English 105: Academic Writing II
Spring 2009
Instructor: MJ Jaffee
Office: VM 219
Office Hours: Thu 2:00 – 3:00 PM or by appointment
Email: mindy.jaffee@goucher.edu
Identity and Character
Who do you think you are? How does one’s character and sense of identity evolve? It is natural for us to try to make sense of and to shape our world within the contexts of who we believe we are and with whom or what we most identify. In fact, our sense of who we are begins very early in our lives. Parents and siblings, for example, play a role in the development of our self-concept. Other contributing factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, community, and culture can also influence our sense of who we are.
Through the years, mankind has tried to understand identity and character. In the last century, a great deal of progress has been made within the field of psychology. Within this field, there are many theories and debates as to how we become who we are.
Writers often bring their own voice, experiences, and character to their writing. They also consider their audience. Much of the time, a great piece of writing will leave the reader more knowledgeable about himself. How do authors draw upon universal themes? How do we get to know ourselves and improve our ability to reach others through our writing? What is the most effective voice to use for a certain audience?
By reading and analyzing works of fiction and non-fiction while utilizing psychological theory, we will read for meaning on many levels, continue critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as enhance academic and personal writing skills. Objectives include the following:
· Determining audience and purpose for writing assignments and choosing appropriate writing styles based on these
· Analyzing a text for the author’s audience and purpose and evaluating the effectiveness of his/her messages and arguments
· Applying certain psychological theories to works we read and pieces you write
· Examining relationships between authors and their protagonists
· Enhancing research skills, including finding and evaluating sources and incorporating them into your writing
· Presenting a thesis and organizing and developing supporting arguments
· Expanding your repertoire of writing styles and sentence structures
· Gaining confidence in your own opinions and interpretations
Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood
Negotiating with the Dead by Margaret Atwood
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
Selected essays and articles
Your handbook from English 104
Paper #1 10%
Paper #2 15%
Paper #3 20%
Annotated Bibliography 10%
Writing Journal 10%
Class Participation 10%
Homework 10%
Presentation 10%
Peer Review 5%
All papers must be turned in on the assigned due dates. Late papers will lose points for each day they are late. All major writing assignments must be submitted to pass the class.
Due Dates
Assignments and Journals are to be completed and turned in on time.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes and to be on time. Regular attendance is essential to successful completion of this course. If you know that you must miss a class, please let me know before the class day. If you miss a class, you are responsible for checking with a classmate to obtain notes and that day’s assignments. Due dates will not be changed for you. You may leave work in my VM mailbox or ask a classmate to bring it in if you will be absent on a due day.
Class Participation
You are expected to come to class prepared, having completed assignments for that day. Regular participation in discussions and activities is expected. Turn cell phones off and put them away.
In addition to improving your reading, writing, and thinking skills, the goal of this class is to also increase your awareness of yourself in relation to the world around you. Journal entries will serve as a tool to enhance this process.
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 writing advice to all Goucher students. To make an appointment, call ext. 6551 or go to: www.faculty.goucher.edu/writingcenter/
Do not plagiarize: All material not your own ideas or common knowledge must be cited and a Works Cited page included at the end of the paper.
Your own honor and trustworthiness will be at stake any time you turn in written work.
Suspected violations of the Honor Code will be referred to the Academic Honor Board. For a full description of the code and what constitutes a violation of the code, refer to the Goucher Handbook or online at www.goucher.edu/x1292.xml
1/27 Course review, introductions “There is never only one, of anyone” (Atwood)
1/29 Cat’s Eye (CE) Ch. 1-3, short writing assignment due
The influence of friends
2/3 CE - Ch. 4-10
Children’s games and perceptions, stages of development
2/5 CE – Ch. 11-15
Theory of moral development
2/10 CE – Ch. 16-20 (“Deadly Nightshade”)
Morality – male/female perceptions
Paper #1 introduction
2/12 CE – Section V
Female/Male childhood stereotypes and patterns
Journals 1-3 due
2/17 CE – Sections VI & VII
Paper Rough draft due
2/19 CE - Sections IX – XII “For years, I wanted to be older and now I am”
2/24 No class—mandatory conferences
2/26 No class—mandatory conferences
3/3 CE – Sections XII – XV Missing something that will never happen
Paper #1 Due
3/5 Negotiating with the Dead (ND) – Prologue & Lecture 1
3/10 ND – Lecture 2 Leading a double life
3/12 ND – Lecture 3
3/17 Spring Break
3/19 Spring Break
WEEK NINE
3/24 ND – Lecture 4 Temptation and Social Relevance, one’s place in society
Journals 4-6 due
3/26 ND – Lecture 5 Religion, Archetypes, Dreams
Paper #2 Introduction
Short Writing assignment due
WEEK TEN
3/31 ND – Lecture 6 Cultural relevance and superstitions
4/2 Library Day
Paper #2 Draft due
WEEK ELEVEN
4/7 Mandatory conferences—no class
4/9 Mandatory conferences—no class
WEEK TWELVE
4/14 The Bean Trees – Ch. 1-5 The One to Get Away
Paper #2 Due
Research Paper brainstorm
4/16 The Bean Trees – Ch. 6-8
WEEK THIRTEEN
4/21 The Bean Trees – Ch. 9-12
Paper #3 proposal/outline due
4/23 The Bean Trees – Ch. 13-17
WEEK FOURTEEN
4/28 Mandatory conferences—no class
4/30 Mandatory conferences—no class
WEEK FIFTEEN
5/5 Rough draft due for workshop
5/7 Presentations
Paper #3 due