Welcome to English 114B: Approaches to University Writing!

Semester 2: Projects Spring 2014 Instructor: Mary Gifford Location: JR 245 Course #13715 Email: mary.gifford.72@my.csun.edu M/W 8-9:15 98-9:30 Office hours: Wednesdays 9:30 Sierra Hall 194 The goal for this class is to create a community of writers, who will together learn various methods of composition through examining rhetoric and power structures.

Course Objectives:
Demonstrate competence in university writing Demonstrate the ability to use rhetorical strategies Understand writing as a multimodal, recursive process and demonstrate its use through invention and generating, drafting and composing, and revision (creating, shaping, and completing) Demonstrate the ability to use conventions of format, structure, style, and language appropriate to the purpose of a written text Demonstrate the ability to use library and online resources effectively to document sources

Student Learning Outcomes:

You will gain the ability to read critically Youll read extensively from a variety of academic and non-academic texts, which includes but is not limited to a memoir, philosophical theories, academic journal articles, and news media. You will demonstrate the capacity to read critically by responding to these texts during class discussions in addition to the writing projects that include exercises, and essays. You will build upon your ability to write effectively You will produce a range of writing that demonstrates proficiency with rhetorical strategies and expository writing concepts. This writing will include descriptive and argumentative essays and a research project. You will broaden your knowledge of the cultural diversity of literatures You will read an assorted body of literature produced by writers from across the globe. You will discuss and write about these diverse experiences.

Required Texts:
Communist Manifesto Rhetoric for Radicals by Jason Del Gandio Finding Maana by Mirta Ojito Writing Spaces Open Textbook (free): http://writingspaces.org/essays Suggested but not required: The Little Seagull Handbook

Required Materials:

Notebook (Spiral or 3 ring or something similar)

Laptop/Netbook/etc: Some class meetings will require use of a laptop or similar device to post writing on Weebly.

Course Requirements: Regular Attendance Regular attendance is required to create a diverse and interactive learning environment. Participation. Participation includes in- class writing, verbal and digital conversations, conferences with your professor, presentations, and essay workshops. Included in participation is being prepared and bringing course materials to class. We will all be learning from each other, so participation is necessary to encourage this environment. LRC Visits. You will be required to visit the LRC at least once this semester, prior to turning in your portfolio. Homework and essays. Completion of three essays in addition to web posts. A rough draft of your essay and workshopping will count towards your total essay grade. Final Portfolio. In order to receive a grade for the portfolio, you must turn in two out of the three essays, including revisions, with a few of the other assignments leading up to those essays.

Email Policy: I will respond to emails within 48 hours. If you email me but dont get a response, I havent received your email. Feel free to email me concerning any questions you have about the course or about your work. If you email your papers to me for feedback, Id be happy to look them over but the final draft will not have additional feedback. Its important to practice composing professional emails: be sure that your emails to me include appropriate subject lines, salutations, and closes. Attendance and Participation: Since this class will include in-class peer workshops and class discussions, as well as in-class writing, your punctual and engaged attendance is a critical component of your work in the course. I expect you to attend all class meetings, but I understand that you may need to miss class in the case of an emergency. Each class member will receive four emergency passes that allow you to arrive late to class, leave early, or miss a class meeting due to an emergency. Once you have used up your four emergency passes, I will lower your final course grade by 1/3 grade for each class meeting that you miss. Two tardies (arriving late or leaving early) count as one absence. In addition, you need to be prepared for class in order to be able to participate effectively and benefit from class time. If you are unprepared for a particular class meeting, I will mark you tardy.

Grading: We will discuss specific rubrics for the essays and blogs at a later point.
Grading Scale: A+: 98-100 A: 94-97 B+: 87-89 B: 83-86 C+: 77-77 C: 73-76 D+: 67-69 D: 63-66 F < 60

A-: 90-93

B-: 80-82

C-: 70-72

D-: 60-62

Homework and Participation/In-Class Activities -10 Project 1 Essay-20 Project 2 Essay-20 Project 3 Essay-20 Final Portfolio with Preface- 30
Late Policy

Late Policy: I know that technology can be tricky, but that is not an excuse for not posting. If Weebly or moodle does not let you post, you need to find another way to get your assignment to me, whether that is through email or printed, but it is still due at the day and time listed. I will not accept late work, but you will have one Life Line, which allows you to turn in one late assignment: you may use it on an essay. Write Life Line at the top of the assignment and you have one week after the due date, otherwise the assignment will receive no credit. Remember you are responsible for making sure that your work is turned in on time and posted correctly to moodle or weebly. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a complex topic with no single universal definition. Throughout the semester we will explore proper citation methods and techniques, which can help you to avoid what CSUN defines as the act of intentionally or knowingly representing the words, ideas, or works of another as ones own in an academic exercise (CSUN catalog 553).

A project is the final assignment in a series of interconnected reading and writing exercises that link to class discussions. As each project is completed, the combined drafting builds the foundation and process of an essay. This movement grows out of the specific assignments and collaborative nature of the progression and leads to essays that bear marks of distinction, direction, and development. The following are the themes of our core assignments, but not all for each progression: Project 1: Power: Culture and the Individual Reading Rhetoric for Radicals, Finding Maana, excerpts from Borderlands, and Communist Manifesto Weebly reflections on reading Essay 1 (2 drafts) Project 2: Power and Space: How is space impacted by those in control of that space?

The Projects

 Film? Reading Foucault Panopticon Weebly posts Essay 2 (2 drafts) Project 3: Taking Back Power Research Weebly posts Essay 3 (2 drafts) PORTFOLIO

You will then choose two of the essays to revise and include the scaffolded exercises from the projects in a portfolio. The portfolio will include a Reflection of your work in this class and introductions to the projects you choose.

Helpful Information and Campus Resources Any student needing special course adaptations or accommodations due to a documented disability or if you have special medical information to share, please speak to me early in the semester. LRC: Working with the tutors at the LRC is very helpful. You can make an appointment at any time during the writing process, and they will work with you brainstorming, organizing an essay, and revising. To make an appointment, you can walk in and request one or call (818) 677-2033. Health Center: http://www.csun.edu/studenthealthcenter/ Visit the web page! You can make appointments online! Counseling: http://www.csun.edu/counseling/services/ (818) 677- 2366, Bayramian Hall 520. UCS provides resources and information to assist students in dealing with a variety of large and small psychological obstacles that may interfere with academic progress and/or relationship satisfaction. Services include individual, group and crisis counseling. Career Center: http://www.csun.edu/career/ Lastly, feel free to visit me in my office hours or make an appointment to discuss anything class related: how youre doing in the class, your writing, reading, etc. If you are struggling, you should come talk to me before it becomes too late!
This syllabus is subject to change! Thanks to Ian Barnard, Nicole Warwick, Dr. Kellenberger, Mandy Macklin, and other colleagues for sharing their ideas in the creation of this syllabus!

Tentative Semester Schedule Project 1: Weeks 1-4 Finding Maana Readings: o Chapter 1-3 by Mon. Jan .27 o Chapters 4-7 by Mon. Feb. 3 o Chapters 8-10 by Wed. Feb 5 o Chapters 11-end by Mon. Feb 10 Draft and Peer Review Feb. 12 Final Draft due Feb 17 Project 2: Weeks 5-8 Borderlands Readings: Feb. 19 and 24 Foucault and Panopitcon Readings: Feb 26 Draft and Peer Review March 5 Final Draft due March 10 Project 3: Weeks 8-12 We will have a library day and work on research throughout this project! Draft due April 2 Final draft due April 14 Monday May 5-Portfolios due!