Public_Spring2018CompII.docx

English 102: English Composition II

Writing and (Re)Searching the Self

Course Description: Building off the preliminary research skills gained in English 101, English 102 is a course intended to equip students with the skills necessary for intensive research work and writing that will be necessary moving forward within a collegiate career. This course's assignments will challenge you to use research, personal narrative, and argument in a variety of mediums. In addition, students will be challenged to grow during this class as a writer, listener, and student, to find their voice in academic discourse, and to be open to change and to new ideas. In addition to exploring research skills, the readings, assignments, and classroom discussion will focus on evaluating students’ identities and sense of self. We will look at how research can be used to develop nuanced understanding of our selves, our lives, and our communities. 102 is the second of a two-semester sequence required as a general education credit for all incoming students. After completing this course, students will have completed their English Composition requirements and will be ready for the academic rigors of advanced college writing

At the conclusion of this class students will be able to:

Conduct primary research utilizing research methods.
Identify, understand, participate in all aspects of the research process including: identifying a research problem and crafting viable research questions, find, evaluate, and synthesize sources, designing and conducting a research project utilizing those sources, presenting conclusions based on research.
Situate their identities, communities, and discourses within a public, cultural context.
Continue to develop critical thinking and reflection skills.
Understand and practice all elements of the writing process to develop writing skills.

Texts:

The Craft of Research, Fourth Ed. by Booth, Colomb, Williams, Bizup, and Fitzgerald

Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer

Strangers In Their Own Land by Arlie Russell Hochschild

Highly Recommended:

Everyone’s an Author by Andrea Lunsford, Michael Brody, Lisa Ede, Beverly J. Moss, Carole Clark Papper, Keith Walters. Second Edition!

Assignments: The bulk of your grade will come from 4 large assignments. Several smaller assignments will be administered as part of an overall participation grade. The prompts for each assignment will be passed out in class with details and expectations. You can find the dates that assignments will be given out and the due dates below and in the schedule.

Participation & Informal Writings

Literacy Narrative — Composing Our Literate Lives

Optional First Draft: 900-1200 words, double-spaced due Feb. 12

Final Draft: 1200-1500 words, double-spaced due Feb. 18

Profile of a Discourse Community

Optional First Draft: 900-1200 words, double-spaced due Mar. 05

Final Draft: 1200-1500 words, double-spaced due Mar. 11

Research Project (if paper)

First Draft: 1800-2400 words due Apr. 18

Final Draft: 2400-3000 words due May 7

Digital Portfolio

Final Drafts due May 6

Includes revised drafts of:

"Composing Our Literate Lives" 1200-1500 words

"Profile of a Discourse Community" 1200-1500 words

"Research Project" 2400-3000 words

"Reflective Statement" 600-900 words

Schedule: Please Note: This schedule is subject to change in the event of class cancelations, snow days, assignment extensions, etc. You will be notified well in advance if any such changes occur.

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