Professor G. Civil, Ph.D.
(651) 690-8797 (office)
E-mail: gfcivil@stkate.edu
Fall 2011 MW 2:55-4:35
Office: Whitby 206
Office Hrs: TBD
+by appointment
Classroom: Whitby 120B
English 2305 Writing for Life: Developing Skill & Confidence
In this class, we will write.
In other words, we will read, consider, discuss, scribble, scrawl, compose, scratch out, record,
assert, explore, claim, argue, denounce, concede, support, communicate and express ideas.
Together we will define and demonstrate good writing, focusing on style, voice, clarity, coherence
and correctness. Writing in this class will never be mere product, but will constitute a process of
jotting, drafting, sharing, revising and polishing. Our readings and discussions should help inspire
passion and purpose for writing. We will learn and practice critical reading strategies; we will write
liner notes, textual analyses, film reviews, open letters and critical, persuasive and personal essays.
Grounded in trust, enthusiasm and mutual respect, our community of writers will practice giving
and receiving constructive feedback. Our approach to writing will not only contribute to academic
success, but will also encourage personal exploration and broader participation in the world.
Here, we will write for life; we will work to develop greater skill and confidence. Enjoy!
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Required Texts
(Available in the SCU bookstore)
English 2305 COURSEPACK-ed. G. Civil
Rhythm Science-Paul D. Miller
The Perforated Map-Elena Rivera
The Bedford Handbook Eighth Edition-Diana Hacker & Nancy Sommers *
*Note: You must have a comprehensive grammar and style handbook for this course.
The Bedford Handbook is the selected handbook for Writing Intensive Courses at St. Catherine
University. If you have another handbook, we can discuss using it instead.
Recommended Texts
A good dictionary (could be on-line) A good thesaurus (could be on-line)
Required Assignments
The writing in this course will address a variety of purposes and occasions and will vary in length
from 1 sentence to 4-6 pages. Each assignment will receive a detailed introduction in class.
Almost every assignment will move through a process of pre-writing, drafting, peer conferencing,
revising, proofreading and polishing. Assignments can loosely be organized into three categories:
1) Essays (45% total)
Critical Essay
Persuasive Essay
Personal Essay
1
(15%)
(15%)
(15%)
2) Occasional Writing (35% total)
Liner Notes
Food Writing (Thanksgiving)
Film Review
Open Letter
3) Class Assessment Exercises (20% total)
Threshold Writing
(5%)
Truism / Cogent Question / E-Mail (5%)
Style Analysis of Course Text
(5%)
Portfolio Cover Letter
(5%)
(10%)
(10%)
(5%)
(10%)
Note: There will also be an In Class/ Open Note/ Open Book Quiz.
This will be Pass/ Fail and will be factored into assessment of class preparation and participation.
Class Preparation + Participation:
This class is all about writing and reading.
Students will need to write and read something for every session.
You should arrive to each class, ready and eager to offer opinions, exchange words and share fire.
You should also willingly engage in lively conversation, constructive peer critique and effective use
of writing revision opportunities. Together, this all constitutes class preparation and participation.
Standard preparation/participation over the course of the term will receive no additional credit.
Subpar preparation / participation over the course of the term will result in a half grade deduction
of the final grade. Excellent preparation and participation over the course of the term will result in
a half grade increase of the final grade. (If only St. Kate’s allowed grades of A+ . . . .)
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance Policy
The Formula: Three times late / leaving early = one absence.
Six absences = 1 final grade deduction. Eight absences = 2 final grade deductions
More than eight absences=automatic F
Plagiarism Policy:
Plagiarism will not be tolerated in writing for assignments. (You’re brilliant and have great words
and ideas! You don’t need any one else’s language.) If you have any questions or concerns about
citation, please feel free to consult me, the MLA Guide for Writers of Research Papers and /or the
O’Neill Center. If caught plagiarizing, no credit will be given for the assignment. Other action will
be taken in accordance with college-wide policy. In case of repeated class plagiarism, a student will
be unable to pass the course.
Assignment Policy:
Please print out (and staple) your assignments. E-mailed Assignments may be satisfactory pending
instructor approval. (Ask me first!) If you do send me an e-mail, make sure you receive a message
back from me confirming receipt. If you don’t hear from me, it likely means that *I did not
receive your message* and so you need to resend. Late assignments may receive penalties or may
not be accepted. Contact me if you need to discuss extensions or changes in assignment due dates.
Communication is key to success!
Professor’s Statement
I love to write and I love to teach. I believe in rigor and also in joy.
It is an honor and a pleasure for me to serve as your writing professor this term.
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English 2305 Writing for Life: Developing Skill and Confidence
Projected Reading & Assignment Schedule
(Readings in parentheses are supplementary.)
9/7
Introduction
In class work with:
“What I Love: Aegeodrome”-Odysseas Elytis
“Imaginary Syllabus”-Kristin Prevallet
“Disclosure”-Dana Teen Lomax
“Beginner’s Mind, Pen and Paper,” “First Thoughts,”
“A List of Topics for Writing Practice”-Natalie Goldberg
(“Introduction: Advice to Young Writers”-Annie Dillard)
Introduction of Threshold Writing Assignment
9/12
Opening the Word
“Articulation”-Anne Bogart
from Days of Awe-Achy Obejas
(“The Word ‘Love’”-Nathalie Sarraute)
Threshold Pre-Writing (Word Map) Due
9/14
“Notes on the Netherworld” from Wasted-Marya Hornbacher
(“Short Talks”-Anne Carson)
Threshold Writing Due
Introduction of Liner Notes Assignment
9/19
Engaging Voice / Building Skills
“Potential Heuristics”-Miranda Mellis
Rhythm Science-Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky, That Subliminal Kid
Liner Notes Pre-Writing (Description) Due
9/21
9/26
Rhythm Science-Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky, That Subliminal Kid
Liner Notes Pre-Writing (Summary) Due
Constructing Sentences
“Sentences: An Introduction”-Samuel K. Delaney
Liner Notes Assignment Due
In Class Writing: Story Variations
9/28
“Truisms,” 1977-1979-Jenny Holzer
from Grapefruit-Yoko Ono
TED Lecture: “The Danger of a Single Story”-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html
(Bring Your Own) Truism Due
Threshold Writing Revisions Due
In Class Writing: From Sentence to Thesis
Introduction to Essay #1 (Critical Essay—Reading Eléna Rivera)
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10/3
Writing Gender & Language
“Remembrance of Things Plastic”
http://littleredleaves.com/ebooks/Elena_Rivera.html
“Writing as a Trajectory of Desire, Consciousness & Language”-Nicole Brossard
Essay #1 Pre-Writing (Textual Analysis) Due
Bring to class The Perforated Map-Eléna Rivera
10/5
St. Kate’s ACTC Writer in-Residence: Eléna Rivera
The Perforated Map-Eléna Rivera
Liner Notes Revisions Due
Essay #1 Pre-Writing (Paraphrase) Due
10/10 The Perforated Map-Eléna Rivera
Essay #1 Draft Due (Bring 4 copies)
Peer Conferences
Coming into Language
10/12 “Poetry is Not a Luxury”-Audre Lorde
“Coming into Language”-Jimmy Santiago Baca
In-Class FILM: SLAM
Essay #1 Due
10/17 “Slices with a Hmong Knife”-Kou Lor
“Aria”-Richard Rodriguez
(“Living in Tongues”-Luc Santé)
+Class Visit: ACDC Writer-in-Residence Eléna Rivera
Cogent Question for Eléna Rivera Due
Film Review Due
Writing the Body
10/19 “The Female Body”-Margaret Atwood
from Wasted-Marya Hornbacher
(Methodist Hospital, Take 1-Marya Hornbacher)
in class: “Homage to my Hips”-Lucille Clifton
possible in class writing with Marya Hornbacher
Midterm E-mail to Instructor Due
Writing Persuasion & Argument
10/24 “Rape and Modern Sex War”-Camille Paglia
“The Case Against Babies”-Joy Williams
Essay #1 Revisions Due
Introduction of Essay #2 (Persuasive Essay)
10/26 “Adoption Myths and Racial Realities in the United States”-Dorothy Roberts
Pre-Writing Essay #2 Due
Film Review Revisions Due
4
Writing Self & Other
10/31 “Chimera”-Gerald N. Callahan **Happy Halloween!**
(“Economic Miracles”-Sun Yung Shin)
In class: “Dead”-Ishmael Houston Jones
First Draft of Essay #2 Due (bring 4 copies)
Peer Conferences
11/2
“It Was My First Nursing Job,”
“Twenty-Four Week Preemie, Change of Shift”-Belle Waring
“Regarding the Pain of Others”-Susan Sontag
Essay #2 Due
Introduction of Open Letter Assignment
11/7
Writing Open Letters
from Field Guide to Female Interrogators-Coco Fusco
Pre-Writing Essay #3 Due
Midterm E-Mail Revisions Due
11/9
(“Letter to a G-Man”-Moustafa Bayoumi)
In-Class Film: “I Like Girls in Uniform”
Open Letter Draft Due (Bring 2 copies)
Peer Conferences
Writing Self, Sexuality & Place
11/14 “Haiti: A Memory Journey”-Assotto Saint
Open Letter Assignment Due
Introduction to Essay #3 (Personal Essay-Self & Place)
11/16
“New York City,” “Buffalo” -Kazim Ali
Pre-Writing Essay #3 (Self & Place) Due
Essay #2 Revisions Due
Writing about Food
11/21 “Pancakes”-Evan Hunter
“Watermelons”-Henry David Thoreau
“Soul Food”-LeRoi Jones
“Possum”-Paul Laurence Dunbar
“Black Cake”-Emily Dickinson
(“Toward Fried Chicken”-John Berry)
In-Class, Open-Book, Open-Note Skills Quiz
Introduction to Food Writing (Thanksgiving) Assignment
11/23 “Celebrations of Thanksgiving: Cuban Seasonings”-Ana Menendez
“A Meal You Love,” “Writing is Not a McDonald’s Hamburger,”
“The Power of Details”-Natalie Goldberg
*Happy Thanksgiving!*
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More Writing about Place
11/28 “Minneapolis”-Emily Carter
Food Writing (Thanksgiving) AssignmentDue
11/30 “On Seeing England for the First Time”-Jamaica Kincaid
Essay #3 (Pre-Writing Place) Due
12/5
Writing Self & Society
“Shooting an Elephant”-George Orwell
Essay #3 Draft Due
Peer Conferences
12/7
“Going Native”-Francine Prose
Essay #3 Due
Introduction of Final Portfolio Assignment
Conclusions
12/12 “Happy Endings”-Margaret Atwood
Style Analysis of One Course Text Due
12/14 “Things I Never Knew I Loved”-Nazim Hikmet
Course Wrap Up and Evaluations
Essay #3 Revisions Due
Final Portfolio (w/Cover Letter) Due
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