ENGLISH 113

QUESTIONS OF IDENTITY                                     JACKIE BARTLEY

MW 11:00 AM                                                            DEPREE ART BUILDING

COURSE DESCRIPTION                                          X 7122 OR 392-6556

MY OFFICE HOURS:  

BOOKS YOU'LL READ AND NEED: A Writer's Reference, Diana Hacker, fifth edition; Pop. 485, Michael Perry

OTHER THINGS YOU'LL NEED:

1. 8" x 11" notebook you can divide into two sections, one for in-class and one for out-of-class writing

2. a computer you can use with ease, that you are familiar with. If you use WordPerfect and you have only a rudimentary knowledge of its workings, you owe it to yourself to go to CIT, ask for Kate Maybury and schedule an appointment or appointments with her for WordPerfect instruction.

3. a plain manila file folder for handing in your writing work. One folder usually lasts all semester. I'd buy two just in case.

4. a better thesaurus than the one that's on your word processing program. You'll need this forever; buy it now for life!

5. access to a good dictionary

WHAT THIS COURSE TRIES TO ACCOMPLISH:

1. Develop your writing skills and give you a working knowledge of the library, its computer system, and how to locate and use outside sources in your writing.

2. Develop your thinking capabilities. The college calls this "critical thinking."  I prefer to refer to it more holistically, as a combination of imagination, reflection, and logic with an awareness of personal and cultural bias.

WHAT WE'LL DO TO ACCOMPLISH THE ABOVE:

1. We'll approach writing as a process. That is, we'll write to learn what we think, not the other way around. 

2. We'll do exercises inside and outside the classroom to strengthen metaphoric as well as analytic thinking. 

3. We'll read one book by a professional writer to see how he employs the writing and research process to make discoveries about himself and others.             

4. We'll pay attention to and practice working with simple and complex grammar and mechanics. 

5. We'll try a variety of personal essays, several that will include outside sources. This will include learning how to use and credit those sources according to MLA (Modern Language Association) format.

GRADES:  We're confined by a system that demands them.  I've tried to come up with a method that gives you credit for doing what has to be done with a willingness to take some chances, but the final drafts of most papers will still be evaluated as the products they are. But remember that attendance, participation in discussion and keeping up with journal entries are ways to keep your grade high, and often determine the difference between a higher and lower grade. The weight given to each assignment will be as follows:

              Journal entries                                                 15%

              First personal essay                                                    10%

              Two shorter researched essays                                  30% (15% each)

              Evaluative essay on art                                               10%

              Final essay and presentation                                        20%

              Attendance*                                                               15%

*ATTENDANCE:  Attendance includes your presence and participation in each class session as well as three of the four Visiting Writers Series (VWS) events AND one Critical Issues Symposium (CIS) lecture. Each of these is worth four (4) points. You will be required to hand in a one-page response paper (see instruction sheet) on each reading and the CIS lecture you attend. You will also hand in three (3) one-page response papers to readings in Pop. 485 over the course of the semester.

LATE PAPER POLICY:  Because class sessions are often workshop days, it is important that your meet all deadlines, including deadlines for rough drafts. Otherwise, you won't get the full benefit of class time and you'll also fail to fulfill your responsibility to your classmates. If you are absent or come unprepared on the day of a rough draft workshop, your grade will suffer. If you do not hand in a paper on time, your grade will be lowered a full letter grade for every calendar day past the due date. For instance, an "A" paper due on a Friday will receive a "D" if handed in on the following Monday.

PLAGIARISM:  Plagiarism is clearly defined in the Hope College Handbook.  If you're uncertain about what plagiarism means, consult that book.  Penalty will depend upon the seriousness of the theft.  It may range from an "F" on the individual assignment or failure in the course to non-grade sanctions as explained in the college handbook. I'll thoroughly discuss any incidents with the responsible party(ies) before I take any action.                   

ADDITIONAL REMINDER:  You must complete all course assignments in order to pass this course.