English 101 H2 : English Composition I
Vulnerability, Empathy, and Rhetoric
M/W/F 11:15-12:10 Cooper Street 202
Instructor: Nicholas Silcox Office Hours: ATG 464
Email: nrs108@camden.rutgers.edu M 1:00 - 2:00, F 2:30 - 3:45
Course Description: This course provides an introduction to rhetorical composition at the university level and aims to equip you with tools for posing questions and framing thought-out responses. Looking at a variety of genres and mediums, we will explore how authors analyze and argue, examining their methods and models before analyzing and arguing ourselves. The assignments in this course will ask that you be open and thoughtful, willing to challenge existing assumptions about the world, and consider other points of view with empathy and understanding. In this course, we will use the readings and writing assignments to explore how vulnerability, authentic expression, is a powerful rhetorical tool and a necessary part of writing, learning, and built into the fabric of texts. You will be challenged to grow during this class as a writer, listener and student, to find your voice in academic discourse, and to admit yourself open to change and to new ideas. 101 is the first of a two-semester sequence required as a general education credit for all incoming first-years.
At the conclusion of this class students will be able to:
1. Analyze texts and arguments.
2. Articulate positions using a variety of media and rhetorical terms.
3. Develop critical thinking skills.
4. Develop and sharpen writing skills.
5. Understand and practice all elements of the writing process.
Texts:
Everyone’s an Author by Andrea Lunsford, Michael Brody, Lisa Ede, Beverly J. Moss, Carole Clark Papper, Keith Walters. Second Edition!
Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad
The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison
Assignments: The bulk of your grade will come from 5 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
Analysis of an Artifact—Analyze This!
First Draft: 3-4 pages, double-spaced due Sept. 30
Final Draft: 4 pages, double-spaced due Oct. 7
This I (Now) Believe:
First Draft: 2 pages, double-spaced due Oct. 14
Final Draft: 2 pages double-spaced; 2:45-3:00 min. mp3 file due Oct. 21
My Take: An Open Letter to…
First Draft: 3-4 pages, double-spaced due Nov. 7
Final Draft: 3-4 pages, double-spaced due Nov. 14
To Believe That, You Would Also…
Final Draft: 2 pages, double-spaced due Nov. 21
Take Two: From Letter to Article in the Scarlet Review
First Draft: 5-8 pages, double-spaced due Dec. 5
Final Draft: 6-8 pages, double-spaced due Dec. 14
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.
Unit One:
W Sept. 7 Introduction to the course — Guidelines, Expectations, and the Syllabus;
F Sept. 9 Everyone's an Author. Introduction - Ch. 2 (p. xxv-24),
M Sept. 12 Between the World and Me section 1
Everyone's an Author. Ch. 3 (p. 25-38)
W Sept. 14 The White Man Pathology by Stephen Marche, Prompt 1
F Sept. 16 Between the World and Me section 2,
M Sept. 19 Between the World and Me Section 3,
Unit Two:
W Sept. 21 9/11: The View from the Midwest by David Foster Wallace Introduction to Analysis of Texts; "Analyze This!" Assignment Overview. Prompt 1 Due, Prompt 2
F Sept. 23 Examples of Analytical Writing; Everyone's an Author Ch 13 (p. 201-231)
Due: Topic for “Analyze This!”
M Sept. 26 Examples of Analytical Writing & Ch. 13 Cont’d
Rape, Race, and the Jogger by Leslie Jamison
W Sept. 28 Presidential Debate, Due: Prompt 2, Prompt 3
F Sept. 30 Due: Submit on Sekai 1st Draft of "Analyze This!” Bring 2 hardcopies. Peer Review Workshop.
Unit Three:
M Oct. 3 Resume Peer Review Workshop (bring edited 1st draft to class)
W Oct. 5 Everyone's an Author. Ch. 12 (p. 159-185);
F Oct. 7 "Analyze This!" Final Draft Due—Submit to Sakai and bring hard copy to class; "This I (Now) Believe" Assignment Overview;
M Oct. 10, Going to Meet The Man by James Baldwin “This I (Now) Believe” Topic Due
W Oct. 12 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl Sections (avail. on Sakai),
Going to Meet The Man by James Baldwin, Due: Prompt 3, Prompt 4
F Oct. 14 Due: Submit on Sekai 1st Draft of "This I (Now) Believe”, bring 2 hardcopies to class. Peer Review Workshop
M Oct. 17 1st Draft "This I (Now) Believe Returned; Resume Peer Review Workshop
W Oct. 19 MP3 workshop, The Ghosts of Halloween Past by Jenny Boylan
F Oct. 21 "This I (Now) Believe" Final Draft Due—Submit to Sakai, email mp3, bring hardcopy to class
Unit Four:
M Oct. 24 13 Ways Section (avail. on Sekai), Prompt 4 Due, Prompt 5
W Oct. 26 "My Take: An Open Letter to…" Assignment Overview; Everyone's an Author Ch. 11(p. 116-145)
F Oct. 28 Discussion of Various Open Letters (avail. on Sakai), Library Orientation Day*
M Oct. 31 Discussion on Topic Selection—Brainstorming; Due: Email Final Topic Selection by 5:00pm, Everyone’s An Author Ch. 17 (379–419), Due: Prompt 5, Prompt 6
W Nov. 2 Final Topic Approval/Revisal Meetings
F Nov. 4 Due: Hand in hard copy of 1st Draft of “My Take at the beginning of class; bring a second copy for pPeer Review Workshop, Prompt 8 Due
M Nov. 7 Due: Hand in hard copy of 1st Draft of "My Take" at the beginning of class; bring a second copy for Peer Review
W Nov. 9 1st Draft of "My Take" Returned; Empathy Exams (avail on sekai),
Due: Prompt 6, Prompt 7
F Nov. 11 Empathy Exams (avail on sekai), Play Depression Quest
Unit Five:
M Nov. 14 Final Draft "My Take" Due: Submit to Sakai, bring hard copy to class; "To Believe That, You Would Also…" Assignment Overview;
W Nov. 16 Listen to This American Life “The Problem We All Live With”
Part 1 & Part 2. Due: Prompt 7, Prompt 8
F Nov. 18 Bring Rough Draft "To Believe That" to class for Peer Review Workshop, M Nov. 21 Due: Final Draft "To Believe That, You Would Also…”
Submit to Sakai, bring hard copy to class
Unit Six:
W Nov. 23 "Take Two" Assignment Overview; Everyone's an Author Ch. 18
(p. 419-442), Due: Prompt 8, Prompt 9.
F Nov. 25 No Class! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
M Nov. 28 Everyone's an Author Ch. 19 (p. 445-455), Ch 27 (p. 535 - 574)
W Nov. 30 Research & Drafting Period; Bibliography Construction, Due: Prompt 9, Prompt 10
F Dec. 2 Analysis of Sample Research Essay
M Dec. 5 1st Draft of "Take Two" Due: Hand in hard copy at beginning of class; bring a second copy for Peer Review
W Dec. 7 1st Draft Conferences; Peer Review Workshop Continued, Due: Prompt 10
F Dec. 9 1st Draft conferences continued; Peer Review Workshop Continued; M Dec. 12 Empathy Exams (avail on sekai), Reflections
W Dec. 14 Final Draft "Take Two" Due: Submit to Sakai, bring hard copy to class.
Have a nice break!