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San José State University
College of Humanities and Arts/Department of TV, Radio,
Film,Theatre, Animation and Illustration
TA 100W: Writing Workshop: Section 2, Fall 2010
Instructor:
Office Location:
Telephone:
Email:
Office Hours:
Class Days/Time:
Classroom:
Laura Long
HGH 137
(408) (924-4551)
Laura.Long@sjsu.edu
Tuesday - Thursday 1:30 - 3:30, and by appointment
Tuesday - Thursday 12:00 - 1:15
HGH 217
Course Description
Writing skills will be developed and expanded through performance essays, responding
in writing to assigned reading, the development and revision of a research paper, and
professional industry specific writing.
Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Course Objectives
This course has two primary objectives: to develop advanced academic writing
composition skills and to introduce writing skills for professions within radio, television,
video, multimedia, and drama.
Skills Developed
* The ability to respond critically in writing to a performance
* The ability to design and write a research paper
* The ability to perform library research
* A professional resume, cover letter, and thank you letter
* The ability to rewrite effectively
* An advanced proficiency in punctuation, grammar, and general composition
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Required Texts/Readings
Course Hand Outs will be distributed in Class.
Classroom Protocol
Respect for the class includes being on time, prepared, and committed to work. We
are a diverse group and therefore, will have various points of view. It is important to
listen and consider every opinion whether you agree or disagree. All opinions will be
considered worthy but negativity and disrespect will not be tolerated and will be
treated appropriately by the instructor.
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops,
academic renewal, etc. Information on add/drops are available at http://info.sjsu.edu/webdbgen/narr/soc-fall/rec-324.html . Information about late drop is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/sac/advising/latedrops/policy/ . Students should be aware of the
current deadlines and penalties for adding and dropping classes.
Assignments and Grading Policy
Activities and Material covered by that Activity
4 In Class Response Essays
Abstracts, Interview, Performance Critique,
Dramatic Scene, Project Pitch, Resume/Cover
Letter/Thank You Letter
Research Paper/Oral Presentation
TOTALS 100%
Number of
Points
Student’s Score
10 pts.
Each:
40 total
10 pts.
Each:
60 total
100
200
In Class Response Essay
You will write four in class response essays to the assigned topics (500 words each).
These essays will re-introduce you to the five-paragraph essay and the “styles of
arguments” for the composition of a persuasive essay.
Content, grammar, and punctuation will be reviewed and class discussions on the reading
will stem from these essays. All in class essays may be rewritten.
The Performance Essay
You will write and present a 750-word performance essay. This essay will review and
critique a theatre, film, radio, or television performance. Content, grammar, and
punctuation will be reviewed and the essay must be rewritten.
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Reviews and editorials from The San Jose Mercury News, The New York Times,
Newsweek, Variety, and other regional and national publications will be reviewed in
class and serve as models for the performance essay.
The Interview
You will interview a working media or theatre professional and write a 750-word essay.
The instructor must approve subjects and the interview will be presented in class.
The Research Paper
The paper will focus on some pioneering or “first effort” in television, radio, film, or
theater. Find an actor, director, writer, or producer in your medium whose efforts
(struggles, in most cases) introduced some new aspect in their field. This should be
somebody you can learn from and use as a model for your career. You may also choose a
specific performance that changed its medium.
Individual assignments will be given to help you develop your research paper over the
semester. See the research paper assignment sheet for sample topics and all related
assignments.
A Dramatic Scene
Dramatic principles and screenplay formatting will be reviewed in class and you will
write a properly formatted dramatic scene. All scenes will be read in class and rewritten.
Industry Writing
You will be guided in the composition of professional resume, a cover letter, thank you
letter, and a formal project / business proposal.
You will be encouraged to develop a project that you can pitch to your industry. For
example: directors and writers will develop a story treatment and pitch for a movie,
television show, or documentary.
TA 100 W Research Paper Guidelines
Assignment:
A library research paper (2000 words) to meet the following objectives:
1. An opportunity for increased background knowledge in your field of interest.
2. Practice in doing library research
3. Practice in writing a clear, interesting, informative essay.
Audience: Your scholarly peers.
Subject and Purpose:
The paper will focus on some pioneering or “first effort” in television, radio, film, or
theater. Find an actor, director, writer, or producer in your medium whose efforts
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(struggles, in most cases) introduced some new aspect in their field. This should be
somebody you can learn from and use as a model for your career. You may also choose a
specific performance that changed its medium.
Some possibilities:
Film: Choose a director, actor, writer, or producer and examine the style or “look” that
makes his or her work distinctive. What types of theme, subject matter, and
characterization surface in the work? How has this individual broken new ground?
Introduction of a new genre? A new technique?
Theatre: Focus on an experimental or controversial work by a playwright, director, actor,
or theatre group.
Television: Explore the first of any programming genre (sitcom, reality television, for
example). Programming that broke new ground through casting, subject matter, writing,
showing under represented groups.
Radio: Examine a revolutionary radio personality. Explore innovative formats.
Steps to Complete Research Paper:
1. Subject proposal: Explain your area of interest and a possible topic. These will be
reviewed and discussed in class to help you narrow and develop your thesis.
2. Library orientation. You will attend two sessions in the library with a research
librarian. You will learn where to find sources in the library and what constitutes a good
source.
3. Preliminary bibliography. (20 sources)
4. Present your thesis
5. Abstracts / annotated bibliographies. Give a brief summary of the source and how it is
relevant to your paper. (10 sources)
6. Outline and oral presentation. Each student will hand in an outline and give a short
presentation to the class on the logical arrangement of their paper.
7. Rough draft. This will be reviewed and given back to you for a rewrite.
8. Final paper. This will include a formal presentation of the paper, 5 minutes in length,
using power point or other visual aids, that summarizes the findings of your research.
(See syllabus for all due dates)
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University Policies
Academic integrity
Students should know that the University’s Academic Integrity Policy is available at
http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicial_affairs/Academic_Integrity_Policy_S07-2.pdf.
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State
University and the University’s integrity policy, require you to be honest in all your
academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office
of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The website for Student Conduct and
Ethical Development is available at http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/index.html.
Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism
(presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without
giving proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For
this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise
specified. If you would like to include in your assignment any material you have
submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic Policy
F06-1 requires approval of instructors.
Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need
to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an
appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential
Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must
register with the DRC (Disability Resource Center) to establish a record of their
disability.
Learning Assistance Resource Center
The Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) is located in Room 600 in the Student
Services Center. It is designed to assist students in the development of their full academic
potential and to motivate them to become self-directed learners. The center provides
support services, such as skills assessment, individual or group tutorials, subject advising,
learning assistance, summer academic preparation and basic skills development. The
LARC website is located at http:/www.sjsu.edu/larc/.
SJSU Writing Center
The SJSU Writing Center is located in Room 126 in Clark Hall. It is staffed by
professional instructors and upper-division or graduate-level writing specialists from each
of the seven SJSU colleges. Our writing specialists have met a rigorous GPA
requirement, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels within all
disciplines to become better writers. The Writing Center website is located at
http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/about/staff//.
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Peer Mentor Center
The Peer Mentor Center is located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall in the Academic Success
Center. The Peer Mentor Center is staffed with Peer Mentors who excel in helping
students manage university life, tackling problems that range from academic challenges
to interpersonal struggles. On the road to graduation, Peer Mentors are navigators,
offering “roadside assistance” to peers who feel a bit lost or simply need help mapping
out the locations of campus resources. Peer Mentor services are free and available on a
drop –in basis, no reservation required. The Peer Mentor Center website is located at
http://www.sjsu.edu/muse/peermentor/ .
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Theatre Arts 100W: Section 2 Course Calendar Fall 2009
(This maybe altered at any moment in time. We need to progress at the speed of the class,
depending on its size and make-up. I will always give you notice when changes occur.)
Date Class/GE Learning Objective
Week 1:
8/26 Introductions
Syllabus Review
Assignment: Subject Proposal, typed
Week 2:
8/30 Diagnostic essay
9/1
Due: Subject Proposals
Review diagnostic essay. (Grammar, punctuation, content)
Discuss Zinser on how to write clearly.
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Week 3:
In Class Essay
9/7
9/9
Meet in MLK Library, Room 125
Library Orientation
Week 4:
9/14 Discuss the Annotated Bibliography
Review Sample Abstracts.
Assignment: Annotated Bibliography for 10 Sources
9/16
Discuss the Performance Review Paper
Week 5:
9/21 In Class Essay
9/23 Discuss the Interview
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Week 6:
9/28 Meet in MLK Library, Room 217
9/30 Discuss Paper Outline
Week 7:
10/5 Class Release for Performance Attendance
10/6 Present Outline
Week 8:
10/12 Present Outline
10/14 Present Performance Review
Week 9:
10/19 Review Screenwriting Handout
10/21 Interview Paper Due
In Class Essay
Week 10:
10/26 Present Mini Screenplay
10/28 Present Mini Screenplay
Week 11:
11/2
Discuss the Resume/Cover Letter/ Thank You Letter
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11/4
Discuss Project Proposal
Review Resume Packages
Week 12:
11/9 In Class Essay
11/11 Veterans Day
Week 13:
11/23 Present Project Proposal
Optional Rough Draft of Paper Due
11/25 No Class - Thanksgiving
Week 14:
11/30 Present Project Proposal
12/2
Present Research Paper
Week 15:
Present Research Paper
9/7
9/9
Present Research Paper
Week 16:
***NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED