PLEASE NOTE: SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO REVISION
English 105: Academic Writing II
Spring 2008
T, TH 12:00-1:15
Amy Peterson
Van Meter 218
E-mail: apeterson@goucher.edu
Extension: 6476
Office hours: T, TH 1:30-2:30 and by appointment
Web page: http://faculty.goucher.edu/engpeterson
Texts
[to come]
In this course, we will use writing as a starting point for exploring the tension of simultaneously belonging to and resisting a culture or community. At the beginning of the semester, we will consider ways in which sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, and literary narratives conceive and define community and cultural deviance. Our second unit will address historical examples of resistance through cultural practices. In the third unit, we will consider ways in which contemporary subcultures, including movements in fashion, music, street art, graffiti, and body art, constitute forms of cultural resistance and act to provoke changes within society. For the final project of the semester, the class will write and publish an online peer-reviewed journal about current subcultures.
This course may confer College Writing Proficiency. Please review the CWP criteria online: http://faculty.goucher.edu/writingprogram/goucher_college_writing_proficiency_2003_rev.htm
You will submit 3 formal essays (5 to 7 pages) and 8 informal responses (1 to 2 pages) during the semester. Your final grade will be the average of your formal essay grades (20% each), informal response grades (20% total), and participation grade (20%). Your final grade may be lowered if you miss three or more classes, frequently come to class late, or miss a conference or library session.
Formals essay guidelines
Double-space your essays and use a reasonable 12-point font and 1-inch margins. Number and staple the pages. Sources must be documented using MLA format. Any ideas or words that are not your own must be cited in the body of your essay and listed on a separate page at the end.
Save everything you write for this class and submit it in a folder with each of your formals essays, including in-class writing, out-of-class writing, and essay notes, drafts, and revisions
Informal response guidelines
The informal responses are a place to explore your thoughts, questions, and reactions to the readings. They should each be 1 to 2 typed pages in length. They may be in freewriting form. You are not required to include thesis statements, formal topic sentences, introductions, or conclusions; however, please do run spell check and skim for obvious grammatical errors. Each week, half of the class will turn in printed copies of their informal responses; the other half of class will post their informal responses on our blog site.
Blog guidelines
We will use the blogs for two purposes: (1) to share our informal responses and (2) to respond to the responses of other class members. When posting a weekly informal response, use the “New Post” function. When responding to responses, use the “Post a Comment” function. The entire class is expected to regularly read and respond to the blog postings.
E-mail guidelines
I love getting e-mail and encourage you to write me as often as you like. However, you must obtain my permission before e-mailing me any assignments. You are responsible for making sure that the assignment was in fact received.
Late assignments
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified dates. Unless you request an extension before the due date, late assignments will not be accepted.
Conferences
We will meet in individual conferences to discuss your writing 3 times during the semester. Class will not be held on conference days. Conferences are required for everyone.
The Writing Center
The Writing Center (Froelicher Hall, ex. 6551) is staffed with student tutors who are trained to help you with your writing. A schedule and list of tutors is available on the Center’s website (http://faculty.goucher.edu/writingcenter). You may also arrange to meet an individual tutor outside of the scheduled times.
Plagiarism
Forms of plagiarism include presenting someone else’s words as your own, not properly citing sources, and using another person’s ideas without acknowledging credit. If you have even the slightest doubt about whether you are properly summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting, or citing sources, ask me or a Writing Center tutor for help. Everyone should read the Academic Honor Code in the Campus Handbook to learn about the consequences of both intentional and unintentional plagiarism at Goucher College.
Schedule
[to come]
** Please note that this schedule is subject to change. **