Study and practice of good writing; topics derived from reading and discussing stories, poems, essays, and plays. Cannot be taken if student has already received a grade of 2.0 or higher in either ENGL 111, ENGL 121, or ENGL 131.
English 111Z-Composition:Literature, "The Object of Thought" This composition course will approach the four EWP outcomes (listed below) through a variety of texts that explore the relationship between things, people, and words.
What do we think and write about? What does it mean to be "objective"? Who talks and who listens while we talk about objects in the world? How do the ways we talk and think about objects and objectivity shape us? And then how do we affect things in the world through thinking and writing?
Student learning goals
1. To demonstrate an awareness of the strategies that writers use in different writing contexts.
2. To read, analyze, and synthesize complex texts and incorporate multiple kinds of evidence purposefully in order to generate and support writing.
3. To produce complex, analytic, persuasive arguments that matter in academic contexts.
4. To develop flexible strategies for revising, editing, and proofreading writing.
General method of instruction
Class Periods: 50% writing practice/Workshop 25% discussion 25% lecture or demonstration
Class assignments and grading
Weekly reading of ~60 pgs/week, plus weekly writing assignments. There will be five 2-page essays, and 2 5-page essays assigned, plus a final portfolio introduction of about 1400 words (~4 pages).
We will read a variety of texts, likely including a short story by David Foster Wallace and one by Ursula K. Le Guin, excerpts from 18th century "it-narratives", pop-science and academic science writing, and a 2012 YA science fiction novel(Pure, by Julianna Baggott). There will also be regular readings from books about college level writing, argument, and rhetoric.
30% based on participation (including peer review, timely completion of assignments, attendance at conferences, contribution to group work and class discussion)
70% based on the final portfolio, which consists of 3 short assignments, 1 major paper, and a portfolio cover letter. (All assignments must be completed, even those not included in final portfolio.)