WR 121 Syllabus

School of Arts and Sciences
Eastern Oregon University
Writing 121: Expository Prose Writing
linked with SOC 204
Winter 2003--4 credits
MTRF 1 - 1:50 PM LH 230
New General Education (Communication)

Instructor: Nancy Knowles, Loso Hall 146, 962-3795, nknowles@eou.edu
Office Hours: TR 12 - 1:50, W 10 -10:50, and by appointment
Course Home Page: http://www2.eou.edu/~nknowles/winter2003/wr121w03.html

Outcomes Assessment Materials Requirements Grading Rules Schedule

Catalog Description:

College-level practice of writing skills with a special emphasis on writing analytically, usually about texts. Students learn to adapt their writing processes to the rhetorical constraints of academic writing. Prerequisite: TSWE of 41-49 or completion of WR 115 and a satisfactory in-class diagnostic essay.

Learning Outcomes:

Quality of Thinking: Develop, support, and convey clear, focused, and substantive ideas in ways appropriate to topic, context, audience, and purpose.
Organization and Coherence: Organize writing in clear, coherent sequences, making connections and transitions among ideas, paragraphs, and sentences.
Sentence Structure and Word Choice: Use and vary sentence structures and word choices to achieve clear and fluent writing.
Editing: Edit for correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, paragraph structure, sentence construction, formatting, and, when appropriate, citations.
Writing Process: Use effective processes--including drafting, peer responses, and, when appropriate, tutorial assistance--to generate, compose, organize, revise, and present writing.
Research Process: Identify and frame topics, questions, and purposes for inquiry; plan and conduct research.
Analysis of Information Sources: Locate and interpret varied information sources; distinguish among facts, supported inferences, and opinions; evaluate information.
Use of Researched Information: Use, integrate, and cite researched information and evidence.
Single Source and Multisource Analytic Prose: Integrate a single source or multiple sources that have been critically evaluated into an essay, while presenting the writer's own carefully and thoughtfully considered point of view on a topic.
Reflection: Evaluate and articulate one's own strengths and weaknesses as a writer; plan ways to address weaknesses and take advantage of strengths.

Means of Assessment:

Participation in classroom discussion and activities demonstrates students' ability to verbalize reflections, questions, plans, and techniques related to their writing and research processes (related to all of the above objectives).
Generation and revision of in-class and formal writing demonstrate students' writing and research skills and their ability to reflect upon them (related to all of the above objectives).
Assessment of own writing and that of classmates demonstrates students' ability to reflect on their work and also their cognitive control over techniques they've learned (related to all of the above objectives).
Timed writing demonstrates students' ability, under time constraints, to produce quality thinking and writing while integrating sources (related to most of the above objectives).

Required Materials:

Hacker Writer's Reference available at the bookstore
Readings available online and on reserve:

Toni Cade Bambara "The Hammer Man" (on reserve)
Martin Espada "Jorge the Church Janitor Finally Quits"
James Baldwin "Going to Meet the Man" (on reserve)
Gwendolyn Brooks "We Real Cool"
Frank O'Connor "My Oedipus Complex"
Audre Lorde "Hanging Fire"
Henry Reed "Naming of Parts"
Bessie Head "Looking for a Rain God"
Ursula K. Le Guin "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas"
Gary Soto "Mexicans Begin Jogging"
Langston Hughes "Salvation"

Paper copies of any cited secondary material and extra copies of rough drafts

Course Requirements:

Reading: Read all assigned texts by the date they appear on the syllabus. Bring assigned readings to class.

Participation: Successful learning in this course depends upon active, thoughtful participation in class discussion. Absence, lack of preparation, and unwillingness to share ideas or to work during class time detract from participation credit. Help me help you to manage absences by contacting me in advance when absence is necessary.

Conferences: I expect each student to conference with me outside class once during the term. Students will also be required to visit the Writing Lab once per writing assignment and submit a form demonstrating their work. Conferences in addition to these constitute extra credit.

In-Class Writing: We will do quite a bit of in-class writing, including timed-writing practice. In-class writing will be awarded full credit for completion, with some partial or extra credit awarded for weak or excellent work. Because this kind of writing is rooted in our classroom activities, it may not be possible to make it up.

Formal Writing Assignments: We will write four formal papers, three of which will be assigned in SOC 204. All final drafts submitted to me must be accompanied by generative writing, rough drafts demonstrating substantial revision, response group work, a self-evaluation, a References page, and copies of any cited secondary material from outside class. Because our work is coordinated with SOC 204 deadlines, all WR 121 deadlines must be met. I may require further revision beyond the final drafts, and I will accept any revisions you choose to make until the last day of class (Week 10). All revisions must be accompanied by the graded draft. Revision grades, if higher, will replace the initial grade, but revision does not guarantee a higher grade. GRADES FOR WR 121 MAY NOT NECESSARILY MATCH GRADES FOR SOC 204. See Rules below and individual assignments for further information and requirements.

Writing Evaluation: We will work in response groups to evaluate one another's writing. Note: collaboration in response groups is expected, but response groups may not rewrite the work of individuals; instead, they should identify strong and weak sections in the writing and make suggestions for improvement. To receive credit for response, responders must write comments on drafts and return those drafts to the writers who must then submit those drafts with the final draft. Group members will be graded individually based on the quality and thoughtfulness of the comments. Students who attend response groups without drafts will be asked to leave and will receive zeros for that day's response group work. See Response Group handout for guidelines.

Final: Attendance at the final examination is an institutional requirement.

Special Needs: If you have a documented disability or suspect that you have a learning problem and need accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Program in Loso Hall 234 (962-3081).

Grading:

Participation 10%
In-Class Writing and Timed Writing 10%
Formal Papers 70%
Writing Evaluation 5%
Final Examination 5%

All grades assume a "C" represents satisfactory work. GE credit requires a "C-" overall.

A 92-100, A- 90-91, B+ 88-89, B 82-87, B- 80-81, C+ 78-79, C 72-77, C- 70-71, D+ 68-69, D 62-67, D- 60-61, F 59 and below

Course Rules and Guidelines:

Keep copies of all work until you receive official notice of your course grade.

If you have personal concerns about any aspect of this course, please contact me immediately. The sooner I know what is going on with you, the sooner I can begin to help.

According to the EOU Catalog, "Minimum elements of appropriate classroom decorum include: punctuality, courtesy, civility, purposefulness, and integrity." Hate speech is prohibited. Students who cannot behave appropriately will be asked to leave the classroom. Repeated infractions may result in disciplinary action.

All written work must be double-spaced and submitted in a word-processed format using a 12-point font and 1" margins. Because errors influence readers' opinions of you as a writer, make sure to check grammar and spelling before printing a final copy.

Statement on Academic Misconduct: Eastern Oregon University places a high value upon the integrity of its student scholars. Any student found guilty of an act of academic misconduct (including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, or theft of an examination or supplies) may be subject to having his or her grade reduced in the course in question, being placed on probation or suspended from the university, or being expelled from the university--or a combination of these (Please see Section II of the 2002-2003 Student Handbook and Planning Calendar: Campus Citizenship (Academic), p. 32ft. Campus Citizenship (Behavior), p. 41ff). Here are some further guidelines based on the Academic Honesty Code in the 2000-2002 Academic Catalog, p. 40:

Collaboration is allowed only where expressly noted in this syllabus. I expect students to know the difference between collaboration, where two or more people share the work equally, and doing someone else's work, where some people work and others do not.
Plagiarism, representing someone else's ideas or words as your own, is unacceptable. Use APA citation format to cite all ideas or words belonging to others that you include in your own writing. Such citations may include ideas that occur in class discussion, as well as primary and secondary sources. Your work should significantly exceed the quantity of citations and build new ideas upon them. Contact me immediately with questions about plagiarism and/or APA citation format.
No work from another course may be used for credit in this one without prior permission from both instructors. Both of your instructors have approved the WR 121-SOC 204 combination.

Schedule:

See SOC 204 syllabus for additional required reading and writing assignments. Changes to this syllabus may be made during class.

Date Class Activities Assignments Due

WEEK 1
1/6M Course introduction

1/7T Academic reading and writing about reading Bring Schwalbe

1/8R Academic reading and writing about reading Bring Schwalbe, Ferguson, and Hacker
Read Hacker APA3 (beginning on p. 386)

1/9F Bambara discussion Précis Assignment due
Read Bambara (on reserve)

WEEK 2
1/13M Adding your ideas to your writing about reading
How to read writing assignments Read Hacker C1-2, Espada, Brooks
Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe

1/14T Adding your ideas to your writing about reading Bring Conley and Schwalbe

1/16R Response groups Bring three copies of Test #1 outline or draft
(Visit Writing Center tutor between now and Tuesday)

1/17F Writing workshop Read Hacker C3

WEEK 3
1/20M Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday--no class

1/21T Writing workshop Bring Test #1 materials
Read Hacker C4-5
Submit two copies of revised Test #1

1/23R Baldwin discussion Read Baldwin (on reserve)
**CAUTION--some disturbing description

1/24F Baldwin discussion Submit final Test #1 with my required supporting materials

WEEK 4
1/27M Gender socialization discussion Bring Bambara, Baldwin, Ferguson, and Schwalbe
Read O'Connor, Lorde

1/28T Gender socialization discussion
Timed writing introduction Bring Bambara, Baldwin, O'Connor, Lorde, Ferguson, and Schwalbe

1/30R Timed writing Bring Bambara, Baldwin, O'Connor, Lorde, Ferguson, and Schwalbe

1/31F Discussion of secondary sources Bring secondary source located during research section

WEEK 5
2/3M Writing workshop Bring Test #2 materials

2/4T Response groups Bring three copies of Test #2 draft
(Visit Writing Center tutor between now and Tuesday)

2/6R Writing workshop
Reed discussion Read Reed
Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe

2/7F No class Submit two copies of revised Test #2 to my mailbox in LH 154

WEEK 6
2/10M Writing workshop Bring Test #2 materials and Hacker

2/11T Writing workshop Bring Test #2 materials and Hacker

2/13R Head discussion Read Head
Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe

2/14F Head discussion Bring Head, Ferguson, and Schwalbe
Submit final Test #2 with my required supporting materials

WEEK 7
2/17M View selected film

2/18T View selected film

2/20R Complete selected film and discuss Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe

2/21F Timed writing Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe

WEEK 8
2/24M Response groups Bring three copies of Test #3 draft
(Visit Writing Center tutor between now and next Tuesday)

2/25T Writing workshop Bring Test #3 materials

2/26R No class Submit two copies of revised Test #3 to my mailbox in LH 154

2/27F No class

WEEK 9
3/3M Writing workshop Bring Test #3 materials

3/4T Writing workshop Bring Test #3 materials

3/6R Review WR 121 Final Assignment Read Le Guin, Soto
Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe

3/7F Writing workshop Submit final Test #3 with my required supporting materials
Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe

WEEK 10
3/10M Hughes discussion Read Hughes
Bring Ferguson

3/11T Response groups Bring three copies of WR 121 Final Assignment draft
(Visit Writing Center tutor THIS WEEK)

3/12R Writing workshop Bring Final Assignment materials

3/13F Course evaluations Submit two copies of revised WR 121 Final Assignment
Any revisions due

FINALS
3/17M Pick up comments on Final Assignment My office LH 146

3/20R Final Examination Submit WR 121 Final Assignment with required supporting materials

Date	Class Activities	Assignments Due
WEEK 1 1/6M	Course introduction
1/7T	Academic reading and writing about reading	Bring Schwalbe
1/8R	Academic reading and writing about reading	Bring Schwalbe, Ferguson, and Hacker Read Hacker APA3 (beginning on p. 386)
1/9F	Bambara discussion	Précis Assignment due Read Bambara (on reserve)

WEEK 2 1/13M	Adding your ideas to your writing about reading How to read writing assignments	Read Hacker C1-2, Espada, Brooks Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe
1/14T	Adding your ideas to your writing about reading	Bring Conley and Schwalbe
1/16R	Response groups	Bring three copies of Test #1 outline or draft (Visit Writing Center tutor between now and Tuesday)
1/17F	Writing workshop	Read Hacker C3

WEEK 3 1/20M	Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday--no class
1/21T	Writing workshop	Bring Test #1 materials Read Hacker C4-5 Submit two copies of revised Test #1
1/23R	Baldwin discussion	Read Baldwin (on reserve) **CAUTION--some disturbing description
1/24F	Baldwin discussion	Submit final Test #1 with my required supporting materials

WEEK 4 1/27M	Gender socialization discussion	Bring Bambara, Baldwin, Ferguson, and Schwalbe Read O'Connor, Lorde
1/28T	Gender socialization discussion Timed writing introduction	Bring Bambara, Baldwin, O'Connor, Lorde, Ferguson, and Schwalbe
1/30R	Timed writing	Bring Bambara, Baldwin, O'Connor, Lorde, Ferguson, and Schwalbe
1/31F	Discussion of secondary sources	Bring secondary source located during research section

WEEK 5 2/3M	Writing workshop	Bring Test #2 materials
2/4T	Response groups	Bring three copies of Test #2 draft (Visit Writing Center tutor between now and Tuesday)
2/6R	Writing workshop Reed discussion	Read Reed Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe
2/7F	No class	Submit two copies of revised Test #2 to my mailbox in LH 154

WEEK 6 2/10M	Writing workshop	Bring Test #2 materials and Hacker
2/11T	Writing workshop	Bring Test #2 materials and Hacker
2/13R	Head discussion	Read Head Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe
2/14F	Head discussion	Bring Head, Ferguson, and Schwalbe Submit final Test #2 with my required supporting materials

WEEK 7 2/17M	View selected film
2/18T	View selected film
2/20R	Complete selected film and discuss	Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe
2/21F	Timed writing	Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe

WEEK 8 2/24M	Response groups	Bring three copies of Test #3 draft (Visit Writing Center tutor between now and next Tuesday)
2/25T	Writing workshop	Bring Test #3 materials
2/26R	No class	Submit two copies of revised Test #3 to my mailbox in LH 154
2/27F	No class

WEEK 9 3/3M	Writing workshop	Bring Test #3 materials
3/4T	Writing workshop	Bring Test #3 materials
3/6R	Review WR 121 Final Assignment	Read Le Guin, Soto Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe
3/7F	Writing workshop	Submit final Test #3 with my required supporting materials Bring Ferguson and Schwalbe

WEEK 10 3/10M	Hughes discussion	Read Hughes Bring Ferguson
3/11T	Response groups	Bring three copies of WR 121 Final Assignment draft (Visit Writing Center tutor THIS WEEK)
3/12R	Writing workshop	Bring Final Assignment materials
3/13F	Course evaluations	Submit two copies of revised WR 121 Final Assignment Any revisions due

FINALS 3/17M	Pick up comments on Final Assignment	My office LH 146
3/20R	Final Examination	Submit WR 121 Final Assignment with required supporting materials