW), a writer’s handbook
§ Writer’s notebook
§ Folder or binder in which to keep your work
§ Email account—see help desk in Library for details (bring ID)
§ College Dictionary (published within the last two years)
You will also need access to a computer, as I expect all papers to be typed. There are several computer labs on campus—in the Jot Travis Student Union, the Getchell Library, the Writing Center, and the College of Education Building.
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For the majority of this class I will not be grading. Instead, I will consistently track your writing process, and at the semester’s midpoint you will submit a portfolio, as well at the end of the semester. It is essential that you save ALL of your work, so that I may take a look at it at the end of the semester. Your portfolio will consist of polished writing, as well as drafts, pre-writing, peer comments, and a final self-evaluation. This polished writing will most likely be revised drafts of work submitted earlier in class for response. Your Midterm Portfolio will be worth 10% of your grade, and will consist of 7-8 pages of polished writing. Your Final Portfolio will be worth 40% of your grade, and will include 20 pages of polished writing. English 101 focuses on revision—therefore I will not pin a grade to your assignments until we reach the Portfolio stages. I grade based on progress and revision.
Instead of grades on your essays and written assignments you will receive extensive commentary and suggestions from me and responses from your peers. The remaining portion of your grade will be based on:
I will be using a +/- scale.
You will have two conferences with me throughout the semester. You will be expected to come prepared with questions about writing, your essays, and/or the class. I will be available for additional visits throughout the semester if you are having questions about the class or your writing. I also have office hours—stop by and chat. That’s why I have them.
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It is my hope that throughout these next few weeks we will become a community of writers. One way I feel we can accomplish this is by forming a discussion group, or listserv, on the Internet. Each of you will need to have an email account for this assignment. I will give you until the second week of class to do so. I will divide the class in half, so that each of you will be responding to a journaling prompt every two weeks. Those of you that are writing during a certain week must also respond to a classmate’s entry. I will explain how to get set up on the discussion group. We will start this activity during the second week of class.
We will be writing in almost every class; it is essential that you bring a notebook with you to every class, as all of your in-class writing will be saved for your Final Portfolio. You will be evaluated on the completion of this notebook and whether or not you followed directions in completing the assignments. This writing notebook is a place for you to record thoughts about reading, writing, the writing process, along with topics assigned to you in class. You will be writing for a public audience (the class), therefore do not treat this as a diary or personal journal. You may be asked to read aloud from them during class.
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Attendance is crucial. Much of our writing will be done at the beginning of each class; therefore being on time will help your grade. The in-class writing we do at the beginning of class, however, cannot be made up. I will allow up to 3 absences, but you are responsible for any and all work missed. If you are absent more than three times, it WILL affect your grade. After that point your class participation grade will suffer, as will the quality of your papers and portfolio. If you arrive late to class I will mark you absent for the day. I understand that circumstances arise that may be uncontrollable, but please use your absences wisely. In the case of serious illness or injury please notify me as soon as possible.
In workshop, and at all times during this course, I expect civility and academic honesty from everyone. I encourage you to speak your mind and express opinions, however, I expect you to be respectful of others—including me. At times, we may be discussing controversial and personal subjects—we are sharing personal thoughts and feelings with each other. Courtesy and respect for your classmates, their written work, and most importantly your own work, is essential to create and maintain a trusting atmosphere. Trust is needed to create a tight-knit community of writers. Remember, there are no wrong opinions here, merely different ones. You may not agree with everything we read and discuss, but you must willing to develop a thoughtful, respectful, and reflective approach to all discussions and activities.
Plagiarism—Students who plagiarize, or present the work of another person as their own without acknowledgement, are guilty of literary fraud. Failure of the work is the mildest penalty for plagiarism. In more serious cases, a student may fail the course or may be reported to university administrators. I am here if you have questions concerning the proper ways to quote, paraphrase, and cite sources. Please do not hesitate to ask.
I want you to stay in communication with me—about the class, your goals, concerns, and writing issues (positive as well as negative!). Please come see me during my office hours. That’s why I have them; please don’t think you are inconveniencing me. If questions arise while you are off campus, either send me an email, or give me a call. If my office hours (MW 11-12:30) are not convenient, please let me know and we can schedule another time to meet. In an emergency, leave a message with the English Department at 784.6709 x222.
Finally, all beepers and cell phones MUST be turned off during class.
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All assignments must be completed in order to receive a passing grade. I understand that most undergraduates have jobs, and that this affects your time (or lack thereof). Please use the syllabus to schedule enough time for your academic, social, and personal commitments. I will only accept late work in the case of real emergencies, or if arranged with my consent prior to the assigned due date. Unexcused, late essays will be docked 10% per class session they are late. If you know you will be gone on the final due date, turn it in to me early, or put it in my mailbox.
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We have an incredible Writing Center here on campus, staffed by some excellent tutors with experience in both writing and teaching. We will be venturing over to the center as a class during the semester, but I will require each of you to schedule an appointment once prior to midterms. They are located in the Edmund J. Cain Building, Room 206. The Writing Center is open Monday-Thursday 8 a.m-8 p.m., and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Fridays. The phone number for tutoring appointments and information is 784.6030. Be sure to schedule your appointments in advance, as they can get extremely busy late in the semester.
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DISABILITIES
The English Department is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with physical or learning disabilities. If you are a student with a documented disability, it is your responsibility to contact me within the first week of class so that we can discuss appropriate accommodations for you that will ensure equity in grading, classroom experience, and outside assignments.
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A FINAL QUOTE:
"It is an important and proper fact that things are not always what they seem. For instance, on the planet earth man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much—the wheel, New York, wars and so on—whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely—the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man—for precisely the same reason.”
-Douglas Adams,
We will be constantly re-seeing and re-envisioning in this class. Truths we may hold fast to today might be put to the test by semester’s end. I’m excited to have you in my class and am eager to begin the writing process. Welcome!
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Reading assignments and drafts must be completed for the day they are listed. Essays and portfolios must be delivered to my mailbox before 4 p.m.
Please bring your copy of Everyday Writer to each class.
Reading assignments may change, particularly towards the end of the semester, so it’s a good idea to double-check the assignment if you have missed the previous class.
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M Aug 26 Introductions! Overview of course.
W Aug 28 Start bringing a notebook every day
Assign Essay 1
Bring revised writing sample from Aug 26th assignment
Read: Syllabus and form one question to discuss in class; pp 1-5, 13 of Been There, Done That; Ch 1-2 in Reading Rhetorically (hereafter, just RR.)
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M Sept 2 Labor Day—No class
W Sept 4 Model Writing Workshop
Read: RR, Ch 3; Slater, “Black Swans.”
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M Sept 9 Writing Workshop Essay 1—Be sure to have copies of your first draft for each group member.
Read: RR Ch 4
W Sept 11 Read: RR Ch 5; Kingsolver, “In Case You Ever Want to Go Home Again"
Possible Writing Center Tour
Essay 2 assigned
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M Sept 16 Essay 1 Due
Read: Rios, “The Secret Lion”
W Sept 18 Read: Momaday, “The Way to Rainy Mountain”
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M Sept 23 Read: Kerouac “Alone on a Mountaintop”
W Sept 25 Writing Workshop Essay 2—Be sure to have copies of your draft for each group member.
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Sept 30 Essay 3 assigned
Read: London, “To Build A Fire”
Oct 2 Essay 2 Due, ASSIGN ESSAY 3!
Read: RR Naylor, “Mommy, What Does the Word ‘Nigger’ Mean?" ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oct 7 Read: RR McGuire, “Witness to Rage”
Oct 9 Midterm Portfolios Due
Read: TBA
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Oct 14 NO CLASS, Portfolio conferences
Oct 16 Writing Workshop Essay 3—Be sure to have copies of your draft for each group member.
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Oct 21 Essay 4 assigned
Read: O’Brien, “The Things They Carried”
Oct 23 Essay 3 Due
Read: TBA Possibly something from O’Brien?
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Oct 28 Read: RR King, Jr., “Letter from Birmingham Jail”
Oct 30 Read: RR Weston, “The Need for Environmental Ethics”;
Williams, “Clan of the One-Breasted Women”
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Nov 4 Read: Durning, “The Conundrum of Consumption”
Nov 6 Writing Workshop Essay 4—Be sure to have copies of your draft for each group member.
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Nov 11 NO CLASS—VETERAN’S DAY
Nov 13 Essay 4 Due
Read: Walker, “We Alone”; RR hooks, “Keeping Close to Home”
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Nov 18 Read: RR Collins, “Good Intentions in the Anti-Sweatshop Movement”; Sipiorski, “Consider the Study of Peace”
Nov 20 Read: Carver, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love”
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Nov 25 Individual Conferences all this week
Read: TBA
Nov 27 Portfolio Open House
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Dec 2 Read: TBA
Continue working on portfolios, work on coverletter
Dec 4 Final Portfolio Due, with coverletter
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Dec 9 FINAL CLASS! CELEBRATION, READINGS
Dec 11 NO CLASS—DEAD DAY
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FINAL EXAM: Monday, December 16th from 12-2pm, Pick up Portfolios, in-class writing assignment
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