WRIT 102--Composition (Spring 1999)
Dr. John Bird
Office: 236 Bancroft
Phone: 323-3679
e-mail: birdj@winthrop.edu
birdj@access1.net
http://www.birdnest.org/birdj
Office Hours: 2:00-3:30 TR
5:00-6:30 T
or by appointment
DESCRIPTION:
A continuation of WRIT 101, with a focus on argumentative writing. Students will read, write, and discuss, in an effort to further develop their skill as persuasive writers and as critical thinkers.
GOALS:
To use writing and reading as means of cognitive development which foster intellectual growth in an academic environment.
To see writing as a learning tool which is important in all contexts and is not confined to the writing classroom.
To plan, organize, and develop essays based on introspection, general observation, deliberation, research, and the critical reading of mature prose texts.
To become aware of individual writing voices and how those voices can be adapted to fit different audiences and rhetorical situations.
To view writing as a process by using several prewriting, organizing, and drafting strategies.
To learn the importance of clear communication by revising effectively through the complete rethinking, restructuring, and rewriting of essays.
To encourage independent thinking.
REQUIREMENTS:
attendance and participation
five argumentative essays
final exam
ATTENDANCE: I will follow the Winthrop attendance policy, which means that seven or more absences for any reason will result in automatic failure of the course. Except for emergencies, you should not miss any classes, but if you find that you must, please let me know, beforehand if possible. More than two absences will result in a penalty. Absence on a day when a draft is due counts as two absences. Failure to have a draft on these days counts as an absence.
TEXTS:
Robert K. Miller, The Informed Argument (Brief Ed.)
Muriel Harris, Prentice Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage (3rd ed.)
POLICIES:
Conferences
You may have a conference with me at any time, either to discuss paper topics, to examine drafts, or to discuss revisions. I can meet you during my office hours, or you may make an appointment. I encourage you to have as many conferences as you would like.
Reading Assignments
Reading assignments are due as noted on the schedule below. Since critical reading is an integral part of this course, students should read very carefully, annotating the text (see Miller 62-64; handout), and thinking about questions at the end of selections. I have chosen this text because the readings are provocative and interesting, but you must read them critically in order to get the full benefit from them.
Papers
All papers must be typed (preferably on computer) and double-spaced according to MLA manuscript form (Miller 116; handout). Unless I say otherwise, you always have the option to revise a paper. All papers must be properly documented according to MLA form (or other form if the assignment calls for it). See the penalties above about failure to bring drafts or absences on draft days.
Writing Center
I encourage you to use the Writing Center as a further resource. Hours are posted at the center in Bancroft.
SYLLABUS (students are responsible for any changes):
Reading assignments are from The Informed Argument and the handbook. Read and annotate chapters carefully.
JANUARY |
|
14 R |
Introduction |
19 T |
Martin Luther King, Jr., "Letter From Birmingham Jail" (333-347); Part 1: An Introduction to Argument (1-16) |
21 R |
An Introduction to Argument (16-40); Harris (316-326) |
26 T |
Avoiding Logical Fallacies (40-46); Harris (324-326); Assignment: Bring in a page of letters to the editor from a recent newspaper. Look for examples of logical fallacies and be prepared to discuss in class. |
28 R |
Understanding Other Forms of Persuasion (46-58); Assignment: Bring in two or three full-page advertisements. Think about the forms of persuasion and possible misrepresentation used in the ads and be prepared to discuss in class. |
FEBRUARY |
|
2 T |
Part 2: Working With Sources (59-87); Part 3: A Guide to Research (89-116); Harris (229-296); (Note: This reading assignment contains many pages, but much of this will be review, and much of it is reference material for you to refer to when you write your argumentative essays. Read carefully the first few pages of Part 2; we will have exercises in class on annotating, summarizing, synthesizing, avoiding plagiarism, and documenting sources. |
4 R |
Topic One--Surfing the Web: Who Controls Information? (117-158); Jon Katz, "The Rights of Kids in the Digital Age" (117); May Kadl, "Welcome to Cyberia" (129) |
9 T |
Erik Ness, "BigBrother @cyberspace" (138); Nancy Willard, "Pornography on the Internet" (149); B.J. Nodzon, "Regulation of the Internet" (153) |
11 R |
Writing Workshop |
16 T |
Draft due |
17 W |
Paper due by 4:00 p.m. in my office |
18 R |
Topic Two--Sexual Harassment: Defining the Boundaries (159-196); Anne B. Fisher, ASexual Harassment: What to Do?@ (159); Ellen Frankel Paul, ABared Buttocks and Federal Cases@ (165) |
23 T |
Harsh Luthar and Anthony Townsend, AMan Handling@ (171); Kingsely R. Browne, ATitle VII as Censorship: Hostile-Environment Harassment and the First Amendment@ (175); Jessica Cozzens, AWhat Managers Need to Know: A Synthesis of Arguments Concerning Sexual Harassment in the Workplace@ (192) |
25 R |
Writing Workshop |
MARCH |
|
2 T |
Writing Workshop |
4 R |
Draft due |
5 F |
Paper due by 4:00 p.m. in my office |
8-12 Spring Break |
|
16 T |
Topic Three--Same-Gender Marriage: What Is a Family? (197-219); Andrew Sullivan, ASimple Equality@ (197); William J. Bennett, AAn Honorable Estate@ (199); Fenton Johnson, AWedded to an Illusion@ (201) |
18 R |
Jean Bethke Elshtain, AAccepting Limits@ (212); Dana Simonson, ASpeak Now or Forever Hold the Past@ (215) |
23 T |
Writing Workshop |
25 R |
Draft due |
26 F |
Paper due by 4:00 p.m. in my office |
30 T |
Topic Four--Immigration: Who Gets to Become an American? (220-247); Emma Lazarus, AThe New Colossus@ (220); Peter Brimelow, AA Nation of Immigrants@ (221); Denise Topolnicki, A@Making It Big in America@ (226) |
APRIL |
|
1 R |
George J. Borjas, AThe New Economics of Immigration@ (232); Janelle Anderson and Christopher J. Lovrien, AAnother Look at the Economics of Immigration@ (243) |
6 T |
Writing Workshop |
8 R |
Draft due |
9 F |
Paper due by 4:00 p.m. in my office |
13 T |
Topic Five--Some Classic Arguments (295-354); Jonathan Swift, AA Modest Proposal@ (295); Thomas Jefferson, AThe Declaration of Independence@ (303); Mary Wollstonecraft, AThe Playthings of Tyrants@ (308) |
15 R |
Margaret Sanger, AThe Cause of War@ (314); Adolf Hitler, AThe Purpose of Propaganda@ (320); Betty Friedan, AThe Importance of Work@ (347) |
20 T |
Writing Workshop |
22 R |
Draft due |
23 F |
Paper due by 4:00 p.m. in my office |
27 T |
Conclusions |
28 W |
Study Day |
TBA |
Final Exam |