English 114B: Approaches to University Writing B

Spring 2016 Syllabus*

Instructor: Rachel Dulaney
Ticket # 14144
Class Time: M/W 11:00am-12:15pm
Class Location: JR 354

Office Location: SH 405

Office Hours: W 3:30-4:30 or by appt.
Phone: 818-677-6891
Email: rachel.dulaney.56@my.csun.edu

Required Texts:

The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Handbook 3rd Edition, by Richard Bullock
and Francine Weinberg, 2013, W. W. Norton and Company, ISBN: 9780393919585

They Say, I Say 3rd Edition (no readings), by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, 2013,
W. W. Norton and Company, ISBN: 8601401247128

Wings, by CSUN, 2015, Hayden McNeil\

Recommended Texts:

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th Edition, by MLA, MLA of America, ISBN
1603290249

21st Century Dead: A Zombie Anthology, Edited by Christopher Golden, 2012, St. Martins Griffin, ISBN
9780312605841

Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse, Edited by John Joseph Adams, 2008, Night Shade Books, ISBN
9781597801058

Required Materials:

Flash Drive (Highly Recommended)

Microsoft Word
2 Green Books
Composition Notebook
Large Binder/Notebook for taking notes
Active CSUN Email
Daily Computer Access with Reliable Internet
Ample supply of pens
Three different color highlighters
Plenty of loose-leaf college ruled paper (or a notebook of it that youre willing to rip paper out of)

Course Description:
Expository prose writing with a focus on both content and form. Specific emphases shall include the exercise of
logical thought and clear expression, the development of effective organizational strategies, and the appropriate
gathering and utilization of evidence. Includes instruction on diction, syntax, and grammar, as well as the
elements of prose style. Students receive credit for only one course chosen from AAS, CAS, CHS, ENGL, and
PAS 114A/B.
GE Student Learning Outcomes:
For this course, you will satisfy the following student learning outcomes:

Gain the ability to read critically:

o We will read extensively from a variety of academic and non-academic texts, including
anthology essays, autobiography, fiction, and news media.
o You will demonstrate the capacity to read critically by responding to these texts during class
discussions as well as writing projects that include exercises, essays, and thematic projects.

Gain the ability to write effectively:

o You will produce a range of writing that demonstrates proficiency with rhetorical strategies
and expository writing concepts.
o This writing may include autobiography, dialogues, epistles, descriptive and argumentative
essays, interactive Web reflections, thematic projects, and blogs.

Gain knowledge of the cultural diversity of literatures:

o You will read an assorted body of literature produced by writers from across the globe.

o You will discuss and write about these diverse experiences.

Course Objectives:
By the end of the semester, you should be able to do the following:

Demonstrate competence in university writing

Demonstrate the ability to use rhetorical strategies that include the appeal to audience, logic, and
emotion
Understand writing as a recursive process and demonstrate its use through invention, drafting, and
revision (creating, shaping, and completing)
Demonstrate the ability to use conventions of format, structure, style, and language appropriate to the
purpose of a written text
Demonstrate the ability to use library and online resources effectively and to document their sources

Grading Scale:
I will be using the plus/minus grading system. The following scale represents the points that you can earn and
the letter grade that corresponds with those points:
A

1000 - 940

869 - 830

769 - 730

669 - 630

A-

939 - 900

B-

829 - 800

C-

729 - 700

D-

629 - 600

B+

899 - 870

C+

799 - 770

D+

699 - 670

599 - 0

Requirements and Grading:

The Projects-

450

____

In 114B, we complete The Projects, which are a series of interconnected reading, writing, and thinking
exercises that culminate in a major essay/project.
A. Project Text (150)
B. Project Space (150)
C. Project Web (150)
Final Portfolio-

250

______

At the end of the semester, you will be required to submit a final portfolio. Each portfolio will be read in
its entirety by a panel of English department faculty and will be graded holistically. The portfolio may
consist of the following materials:

Creative Cover Page

Table of Contents
Wings submission packet
Reflective Letter
Revised Essay Packets

It is important that you keep all written work throughout the semester in order to successfully submit a
completed portfolio. Failure to submit a final portfolio will result in a failing grade in the course, as
required by the department.

Weekly Writing Assignments-

200

_____

Each week we will have a variety of ongoing writing assignments. These assignments are designed to
submerge you into the world of writing through different mediums. The following are some of the
categories in which we may be writing:

Blogs
Journals
Letters
Message Boards
Reading Questions

Several unannounced quizzes will be given throughout the semester. Not only will these quizzes gauge
whether or not you have been doing the assigned readings, but it will also inform of the level of
comprehension you have obtained over the material. Since the quizzes will be held during class, you will
be unable to make them up in the event of any unexcused absences.
Many of these assignments will be given only during class sessions and you will therefore be unable to
make them up in the event of any unexcused absences.
Participation-

100

_____

50% of your participation grade will come directly from class attendance, while 50% of your
participation grade will come from verbally participating during class. Some writing assignments and
activities will be graded as credit/no credit. You will not be able to make up these assignments if you
miss a class. Please do your best to come on time to all class meetings and be prepared to participate in
class discussions and activities. As we are a writing community, the success of our community
conversation depends upon your preparation. Please make sure you have read the required material and
have completed all necessary research prior to class.
Student Conferences:
Individual conferences are available outside of class during my office hours or during a scheduled appointment.
Meeting with me for writing and reading assignments is highly encouraged. Conferences are done on an
appointment-only basis. If you are unable to meet with me during my scheduled office hours, I am available
for appointments on other days as well. Appointments are scheduled for 20 minutes and usually occur in my
office. Once you are ten minutes late you are considered a no show. After receiving a no show, you are no
longer eligible to schedule an appointment outside of my office hours. If you know you will be unable to attend
a conference, you must email me ASAP so that I can offer your spot to another student who is available.
Canceling within 30 minutes prior to an appointment is also considered a no show.
Attendance Policy:
Consistent class attendance is necessary to pass this course. However, since we all experience unforeseen
circumstances, three absences will be permitted without negative recourse in your final grade. Arriving to class
late is extremely disruptive and disrespectful to me and to your fellow peers. Tardiness will therefore result in
half an absence, unless prior permission has been given. Please see me in advance if you know you are going to
be late or absent. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class. If you walk in after I have taken
attendance, please see me after class to ensure you receive partial credit. Any student who misses six class
sessions will no longer be eligible to earn credit in 114A. Records cannot be changed once students leave the
classroom for the day. Note this includes medical and emergency situations that do not qualify for medical
leave.

Late Policy:
All assignments are due by the date and time specified. Assignments submitted through Moodle are NOT
accepted late. Eligible Turnitin.com late assignments will be reduced one full letter grade for each day
they are late. I will not accept any work submitted via email or in my mailbox. If you know you are going to
miss a class on a day an assignment is due, it is your responsibility to turn in your work before the due date.
Issues with technology are not accepted as excuses for submitting work late.
Classroom Location:
Please be aware that this class may meet in different rooms throughout the semester. We may be alternating
between a computer lab, lecture hall, and the library. While this can become confusing, it is your responsibility
to find out when and where we will be meeting. For the majority of the semester, we will be meeting in the
lecture hall (JR 242) unless otherwise informed. Arriving late to class because you went to the wrong room is
not a valid excuse, especially since I will have informed you of a room change through Moodle prior to our
class meeting.
Classroom Etiquette:
Please respect me and your classmates by arriving to class on time. All electronic devices must be turned off
and put away during class unless I give you explicit permission to have them out. Cell phones should be
placed into Silent Mode, as even a vibrating phone can cause a disruption. Anyone caught texting, IM-ing, or
surfing the internet during class will receive half an absence. Please use your discretion in eating and drinking
in classno loud slurping or crunching! However, quiet snacks are allowed (I will be the judge of if they are
quiet ). Do your best not to communicate with your fellow peers during the lectures, as this can be distracting
for me and those around you. Excessive chatting will negatively affect your participation grade.
Nondiscrimination Policy:
This course will respect the need for an awareness of, sensitivity to, and respect for the cultural heritage,
gender, and sexual orientation of all people. Individual(s) or group(s) actions or activities that promote
degrading or demeaning social stereotypes based upon age, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin,
religion, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated.
Plagiarism and Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism is the use of any persons work or ideas without appropriate citation. This will not be tolerated and
will result in failure of the assignment and possible failure of the course. Use of materials already written, either
personal or borrowed, is not acceptable. Each writing assignment is to be originally written during this course
unless I inform you otherwise. Suspected plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, will be reported to
the Academic Integrity Committee for assessment.
*This syllabus is tentative and serves as an introduction.*
**For more detailed information, please access my course on Moodle.**

English 114B:
Spring 2016
Assignment and Essay Schedule
(Key: NFGW: Norton Field Guide to Writing with Handbook; W: Wings; M: Moodle)
Please note that work is due on the date listed below and assignments are subject to change. Reading
assignments are due by the class session that day, and Moodle posts by 11:59:59pm that night. Not all readings
and written assignments are represented. Check Moodle each week for updated information on assignments.
The schedule below represents the main due dates, but Moodle will often have more complete instructions and
handouts, etc.
Wee
k
1

Day

Date

Mon

Jan
25
Jan
27

Wed

Mon
Wed

Schedule
Introduction to Class, Syllabus, and Course Overview
Time Management and Planning for Success
What is University Writing?; Progression 1 distributed
NFGW: Writing in Academic Contexts pages 19-24
M: First half of The End of the Whole Mess (to the bottom of
page 7)
DUE: Moodle Post What is your writing process? (300
words)

Feb 1

Feb 3

Mon
Wed

Mon

Wed

Unit One
Purpose and Audience
NFGW: Purpose and Audience pages 3-8
M: Second half of The End of the Whole Mess
Genre and Stance
NFGW : Genre and Stance pages 9-15
NV: Summary/Response/Letter: 3 Exercises Based on Lynda
Barrys Sanctuary
M: Sanctuary Lynda Barry (for help understanding NV
reading)
DUE: Exercise 1, Progression 1 (Summary and Response, The
End of the Whole Mess, 500 words total)

Feb 8
Feb Analyzing a Text/Close-Reading
NFGW: Analyzing a Text pages 69-82
10
M: First half of excerpt from Fahrenheit 451 (pages 1-18; read
to the top of page 18, until you reach the line Look here!
Innocent! Look!)
DUE: Moodle PostClose reading of a portion (up to 1 page)
of Fahrenheit 451 of your choosing (300 words)
Feb Invention Strategies
NFGW: Writing as Inquiry pages 251-254; Generating Ideas
15
and Texts pages 259-265
M: Second half of excerpt from Fahrenheit 451 (through to page
33, before Part II, The Sieve and the Sand)
DUE: Exercise 2, Progression 1 (two letters and a comparison
of those two letters on Fahrenheit 451)
Feb Peer Review

Done

17

Mon

Feb
22

Wed

Feb
24

NFGW: Drafting pages 266-268; Getting Response and

Revising pages 275-281
MUST BRING 2 hard copies of essay to class for peer review
or you wont earn any points for Rough Draft
DUE: Turnitin.com: Rough Draft
Self-Revising/Editing
NFGW: Assessing Your Own Writing Pages 269-274;
Editing and Proofreading pages 282-286
MUST BRING 1 hard copy of essay to class for self-revision
DUE: Exercise 3, Progression 1 (Compare and Contrast
dystopian visions in The End of The Whole Mess and
Fahrenheit 451)
In Class Conferences
Self-Revising/Editing
MUST BRING 1 hard copy of essay to class for self-revision
In Class Conferences
Unit Two
Pathos, Ethos, Logos
Visual Rhetoric; distribute Progression 2
NFGW: Chapter 33 Arguing (323-341); M: Film PDF
DUE: Essay 1, Progression 1 (Argumentative Essay on Literacy
in Dystopian Society)
Introductions
NFGW Beginning and Ending (299-306 only)
NV: Toys and Gender in Advertising (33-35)
Moodle post due on Thursday, Oct. 1: Introductory paragraph
on The Matrix
Thesis Statements
NFGW Guiding Your Reader (313-315 only)
Progression 2, Exercise 1 due on Tuesday, Oct. 6: Summarize
and respond to your dystopian film
Argumentative Body Paragraphs
NV: Disney Princesses As Positive Role Models (36-39)
Moodle post due on Thursday, Oct. 8: Argumentative body
paragraph on The Matrix

Mon

Feb
29

Wed

Mar
2

Mon

Mar
7

Wed

Mar
9

Mon

Mar
14

Topic Sentences
NFGW Guiding Your Reader (bottom of 315-317)
Progression 2, Exercise 2 due Tuesday, Oct. 13: Analyzing a
scene from your film

Wed

Mar
16

Quote Sandwiches
M: John Henry Cardinal Newman, The Idea of a University
Moodle Post due Thursday, Oct. 16: Response to John Writing
an Introductory/Reflective Letter Henry Cardinal Newmans
The Idea of a University (including quote sandwiches directly
responding to Newmans ideas)

Mon

Conclusions

10

11

Mar
21

P
R
I
N
G

NFGW: Beginning and Ending (306-311)

NV: Drinking Coffee Alone in America (65-67)
Progression 2, Exercise 3 due Tuesday, Oct. 20: Respond to
your peers Exercise 2, incorporating their words via quote
sandwich into your response and ultimately saying if you agree
or disagree with their claim

Wed
Mar
23

B
R
E
A
K

Peer Review
MUST BRING 2 hard copies of essay to class for peer review
or you wont earn any points for Rough Draft

Mon

Mar
28

Self-Revising/Editing
MUST BRING 1 hard copy of essay to class for self-revision
In Class ConferencesFirst half of class

Wed

Mar
30

Self-Revising/Editing
MUST BRING 1 hard copy of essay to class for self-revision
In Class ConferencesSecond half of class

Mon

Apr 4 DUE: Essay 2, Progression 2 (Argumentative Essay on

Exploring Visual Rhetoric in Dystopian Films)
Introduction to Progression 3
Apr 6 Counter Argument
NFGW: Arguing A Position (135-149)
M: PDF, excerpt from Nothing To Envy (Authors Note and
Chapter 1: Holding Hands in the Dark)
DUE Thursday, November 5: Progression 3, Exercise 1Topic
Proposal and Thesis Statement

Wed

Unit Three
12

13

Mon

Apr
11

Wed

Apr
13
Apr
18

Mon

MLA Citations
NFGW: READ 457-483 (Synthesizing Ideas; Quoting,
Paraphrasing, and Summarizing; Acknowledging Sources,
Avoiding Plagiarism; and Documentation) and SKIM 484-535
(MLA works cited and formatting
M: PDF, excerpt from 1984 (Chapter 1)
DUE Tuesday, November 10: Moodle Post (Compare and
Contrast worldviews (dystopias) presented in the first chapters of
1984 and Nothing to Envy)
DUE Thursday, November 12: Progression 3, Exercise 2Outline
of Third Essay
They Say, I Say
They Say, I Say: Preface, Introduction, Chapter 1, and Chapter 4
DUE Tuesday, November 17: MLA citations for every
textbook/movie/book youve used in this class this semester (will
be different for most every student!)

14

15

Wed

Apr
20

Writing an Introductory/Cover Letter

NFGW 291-294 (Reflecting on Your Writing Portfolio with
sample/example)
M: PDF, excerpt from 1984 (afterword)

Mon

Apr
25

Peer Review
DUE: Progression 3, Exercise 3: First Draft

Wed

Apr
27
May
2
May
4

Conferences
9:30-3:30 SIGN UP on the Google Doc!

May
9

Portfolios Due Remember you must turn in a Portfolio to

pass this class. There are no extensions and NO LATE
Portfolios will be accepted.

Mon
Wed

16

Mon

Revision for the Portfolio!! BRING ESSAYS TO CLASS (OR

LAPTOPS)
Revising for the PortfolioBRING ESSAYS TO CLASS (OR
LAPTOPS)
DUE: Essay 3, Progression 3 (Argumentative Essay on Moral
and Ethical Judgments in a Dystopian World)

Have a great summer break!

**This syllabus and schedule is subject to change**