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English 10600: First-Year CompositionWriting about Writing

Anthony SuttonCourse Information

Office: HEAV 408Fall 2014

Email: sutton32@purdue.eduMonday-Friday, 1:30-2:20

Office Hours: Tuesday 11:00 AM-Noon or by AppointmentCourse site: Blackboard

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday

ConferenceHEAV 225ENGL 10600-796CRN 57726Computer LabBEERING B280ENGL 10600-781CRN 57710ClassroomHEAV 109ENGL 10600-781CRN 57710Conference HEAV 223ENGL 10600-796CRN 57725ClassroomHEAV 109ENGL 10600-781CRN 57710

Course DescriptionWelcome to English 106, the first-year composition course at Purdue. This semester our focus will be Writing about Writing. This means that in addition to the making pieces of writing, the class will also be a place for us to talk about the act of writing. At the center of our class are three questions: what is writing? what makes someone a writer? and how we can use these answers to our advantage? We will be thinking and writing about the way that language/writing works not only for communities, but for us as individuals. In exploring these topics, we will also develop strategies to improve our own writing.

Well be working in three different spaces this semestera traditional classroom, a conference room, and a computer classroom. Well be using each space regularly and let the spaces open new possibilities for us to engage the course content and the writing we create.

Course GoalsAs we progress through the semester, our goal will be to practice the following: (1) developing rhetorical knowledge, (2) exercising critical thinking, reading, and writing, (3) engaging in writing processes, (4) acquiring a knowledge of conventions, and (5) composing with technology.

In each unit, and possibly each day, well utilize these five goals. However, meeting the goals requires that you not only complete the writing projects but also that you engage in class activities and reading assignments. For this reason, youll find that your attendance in class and your daily reading/writing assignments may be emphasized in this class in a way that is different from your other courses. Its important to remember that meeting our course goals isnt just about turning in good papers, its about expanding our skills and knowledge base beyond what it is now.

Required TextsBullock, Richard. The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Handbook. 3rd Ed. New York: Norton, 2013. Print. ISBN: 978-0-393-91958-5*Available at University Bookstore or Follets

Blackmon, Samantha, Linda Haynes, and Laurie A. Pinkert. Composing Yourself: A Student Guide to Introductory Composition at Purdue 2014-2015. Southlake, TX: Fountainhead Press, 2013. Print. ISBN: 978-1-59871-858-4*Available only at University Bookstore on the corner of Grant and State St.

Additional readings will be posted to Blackboard. You are expected to have all assigned readings available on the day they are due, whether in hard copy or electronic form.

Assignments You will complete four major projects over the course of the semester, many of which will include multiple parts, involve composing in various mediums, and require revisions. You will also write responses on a regular basis that critically respond to assigned readings, each of which is due before class the day that we discuss that reading.

The grade weights for each project break down like this:

Project 1: Literacy Narrative20%Project 2: Discourse Communities20%Project 3: Remediated Project20%Project 4: Portfolio25%Participation 15%

Participation

There are several ways in which participation will be considered in this class. Throughout the semester there will be many opportunities to participate in the form of (1) in-class discussions, (2) keeping up with reader responses, and (3) submitting and commenting on drafts in peer-review sessions. Additionally, you will be required to do 3-5 minute presentations twice this semester: first a presentation on a portion of a reading from The Norton Field Guide and then a presentation of your final portfolio at the end of the semester.

You will also be required to present twice this semester. You first presentation will be on a section of a Norton Field Guide reading. These presentations are informal and should serve as overviews and the readings and as discussion starters for the class. Because the chapters in The NFG tend to cover a broad range of subjects, multiple students will present on the same day. Whether presentations are done individually or collaboratively are up to the presenters. The second presentation you will do will be over your final portfolio.

ConferencesYou are already scheduled to meet with me on either Monday or Thursday in Heavilon 223 or 225. During the first week, we will acclimate ourselves to the room and discuss how well best utilize the space. I have scheduled this time so that you will meet with me in small groups; these are your writing groups. Well use our time in writing group to share our successes and issues in the writing process each week and give close attention to each others work. The schedule will be posted on Blackboard, and it is your responsibility to look up when you should arrive. Well use blackboard to upload drafts, so you will be expected to (1) have access to drafts and (2) comment on each draft before we begin your writing group. If you do not bring what is expected or are late to your appointment time, I will count you absent.

PoliciesAccessibilityPurdue University is committed to ensuring all students can fully participate in its programs. If you have a disability that requires special academic accommodation, please make an appointment to speak with me within the first three (3) weeks of the semester in order to discuss any adjustments. It is important that we talk about this at the beginning of the semester. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Disability Resource Center (http://www.purdue.edu/drc) of an impairment/condition that may require accommodations and/or classroom modifications. More broadly, I assume that all of us learn in different ways, so please talk to me as soon as possible about your learning needs and how this class can accommodate them.

Academic Integrity and PlagiarismPlagiarism may include not only intentional forms of cheating such as buying or stealing an entire paper, copying large segments of text without attribution, fabricating a source, or hiring someone else to write an assignment for you. It may also include less blatant actions such as following a sources language too closely when paraphrasing or failing to clearly indicate what material came from which source.

Instances of plagiarism may result in a grade reduction on the assignment (including earning a zero on it) and/or a referral to the Dean of Students. We will discuss appropriate conventions for using and citing sources in class, and I encourage you to ask me questions on this topic at any point this semester.

GradingGrades on all projects follow the +/- letter grade system, and final grades are tabulated thusly:

A = 95-100%C+ = 77-79%A- = 90-94%C = 73-76%B+ = 87-89%C- = 70-72%B = 83-86%D+ = 67-69%B- = 80-82%D = 63-66%D- = 60-62%F = 0-59%

Drafts and CommentsIn the last two weeks of each unit, we will use the conferences as a space to peer-review drafts. You will need to upload your draft onto the blackboard shell for me and your conference group to access and comment on beforehand. This means that you will need to upload your draft early enough for everyone to read. In conference group we will decide what an appropriate time to upload drafts will be, and what is appropriate may differ between different groups. On the Friday after conferences have peer-reviewed, well have an additional peer-review session as a class where you will talk about your draft with another student one-on-one. Additionally, the final lab day of each unit will be a designated open work-day. In the time we are working on drafts, there will be no reader responses due, but this will be when the majority of presentations occur.

You will receive comments from me on the draft you peer-review in conferences, and on your graded drafts I will only include a holistic comment and your grade. However, I am more than willing to address any questions about grades and provide further feedback via in-person meetings in my office. If you decide to meet with me in my office for that purpose, I ask that you bring a physical copy of the graded assignment with you.

Writing LabWhile I am not awarding extra-credit for going to the Writing Lab, I encourage all students to use the Writing Lab as a resource. Students frequently find that the writing lab helps them develop their ideas in way that lead to significantly better papers. For more information about the writing lab, or to make an appointment, visit https://owl.english.purdue.edu/writinglab/index.php or call 765-494-3723.

AttendanceThis class requires you to participate in discussions and writing activities. For the course to be a success, everyone's participation is necessary. For that reason, attendance is required. You will be allowed 4 absences; for each absence after 4, your final grade will be reduced by 1/3 of a letter (for example, from an A- to a B+). Conference attendance is also mandatory; if you miss your conference, it will count it as an absence. I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences, except in cases of documentable Purdue business or extreme circumstances (see Grief Absence Policy in Composing Yourself).

Late WorkI will count off a letter grade for each day your work is late unless you make arrangements with me prior to the due date. Problems can arise, but the key to their successful resolution is communication. Keep me informed; avoid simply not showing up.

RevisionsYou may revise any of your papers from the first three units after you receive your initial grade on the condition that you meet with me beforehand to discuss your draft. Keep in mind that a revision is a substantial reworking of the project, not just a correction of my markings. Turn in all revisions with the original graded version.

TechnologyYou will regularly use Blackboard to submit assignments, including drafts of projects and reading responses. I will make important announcements over the class e-mail list, so you are expected to check your @purdue.edu account regularly. For that reason, you should inform me immediately if you are having trouble receiving my messages.

In addition, I will not tolerate personal use of mobile devices, including texting, during class. You may bring a computer to class, but you may not use your own devices or classroom computers for personal purposes. Violators of this policy may be asked to leave and counted absent. Recurring violations will result in a reduction of your participation grade.

Finally, because social media are an important part of business as well as this course, you may be asked to establish or develop a public media presence for credit. If you have objections to these requirements, I am willing to work with you to craft an alternative assignment, but it is your responsibility to contact me with these concerns before assignments are due.

EmergenciesPurdue Universitys emergency is as follows:

In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or other circumstances beyond the instructors control. Relevant changes to this course will be posted onto the course website or can be obtained by contacting the instructors or TAs via email or phone. You are expected to read your @purdue.edu email on a frequent basis.

For more information about Emergency Preparedness, see http://www.purdue.edu/ehps/emergency_preparedness/

Course Calendar

Week 1: Jan. 12-16Introduction to Course and course conceptsDidion, Why I Write

Week 2: Jan. 19-23MLK DAYNo class Mon.Didion Cont.Brandt, Sponsors of LiteracyLiteracy Narrative

Week 3: Jan. 26-30Alexie Superman and MeMalcolm X, Learning to read Lopate, On Necessity

Week 4: Feb. 2-6NFG, Chapters 37, 38, 40Peer ReviewProj. 1 due

Week 5: Feb. 9-13Introduction to Discourse Communities and Project 2MultiliteraciesSwales, The Concept of Discourse CommunityMirabelli, Learning to Serve

Week 6: Feb. 16-20Primary Research Methods & EthicsRefining Research QuestionsSelected readings on survey methods

Week 7: Feb. 23-27Introduction to DatabasesCARS Model for Research IntroductionsDeveloping and Reporting ResearchBranick, Coaches Can Read, Too

Week 8: March 2-6Visualizing ResultsOrganizing DataNFG, Chapters 43 and 44

Week 9: March 9-13Writing ReflectionsProject PresentationsNFG, Chapters 31, 33, and 54Peer ReviewProj. 2 due

Week 10: March 16-20 SPRING BREAK, no class.

Week 11: March 23-27Introduction to Remediation and Project 3Choosing Content and AudienceReading on Design PlansProject 2 Final Due

Week 12: March 30-Apr. 3Considering Medium & GenreGlobal RevisionProject 3 Design Plan due

Week 13: Apr. 6-10Work DayNo class April 8-10, AWP conference

Week 14: Apr. 13-17 NFG on Rhetorical Situations pt 1.Peer ReviewProject 3 Final Due

Week 15: Apr. 20-24NFG on Rhetorical Situations pt 2.Continuation of Revision and Intro to PortfolioReading Research Writing and Multiple Lenses

Week 16: Apr. 27-May. 1Writing styleLanham, Wheres the Action? Portfolio presentationsCourse reflections

This syllabus is subject to change. Students will be notified on the course website or by email of changes made to the policies or syllabus.

[Type text][Type text][Type text]Anthony Sutton | English 106 | Fall 2014