Fall 2000
Dan Lochman
Reading and Writing I
Time and Place:
English 1310.80 Syllabus
Office
General Description:
English 1310 is a course in expository writing. We will study principles of effective writing and learn to draft, revise, and edit short essays that formulate and develop a central idea (thesis). While personal narrative may serve as a means of supporting ideas within a given essay, such writing is not, in itself, the focus of the course. Readings serve as springboards for ideas for essay topics and as models on.
Requirements and Percentages:
Students write a minimum of 4000 words (about sixteen typed pages) distributed over five graded essays, in addition to an essay on the final examination. Students will produce a substantial amount of additional informal writing in rough drafts, commentaries on other students' writing, writing logs, e-mail correspondence and written reactions to the essays of others.
2 short essays (750 words, 3 typed pages) 10% each
2 short essays (750 words, 3 typed pages) 15% each
1 longer essay (1000 words, 4 typed pages) 20%
Final Examination 20%
Participation in class discussion and workshops 10%
Students must complete every reading assignment although not every assignment will be discussed specifically in class or given equal treatment. Students should be prepared every day for unannounced quizzes or written reactions to assigned readings.
SWT is committed to assisting all students. Students with diagnosed learning and/or physical disabilities must contact the instructor after the first class to discuss arrangements for assistance through the university’s Office of Student Disabilities Services.
Texts:
First Year English Syllabus: English 1310 and 1320, Reading and Writing. Read entirely before the second class period.
Lee A. Jacobus. A World of Ideas. (WI) 5th edition. Boston: Bedford, 1998.
Andrea Lunsford and Robert Connors, The Saint Martin's Handbook. (SMH) 3rd edition. New York: St. Martin's, 1996.
Daily schedule
The following is an outline of readings. Because the pace of discussion ought never to be rigid, anticipate that our schedule will remain flexible. Lacking word to the contrary, however, prepare scheduled materials before the listed class day. Discussion is vital, so attend each class period; be well-prepared and brimming with ideas.
Week Date
1 August 31 Th Introduction. Critical reading (WI 1-10) and the writing process
(SMH Ch. 1).
2 September 5 T Machiavelli (WI). Purpose and audience (SMH Ch. 2). Essay 1 assigned.
7 Th Lao-Tzu (WI). Planning and drafting (SMH Ch. 3). Thesis and plan for Essay 1 due.
3 12 T Complete draft of Essay 1 due (2 copies); peer editing workshop. Revising and editing (SMH Ch. 4).
13 Th Essay 1 due; proofreading and review of writing conventions using SMH. Douglass (WI). Essay 2 assigned.
4 19 T King, Thoreau (WI); Paragraphing (SMH 116-34). Bring
thesis and plan for Essay 2.
21 Th Essay 1 returned. Introductory and concluding paragraphs
(SMH 144-48). Complete draft of essay 2 due (2 copies); peer-editing workshop.
5 26 T Essay 2 due. Proofreading; review of writing conventions usiing
SMH. Review of writing conventions using SMH. Horney (WI).
Essay 3 assigned.
28 Th Horney (ctd.).
6 October 3 T Freud (WI). Essay 2 returned. 5 Th Jung (WI).
7 10 T Freud and Jung (cont.). Thesis / plan of Essay 3 due.
12 Th Complete draft of Essay 3 due; bring two copies. Workshop.
8 17 T Essay 3 due. Proofreading; review of writing conventions
using SMH.. Kaku (WI).
19 Th Kaku (ctd.). Paper 4 assigned.
9 24 T Dawkins (WI). Essay 3 returned and discussed. 26 Th Kaku and Dawkins (ctd.). Sentence style (SMH Ch. 21).
10 31 T Thesis / plan due for Essay 4. Sentence style (SMH Chs.
22-23). Workshop.
November 2 Th Complete draft of Essay 4 due. Workshop.
11 7 T Essay 4 due. Proofreading; review of writing conventions
using SMH. Cabeza de Vaca (WI).
9 Th Essay 5 assigned. Cabeza de Vaca (ctd.). Benedict (WI).
12 14 T Essay 4 returned and discussed. Developing topics for
Essay 5. Benedict (ctd.).
16 Th Thanksgiving Holiday.
13 21 T Mead (WI). Strategies for in-class writing.
23 Th Essay 5: write in class.
14 December 28 T Plato, Buddha (WI). 30 Th Buddha (cont.). Muhammed (WI).
15 5 T Essay 5 returned. St. Matthew (WI).
7 Th Preparation for final examination. Evaluations.
Final Examination: Tues., Dec. 19 11:30am - 2:00pm
COURSE POLICIES
Read the following immediately and carefully, so that you have a clear understanding of basic course procedures.
1) Each class day, attend the full period. Plan not to leave class early, in part because doing so disrupts class and in part because it leads to confusion and missed assignments. Classes are planned to make full use of each period, particularly on a Tuesday/Thursday schedule in which each class period is 150% of the typical 50-minute period.
2) Obviously, attendance for a skills-development course like English 1310 is vital. More than four unexcused absences will result in the loss of one letter grade at the end of the semester. More than six will constitute failure. An "unexcused" absence occurs when a student fails to notify me in advance of a justifiable absence and when no prior arrangements have been made to make up missed work.
3) I would like to believe that all college students are mature enough to perform honest work without resorting to cheating or plagiarism. Unfortunately, both research and experience demonstrate that some students lack the will or ethical fortitude to do their own work. Some knowingly or unknowingly practice plagiarism. It is essential that you know what plagiarism is so that you may avoid it; clear definitions may be found in the First-Year English Syllabus and SMI. It is your responsibility to understand and follow these guidelines. Plagiarized work in any form will not be accepted and will receive a failing grade.
4) Class discussion is a positive thing, but present your ideas to the entire class or to your whole workshop group. Private discussions disrupt concentration and can mislead others.
5) Use the daily syllabus to help plan your work load for reading and writing assignments. It is your responsibility to schedule work around those dates. Quizzes and daily assignements may not be made up if they are missed.
6) Know the resources SWT makes available to you as a writer and reader. In addition to the resources provided by this class, a variety of support services exist on campus, including free advice about writing from the Writing Center in Flowers Hall (G05) or SLAC (Alkek Library). Students with special needs should use the Disability Services office or other campus resources.
7) To succeed in this and other classes at SWT, you must have an e-mail account. Students can activate or reactivate their accounts in one of two ways.
Option I: You can create a new SWT computer account or reactivate an expired SWT computer account from the Computing Services Applications web page at the swt.edu site.
Option II: Drop by the Ready Room, MCS 262, during normal business hours, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a valid SWT ID or receipt for classes of the current semester. The senior computer operator will then issue you a password to activate your account.
8) Above all, don't allow yourself to slip into nameless anonymity, especially in a course whose subject-matter concerns communication. I hope to see all of you at least once in my office, if for no other reason than just to chat informally about writing. In addition to regularly scheduled office hours, I shall be available for conferences by appointment.