1020-025 / Fall 2009 1
English 1020-025: Research and Argumentative Writing
Ethnography and the University
Prof. Catherine Cooper
Murphy Center 100A M/W 2:20-3:45 p.m.
Office: Peck Hall 105
Office Hours: M/W, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (and by appointment)
Phone: 904-8262 (can reach me here during office hours)
Email: ccj2h@mtsu.edu (the best way to reach me!)
REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS
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FieldWorking, Third Edition (FW)
My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student, by Rebekah
Nathan (MFY)
Surviving Freshman Composition, Sixth Edition (SFC) *MUST BE PURCHASED NEW
FROM MTSU BOOKSTORE*
I’m not requiring you to purchase Hodge’s Harbrace Handbook, but I am requiring you to
have access to it.
Regular access to and use of Internet, including MTSU email and D2L is required. I will post
announcements and assignments regularly to D2L. Reading and writing assignments will be
posted and must be printed by students (on their on time, from their own printer or a campus
printer). Students will also receive important class information via MTSU email account.
In order to complete and turn in writing assignments, all students must also have access to
Microsoft Word, a printer, and a stapler.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
English 1020, Research and Argumentative Writing, is the second course in the two-semester
freshman writing sequence and a continuation of the work begun in English 1010. Students
should note that many of the course objectives remain the same; however, students will be
expected to gain greater competency in those areas. This course is designed to help prepare
students to analyze and evaluate the rhetorical strategies of various kinds of writing. Students
will also gain the ability to write effectively in a variety of contexts (on-demand, informal, formal,
researched, etc.). Reflection is a skill that students learned in 1010 but they will develop it more
in 1020 and learn how to support their reflection with research. Students will also be required to
read and write a critical analysis of a longer work. This class is focused, much like 1010, on the
process of writing and the product that results from that writing. For more information on
course guidelines and objectives, see the English Department’s website
(http://www.mtsu.edu/english).
Ethnography and the University is the theme of this composition course. What’s
“ethnography,” you ask? That’s a complicated question, and we’ll spend a considerable amount
of time trying to answer it. The short answer, given by the textbook for this course,
FieldWorking, is that ethnography is “the study of people in other cultures and the resultant
written text from that study” (500). We will borrow methods from anthropology and sociology to
explore a wide range of local subcultures, like student clubs, sports or performance groups, a
sorority or fraternity, a place of employment, a restaurant, a college course—whatever. You will
chose a community somehow connected to the university to use for the basis of your research
and analysis in many of your major writing assignments this semester. This will be a very
hands-on course; you’ll be required to get out in the “field” and “work.”
1020-025 / Fall 2009 2
EVALUATION AND GRADING SCALE
Assignments and Total Percentages:
Introductory In-Class Essay
Essay 1: Positioning Paper (3-4 pages)
Essay 2: Artifact/Space Analysis (4-5 pages)
Essay 3: Ethnography Analysis Paper (4-5 pages)
Essay 4: Mini-Ethnography (8-10 pages)
Research Portfolio (with 2-3 page reflective essay)
Field Journal
Participation (quizzes, writing exercise, group work, presentations, etc.)
0%
10%
15%
15%
25%
15%
10%
10%
100%
Essay grades are based on a 100-point scale, which corresponds to the following letter grades:
A: 100-90% B: 89-80% C: 79-70% D: 69-65% F: 64% and below
Final grades will also be based on a 100-point scale and will be converted to the following letter
grades: A: 100-90% B+: 89-86% B: 85-80% C+: 79-76% C: 75-70% F: 69% and below
NOTE: You may receive a D or an F on essays, but to pass this course and earn three credit hours, you
must earn a final grade of C or above. First-time 1020 students may receive an “N” instead of an “F” for
the final grade—IF they have met all the course requirements, completed all 4 essay assignments, and
have not exceeded five absences.
ESSAY GUIDELINES
Major Assignments: All major essay assignments (1-4) and final research portfolio must be
turned in to pass the course. Failure to turn in one or more of these assignments will result in
automatic failure of the course.
Assignment Sheets: For each essay and for research portfolio, students will be given detailed
assignment sheets, containing information on the topic, research requirements, grading, due
dates, page count, etc. These assignment sheets will be posted to D2L and students will be
required to print them off and bring to class while we are working on each specific assignment.
Formatting: All papers must be typed (in MS Word), double-spaced, printed in black in Times
New Roman or similar font in 12-pt size. Papers must have a 1” margin at the top, bottom, and
both sides. Papers should include a heading in the top left corner and page numbers in the top
right corner. Papers must be legibly printed and stapled BEFORE CLASS.
Page/Word Count: Department guidelines require that students write at least 6000 words in
1020. This has been broken up into 4 required essays. At MTSU, 250 words is one full page. Do
not rely on your computer’s word count device.
Late Paper and Makeup Work Policy: In general, essays are due to me in both digital and
hard copy format when class begins on the due date. Failure to turn in one or both parts = late.
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In the event that you can’t come to class for any reason (illness, funerals, car wrecks, etc.) the day an
essay is due, post your paper to D2L by 2:20 p.m. in order to receive full credit and bring the hard
copy to class the next period. (Failure to turn in a hard copy by next class meeting = 10 point
deduction.)
I will accept late essays, automatically deducting 10 points for each class meeting it is late. Essays
turned in more than 5 class meetings late will receive an automatic 50.
Graded Essays: I will try to return essays to you within three class periods; you will always
receive your graded essay back at least one class period before the next essay is due. Your
final essay and research portfolio will be returned to you during our scheduled final exam time.
1020-025 / Fall 2009 3
CLASS POLICIES
Classroom Environment: As we are all adults, mature and respectful behavior is expected of
everyone in the class at all times. We may have class discussions or you may read texts that
challenge your belief systems or make you uncomfortable. You do not have to agree with
everyone or anyone, but you should respect the freedom of expression guaranteed to all of us.
Attendance Policy: Absences are neither excused nor unexcused. You are allowed four
absences for the semester without significant penalty. Please note that if you miss class, you
will miss the daily activities. Daily work may not be made up. You will be responsible for the
material you miss. (Check the syllabus with a classmate to get caught up.)
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After the fourth absence, three points will be deducted from your final average for each
subsequent absence.
The only exception to this rule is for university-sanctioned functions. If you foresee this kind of
absence, notify me prior to the absence. You must turn in class work prior to the absence to receive
credit.
Tardy Policy: Three late arrivals (5-15 minutes) equal one absence. If you are more than 15
minutes late, you will be counted absent. Also, leaving class early (for any reason other than
dire emergencies) will count towards tardies.
Late/Makeup Work: Daily work cannot be made up. If you arrive late or leave early, you may
miss this daily work.
Inclement Weather Policy: Don’t assume class is cancelled due to weather. Check the MTSU
homepage for university closing information. Also, check your school email account on
extremely bad weather days for a message from me.
Electronic Devices Policy: Please turn off and put away electronic devices, such as MP3
players, before class begins. If you can’t follow this rule, you will receive no participation credit
for the day. Repeated instances of failing to follow this rule may result in your being asked to
leave class, resulting in an absence.
 In accordance with MTSU policy concerning the Emergency Text Messaging System
(ETMS), you may leave your phone out during class if you wish, but it must be set to vibrate.
You may not actively engage your phone during class (no talking, text messaging, playing
games, etc.). If ETMS is activated, multiple phones will vibrate, and you may check the
message.
Prof. Cooper’s Pet Peeves: The following is a list of my pet peeves—just to let you know.
Don’t do them during class time.
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Text messaging
Playing on the Internet
Working on homework for other classes
Audible sighing, groaning, moaning about assignments
Sleeping or otherwise keeping your eyes closed
Wearing headphones (even if you’re not listening to anything)
Side conversations
Chewing tobacco
Packing up books and bags before class is over. (The mother of all pet peeves!)
PLAGIARISM POLICY
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The most flagrant instances of plagiarism are (1) submitting work copied from another
student’s writing, (2) having someone dictate what should be written, and (3) using printed
or Internet sources without documentation.
MTSU policy requires that I notify judicial affairs in any plagiarism case. This matter is
serious and equivalent to criminal fraud or theft.
You will receive a zero for a plagiarized essay. Also, instances of questionable citations or
lack of credit to the original source may result in an automatic 50 on the essay.
1020-025 / Fall 2009 4
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I have access to the website Turnitin.com, which allows me to search the Internet and essay
databases for plagiarism in your papers.
You will be required to read, sign, and turn in the plagiarism statement in Surviving
Freshman Composition (6th ed., pg. 15) by Wednesday, September 9. Signing the form
shows that you are aware of what constitutes plagiarism. All students must purchase their
own NEW copy of this book in order to turn in this form. In the event that you are unable to
turn in the form by the due date, none of your assignments will be graded until I receive it.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
University Writing Center
The University Writing Center, located in both Peck Hall 325 (904-8237) and Ezell Hall 119, and
online (www.mtsu.edu/~uwcenter), offers valuable one-on-one writing assistance. Appointments
are necessary; don’t wait until the last minute to sign up. Attending the writing center may
increase your essay score, so take advantage of it.
Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, please provide a letter
from the Office of Disabled Students. You may contact them at 898-2783 with any questions
about accommodations.
Scholarship Information
You are responsible to know and adhere to the terms and conditions of whatever means of financial
support you benefit from. In no instance can your instructor be held responsible for any neglect of your
duties. This applies in particular to the Hope scholarships that are lottery funded.
Students receiving the lottery scholarships must earn a 2.75 GPA after attempting 24 credit hours and
maintain the 2.75 GPA until they have attempted 72 credit hours. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA
while attempting 72 credit hours through 120 hours when scholarship eligibility expires. If a student drops
below a 3.0 between 72 and 120 hours, he/she will regain eligibility IF the 3.0 GPA is reached again.
Students who drop below full-time status (12 hours) during the first 14 days of the semester will have their
awards adjusted and will owe money to the University. Students who drop after the 14th day of class will
have their future lottery scholarships suspended unless the drop was approved in advance by the Office
of Financial Aid. Students may appeal the suspension if the drop is due to documented personal illness,
illness or death of immediate family member, extreme financial hardship, military service, or other
extraordinary circumstances beyond their control. The lottery appeal form may be obtained at
<http://mtsu32.mtsu.edu:11447/Forms/TELSAppealForm.pdf>. Failure to attend classes may also result
in the loss of lottery scholarship eligibility. Scholarship recipients must continue to attend classes through
the end of the semester to maintain his or her enrollment status. For more lottery information please
see <http://www.collegepaystn.com/mon_college/lottery_scholars.htm>. You can also find up to
date information at <http://mtsu32.mtsu.edu:11447/telsprogram.htm>.
FINAL NOTE: This syllabus is a contract. By staying in this class, you are agreeing to follow all
of the guidelines above and be responsible for your own actions. If you are unable to comply
with ANY part of the above, please drop this class.
1020-025 / Fall 2009 5
COURSE SCHEDULE
Please note that this schedule is subject to change according to class needs and interests, time
constraints, class cancellations, etc. If necessary, an updated schedule will be announced in
class and posted to D2L.
Date
1
2
Activity
8/31 Course Introduction
Review Writing Process
9/2 Introductory In-class Essay
Reading
Due
SFC chapters 2-4
9/7
3
NO CLASS—Labor Day Holiday
What is Ethnography?
Choosing a Fieldsite
9/9 Assign Essay 1
9/11 Last day to drop without a grade
Field Notes
9/14 Essay 1 Topic Workshop
4
9/16 Essay 1 Conferences and Revision Workshop
Field Notes (cont.)
9/21 Ethics and Ethnography
MFY chapters 1-2
Essay 1: Positioning Paper
5
9/23 Ethics and Ethnography (cont.)
Artifacts and Archives
9/28 Assign Essay 2
FW chapter 4
Bring artifact from your fieldsite
9/30 Conducting Research
SFC chapter 7
Field Journal Check
10/5 Mapping Space/Reading Place
FW chapter 5
Map of fieldsite
10/7 Essay 2 Conferences and Revision Workshop
SFC chapter 5
Draft of Essay 2
10/12 Argument Analysis
Rhetorical Situation and Audience Analysis
10/14 Assign Essay 3
10/16 Last day to drop or withdraw with a grade of W
D2L reading
6
7
8
9
10
11
10/19 NO CLASS—FALL BREAK
10/21 Analyzing Another’s Ethnography
Argument/Rhetorical Situation/Audience (cont.)
10/26 MLA, Annotated Bibliographies
10/28 Essay 3 Conferences and Revision Workshop
FW chapter 1
SFC Plagiarism Form
FW chapter 2
Draft of Essay 1
FW chapter 3
MFY chapters 1-2
MFY chapters 3-4
Finish MFY
SFC chapter 5
D2L reading
11/2 Analyzing Language
11/4 Analyzing Language (cont.)
FW chapter 6
11/9 Interviewing
FW chapter 7
Essay 2: Artifact/Space Analysis
Field Journal Check
Essay 3 draft
Essay 3: Ethnography Analysis
11/11 Interviewing (cont.)
12
13
14
11/16 Incorporating Research
FW chapter 8
11/18 Incorporating Research (cont.)
Field Journal Check
11/23 Essay 4 Conferences and Revision Workshop
Draft of Essay 4
11/25 Essay 4 Conferences and Revision Workshop
SFC chapter 6
11/30 Assign Portfolio
TBA
12/2 Portfolio Conferences and Workshop
15
12/7 Portfolio Conferences and Workshop
Class Reflections
12/9 Presentation of FieldWork
FINAL EXAM PERIOD
12/16 12:30 p.m.
Essay 4: Mini-Ethnography
TBA
Research Portfolio