Course Description
Welcome to English 101. This class will explore the ways in which writing helps us to think, to communicate and to create, as well as consume, the cultures that surround us. The goal of this course is to build confidence at every stage of the writing process. The course includes:
This course
is themed around our relationship to the media
as individuals, as consumers, and as citizens of millenium-bound America.
Today, we are all media experts, even if we do not describe ourselves that
way. We consume the products of the media industries constantly: the radio
or TV station that wakes us up, the newspapers or magazines we read during
the day, the music that plays while we work, or the videos playing as 'white
noise' while we relax, the TV shows we are addicted to, the sports coverage
without which life is not worth living, the movies we watch, the computer
worlds we graze, and so on. And we constantly articulate complex judgments
about these products, even if we hide those judgments under colloquial phrases
such as "I like..." or "It's boring." This course is
your chance to question exactly what the media are trying to do to you.
Course Requirements
Papers
The formal writing requirement for this course comprises three papers: one short essay ( minimum of 1000 words), one medium-length essay (minimum of 1500 words) and one research paper (minimum of 2000 words). You should keep a paper trail of your route to the final paper and submit with it all preliminary drafts, comment sheets from class workshops and any in-class writings or journal entries relevant to its development. I grade only those submissions that include this process material. All drafts and final papers should be typed and double-spaced.
Please bring all written assignments to class on the dates marked in the syllabus. One grade will be deducted for each class date the final version of a paper is late. A first draft does not mean the garbled thoughts you manage to scribble down in a panic just before class. A draft has an introduction, a developed argument supported by evidence and a conclusion. Failure to submit a draft on the due date cuts the final grade for the paper in half. Note carefully those dates on which you are asked to bring more than one copy to class.
Journal
The
writer's journal is your anchor, your home base, your refuge and your database
in this course. Take it with you wherever you are. Open it whenever an idea
strikes you. Here you should start to develop your own ideas without worrying
about spelling, grammar or what your parents or best friends would say if
they read what you had written. My goal is to help you capture in your journal
ideas, observations and experiences that might enrich your encounter with
the media's multiple worlds.
I expect a minimum of two journal entries of 150 words
or more per week. One entry should explore your reaction to one media event
that week - a television program, a new movie, a site on the internet, a
sports broadcast, etc. The second entry should cover your ideas and theories
for your research 
project as they develop
week by week. Please remember to bring journals to class. From time to time
I assign journal entries in class or ask you to respond to a reading in
your journal. I shall be looking for a willingness to think and reflect,
not for some elusive right or wrong answer. I shall read the journals every
two weeks and offer feedback on your ideas.
Class Participation
This course is a discussion and workshop class. Class participation thus counts in the final grade. I am looking for evidence that you have completed, thought about, and developed your own responses to assigned readings and writing exercises. Also important are your contributions to class and on-line discussions, assigned exercises and in-class workshops. One person's lack of preparation diminishes the class for everyone. Try to be generous to your colleagues with your time and ideas.
Grades
The course is graded as follows:-
| Paper #1 | 15% |
| Paper #2 | 20% |
| Research Project | 25% |
| Class Participation | 20% |
| Journal | 20% |
An 'A' grade indicates exceptional work. I shall look for originality of thought, sophisticated confident use of language, a rich, varied vocabulary and a minimum of typographical and grammatical errors in written work.
A 'B' grade indicates thorough, above average work. I expect original thought, fluent, coherent sentences and paragraphs, good word choices and and clear, consistent effort.
A 'C' grade indicates passing work. I look for evidence of some thought, writing I can understand easily, correct word choices and an effort to fulfill the requirements of the class.
There is no failing grade for English 101. N/C indicates that you must retake the course. The N/C grade is not entered on your transcript and does not effect your grade point average.
Conferences and Office Hours
One-to-one conferences constitute your time: bring a list of questions, a paper you want to revise, requests for research help, etc. I schedule some conferences formally but I am also available in my office every week. If you do not understand an assignment, are encountering problems with class work, or want some feedback on a new idea, please do not wait for an 'official' conference time. Drop by during office hours, or catch me after class to make an appointment. Or post a query via e-mail. Most of my enjoyment in teaching the class comes from my encounters with your ideas. I look forward to talking to you...
| Class Schedule |  |
| 25 August | Introduction to the Course |
| Assignment | Read Fan Shen, "The Classroom and the Wider Culture" Signs of Life (SL), pp. 531-540 |
| 27 August | The Writing Self |
| Assignment | Read "Virtual Culture: Signs in Cyberspace," SL, pp. 699-705. Include e-mail in your assessment. |
| 29 August | Computer Class (meet in Robinson A105) |
| Assignment | Read handouts on Paper #1 and the Research Paper. Prepare any questions for class on Wednesday. |
| 1 September | Labour Day. No Class |
| 3 September | Writing as Thinking |
| Assignment | Read Umberto Eco, "The Future of Literacy" on Reserve in the Johnson Center. |
| 5 September | Electronic GMU |
| Assignment | Read Tim O'Brien, "The Man I Killed." |
| 8 September | Journals Due Today Writer In, Reader Out |
| Assignment | As an out-of-class journal entry, take one paragraph you have already written in class or at home and rework it, consciously choosing language to enrich your audiences responses. Read Little Brown, pp. 101-102. |
| 10 September | Letting Go |
| Assignment | Read Amy Buckman, "Christmas Unplugged," SL, pp. 727-729 and Lynnell Hancock, "The Haves and Have-Nots," pp. 748-752. Respond to Q2 of Reading the Signs, p. 729, in your journal. |
| 12 September | Neophyte Internet |
| Assignment | Complete first draft of paper #1. Bring three copies to class. Do not expect to use class time to photocopy your paper. |
| 15 September | First Draft of Paper #1 due today Responses |
| Assignment | Work on Paper #1 |
| 17 September | Responses II |
| Assignment | Read Thomas Hine, "What's in a Package?" SL. pp. 46-55. In your journal apply Hine's ideas to a package in your home or respond to Q3 of Reading the Signs, p. 55. |
| 19 September | Packcaging (Words) |
| Assignment | Complete written proposal for Research Project (minimum 150 words) |
| 22 September | Proposal for Research Project due. Journals due. Packaging II |
| Assignment | Read Sonia Maasik and Jack Solomon, "Popular Signs" SL, pp. 1-18 |
| 24 September | Sign Language |
| Assignment | Read Maasik and Solomon, "The Culture of American Consumption," SL, pp. 21 -30. Respond to Exploring the Signs..." on p.23 |
| 26 September | Voice |
| Assignment | Read through your draft of Paper #1. How strong or individual is your voice? As you complete the final version, try to project your voice through your words on paper. Final draft of paper #1 due on Monday. |
| 29 September | Final Draft of Paper #1 due |
| Assignment | Read Jack Solomon, "Masters of Desire: The Culture of American Advertising," SL, pp. 120-133. Before next Monday carry out Q2 in Reading the Signs in your journal. |
| 1 October | Detail -> Evidence |
| Assignment | Read your assigned essay from the GMU Review. Respond to the questions on evidence for the essay you are reading. |
| 3 October | Structure |
| Assignment | Read Leslie Savan, "Generation X Force" SL, pp. 134-137 and Walter Kirn, "Twentysomethings," pp. 214-216. Note in your journal how you react when you hear the Gen. X or Gen. neXt label applied to adults your age. |
| 6 October | Journals Due |
| Assignment | Read Diane Berthel, "A Gentleman and a Consumer" SL, pp. 144-154. Find a TV or print ad. that conforms to Bethel's analysis or one that contradicts it. |
| 8 October | A Man and A Woman |
| Assignment | Read "Cheap Thrills" SL, pp. 189-199 and Susan Douglas, "Signs of Intelligent Life on TV" SL, pp. 200-204. |
| 10 October | Blues and Reality |
| Assignment | By next Wednesday, you should have watched the episodes of the X-Files and ER on reserve in the Johnson Center. In your journal, note how Susan Douglas' theories might apply to them. What is your analysis of the way male and female characters are portrayed? What relationships do the ads. have to the shows. |
| 13 October | Columbus Day. No Class. |
| 15 October | Reality Checks |
| Assignment | Read Lawrence K. Grossman, "Keypad Democracy" SL, pp. 752-759 |
| 17 October | Internet Evaluation |
| Assignment | Begin Media Log. See handout for guidance |
| 20 October | First Draft of Paper #2 due today. Journals due. Creative Responses |
| Assignment | Continue Media Log |
| 22 October | Seducing the Audience |
| Assignment | Continue Media Log. Read Josh Ozersky, "TV's Anti-Families: Married with Malaise SL, pp. 205-213 and watch the episode of The Simpsons on reserve by next Monday |
| 24 October | Internet Evaluation II |
| Assignment | Analyze your own media consumption. See handout for guidance. This exercise counts as your 'weekly response to a media event" journal entry. Read Erika Schneider, "Michelangelo's Influence: An Understatement" GMU Review, pp. 21-26 |
| 27 October | Reality Rules |
| Assignment | Make a list of those areas where you need to find expert opinion to further your analysis in your research project |
| 29 October | Library Class. Room TBA |
| Assignment | TBA |
| 31 October | Hypertext/Printed Text |
| Assignment | Complete Final Draft of paper #2. Examine particularly your verb choices. Eliminate weak verbs and replace them with the appropriate dynamic verbs. |
| 3 November | Final Draft of Paper #2 due. Journals due. Note-taking and Notation |
| Assignment | Read Benjamin DeMott, "Put on a Happy Face" SL, pp. 295-305. note in your journal your response to 2 or Q3 in Reading the Signs. |
| 5 November | Behind the Smile |
| Assignment | TBA |
| 7 November | Scripting Hypertext (the mechanics) |
| Assignment | Read Jessica Hagendorn, "Asian Women in Film: No Joy, No Luck" SL, pp. 306-313. Respond to Q2 in Reading the Signs as an individual |
| 10 November | Private Experience, Public Communication |
| Assignment | TBA |
| 12 November | Taking Control |
| Assignment | Read Andy Medhurst, "Batman, Deviance and Camp" SL, pp. 358-374. Respond to Q4 in REading the Text. Do you possess any character from TV, movies or books in the way Medhurst possesses Batman? |
| 14 November | Scripting Hypertext (the practice) |
| Assignment | Work on Research Paper. Bring your questions and notes to class on Monday |
| 17 November | Journals due New Angles, New Focus |
| Assignment | Examine the conclusion of three of the essays we have read this semester. How would you describe the closing technique of each? Which do you like best and why? |
| 19 November | The Finale |
| Assignment | Complete First Draft of Reserach project |
| 21 November | First Draft of Research Project Due Scripting Hypertext (the practice) |
| Assignment | In your journal undertake a thorough assessment of the strengths and weaknesses you discern in your research paper (at least 150 words). Bring to your conference next week. |
| 24 November | No Class. Conferences on Research Papers |
| Assignment | (throughout the week) a THOROUGH revision of the research paper |
| 26 November | No Class. Conferences on Research Papers |
| 28 November | No Class. Thanksgiving |
| 1 December | Journals Due Internet/Hypertext presentations |
| 3 December | Internet/Hypertext presentations |
| 5 December | Final Draft of Research Paper due Tips for the Future |
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