UNIV 112: Focused Inquiry II
Fall 2015
Jackson
Unit 1 Overview
Introduction:
In this unit, covering the first five weeks of the semester, we will read, discuss, and explore
Jill Lepore’s book The Secret History of Wonder Woman. In this book, Lepore presents a
history of the complex origins of Wonder Woman, a superhero surely familiar to almost all
of us. But our goal is not simply to understand Lepore’s book better. Instead, we will use
this book as a starting point for exploring a range of questions. Some of these questions are
considered directly or indirectly in Wonder Woman. Other questions we will bring to the
table ourselves—concerning how we learn and how we share what we learn. Unit 1 will
culminate in a “core assignment”: a “multimodal argument” related to a theme or question
in Wonder Woman.
Learning Objectives for Unit 1:
 To use critical thinking to analyze and understand a number of texts.
 To construct a sound argument in a multimodal work.
 To collaborate effectively for a class presentation.
 To appropriately shape your work according to the needs and expectations of your
audience.
 To reflect carefully on learning and understanding.
Essential Questions:
To help us work towards the learning objectives listed above, we’ll consider a few essential
questions:
 How do we approach a text in order to assess its meanings?
 How might the form or medium of a text relate to its meanings?
 What are books (or texts) for?
 How can we best communicate what we believe and understand?
 What is inquiry? And what role does it play in academic culture?
 How do I cause learning in myself?
Core Assignment:
The core assignment for Unit 1 is a “multimodal argument.” You will develop a question of
your own in relation to Lepore’s Wonder Woman. Your multimodal argument will present
and support your answer to that question. In doing so, it will present that argument using
at least two different modes (mediums). One of these modes must be written text. The goal
of this core assignment is to help you develop your facility in understanding and
communicating in multimodal formats. The Unit 1 core assignment is due at the
beginning of class on Friday, September 18.
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UNIV 112: Focused Inquiry II
Fall 2015
Jackson
Group Presentations:
The class will be divided into four small groups that will make short presentations to the
class concerning a specific theme in relation to Lepore’s Wonder Woman and one other text
(from the Focused Inquiry Reader). The goals for these presentations are 1) to develop
your skills in working collaboratively; 2) to consider and meet your audience’s needs and
expectations; and 3) to deepen and enrich the class discussion of themes derived from
Wonder Woman. These presentations are due in the third week of the semester
(August 31 – September 4).
Blog Posts:
In Unit 1, you will write four blog posts (on your Rampages site) of 300-400 words each
(sometimes more). We will use these posts to reflect on assignments, readings, ideas,
questions, class discussions, and your classmates’ posts, among other things. In some cases,
I will supply you with a prompt. In other cases, you will be asked to provide your own
prompt. Each post should include some multimodal element (image, video, audio, etc.)
beyond written text.
Drafts:
Occasionally, I will ask you to use your blog to do some drafting. You will write first drafts
for two elements of your multimodal argument: 1) for the question you will answer; and 2)
for the argument itself. These will be due in the fourth and fifth weeks of the semester.
Class Participation:
Success in UNIV 112 depends on vigorous, engaged, and authentic participation in all the
activities of the course—both in and out of the classroom. You are expected to come to each
class fully prepared to participate in the day’s activities. Mere physical presence or only
occasional participation in discussion will not earn a high mark. If you have questions
about this, please come talk to me.
Grade Distribution:
 Multimodal Argument: 40%
 Group Presentation: 20%
 Blog Posts and Drafts: 20%
 Class Participation: 20%
Continued below.
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UNIV 112: Focused Inquiry II
Fall 2015
Jackson
Unit 1 Schedule
Note: if you have not yet completed Jill Lepore’s The Secret History of Wonder Woman (the
summer reading book), be sure to finish it by the end of week 2 (by F 8.28.15).
MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
FRIDAY
August 19
- Introduction to course.
21
- Discuss Syllabus.
- Introduction to Unit 1
Assignment.
- Start discussing Lepore’s
Wonder Woman.
- Troubleshoot rampages sites.
HW for next class:
- Read the Syllabus and Unit 1
Overview (both on Blackboard).
- Fill out the Student Information
Sheet.
- Skim Our UNIV 112 Site.
- Set up your own site on
rampages and share it with me
(by M 8.24.15). (Tutorials can be
found here.)
HW for next class:
- Read Maryellen Weimer’s article
“Five Characteristics of LearnerCentered Teaching.”
- Read Jill Lepore’s essay “The
Last Amazon” (both on BB and
our Site).
24
- Introduce Group Presentations
Assignment.
- Discuss Weimer, “Five
Characteristics.”
- Discuss Lepore, “The Last
Amazon.”
26
- Discuss Lepore and potential
themes of interest.
- Explore dynamics of
collaboration.
- Work on Presentations.
28
- Discussion.
- Work on Presentations.
HW for next class:
- Brainstorm themes for
presentations.
- Skim the Focused Inquiry
Reader, looking for texts that
address potential themes.
HW for next class:
- Select theme and text for
presentation.
- Work on Presentations.
HW for next class:
- Work on Presentations.
- Blog Post #1.
Note: the 26th is the last day to
add/drop classes.
31
- Discuss Blog Posts.
- Work on Presentations.
- Groups tell class which texts to
read for the presentations.
September 2
- Presentations 1 & 2.
HW for next class:
- Read the texts assigned by
groups 1 & 2.
HW for next class:
- Read the texts assigned by
groups 1 & 2.
4
- Presentations 3 & 4.
HW for next class:
- Blog Post #2.
- Review Multimodal Assignment.
- Read Peter Goin, “Visual
Literacy” (FI Reader).
- Read Jerome Bruner, “Two
Modes of Thought” (on BB and
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UNIV 112: Focused Inquiry II
Fall 2015
Jackson
our Site).
Deadline for students to
provide advance written
notification to observe
religious holidays.
7
University Closed.
9
- Discuss Blog Posts.
- Discuss Goin, “Visual Literacy.”
- Discuss Bruner, “Two Modes.”
11
- Discuss your questions.
- Introduce/Review Argument.
HW for next class:
- Formulate a question you wish
to explore in your Multimodal
Argument.
HW for next class:
- Read Hacker, Writer’s Reference
on multimodality (pages TBA).
- Blog Post #3: Write a draft of
your Argument. Post it to your
rampages site and bring a hard
copy to class.
14
- Discuss Drafts.
- Work on Multimodal Argument.
16
- Work on Multimodal Argument.
18
- Multimodal Argument Gallery.
HW for next class:
- Work on Multimodal Argument.
HW for next class:
- Complete on Multimodal
Argument.
HW for next class:
- Blog Post #4: Write a reflection
on your Multimodal Argument.
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