ENGLISH 201: Advanced Writing 1 (Section D1)
Room #: 250 Park
Registration #: 211641
MWF 11:00 am-11:50 am
Spring 2007
Instructor: Mike Stanish
E-mail: mstanish@buffalo.edu
Web Site: www.buffalo.edu/~mstanish
Office: 632 Clemens
Office Hours: TBA
Mailbox: Outside 302 Clemens (near stairwell)
Course Description
In English 101 you began to acquire some of the skills that are necessary to successfully
write and think on the university level. The design of English 201 reinforces and
enlarges this skill set. In the final stage of the course you will produce a research paper
on a complex topic that utilizes multiple secondary sources. If you are faithful to the
work of the class, then by the end of the semester you should find yourself well prepared
to successfully engage in research and writing projects for the remainder of your college
careers. As in any course in writing, classroom activities are essential to your progress in
this course. Active discussion, journal entries, small group work, peer critiques and
writing workshops are regular features of my class. If you want to do well in the course
you should take these activities seriously and put forth your maximum effort. The
success of the course, and your successful performance in it, depends on your
participation and contributions, both spoken and written. By the end of the semester, you
will better prepared to construct well-organized and thought-provoking essays which
effectively articulate your ideas according to the academic standards valued across the
university.
Violence and Justice and American Government, Oh My!
This course will interrogate the foundational principals of American government from a
number of angles. First and foremost, we will ask and attempt to discover what precisely
it is that government “does” for us. What do we expect from our government? And
furthermore, does what government provides match up with what government was
created for(this is a loaded question!) and what we expect from it? In order to explore
some answers to these questions we will read several texts that underline the foundational
principals of American government. It could be argued that protecting its citizens from
violence is chief amongst the principles of government.. We will read Machiavelli’s The
Prince, which is often characterized as operating on a foundational concept of violence, in
order to see how a system that embraces such violence may operate and how different
this system is from our own. You may be surprised to find how many principles they
share. We then approach the concept of justice in order to consider to what extent this
concept, so integral to our notion of government, is compatible with our foundational
principles. Does justice seek to preserve or eradicate the state of violence that we claim
to abhor? Each of your papers will ask you to consider these questions from a variety of
standpoints, and the research paper will draw significantly upon your own interests in
relation to this basic questions.
Course Materials
The following are required texts and may be purchased in the University Bookstore
* Jacobus, Lee A., A World of Ideas
* Machiavelli, Niccolò, The Prince, Trans. Harvey C. Mansfield
* One ENG-201 ONLY CD, disk, or flash drive on which you will save all your writing
for this course (including multiple drafts as separate documents). It is your
responsibility to save drafts of all your work until the end of the semester.
For this reason, I strongly suggest that you save all of your drafts.
* A sturdy folder in which you keep all of the handouts and materials for this course.
* A two-pocket folder in which you will submit each formal writing assignment
including cover letter, multiple drafts, and final revision.
* An inexpensive stapler so that you may staple each and every assignment that you
hand in.
* Optional: Any good dictionary (as opposed to abridged or pocket-size). If you do not
currently own one, I encourage you to invest in one and use it often. There are
many versions available in the bookstore; I recommend Webster’s or American
Heritage.
Course Requirements
Attendance
As a community of writers and thinkers, regular attendance is crucial. According to
University policy, you are allowed three (3) absences without penalty. More than four (4)
missed classes will affect your grade and six (6) absences will result in a failing grade for
the course.
As always, promptness is important. Late arrivals interrupt both your success as a
student in the class and everyone else’s concentration. Arrival in class more than 10
minutes after it begins will be considered an absence. Although the advice “better late
than never” should be heeded, lateness should not be a recurring trend.
You are responsible for contacting me by e-mail if you miss a class, and you are expected
to be fully prepared for the next class session. I know that sickness, accidents, bad
weather, computer problems, over-sleeping, personal crises happen...that’s what the
three absences are for. Save them for these kinds of emergencies.
Participation
Participation is dependent on thorough preparation. Preparation requires thoughtfully
reading the texts, writing down key points and/or questions, and being willing to share
your thoughts and reactions during class discussion. Discussions become difficult and
quite boring when all members of the class have not read the assigned texts. Respect
yourself as a necessary member of this community, as well as your fellow classmates, by
being prepared everyday. Please note that many in-class writing exercises assume (and
depend upon) your having read the assigned material. Review your syllabus frequently,
and plan your workload accordingly.
Formal Writing and Cover Letters
Essays are due at the beginning of class on the date due. Late essays are subject to
having their final grade reduced. Absence from class on the due date does not excuse the
lateness of your assignment. Allow plenty of time for printing your essay in the computer
lab, and/or keep an extra ink cartridge handy if using your own printer.
ALL formal essays and homework assignments must be computer-generated and saved
as a separate document in order to best facilitate revision. Use a reasonable font and
point size (12 pt. Times New Roman is standard). ALL documents should be
double-spaced with one-inch margins. Be sure to proofread every paper you turn in.
Most formal writing assignments will be accompanied by a cover letter (minimum one
page—we will discuss cover letters further in class). Papers which are handwritten or
lack a cover letter will not be graded.
NOTE: Save ALL the writing you do during the semester. You can clear your files in
January. Until then, you never know what may prove useful during a revision. If you
compose and revise on a computer, periodically print out (in addition to saving
electronically) versions of your draft so that you have a record of its process. Keep
copies for yourself of all major assignments handed in to me. In addition, it is your
responsibility to keep all drafts that I have commented on for the Final Portfolio.
Assignments which are more than one week late will receive an F. Nonetheless, you
must complete ALL five major writing assignments and submit a complete final portfolio
in order to earn a passing grade for the course.
Final Portfolio
The end-of-semester portfolio consists of writing revised especially for the portfolio
review, including a Self-Assessment Letter and final revisions of some of the formal
writing assignments. We will spend a considerable amount of time discussing portfolio
requirements and working on revision during the latter half of the semester so please stay
tuned.
Grading Policy
Attendance and Active Participation
Cover Letters and Peer Critiques
Formal Writing Assignments
Final Portfolio
10%
10%
70%
10%
According to the University at Buffalo’s Composition Program policy, an incomplete
grade may only be given to students who have (1) fulfilled the attendance requirement
for the course and (2) completed all but one of the written assignments.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using another person’s words and ideas as though they were your own. It is
easy to avoid plagiarism: simply put the material you have taken from someone else’s
writing in quotation marks and cite the person’s name and publication in your paper.
Even if you are paraphrasing another person’s ideas or text, you must acknowledge this
source. Plagiarism is a serious offense which can result in expulsion from the
University. A paper which contains any plagiarized material at all will receive an F; two
such plagiarized papers will result in the student receiving an F for the course. NOTE:
plagiarism is not restricted to the use of published work; the passing of another student’s
work or texts from the internet / web as your own is also a case of plagiarism. Any
attempt to commit this violation of academic integrity will be taken seriously. All
students are expected to be familiar with and abide by the University’s academic integrity
policies, available in the Undergraduate Catalog:
http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/course/integrity.shtml
or the Graduate School Policies and Procedures Manual:
http://www.grad.buffalo.edu/policies/index.php.
Plagiarism detection software may be used by individual instructors or the institution to
aid in determining the originality of student work.
Syllabus
WEEK 1: Government! What is it good for! (Absolutely nothing?)
DATE
Mon, Jan 15
IN-CLASS
NO CLASS
HOMEWORK
NO CLASS- Martin Luther King Jr.
Day
Wed, Jan 17
Introduction, discuss syllabus
and course objectives.
Complete letter responding to course
theme, (1-2 pages).
Begin to compose response
letters to course theme
Fri, Jan 19
Journal entry on purpose of
government
Read Rousseau, “The Origins of Civil
Society,” p. 56-72
Discussion of letters and
general aims of
government/governmental
power
WEEK 2: You say you’ll change the constitution, well you know…
DATE
Mon, Jan 22
Wed, Jan 24
IN-CLASS
Journal entry on
freedoms/equality
HOMEWORK
Read Jefferson, “The Declaration of
Independence,” p. 78-81
Discussion of Rousseau’s
foundational principles.
Human nature – how good are
we?
Journal entry on natural
Finish Assignment #1 Due Friday, Jan
rights/foundational principles
26, re-read Jefferson
Discuss Jefferson and
foundational principals of
American government,
relationship to Rousseau.
Fri, Jan 26
Assignment #1 (see handout)
on human natures and natural
rights
Assignment #1 due at
beginning of class
Read Machiavelli, “The Prince,” p. 3-21
Journal entry on tools of
government
Continue discussion of
Jefferson, brief introduction to
Machiavelli
WEEK 3: Let’s talk Machiavelli baby, let’s talk about you and me - all the good
things, all the bad things a state can be
DATE
IN-CLASS
HOMEWORK
Journal entry on Machiavelli
Read Machiavelli, “The Prince,” p. 21 Mon, Jan 29
47
Discussion of
Machiavellianism and the
types of states-Where does
American fit (its not so
simple!)?
Journal entry republics.
Read Machiavelli, “The Prince,” p. 48 Wed, Jan 31
60
Discussion of founding of
states in Machiavelli, and the
place of the republic
Journal entry on contemporary Read Machiavelli, “The Prince,” p. 61Fri, Feb 2
military involvement
87. Find one reference to
“Machiavellian” tactics in modern
Discussion of the military in
politics and bring it to class.
Machiavelli.
WEEK 4: Violence – The Prince only beats me because he loves me…
DATE
Mon, Feb 5
Wed, Feb 7
Fri, Feb 9
IN-CLASS
Discussion and group-work on
whether ‘tis better to be feared
or to be loved using examples
from homework – Machiavelli
in modernity.
Journal entry on luck
Discussion on Machiavellian
virtue and fortune
Assignment #2 on
foundational principals of
government (see handout).
HOMEWORK
Read Machiavelli “The Prince,” p. 87111
Read Arendt, “Total Domination,” p.
88-96
Brainstorm for assignment #2, email
thesis statements to me by Sunday
night at 9pm
Journal entry on how far we’ve
come since 1513.
Discussion of Arendt as the
contemporary realization of
Machiavellian politics
WEEK FIVE: The three R’s- reading, writing and republics
DATE
Mon, Feb 12
IN-CLASS
Thesis statement workshops
Wed, Feb14
In-class exercises on
organization and development
First Draft of Assignment #2
Due
Fri, Feb 16
HOMEWORK
Revise thesis statements, continue
writing first draft.
Finish first draft of assignment #2
Begin revising, complete revision
checklist on handout.
Discussion on revision
techniques, handout
WEEK SIX: Finishing what we started, starting what we have not yet finished
DATE
Mon, Feb 19
IN-CLASS
Peer Critiques
HOMEWORK
Finish peer critique letters
Wed, Feb 21
Workshopping
Finish assignment #2
Fri, Feb 23
Final Draft of Assignment #2
Read Rawls, “A Theory of Justice,” p.
due
Journal entry on the aim of
justice.
199-204
Discussion of justice and its
place in the political societies
we have discussed.
WEEK SEVEN: The truth about justice? The truth about justice!? You can’t
handle the truth about the nature of justice!
DATE
Mon, Feb 26
Wed, Feb 28
Fri, Feb 26
IN-CLASS
Journal entry on “fairness”
Discussion of fairness, why it
matters (does government as
we’ve been discussing even
allow it?), and if we can
achieve it.
Journal entry on capabilities
versus rights
Discussion of relationships
between Nussbaum and
Jefferson, capabilities and
virtue.
Assignment #3 on the role of
justice in political systems.
HOMEWORK
Read Nussbaum, “The Central Human
Functional Capabilities,” p. 213-221
Read Nietzsche, “Morals as Fossilized
Violence” (Course Reserve)
Work on thesis statements for
Assignment #3, email thesis statements
to me by 9pm Monday.
Journal entry on the violence
of justice.
Discussion on violence and
justice – does it punish it or
create/perpetuate it?
WEEK EIGHT: You’ve gotta write…for your right…to parrrty!
DATE
Mon, Mar 5
IN-CLASS
Thesis statement workshops
HOMEWORK
Continue Assignment #3
Wed, Mar 7
Class discussion on
synthesizing material – how to
Finish first draft of Assignment #3
Fri, Mar 9
make 1513, 1776 and 2006
matter to one another.
First draft of Assignment #3
Peer Critiques
Finish peer critique letters, email to your
peers as soon as possible. Revise and
finish assignment #3
WEEK NINE: Do justice to your paper and violence to attendance
DATE
Mon, Mar 12
IN-CLASS
Spring Break
HOMEWORK
Finish assignment #3
Wed, Mar 14
Spring Break
Finish assignment #3
Fri, Mar 16
Spring Break
Finish assignment #3
WEEK TEN: Starting the Research Assignment
DATE
Mon, Mar 19
IN-CLASS
Final Draft of
Assignment #3 Due
HOMEWORK
Brainstorm for paper topics.
Hand out research paper
assignment.
Wed, Mar 21
Fri, Mar 23
Welcome to the research
paper. Discussion of
topics, how to pick a good
topic.
Research proposal
handout
Further discussion on
choosing a research paper
topic and how to foresee
unforeseen complications.
Research proposal due.
Small group presentation
of research proposals
Write research proposal
Begin to do research on your topic, find
at least one book to re
WEEK ELEVEN: Compiling Research/Writing a Paper
DATE
Mon, Mar 26
IN-CLASS
Library Visit
Wed, Mar 28
Discussion of Journal
HOMEWORK
Choose the 2 sources you will use for
your essay. Write 1/2 page each telling
why you chose them and how you
found them.
Annotated Bibliography. Bring in 2
copies on Friday
Annotated Bibliography
Handout
Citation Handout
Fri, Mar 30
Last Day for MidSemester Conferences
Annotated Bibliographies
Rough Draft of Research Paper
Discussion of Annotated
Bibliography
Plagiarism and Citation
WEEK TWELVE: Finishing Research Paper
DATE
Mon, April 2
Wed, April 4
Fri, April 6
IN-CLASS
Organization of Research
Paper
HOMEWORK
Finish Rough Draft of Research Paper.
Bring THREE copies to class on
Monday and email me a copy no
later than 7pm on April 3
Small Group Peer
Write Peer Critiques. Bring TWO
Critiques
copies of each to class Wednesday.
Failure to do so will result in a failing
grade.
Introductions/Conclusions Complete Research paper. Due Apr 9
at beginning of class. Your folder
should have a minimum of 3 drafts
(including final), a cover letter and a
Works Cited page
WEEK THIRTEEN: Portfolio Revision
DATE
Mon, April 9
IN-CLASS
Research Paper due at
BEGINNING OF
CLASS
HOMEWORK
Review your graded work
Wed, April 11
Comprehensive Revision
– An Overview
Revise Assignment #2. Bring your
revision and your graded final draft
on Friday
Fri, April 13
Workshopping Theses
Revise Assignment #3. Bring your
revision and your graded final draft
on Monday
WEEK FOURTEEN: Portfolio Revision
DATE
Mon, April 16
IN-CLASS
Revision of Final
Research Papers
HOMEWORK
Begin Revision on Research Paper
with an eye for organization.
Wed, April 18
Small Group Peer
Critiques
Continue Revision Research paper,
with an eye for citation.
Fri, April 20
In-class workshop of
papers
Complete Revision of Research Paper.
Structural RevisionMaking an Outline
Return to 2 and 3 and search for
structural errors. Revise again if
necessary
WEEK FIFTEEN: Portfolio Revision
DATE
Mon, Apr 26
IN-CLASS
Fine-Tuning
HOMEWORK
Fine tune all final portfolio papers
Wed, April 28
Self-Assessment Handout
Portfolios
Write Self-Assessment
Begin composing Portfolio
Fri, April 30
Portfolio Assembly
Revise fine tune if needed
Complete composition of portfolio,
including all necessary documents
(see handout)
WEEK SIXTEEN: LAST DAY
DATE
Mon, May
IN-CLASS
PORTFOLIOS DUE
TODAY. CLASS
ATTENDANCE
MANDATORY
HOMEWORK
Have fun!