ENGL 133W : Topics: Why We Write

[Pages:10]Effective: Late Fall 8-Week, 2021/2022

ENGL 133W : Topics: Why We Write

Location: Evening Address:1001 Rogers Street Columbia, MO 65216 Section: 21FALL2/ENGL/133W/AEV Semester Credit Hours:3 Class Day(s) and Time(s):Thursday 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM from October 25, 2021 to December 18, 2021

Syllabus Contents

Course Information Textbooks Technology Requirements Course Learning Outcomes Grading Schedule of Due Dates Assignment Overview Course Outline Additional Resources Columbia College Policies & Procedures

Course Information

Catalog Description

The First-year Writing Seminar provides an intensive introduction to college-level writing. Although topics differ among sections, the course is designed to teach all students the process required for producing polished, argumentative, researched essays. Students will engage with complex texts and diverse viewpoints while articulating their own positions and identities.

Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in ENGL 107 or EAPP 107 or placement by ACT English Score or by SAT Writing Score. Online or nationwide students may take the Columbia College English placement exam. Students whose ACT English Score is from 18 to 29 or whose SAT Writing and Language Score is from 25 to 40 (430 to 800 for Writing Section prior to spring 2016) will be placed in the FWS. Online or nationwide students who score 75% or higher on the English placement exam will be placed in the FWS.

Textbooks

As part of Truition?, students will receive their course materials automatically as described below.

Cohen, Samuel . (2020). 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology (6th). MacMillan Higher Education. eText Palmquist, M. . (2020). In Conversation: A Writer's Guidebook (2nd). MacMillan Higher Education. eText

Bookstore Information

Visit for details. Recommended texts are not included in the Truition?, No Book Costs, model. Students are responsible for purchasing their own recommended text if they desire to have it for class. Recommended eTexts are available for purchase directly from .

eText Information If a course uses an eText, (see textbook information above) the book will be available directly in Desire2Learn (D2L) seven days before the session begins, if registered for courses prior to that date. Upon first login to VitalSource, students should use their CougarMail email address; alternate email addresses cannot be used. More information about how to use the VitalSource platform, including offline access to eTexts, can be found in D2L. Physical Course Materials Information Students enrolled in courses that require physical materials will receive these materials automatically at the shipping address on file with Columbia College. Delivery date of physical materials is dependent on registration date and shipping location. Please refer to confirmation emails sent from Columbia College for more details on shipping status. Returns: Students who drop a class are responsible for returning any physical course materials that were shipped. To initiate a return, visit Ingram Returns to generate a pre-paid return label. Materials from dropped courses must be returned within 30-days of receipt. Failure to return physical items from a dropped course will result in a charge to the student account for all unreturned items. Note: Students who opt-out of having their books provided as part of Truition? are responsible for purchasing their own course materials.

Technology Requirements

THIS IS ATECHNOLOGY-ENRICHED COURSE WHICH COMBINES IN-SEAT INSTRUCTION WITH ONLINE LEARNING. Participation in this course will require the basic technology for all classes at Columbia College:

Computer with reliable internet access, broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE) Speakers and a microphone ? built-in or USB plug-in, wireless Bluetooth, or Smartphone A webcam or HD webcam ? built-in, USB plug-in, or Smartphone A web browser, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox preferred Acrobat Reader Microsoft Office or another word processor such as Open Office For more information, see technical requirements.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze texts relevant to the course topic.

2. Write organized and well-supported argumentative essays related to the course topic.

3. Utilize the process of college-level academic writing, including exploratory writing, drafting, and revision.

4. Write correct and polished sentences, paragraphs, and essays about the course topic.

5. Incorporate appropriate research responsibly and effectively into a college-level essay.

6. Demonstrate, through discussion and writing, an ability to negotiate complexities and opposing views.

7. Articulate a sense of personal identity in relation to the course topic.

Grading

Grading Scale

Grade A B C D F

Points 900 - 1000 800 - 899 700 - 799 600 - 699 0 - 599

Grade Weights

Assignment Category

Points

Online Learning Activity (Discussions) (8) 160

Paper 1 Ethical Dilemma

100

Paper 2 Textual Analysis

160

Paper 3 Opinion-Centered Research 200

Paper

Drafting and Writing Workshops (3)

60

In-Class Assignments (5)

50

Quizzes (6)

120

Final Exam

150

Total

1000

Schedule of Due Dates

Week 1

Assignment Online Discussion 1 In-Class Activity 1 Quiz 1

Points 20 10 20

Week 2

Assignment Online Discussion 2 In-Class Activity 2 Quiz

Points 20 10 20

Week 3

Assignment

Points

Online Discussion 3

20

Paper 1 Rough Draft Writing Workshop 20

Paper 1 Final Draft

100

Quiz 3

20

Week 4

Assignment Online Discussion 4 In-Class Activity 3 Quiz 4

Points 20 10 20

Week 5

Assignment

Points

Online Discussion 5

20

Paper 2 Rough Draft Writing Workshop 20

Percent 90-100% 80-89% 70-79% 60-69% 0-59%

Percent 16% 10% 16% 20%

6% 5% 12% 15% 100%

Due Wednesday/Sunday During class TBD

Due Wednesday/Sunday During class TBD

Due Wednesday/Sunday Before class Sunday TBD

Due Wednesday/Sunday During class TBD

Due Wednesday/Sunday Before class

Assignment Paper 2 Final Draft

Points 160

Week 6

Assignment Online Discussion 6 In-Class Activity 4 Quiz 5

Points 20 10 20

Week 7

Assignment

Points

Online Discussion 7

20

Paper 3 Rough Draft Writing Workshop 20

Paper 3 Final Draft

200

Quiz 6

20

Week 8

Assignment Online Discussion 8 In-Class Activity 5 Final Exam

Points 20 10 150

Total Points: 1000

Due Sunday

Due Wednesday/Sunday During class TBD

Due Wednesday/Sunday Before class Sunday TBD

Due Wednesday/Saturday During class During class

Assignment Overview

Instructional Materials

In most weeks, you will read several short sections from In Conversation and 2-3 essays from 50 Essays.

Required readings are listed in the Instructional Materials topics in the course Content area.

Online Discussions

Weekly discussion questions reinforce the communication skills you are learning in class. Since these assignments are designed to extend the discussion outside of the classroom, the timeliness of your posts is essential to keeping the group conversation moving forward.

There are 8 online Discussions. For each Discussion, write one initial post of no less than 200 words and at least two responses to classmates of no less than 100 words each.

Initial posts should be submitted by 11:59 PM, Wednesdays and the two responses should be completed by 11:59 PM, Sundays (Saturday of Week 8). Each initial post is worth 15 points and the two responses to classmates are worth 2.5 points apiece.

Writing should be free of grammatical and mechanical errors. Provide parenthetical citations for any direct quotations or paraphrases. Cite sources using MLA format.

Papers

There will be a total of three formal papers. Rough drafts must be submitted via the course Dropbox before class on the week they are due. Be prepared to share your work in the writing workshops. Then, after having an opportunity to incorporate the advice of your classmates and instructor, submit the revised essay at the end of the week, again, via the course Dropbox. All essays should be written in Microsoft Word following MLA format (See In Conversation 394-401).

Paper 1 should be at least 500 words and is worth 100 points. The topic will be determined by the instructor. Paper 2 should be greater than 750 words and is worth 160 points. In it, you will closely analyze one or more of the essays from the anthology. Specifics will be determined by the instructor. Paper 3 is worth 200 points and will involve research and incorporate secondary sources and citations. The opinioncentered research paper should be at least four pages or 1,000 words. Be sure to support your opinions with information from your sources. Topic parameters will be determined by the instructor.

Drafting and Writing Workshops

This course emphasizes the writing process. You will read your own writing with an aggressively critical eye and work collaboratively to improve each other's writing.

Rough drafts of each formal paper should be submitted via the course Dropbox prior to the start of class on the week they are due. You will earn up to 10 points for submitting a rough draft on time. To earn the other 10 points, you must be present in class to conference and peer edit your classmates' drafts.

In-Class Assignments

There will be occasional in-class activities with points awarded to encourage in-class engagement. These assignments are scheduled on weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8--weeks without peer conferencing sessions. The nature of these ten-point assignments are at the discretion of individual instructors and may vary by course.

Quizzes

Quizzes will cover the weekly reading assignments. They may be short answer, short essay, or a combination of the two. There are 6 Quizzes; each is worth 20 points.

Final Exam

The Final Exam in Week 8 will be cumulative. It will consist of both short answer and essay questions requiring responses totaling no less than 500 words. The exam is worth 150 points.

Course Outline

Click on each week to view details about the activities scheduled for that week.

Week 1: Why We Read

Readings 50 Essays:

Samuel Cohen, "Introduction for Students" (p. 1-14) Frederick Douglass, "Learning to Read and Write" Stephen King, "Reading to Write" In Conversation: Chapters 3.1-3.3, 10.1-10.3, 16.1-16.2 Online Discussion 1 Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 pm on Wednesday. A minimum of two response posts are due by 11:59 pm Sunday. In-Class Activity 1 Your instructor will provide details on this assignment. Quiz 1 Complete this Quiz over Week 1 material.

Week 2: Ethical Reasoning

Readings 50 Essays:

George Orwell, "Shooting an Elephant" Jonathan Swift, "A Modest Proposal" Dave Zirin, "Pre-Game" In Conversation: Chapters 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 4.1, 11.1-11.2 Online Discussion 2

Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 pm on Wednesday. A minimum of two response posts are due by 11:59 pm Sunday. In-Class Activity 2 Your instructor will provide details on this assignment. Quiz Complete this Quiz over Week 2 material.

Week 3: Global Experience

Readings 50 Essays:

Gloria Anzald?a, "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" Judith Ortiz Cofer, "The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria" Amy Tan, "Mother Tongue" In Conversation: Chapters 1.4, 13.1-13.2, 14.1-14.5, 15.1-15.8, 17.1-17.2, 18.1-18.2, 19.1-19.2 Online Discussion 3 Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 pm on Wednesday. A minimum of two response posts are due by 11:59 pm Sunday. Paper 1 Rough Draft Writing Workshop Submit your rough draft of Paper 1 to its respective course Dropbox before class. (10 points) You will workshop your rough draft with peers in class. (10 points). Paper 1 Final Draft The topic of this Paper will be determined by your instructor. Submit the Final Draft of Paper 1 to its respective Dropbox.

Quiz 3 Complete this Quiz over Week 3 material.

Week 4: Human Experience

Readings 50 Essays:

Lars Eighner, "On Dumpster Diving" Langston Hughes, "Salvation" David Sedaris, "I Like Guys" In Conversation: Chapters 4.4-4.8, 20.1-20.3, 21.1-21.4, 22.1-22.2, 23.1-23.5, 24.1-24.2 Online Discussion 4 Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 pm on Wednesday. A minimum of two response posts are due by 11:59 pm Sunday. In-Class Activity 3 Your instructor will provide details on this assignment. Quiz 4 Complete this Quiz over Week 4 material.

Week 5: Environmental Stewardship

Readings 50 Essays:

Eli Clare, "Clearcut: Explaining the Distance" Verlyn Klinkenborg, "Our Vanishing Night" In Conversation: Chapters 1.4, 6.1-6.3, 7.1-7.3, 8.1-8.3, 9.1-9.6 Online Discussion 5 Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 pm on Wednesday. A minimum of two response posts are due by 11:59 pm Sunday. Paper 2 Rough Draft Writing Workshop Submit your rough draft of Paper 2 to its respective course Dropbox before class. (10 points) You will workshop your rough draft with peers in class. (10 points). Paper 2 Final Draft In Paper 2, you will closely analyze one or more of the essays from 50 Essays. Specifics will be determined by your instructor. Submit the Final Draft of Paper 2 to its respective Dropbox.

Week 6: Civil Engagement

Readings 50 Essays:

Brent Staples, "Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Spaces" Thomas Jefferson, "The Declaration of Independence" Audre Lorde, "The Fourth of July" In Conversation: Chapters 4.2-4.3, 10.1-10.3, 18.1-18.2, 19.1-19.2, 30.1-30.2 Online Discussion 6 Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 pm on Wednesday. A minimum of two response posts are due by 11:59 pm Sunday. In-Class Activity 4 Your instructor will provide details on this assignment. Quiz 5 Complete this Quiz over Weeks 5 and 6 material. Course Evaluation Please evaluate the course. You will have an opportunity to evaluate the course near the end of the session. A link sent to your CougarMail will allow you to access the evaluation. Please note that these evaluations are provided so that I can improve the course, find out what students perceive to be its strengths and weaknesses, and in general assess the success of the course. Please do take the time to fill this out.

Week 7: Reasoning in Mathematics and Science

Readings 50 Essays:

Carl Sagan, "Does Truth Matter?" Hanya Yanagihara, "A Pet Tortoise Who Will Outlive Us All" In Conversation: Chapters 25.1-25.3, 26.1-26.3, 27.1-27.5 Online Discussion 7 Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 pm on Wednesday. A minimum of two response posts are due by 11:59 pm Sunday. Paper 3 Rough Draft Writing Workshop

Submit your rough draft of Paper 3 to its respective course Dropbox before class. (10 points) You will workshop your rough draft with peers in class. (10 points).

Paper 3 Final Draft This Paper will involve research and incorporate secondary sources and citations. Your instructor will provide full details. Submit the Final Draft of Paper 3 to its respective Dropbox.

Quiz 6 Complete this Quiz over Week 7 material.

Week 8: Creative Thinking and Communication

Readings 50 Essays:

1. Danny Chau, "The Burning Desire for Hot Chicken" 2. Jonathan Gold, "What Is a Burrito? A Primer" In Conversation:

Chapters 28.1-28.5, 29.1-29.4 Online Discussion 8 Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 pm on Wednesday. A minimum of two response posts are due by 11:59 pm Saturday. In-Class Activity 5 Your instructor will provide details on this assignment. Final Exam Complete the Final Exam. It is comprehensive, covering all course material. It will consist of short answer and essay questions.

Additional Resources

Online databases are available at is.edu. You may access them using your CougarTrack login and password when prompted.

Technical Support

If you have problems accessing the course or posting your assignments, contact your instructor, the Columbia College Technology Solutions Center, or the D2L Helpdesk for assistance. If you have technical problems with the VitalSource eText reader, please contact VitalSource. Contact information is also available within the online course environment.

Columbia College Technology Solutions Center: CCHelpDesk@ccis.edu, 800-231-2391 ex. 4357 D2L Helpdesk: helpdesk@, 877-325-7778 VitalSource: support@, 1-855-200-4146

Online Tutoring

Smarthinking is a free online tutoring service available to all Columbia College students. Smarthinking provides real-time online tutoring and homework help for Math, English, and Writing. Smarthinking also provides access to live tutorials in writing and math, as well as a full range of study resources, including writing manuals, sample problems, and study skills manuals. You can access the service from wherever you have a connection to the Internet. I encourage you to take advantage of this free service provided by the college. Access Smarthinking through CougarTrack at Students -> Academics -> Resources.

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