English 104: Academic Writing I
Spring 2009
Prof. Luse
Office: T 101
Office Hours: Tues. and Thurs. 1:30-3:00 or by appointment
Email: kate.luse@goucher.edu
Phone: 410-769-5070
The American Dream: Myth or Reality?
What is the American Dream? Does it mean the same thing for every person? How does one know when it has been attained? Does everyone have an equal opportunity to attain it? Can it even be attained, or is it, in fact, not reality but rather a myth? And do other cultures have similar myths or is this a uniquely American phenomenon?
Through exploring the concept of the American Dream, you will hone composition and critical thinking skills essential for meaningful work in college. These skills include the ability to present a thesis and organize a supporting argument, to set that thesis within the context of the current discussion or debate on your topic, and to respond to other arguments about the subject. You will also develop your research skills, learning how to find and evaluate sources and incorporate them into your own writing. And you will expand your repertoire of sentence structures and vocabulary. You will also, I hope, leave the course with a new perspective on the concept of the American Dream.
Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
Rereading America Seventh Edition edited by Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle
A Pocket Style Manual Fifth Edition by Diana Hacker
Paper #1 20%
Paper #2 20%
Paper #3 20%
Annotated Bibliography 15%
Essay Exam 10%
Class Participation 10%
Peer Review 5%
All papers must be turned in on the assigned due dates (printed in bold on the syllabus). Late papers will be docked one- third letter grade for each day they are late. Papers must also be submitted in a folder. Folders will include the topic proposal, rough draft, peer review feedback, and photocopies of material quoted or paraphrased from outside sources with relevant sections highlighted or underlined. All major writing assignments must be submitted to pass the class.
You have the option of revising papers #1 and #2. To do so, you must first meet with me to discuss your plans for revision, and you must turn in the revised paper within two weeks of the date papers were returned.
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential to the successful completion of this course. More than two unexcused absences may be grounds for failing the class. If you must miss class, you are still responsible for obtaining assignments and completing work on time. In addition, prepare to get to class on time. Students who accrue more than two late arrivals to class will be marked absent for any subsequent tardiness.
Class Participation
It is not enough to simply show up for class in order to earn the full 10 percent for class participation. You must also come to class prepared, having completed any reading or writing assignments. You must also be engaged in the class. This means that you participate in discussions and activities.
Cell phones must be turned off and stowed in book bags or handbags. Students caught with cell phones on or out will be marked absent for that day.
The Writing Center peer tutors are available to help you at any stage of the writing process. Tutors provide free one-on-one coaching and advice on writing to all Goucher students. Call the Writing Center at ext. 6551 or visit online at www.faculty.goucher.edu/writingcenter/ for hours or to make an appointment.
This term refers to using someone else’s words or ideas and presenting them as your own. Whether intentional or due to sloppy citations, plagiarism is a serious violation of a writer’s ethics. Any paper that has not been properly produced or documented, with all sources correctly cited, will be referred to the Academic Honor Board for possible action under the College’s Honor Code. Violations of the code may have serious consequences, including failure of the assignment or the course, academic probation, or suspension.
1/27 The American Dream, class introduction, assign diagnostic writing sample
1/29 Diagnostic writing sample due, RA pp. 114-130, grading criteria
2/3 Grading criteria cont., the Honor Code, assign paper #1
2/5 RA pp. 161-172, Writing Workshop: integrating sources
2/10 Topic proposals due, RA pp. 173-188, Writing Workshop: MLA citation
2/12 Mandatory conferences—no class
2/17 RA pp. 239-255, Writing Workshop: sentence boundary errors
2/19 RA pp. 219-236, peer review procedures
2/24 Rough drafts due for peer review
2/26 Paper #1 due, Writing Workshop: commas
3/3 RA pp. 371-375 and 383-392
3/5 RA pp. 417-441, assign paper #2
3/10 Topic proposals due, Handout: “Center of Attention,” Writing Workshop: effective paragraphs
3/12 Mandatory conferences—no class
3/17 Spring Break
3/19 Spring Break
WEEK NINE
3/24 RA pp. 402-407 and pp. 443-449
3/26 Rough drafts due for peer review
WEEK TEN Class
3/31 Paper #2 due, Writing Workshop: introductions and conclusions
4/2 RA pp. 259-269, assign paper #3 and annotated bibliography
WEEK ELEVEN
4/7 Library orientation
4/9 Topic proposals due, RA pp. 278-283
WEEK TWELVE
4/14 Mandatory conferences—no class
4/16 Research day—meet in the library
WEEK THIRTEEN
4/21 Ehrenreich pp. 1-49, evaluating sources
4/23 Ehrenreich pp. 51-119, evaluating sources cont.
WEEK FOURTEEN
4/28 Ehrenreich pp. 121-221, taking essay exams
4/30 Annotated bibliographies due, Taking essay exams cont.
WEEK FIFTEEN
5/5 Essay exam
5/7 Rough draft due for peer review
Finals Week: Paper #3 due