syllabus:

the library

the eng. dept. comp. site

the ndsu homepage

my assignment descriptions and the general ed. outcomes

my assessment

quotes and questions

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.

This class came from a collaboration of ideas from other T.A.s in the English department, as well as key strategies taken from everything's an argument and many writing topics occurred to me while reading Elements of Alternate Style: essays on writing and revision (Wendy Bishop, 1997). George Carlin also inspired me with his book Brain Droppings.

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. More on Rationale and Goals.

Required Book:
Lunsford, Andrea A., et. al. everything's an argument: with readings. Bedford/St. Martin's: Boston, 2001.

Other Requirements:
Time set aside to search/research on the internet (write on class blog too) as well as in the library.
Backup disks for papers.

Schedule: The activities and due dates in the schedule’s table are not set in stone. Notice: These units overlap.
∑ 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 4- April 29. Controversy and Definition. {Papers #3 and #4}
∑ Portfolio: May 1, 6, and 8. Online Portfolio Creation. {Paper #5}