quick
links:
the
library
the
eng. dept. comp. site
the
ndsu homepage
my
assignment
descriptions
my assessment
the
class reading
list |
Course
Description:
This course takes the "average" English
120 and adds technology (use of hypertext, weblogging, web-based research,
etc), alternative forms of writing (small subjective pieces, fractured
narratives, etc), and a different twist on teaching (students learn more
from students, presentations, use of film, out-of-the-ordinary activities).
So, not only will you receive the same knowledge and information as a
regular English class, but I will be adding other aspects that I find
important, fun, and helpful for me and for you, the student.
Rationale
for Teaching/Taking this Course:
1) Controversial/Radical teaching often creates
more excitement in students.. to learn, listen, speak up, try new things,
etc. 2) The ways we teach now (writing-wise) are not reaching all students
and all ways of learning- some still don't know how to write well. By
opening up the classroom to new and different techniques, perhaps we can
catch those students that are not "getting it". 3) Taking a
'normal' English 120 plus web-based readings is already non-traditional
as far as classrooms go (getting information from the web, placing conversations
through weblogging on the web) so why use traditional exercises and assignments
in an already 21st Century atmosphere- It calls for 21st Century teaching.
4) The ways of arguing or proving points come in all shapes: billboards,
handouts from people at the Union, commercials, etc- The papers we write
nowadays need to attract the interactive learner, the visual learner,
etc.
Book:
Faigley, Lester, and
Jack Selzer. Good Reasons: with Contemporary Arguments.
Allyn and Bacon: Boston, 2001.
Schedule:
(The activities and due dates in the schedule’s table are not
set in stone.)
∑ Unit One: Jan. 14- Jan. 30. The Writing Process and What to Write
About. {Simple Persuasion Paper #1}
∑ Unit Two: Feb. 6- March 13. Using Fractured Narrative/Double-Voices/New
Research Writing. {Paper #2}
∑ Unit Three: March 25- April 29. Controversy and Definition. {Papers
#3 and #4}
∑ Portfolio: May 1, 6, and 8. Online Portfolio Creation. {Paper
#5}
Jan.
14: Intro to class, me, and your peers.
Introduce weblogs: our class weblog and expectations, student large
and small presentations.
Writing Assignment (WA#1) assigned.
What
makes a class/way of teaching controversial?
What
kind of writing is controversial? |
Jan.
16: Meet in Computer Lab?
Log into class blog, start blogging about who you are and why you
are here. List
controversial issues you want to discuss in this class.
For Tuesday, link from the class blog to an
article/web site you find that discusses a controverisal issue.WA#1
due.
Revision Activity.
Conduct revision activity. WHY is revision so important. Process
over Product? Introduce Paper #1. Create rubric and brainstorm.
Show examples. For Tuesday: Read Chapter 2
in GR. |
Jan.
21: Sticking
in Research/Citation Activity
Discuss
Chapter 2 in GR. Handout summary of Chapters 13 and 14.
How
can what others have said help out your paper? How should they be
placed in a piece of writing? How do we cite them? Show examples.
Last half of class devoted to research time
in labs or library. |
Jan.
23: The
Last of the Writing Activities?
Conduct
the last of the writing activities, for now. Talk about group presentations,
to begin in 2 weeks.
Have a rough draft for class= Hold our first peer revision in class.
|
Jan.
27- 29:
No Class- 10 Min. Writing Conferences.
Sign
up Thursday for Writing Conferences with me. Be sure to bring another
revised rough draft with you! |
Jan.
30: No Class. Paper #1 Due Jan. 31 by 5pm.
Go to class blog or my teaching
blog to get online readings and assignment for Tuesday.
Also, read Chapter 3 in GR.
|
Feb. 4:
Media: The Straight Truth?
Our everyday lives are full of persuasions. List a few in class, in
small groups, and then let's talk about them. "Use this toothpaste
and your teeth.." "This gum is recommended by 17 stupid
dentists.." Read Chapter 4 of GR for Thursday. |
Feb.
6: Introduction to Paper #2.
Talk about Paper #2. Bring in examples. Create rubric. Give some
time at end of class for research online or at the library. First
rough draft due March 6. |
Feb.
11: Student Presentation:
Please be considerate throughout all student presentations! |
Feb.
13: Student Presentation. |
Feb. 18: Student Presentation. |
Feb.
20: Student Presentation. |
Feb. 25: Student Presentation. |
Feb. 27: Student Presentation.
Read Chapter 8 for Tuesday's
discussion on Paper #3.
|
March 4: Student Presentation.
Intro. Paper #3. |
March 6: Peer Review/Revision
Day.
Bring in a rough draft to be
looked at by 3-4 peers.
|
March
10-12: No Class- Writing Conferences.
Sign
up Thursday for Writing Conferences with me. Be sure to bring another
revised rough draft with you!
|
March
13: No Class. Paper #2 Due by 5pm.
Have a Relaxing Spring Break!
Read Chapter 5 for the Tuesday
we return.
|
March
18: Spring Break |
March
20: Spring Break |
March 25: Introduction
to Paper #4, Etc.. |
March
27: Evaluation of Writing Skills so far... |
April 1: Student Presentation |
April
3: Student Presentation/ Paper #3 Due. |
April 8: Student Presenation |
April 10: Student
Presentation
|
April 15: Student Presentation |
April 17: Peer Revision/Review
of both Papers
Read Chapters 11 and 12 for
April 29.
|
April
22-25: No Class- Writing Conferences. |
April
24: No Class. |
April 29: Paper #4 Due.
Intro to Online Portfolio. |
May 1: Planning
the Portfolio/ Introduce Paper #5. |
May
6: Computer Day.
Putting your portfolio online.
Write up reflection and goals - part of portfolio. |
May
8: Computer Day: Presentations.
Take care of any final details.
Paper #5 due by Friday, May 9 at noon. |
Freewrite
Prompt
10
Tips on Writing the Living Web.
Here's
one idea you could play with (hypertext).
Chapter 1: The Heart
of the Well by Howard Rheingold.
In each essay/paper:
Persuade us. Organize your thoughts. Defend/back up yourself with other
sources and quotes. Focus on one thing at a time and make sure the writing
flows from each point to another. Have transitions in between ideas/paragraphs.
|
Basic Rules:
∑ Respect. Respect other's opinions, writing styles, and property.
How to Succeed:
1.Attend class. If this is not possible, contact me with the truth.
2.Try your hardest. Learn. Read the assigned readings. Be prepared for
class.
3.Discuss in class. Talk. Listen. Get out ideas. Get to know your peers.
Blog.
4.Hand in assignments on time. Anything that comes in 10 school days
late= 0%. (Possible grade drops 10% every school day after it is due.)
Objectives:
∑ To encourage and support students in their active learning,
quality collaboration, and critical thinking skills and activities.
∑ To allow students to develop strong reading skills, research
skills, and writing skills.
Special Needs:
I encourage students with disabilities who need accommodations in this
course to contact me as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements
can be made.
Academic Dishonesty/Plagaiarism:
In the unfortunate incident of plagiarism.."Faculty members may
fail the student for the particular assignment, test, or course involved,
or they may recommend that the student drop the course in question,
or these penalties may be varied with the gravity of the offense and
the circumstances of the particular case.
|