ENGLISH 106: Documenting Realities
[SECTION #]
[DAYS/TIME]
Instructor: Ms. Kristine Wilson
Office location: HEAV 214
Office hours:
Email: wilson67@purdue.edu
Required Texts
Ô Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th ed. ISBN 0-87352-9863
Ô Additional print and online supplemental sources (provided by instructor)
Recommended Resources
Ô Writing Lab (HEAV 226)
Ô Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
Course Description and Goals
Welcome to English 106! The purpose of this class is to help students develop their writing and
critical thinking skills in order to successfully participate in the academic discourse community here at
Purdue, in the fields of their future careers, and in the larger ongoing conversations held by
humankind. By analyzing and composing in a variety of different media, students will gain a more
expansive view of what constitutes a “text” and how composition strategies vary depending on media
and audience. The in-class assignments and major projects will serve largely to demystify the
composition process by teaching students to: use a variety of invention techniques in all stages of
composition; identify, assess and appeal to various audiences; recognize and use a variety of rhetorical
strategies; collaborate with others to build confidence and competence in critical thinking; understand
revision as an important strategy in effective writing, rather than as a punishment; and make
appropriate grammatical and stylistic choices.
Our course theme, Documenting Realities, will provide a context for readings, activities and
discussions through which you will develop these skills. Some of the foundational questions we will
address in our exploration of this theme include: What is “reality” and how is it documented? To what
degree are these documentations objective or subjective? What shapes the choices made by those who
document reality? How do documentations of reality blur the distinction between public and private?
What is the role of stereotypes in our perception of reality? Do we have an ethical obligation to avoid
stereotypes and generalizations, or at least to recognize and acknowledge them as such? Do we have
an obligation to avoid absolute truth claims? Much of the class time will be spent in workshops and
class discussions. Diligent participation in class and in our weekly conferences is therefore essential to
success in this class, and is expected of all class members.
***THIS SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE INSTRUCTOR’S DISCRETION!***
K. Wilson
ENG 106
Assignments and Grading
Major Assignments
All dates are approximate. Detailed guidelines for each major assignment will be distributed in class.
Ô Musical Genre Project (100 pts.): Week 3-5
You will compose an informative essay tracing the history and development of the musical
genre of your choice. Your essay should include a discussion of how the genre documents the
reality of a particular group(s) of people.
Ô Film Review Project (150 pts.): Week 6-8
ƒ Part I: Analysis of Film Reviews (50 pts.)
Locate four-five essay reviews on the same film and briefly breakdown their
components, including the balance of summary and evaluation, the amount and type of
details in the summary, the content of the evaluation (what elements are discussed),
and the tone and format of the review.
ƒ
Part II: Review of a Documentary (100 pts.)
From a pre-approved list, you will select one or more films from the documentary
genre, watch it/them outside of class and compose a 4-5 page (1000-1250 word) film
review.
Ô Subculture Research Project (250 pts.): Week 9-13
By virtue of their existence, subcultures document cultural and social trends as well as threads
of resistance, often quite specific to a place and/or time. In this project, you will document
the reality of a subculture by using primary and secondary research to discover why the
subculture exists, what it responds to, how it distinguishes itself, and how it is portrayed by
others (those “outside” the subculture). Your research will result in a 6-8 page research paper
(1500-2000 words). Your essay will make a specific claim, establish rhetorical situation, and
utilize rhetorical strategies to justify the claim. This project will also include a 300-word
research proposal, an annotated bibliography, and a 750-word peer analysis.
Ô Capstone Project: Website (150 pts.): Week 14-16
In the final project, you will translate one or more of your projects to a new medium: the
internet. The challenge here is to adapt your content to suit a wider audience and a
conceptually different informational matrix, as well as develop an appropriate and accessible
visual design.
Ô Reading Response Papers (150 pts.)
Over the course of the semester, you will compose a total of ten reading response papers (15
pts. each). The papers will occur at roughly one-week intervals, beginning in Week 3.
Ô Collaboration (100 pts.)
You are expected to actively and thoroughly engage in assigned group work and peer critiques.
Ô Homework and Participation (100 pts.)
You are expected to complete all assigned homework and any other assignments designated at
the instructor’s discretion, which may include pop quizzes if the need arises. This grade will
also reflect your participation in class discussions and in-class activities.
TOTAL PTS POSSIBLE: 1000
[A= 900-1000; B= 800-899; C= 700-799; D=600-699; F= <600]
***THIS SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE INSTRUCTOR’S DISCRETION!***
K. Wilson
ENG 106
Policies
Ô Attendance
Attendance is mandatory for all class meetings, individual and group conferences, and any
other supplementary meetings I decide are necessary. In accordance with the ICaP policy, you
will be allowed up to four (4) absences without penalty. Coming to class unprepared and being
“mentally absent” (sleeping in class, not participating, working on non-course related
materials, checking emails/text, reading materials unrelated to our current task, etc.), and
leaving in the middle of class will be treated the same as a regular absence. Additionally,
every four tardies will count as one absence. Each absence after the fourth will result in a
deduction of ½-letter grade (5%) from your final course grade. In addition, students should
note that lack of regular attendance almost always results in lower grades on major projects,
since the absentee student misses the benefit of in-class activities, instruction, and workshops.
Regardless of the number of absences they have or the circumstances of their absence, all
students are accountable for meeting the appropriate deadlines for all phases of the major
projects. No exceptions will be made, except in extreme emergencies* for which
documentation is provided.
[*Note that issues such as lack of transportation, job interviews, work schedules, extracurricular
activities, and family/personal problems do not constitute such an emergency.]
Ô Late and Missed Work
It is your responsibility to check the syllabus and course Blackboard site for information about
missed work and upcoming homework assignments. After doing so, you may contact me with
any further questions. Regardless of absence, I expect you to check Blackboard and/or email
daily for any updates or announcements!
In-class assignments and out-of-class homework assignments will not be accepted late and
cannot be made up. Major projects are due at the beginning of class on the due date, unless
otherwise specified on the assignment sheet. I WILL NOT ACCEPT LATE PROJECTS unless prior
arrangements have been made with me! I will allow an extension on one of the major
projects; however, you must sign a written agreement with me regarding the terms of the
extension at least 24 hours before the original due date. The new due date will usually be no
more than one week after the original due date. Papers requiring an extension will receive an
automatic deduction of ½-letter grade (5%). No further extensions will be granted (i.e., if the
paper is not submitted by the new deadline, it will receive a zero).
Ô Academic Integrity
Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated. Plagiarism includes: submitting
work written by another person as if it were your own; using a quotation (the exact words of a
source) without quotation marks and/or without documentation; paraphrasing ideas
or passages from a text without documentation; including information that is not known to the
general public without documenting the source; and following the structure or style of a
secondary source without documentation. In accordance with university policy, you will not
only fail the course but may be suspended or expelled from the university if you are caught
plagiarizing or cheating. It is best to avoid the temptation to plagiarize by planning your time
wisely and seeking my assistance (or visiting the writing lab) immediately if you are having
difficulty with a paper.
Ô Disabilities
Students with disabilities must be registered with Adaptive Programs in the Office of the Dean
of Students before classroom accommodations can be provided. If you are eligible for
academic accommodations because you have a documented disability that will impact your
work in this class, please notify me of your needs as soon as possible.
***THIS SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE INSTRUCTOR’S DISCRETION!***
K. Wilson
ENG 106
Ô Technology Requirement
At a minimum, this class requires consistent access to the Internet, word-processing, and a
printer. Since computers are widely available in on-campus labs, lack of computer access will
be not be an acceptable excuse for failing to check the schedule for homework, to check your
school email address for class announcements, or to make required online posts. Likewise,
“computer problems” and “printer problems” will not be valid excuses for late submission of
papers or other assignments. Be sure you have access to technology and that you complete
your assignments ahead of schedule so you can use the university’s computing equipment if the
need arises. Be sure to back up all of your work on an external hard drive, removable disk, or
online file management system in case your computer is compromised.
Furthermore, I expect you to submit your assignments in the medium requested. For example,
if I ask you to submit a project via Blackboard, I will not accept it via email. If I ask you to
submit it via email, a hard copy will not be sufficient.
Ô Technology in the Classroom
Use of technology in the classroom will be limited to assigned ENGL 106 class activities. This
means that no cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players, or other electronics are permitted in class. If
you carry these devices with you, make sure they are off (not on standby or “vibrate”) before
you enter class. Use of laptops will be limited to note-taking and other course-related
activities. Those who abuse this privilege will lose it. With the exception of activities
conducted in the computer classroom, in-class group work will be conducted on paper so I can
collect it and give you participation credit.
Other Resources
Ô Writing Lab
The Writing Lab is located in HEAV 226. Tutors are available from 9:00-6:00 Monday-Thursday
and 9:00-1:00 on Friday, either by appointment or on a walk-in basis. Evening hours (7:0010:00 PM) are available at the Writing Lab satellite locations in Meredith Hall and the Hicks
Library’s DLC. While visiting the writing lab is not intended to substitute for consultation with
me (in conference or office hours), the writing lab tutors can provide additional focused, oneon-one assistance with your writing-related questions or problems. Be sure to bring your
current project and assignment sheet when you visit the writing lab so the tutor can best assist
you. Please be sure you visit the writing lab at least 24-hours before your project is due to
allow adequate time for revision. The Writing Lab also runs a hotline for basic questions that
can be answered over the phone, such as questions about grammar or MLA citations (4943723). Computer resources and an independent study area are open for student use during the
Lab’s normal business hours.
Ô Purdue OWL - http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a comprehensive resource for writing that has garnered
national and international renown. It includes definitions, descriptions, tips and exercises
related to the research process, the writing process, grammar and punctuation, and more. We
will be using the OWL both in class and for certain homework assignments, but you are also
encouraged to use it independently throughout the semester – and beyond.
Ô Digital Learning Collaboratory (DLC) – Hicks Library, Room B853
The DLC includes a cutting edge computer lab, multimedia equipment checkout (laptops,
digital cameras and camcorders, etc.), and collaboration rooms. Workstations and
collaboration rooms can even be reserved in advance via the DLC website. In addition to inclass workshops, the DLC hosts peer-to-peer training sessions throughout the semester and
offers individual assistance with multimedia production. For DLC hours or more information,
visit the DLC website at http://dlc.purdue.edu/index.cfm.
***THIS SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE INSTRUCTOR’S DISCRETION!***