ENG101 18 American Urban Society: “College Writing Seminar” FALL 2011

2010-08-05T06:23:00.000-07:00

ENG101 18 American Urban Society: “College Writing Seminar”

Credits: 3
Meeting times/places: Main West 202. T-R 8AM to 9:15AM.
Instructor: Doug Holder
Telephone: 978-232-2873
Email: dougholder@post.harvard.edu
Office hours: Tues/Thurs 9 A.M. to 12P.M. AC 002 (Basement)

Catalog Description: This course introduces first year students to pre-writing, composing, and revising strategies. The focus of our writing will be on "Literature of the American City." The students will be expected to create well thought out papers, with thesis, logical development and convincing conclusions.

Course Objectives: On completion of ENG101 College Writing Seminar, students should be able to:
• generate ideas through critical reading and a variety of invention strategies such as questioning, journal writing in response to reading, and class deliberation
• compose thesis statements to guide the organization of substantive, coherent essays
• use evidence to structure analysis and arguments
• locate and evaluate source material in preparation for a research paper.
• understand the need for and the principles behind documenting sources, and properly cite sources in MLA, APA or Chicago style
• revise essays to achieve an introduction that will orient the reader to the subject of the essay, transitions that will guide the reader from point to point, and a conclusion that will both satisfy the reader’s need for resolution and address the importance or further implications of the essay’s main ideas
• edit essays to achieve clarity through command of standard English grammar

Required Readings:

Hacker, Diana. Rules for Writers., 6th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2009.

Holder, Doug. The Man in the Booth in the Midtown Tunnel. Somerville: Cervena Barva Press, 2008.

Lopate, Phillip. Writing New York: A Literary Anthology. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2000

Topical outline: The class will proceed with critical writing assignments (reports) to the formulation of a research paper with introductory paragraph, supporting paragraphs and a conclusion. Papers will cite sources according to MLA style. Discussions of grammar problems, clarity, critical thinking will also be addressed as the student experiences it in the writing process.

Teaching/Learning Strategies: In class discussion and timed writing. Quizzes, student groupings, homework, peer editing, papers, and reports, will be used.

Expectations

There will be readings in "Rules for Writers", "Writing New York..." and “The Man in the Booth in the Midtown Tunnel,” every week. You will be expected to make two entries of at least 250 words each week. You will be assigned in class and homework writing assignments that must be handed in promptly at due date. There will be a couple of quizzes throughout the course. If you receive a low grade on an assignment you have the option of sending me a revised paper. If you don't then you will have to stick with the lower grade. There will be two major essays: one 750 words, and the other 1250 words (the final paper). There will be a number of other small papers that will focus on different aspects of the essay. I expect all students to visit the writing center to address issues with their work. It is your responsibility to set up an appointment with me after the third class--this is a requirement of the class. Students are welcomed to meet with me whenever I have office hours--listed above.

**** The two major papers must be on time. For every class they are late they will drop a half of grade.

Evaluation Methods:
• Students should produce a combined total of 18-20 final draft pages in the course in addition to outlining, journal writing, and any other writing exercises assigned by the instructor.

• Short assignments work well when trying to help students hone certain skills or be concise. However, students ought to be required to sustain an argument and their focus over the course of a research paper, one that is a minimum of 5 pages long.

Attendance Policy: Class attendance is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. If a student misses more than 4 classes in a semester his grade can be reduced. Your attendance can affect your overall grade.

**** 1250 word paper will be 30% of grade.
**** 750 word paper will be 20% of grade.
**** Attendance, Class Participation, writing assignments, 50% of the grade.

***Academic Honesty

Plagiarism is the appropriation of someone else’s language and/or ideas without proper citation and will not be tolerated in this class. As a college student, it’s your responsibility to understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid doing it. Familiarize yourself with Endicott’s policy on academic honesty. We’ll talk a lot about how to cite sources further into the course; you can also find this information in the Diana Hacker guide, or online at: http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/

If you have any questions about the policy or how to avoid academic dishonesty, please let me know. If you attempt to plagiarize, you will receive an F for the assignment, and possibly the course, and may face further action by the college.

If you have any questions about the policy or how to avoid academic dishonesty, please let me know. If you attempt to plagiarize, you will receive an F for the assignment, and possibly the course, and may face further action by the college.

ADA Policy: If you qualify as a person with a disability, as defined in Chapter 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, you may wish to discuss the need for reasonable accommodation. If you believe you qualify, please alert me immediately after the first class.

SEMESTER SCHEDULE

CLASS SCHEDULE

Class 1-- Tues. Sept. 6, 2011
Introduction to Class.
ASSIGNMENT:
Reading: From "Writing New York..." Mambo Kings by Oscar Hijuelos.
250 word paper "What Crime Would I like to commit?"

Class 2-- Sept 8, 2011
Discussion of Reflection paper.
Discussion of Reading.

ASSIGNMENT:
Report on: Mambo Kings (250 words)
Reading: From "Writing New York..." "Black Spring" by Henry Miller
Reading: Rules for Writers. Page 1 to 9. The Writing Process.

Class 3-- Tuesday Sept 13, 2011
Discussion of reading.
In class writing assignment.

ASSIGNMENT:
Reflection paper: Black Spring
Reading from Writing New York... The Thirties by Edwin Deby
Class 4-- Thursday Sept 15, 2011`
Discussion of Reading.
Quiz on reading so far....

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading Rules for Writers 29 to 31 Revision.
Reflection Paper on Edwin Denby
Reading from Writing in New York... "Adventures Of A Novelist" by Stephen Crane

Class 5-- Tuesday Sept 20, 2011
Discussion of Reading.
Discussion of Revision process.
In class writing.

ASSIGNMENT
Reading From: Writing New York: Sense of Humor by Damon Runyon
Reading Rules for Writers 21-25. Drafting, Introduction, Conclusion, Thesis.

Class 6-- Thursday Sept 22,2011
Discussion of Reading.
Discussion of focus in papers.

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from Writing New York: "Junky" by William Burroughs. 763.
Focus paper on Runyon.

Class 7-- Tuesday Sept. 27, 2011.
Discussion of reading.
In class writing.

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading: From "Writing New York..."From the Colossus of New York"
Focus paper on "Junky"
Rules for Writers 156 to 164 Run-On-Sentences

Class 8-- Thursday Sept 29, 2011.
Discussion of Reading.
Discussion of the "Essay"

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from "Writing New York" Up to Now by Al Smith
Introductory paragraph on "From the Colossus of New York."

Class 9-- Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011
Discussion of reading.
Discussion of introductory paragraph.

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from "Writing New York..." "The Cafeteria" by Issac Singer
Introductory paragraph on Al Smith.

Class 10- Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011
Discussion of reading.
In class writing.
Assignment:
Introductory paragraph on "The Cafeteria"
Read:"The Finale at the Follies" by Edmund Wilson

Class 11-- Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011
Discussion of reading.
In class writing assignment.

ASSIGNMENT:
Read from "Writing New York..." " A Sunday Kind of Love..." by Tom Wolfe

Class 12-- Thursday Oct. 13, 2011.
Discussion of Reading...
In class writing

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from "Rules for Writers..." Review 20-25, 27-39.
Reading: From "Writing New York..." " Bartleby the Scrivener" by Herman Melville

Class 13- Tuesday Oct 18, 2011.
Quiz on Bartleby the Scrivener
Discussion of the Reading

ASSIGNMENT:

Draft on Bartleby the Scrivener

Class 14--Thursday Oct. 20, 2011
Discussion of Drafts.

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from "Writing New York..." "Crossing on the Brooklyn Ferry."

Class 15--Tues Oct. 25, 2011.
Timothy Gager.

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from "The Man in the Booth in the Midtown Tunnel" 3-30.
250 word essay on Timothy Gager.

Class 16-- Thursday Oct 27, 2011
Discussion of the reading.
Discussion of the essay.
In class writing on "The Man in the Booth in the Midtown Tunnel."

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from " The Man in the Booth..." 30 to 60.
750 word essay on Melville. A solution to Bartleby's dilemma. ( Introductory paragraph, three supporting paragraphs, conclusion)

Class 17-- Tuesday Nov. 1, 2011
Discussion of reading.
In class writing "The Man in the Booth..."

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from: " Writing New York..."
250 word essay on Theme of Man in the Booth in the Midtown Tunnel.
Read in Writing New York: " I Go Adventuring" by Helen Keller

Class 18-- Thursday, Nov.3, 2011.
Discussion of reading.
In class writing assignment.

ASSIGNMENT:
250 word essay on "I Go Adventuring"
Read: "Thoughts on Leaving New York..." by Edmund Wilson.

Class 17-- Tuesday Nov. 8, 2011
Discussion of reading.
In class writing.

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from: " Writing New York..." " When the Negro was in Vogue" by Langston Hughes
250 word focus paper on Wilson.
Bring in a proposal for final paper.

Class 18-- Thursday Nov. 10, 2011
Discussion of final paper.
In class writing.

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from "Writing New York..." "Falling Man" 1033. Don Delillo
Reading from " Rules for Writers..." Diana Hacker 435 to 71.

Class 19-- Tuesday Nov. 15, 2011
Discussion of reading
In class writing of reading.

ASSIGNMENT:
Writing New York: "Red Ribbon On A White Horse" by Anzia Yezierska

Class 20-- Thursday Nov. 17, 2011
Discussion of reading.
Quiz on reading.

ASSIGNMENT:
Topic and outline for your final paper.
Reading from Hacker. Sample paper 354 to 357. MLA paper.

Class 21-- Tuesday Nov.29,2011
Discussion of topics and outlines.
Discussion of reading.

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from "Writing New York..." "Sleepless Nights" by Elizabeth Hardwick
First draft for final paper.

Class 22-- Thursday Dec. 1, 2011
Discussion of how drafts are going...questions?
Discussion of reading.
In class writing assignment.

ASSIGNMENT
Read: "Goodbye to all that" by Joan Didion. (886)
250 word focus paper on the story.

Class 23-- Tuesday Dec. 6, 2011
Discussion of Drafts.
Discussion of Reading.

ASSIGNMENT:
Reading from "Writing New York "Hell's Kitchen." by William Carlos Williams.
2nd drafts due for classroom editing.

Class 24-- Thursday, Dec.8,2011
Discussion of reading
Discussion of citations, etc... for final paper.
In class writing.

ASSIGNMENT:

Reading from "Writing New York" "Jimmy Cannon" by Lou Stillman 896.

Hand in final paper.

Class 25-- Tuesday Dec 13,2011

Discussion of reading.
In class writing assignment.

Fond farewell.

* Syllabus subject to change.

Doug Holder ENG 101

ENG101 18 American Urban Society: “College Writing Seminar” FALL 2011