Missouri Western State
University, Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism
Fall 2009
MWF 11-11:50, PW 202
Office
hours: MW
12-2, T 9-10:50/by appt. Phone:
816-271-4316
Email: mthompson14@missouriwestern.edu Mailbox: Eder 222-A
Hey, how’s it going. In this class you will study the academic argument. We will learn how the argument cannot exist without a counter-argument, why the art of compromise is so critical today, and how to conduct successful research so these arguments and counter-arguments are valid.
Graff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. “They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in
Academic Writing.” New York: W.W. Norton, 2006.
Quinn, Daniel. “Ishmael.” New York: Bantam/Turner, 1992.
Jump/flash drive[1]
An open mind/ability to examine alternative viewpoints
Assignment Overview/Grade Breakdown
You will write four main papers over the course of the semester, in addition to other informal writings you will do in and out of class. I will give you a detailed assignment sheet before we begin each task.
Argument/Counter-Argument Paper: 10%
Finding a Common Ground Paper: 10%
Annotated Bibliography: 20%
Ishmael-Related Research Paper: 25%
You will also be graded on your participation in class discussions and the three debates[2] we have scheduled for the semester.
Overall class participation: 35%[3]
Absence/Tardiness Policy
In order to improve student learning as well as to
achieve compliance with federal financial aid policies, Western has a mandatory
attendance policy for all 100- and 200-level courses for Fall 2009.
You will be given an excused absence when acting as
an official representative of the university, provided you give prior written
verification from the faculty/staff supervisor of the event.
All other absences will be deemed
unexcused. The maximum number of
unexcused absences allowed for this class before the midterms (October 12th)
is five. Thus, when you have six
unexcused absences you will be reported to the Registrar’s Office, who will automatically
withdraw you from this class. The
Financial Aid Office will reduce financial aid as appropriate.
You are responsible for all material covered
and assignments given during your absence.
If you know you are going to be absent on a particular date when an assignment is due you must turn it in ahead of time. Any work missed in class cannot be made up if the absence is unexcused.
My policy on tardiness is that it’s disrespectful.
Especially in an English class, especially in an English class that focuses on argument, communication is central. We will have a range of discussions, and I look forward to your participation. Good communication encourages community, and hopefully that is what we will form through our creative and critical discussions.
The best way to get in contact with me is through email, though calling during office hours also works pretty well. I check my email Monday through Friday. It is important you ask questions when they arise and stay in steady contact with me. Make sure your university email account is active.
Please remember Missouri Western requires all students to help maintain good conditions for teaching and learning. All students will treat their classmates, teachers, and student assistants with civility and respect, both inside and outside the classroom. Anyone who violates Missouri Western’s policy on Civility and Cooperation will be asked to leave my classroom.
Any student who has a disability should contact Missouri Western’s special needs coordinator for possible certification of special needs and expert recommendation for assistance. We can discuss class requirements.
Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors. Violations of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking credit for another’s work, falsifying documents or academic records or any other fraudulent classroom activity. Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable. If there is evidence of cheating or plagiarism, you have the burden of showing that the paper has in fact been written by you. You should keep thorough evidence of your writing processes for all papers so that you can meet this burden of proof. You will receive a grade of F (0 points) for any paper/assignment/exam that shows evidence of cheating and/or plagiarism. If you plagiarize a paper, you forfeit the right to revise that paper; if you cheat on an exam, you will not be allowed to retake the exam. Violations of academic honesty will be reported to the Provost of the designated representative on the Academic Honesty Violation Report Forms. Please see the 2007-2008 Student Handbook and Calendar for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and student due process procedure. This handbook is also available online at http://missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf.
Misc./Inspiration
·
I do not want to see or hear your cell phone, iPod,
BlackBerry, or any other electronic during class. It is disruptive to the
learning environment, not to mention a touch impolite. Keep them off and out of
the way. I reserve the right to mark you absent if you pay more attention to an
overpriced gadget as opposed to the glory of education. If, for some reason, you
need to keep your phone on during class, please see me prior to class starting.
·
If you must turn in something late, it will go down by one
letter grade for everyday the assignment is late.
·
A class learns to teach itself.
·
Don’t mistake kindness for weakness.
·
Writing is a process.
Fall
2009 Schedule for English 108
Week 1
Monday, 8.24
Agenda: Introduction to class
Homework: Purchase materials for class, listen to
This American’s Life, episode 387:
Arms Trade 2009.
Wednesday, 8.26
Agenda: Discuss radio segment, introduce first
assignment
Homework: Think of a topic, read “Hidden
Intellectualism,” pg. 142
Friday, 8.28
Agenda: Reading discussion
Homework: Prepare a proposal
Week 2
Monday, 8.31
Agenda: Proposal
due, topic
discussion
Homework: Continue working on your paper/citing
sources
Wednesday, 9.3
Agenda: MLA
Homework: Prepare a rough draft
Friday, 9.5
Agenda: Rough
draft workshop
Homework: Prepare to hand in first assignment, think
of debate topics
Week 3
Monday, 9.7
Labor Day (no classes)
Wednesday, 9.9
Agenda: First assignment due, introduce Common Ground
paper,
brainstorm/vote on
debate
topics
Homework: Think of a topic for your common ground
paper
Friday, 9.11
Agenda: Assign debate teams and topics, discuss
effective debating
Homework: Prepare for your debate
Week 4
Agenda: Proposal due, begin first debate
Homework: Prepare for your debate if you haven’t gone yet
Agenda: Continue debate
Homework: Continue working on your common ground paper/debate
Agenda: Finish debates
Homework: Continue working on your paper, read Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant”
Agenda: Discuss Orwell, root issues,
Homework: Read Obama’s “Why We Need Health Care Reform”
Agenda: Reading discussion, looking at the counter-argument
Homework: Continue working on your draft
Homework: Read
Agenda: Surprise
Homework: ?
Agenda: Surprise continued
Homework: Prepare for mid-term
Agenda: Mid-term
Homework: Prepare your rough draft
Week 8
Agenda: Proposals due, begin debates
Homework: Prepare for your debate if you haven’t gone yet
Agenda: Debate
Homework: Prepare for your debate if you haven’t gone yet
Agenda: Debate
Homework: Prepare to read Ishmael
Week 10
Agenda: Begin discussing Ishmael, themes
Homework: read first chapter
Agenda: Continue discussion on Ishmael, symbolism and metaphors
Homework: read 2-3
Friday, 10.30
Agenda: Look at possible arguments in Ishmael, introduce annotated bibliography and
final research paper
Homework: read 4-5, think of a topic to research
Week 11
Agenda: Begin watching “What Would Jesus Buy?”
Homework: read 6-7
Wednesday, 11.4
Agenda: Discussion
Homework: Have at least 3-4 sources for your annotated bib, read 10-11
Week 12
Agenda: Expectations for the end of Ishmael
Homework: Continue compiling sources for your annotated bib, read 12-13
Wednesday, 11.11
Agenda: Wrap up Ishmael
Homework: Prepare the rough draft of your annotated bib, think of debate topics
Friday, 11.13
Agenda: Rough draft workshop, brainstorm and vote on Ishmael-related debate topics
Homework: Prepare to turn in the final draft of your annotated bib.
Week 13
Monday, 11.16
Agenda: Annotated Bibliography due, assign debate topics and teams
Homework: Prepare for your debate
Wednesday, 11.18
Agenda: Proposals due, begin debates
Homework: Prepare for your debate if you haven’t gone yet
Friday, 11.20
Week 14
Homework: Prepare for your presentation
Wednesday, 11.25 - Friday, 11.27
Thanksgiving Break (no classes)
Week 15
Wednesday, 12.2
Friday, 12.4
Last Day of Classes
Week 16
[1] For a brief time in the nineties, blaming a computer for lost/corrupted work was acceptable, but it became overused and is now considered hackneyed. Save your work in several places, as this excuse will not be tolerated on due dates.
[2] If you miss a debate, you must write a 2-3 page paper in order to receive credit.
[3] Class participation includes your critical input to discussions, debates, quiz grades, preparedness for class/conferences, general alertness (read: not sleeping. I reserve the right to mark you absent if you sleep through class), contributions to group work, workshops, paying attention to your peers/me, not interrupting, not texting, exercising civility, asking questions which spark intelligent dialogue, and contributing to the greater good.