Writing 2 Academic Writing Tues & Thurs 9-10:50 AM HSSB 1228
Gerald Egan Office: South Hall 3432D Mailbox: In South Hall 1519
Office Hours: Tuesday: 11 AM – 2 PM Wednesday: 1:30 – 3 PM Thursday: 11 AM – 12:30 PM
Course Catalog Description
A writing course focusing on developing analytical skills, synthesizing multiple sources, sustaining coherent arguments, and revising for clarity of style. Reading and writing assignments are drawn from a range of academic disciplines.
Course’s Contribution:
This course is based on the following key ideas:
· Written academic discourse is an ongoing conversation that involves reading and writing.
· To take part in this conversation, you must read effectively n a variety of academic disciplines.
· Reading effectively means reading critically and analytically.
· Reading effectively means learning to recognize writing practices that work well and then adapting them to your own writing.
· Writing is an ongoing process of creation and revision.
· Research at the collegiate level is a process of following a question to an answer that you do not already know.
· Grammar and mechanics matter in writing, but they must be learned in context.
· Analysis, synthesis, and interpretation are tied directly to learning to read, write, and research well.
· Writing and reading can be informal or formal experiences. Both experiences matter.
· Writing and reading are not chores to be performed, but activities that should provide you with intellectual stimulation, an almost physical sense of happiness, and even fun.
Modes of Learning
This course uses the following modes of learning:
· Direct instruction (i.e., mini-lectures)
· Demonstration and presentation
· Cooperative and collaborative group work
· Large and small group discussion
· Reflective work
· Individual research
Required Texts
· Writing about the World, McLeod, Jarvis, and Spears.
· A Writer’s Reference, Hacker, 5th Edition.
· Collegiate dictionary (print or online)
Student Outcomes
At the end of this course through class discussions, group activities, debates, reading, and written work you will be able to do the following[1]:
Reading
· Respond to readings in analytical and argumentative ways with a focus on synthesizing new knowledge.
· Extend your ability to analyze the structures and effectiveness of argument.
· Read texts comparatively.
· Extend your knowledge of rhetorical terms to include terms for analyzing arguments, such as appeals to emotion, character, and logic; fallacies of argument; and claims, reasons, and warrants.
Writing
· Write in a variety of genres and disciplines so that you can begin to think about what it means to study in a particular academic area.
· Analyze strengths and weakness of written arguments, including your own.
· Develop your ability to reflect on your writing processes.
· Extend your ability to analyze, synthesize, and interpret reading through writing.
· Extend your ability to provide evidence and learn to evaluate the credibility of sources.
· Practice research-based writing in order to join a conversation in a discipline about a topic rather than simply report on facts about a topic.
· Learn that making and identifying errors is a necessary and productive part of the learning process. (We will talk about grammar in this class, but not just about what is right and wrong. We will discuss the options that grammar provides.)
· Ultimately create 18-20 pages of well-edited, thoughtful texts that you can be proud of.
Reading and writing objectives will be assessed through your papers and through your participation in class discussions.
Course Requirements
Late work will not be accepted without: a) written documentation of a serious emergency (i.e. doctor’s note documenting hospitalization) and expedited agreement of an extension, or b) a negotiated extension at least 24 hours in advance of a due date. Arriving late or leaving early may be counted as an absence. Students without a rough draft on Peer Review Day will be marked absent.
Grades will be distributed as follows:
Science Unit paper. Five-page summary, due October 22 20%
Social Sciences Unit paper. Five-page critique, due November 12 20%
Humanities Unit paper. Seven-page thesis, due December 7 25%
Journal Entries 15%
Participation (includes Free Writing, Grammar Tuesday & Conferences) 20%
Participation and Attendance
This class is based on discussion and student interaction, so it is important that you come to every class prepared and on time. Since this is not a lecture-based class, please do not attempt to make up an absence by copying someone’s notes. And while I assume that you have a good reason for missing any amount of class time, missed work cannot be made up. If you have a genuine emergency that may jeopardize your ability to complete your work on time, please contact me ASAP. Unexcused absences will affect your grade.
Plagarism and Academic Dishonesty
Learning how to incorporate outside materials into your writing is a crucial skill that we will work on. Any student caught plagiarizing will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible failure of the course and notification to the Dean. If you have any questions regarding UCSB’s plagiarism policy, see http://hep.ucsb.edu/people/hnn/conduct/disq.html.
Conferences
You are required to make an appointment and come to my office for a fifteen-minute conference before you turn in unit paper. Of course, you are welcome to see me at any time during my office hours, and I especially encourage you to see me if you need help with an assignment.
Grammar Tuesday
You are responsible for giving one 15-20 minute presentation with a group of 2 other students. In the presentation, you are responsible for teaching your fellow classmates about a grammar rule. Your presentation must include class involvement and some sort of visual aid. Use the Hacker book as a source and be creative as possible. Sign up with me ahead of time. Your group must come to office hours before you present to go over your lesson plan.
The Learning Process and Teamwork
Learning is a social process that we undertake as a group together. Be tolerant of your classmates. Racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise disrespectful remarks will not be tolerated. Actively listen to your classmates. Don’t interrupt and, when you disagree, give criticism constructively. Try to imagine why the other person holds the beliefs they do. We will never all agree, and our disagreements are learning opportunities. What sort of ground rules would enhance your learning experience in this class?
UCSB Services
UCSB provides many services for special needs. Here are a few:
· If you are a student with a documented disability (registered with the DSP program: 893-2668, www.sa.ucsb.edu/dsp) and would like to discuss special accommodations, please contact me during office hours or by email.
· You can get FREE help with your writing at CLAS, Campus Learning Assistance Services. The Writing Lab is open for drop-in assistance (CLAS building 477 - across from South Hall). Study skills workshops and individual appointments are available as well (). For more information on CLAS, visit www.clas.ucsb.edu.
· Psychological counseling services are available. Call Career and Counseling Services at 893-4411 to make an appointment.
Unit One: Science. Writing a Summary Weeks 1 through 3
Tue Oct 3
Assignments: In class essay: “My Biggest Writing Obstacle”
Class Activities: Introductions, course overview, presentation of syllabus.
Thur Oct 5
Reading to be completed before class: Writing about the World 3 – 13, 417 - 22.
Assignments: Journal writing: one page response to “Reading and Writing in College” (pages 3 – 13 of Writing about the World). Bring Hacker to class.
Class Activities: Free writing response to Oppenheimer. Introduction to Joanne Hacker’s A Writer’s Reference. Grammar Tuesday sign-ups. Form Science Unit small groups. Class discussion of readings. Small-group discussions of readings and paper ideas.
Tue Oct 10
Reading to be completed before class: Writing about the World 423 – 450.
Assignments: Journal writing: one page response to Walton. Bring Hacker to class.
Class Activities: Free writing response to Hoffman. Grammar Tuesday. Class discussion of readings. Small-group discussions of readings and paper ideas.
Thur Oct 12
Reading to be completed before class: Writing about the World 451 – 460.
Assignments: Journal writing: one page response to Einstein. Bring outline of Science Unit paper
Class Activities: Free writing response to Russell. Class discussion of readings and pre-writing. Small-group discussions of readings and paper ideas.
Tue Oct 17
Reading to be completed before class: Writing about the World 461 – 472.
Assignments: Journal writing: one page response to Dawson. Bring Hacker to class. Bring rough draft of Science Unit paper.
Class Activities: Free writing response to Christopher. Grammar Tuesday. Class discussion of readings. Small-group peer review of paper drafts.
Thur Oct 19
Assignments: Bring a polished draft of Science Unit Paper to class for peer review
Class Activities: Free writing about writing process and paper. Class discussion of writing process. Small-group peer review of paper drafts.
Sun Oct 22—Science Unit paper due midnight via email. Send to .
Unit Two: Social Sciences. Writing a Critique (APA Format) Weeks 4 through 7
Tue Oct 24
Reading to be completed before class: Siebert, “An Elephant Crackup,” and Weil, “What if it’s Sort of a Boy and Sort of a Girl?”
Assignments: Journal writing: one page response to Weil. Bring Hacker to class.
Class Activities: Form Social Sciences Unit small groups. Discussion of Social Sciences. Grammar Tuesday. Class discussion of readings. Small-group discussions of readings.
Thur Oct 26
Reading to be completed before class: Writing about the World 568 - 581.
Assignments: Journal writing: one page response to “The Eye of the Beholder.”
Class Activities: Free writing response to Brannon. APA format. The critique paper. Class discussion of readings. Small-group discussions of readings and paper ideas.
Tue Oct 31
Reading to be completed before class: Writing about the World 52 - 64.
Assignments: Journal writing: one page response to Jefferson.
Class Activities: Free writing response to de Tocqueville. APA format. The critique paper. Class discussion: critiquing de Tocqueville. Small-group discussions of readings and paper ideas.
Thur Nov 2
Reading to be completed before class: Writing about the World 76 – 82, and selection from Mao’s Last Revolution.
Assignments: Journal writing: one page response to Mao.
Class Activities: Free writing response to Mao’s Last Revolution. Class discussion of readings and pre-writing. Small-group discussions of readings and paper ideas.
Tue Nov 7
Reading to be completed before class: Writing about the World 135 - 146.
Assignments: Journal writing: one page response to Bush.
Class Activities: Free writing response to reading, class and small-group discussions.
Thur Nov 9
Reading to be completed before class: A Rape in Cyberspace and Life on the Screen
Assignments: Journal writing: one page response to Mao. Bring thesis statement and outline for Critique paper to class.
Class Activities: Free writing response to Mao’s Last Revolution. Class discussion of readings and pre-writing. Small-group discussions of readings and paper ideas.
Tue Nov 14
Assignments: Bring a polished draft of Social Sciences Critique Paper to class for peer review
Class Activities: Class discussion of writing process. Small-group peer review of paper drafts.
Sun Nov 19—Social Sciences paper due midnight via email. Send to .
Unit Three: Humanities. Writing a Thesis (MLA Format) Weeks 7 through 10
Thur Nov 16
Class Activities: Introduction to Humanities Unit. Format of the thesis paper. Introduction to Keats’s Ode to Autumn.
Tue Nov 21
Reading to be completed before class: Ode to Autumn. Keats’s letter on negative capability. Biography of Keats at http://englishhistory.net/keats/life.html.
Class Activities: Developing an argument in a thesis essay. Drawing connections between Keats’s life, his notion of negative capability, and Autumn. Free write – biographical critique of Autumn.
Thur Nov 23
No class—Happy Thanksgiving!
Tue Nov 28
Reading to be completed before class: Bate’s psychological-biographical analysis of Autumn.
Class Activities: Psychological analysis of Autumn. MLA format
Thur Nov 30
Reading to be completed before class: Vendler’s formal analysis of Autumn.
Class Activities: Library day. Formal analysis of Autumn.
Tue Dec 5
Reading to be completed before class: Roe’s historicist analysis of Autumn.
Class Activities: Continue formal analysis of Autumn. Historicist analysis of Autumn. Present paper thesis in small groups and discuss in class.
Thur Dec 7
Class Activities: Evaluations, peer review.
Wed Dec 13—Humanities paper due midnight via email. Send to .
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Writing 2 Syllabus
[1] These outcomes and assessments are tied to the Writing II Curriculum Guidelines, which you can view at http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/courses/curriculum.html