ENGLISH 101: College Writing
Monday/Wednesday 3:35-4:50 p.m.
LEONARD 202
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
FALL 2011
Instructor: Shana Kraynak
Office Phone: 742-357-1298
Email: s.m.kraynak@iup.edu
Office Hours: M/W 2:15-3:20 p.m.
Office: Keith 109
and by appointment
Course Blog: iupcollegewriting.wordpress.com
Course Description:
This course is designed to strengthen your college-level writing skills, with particular attention to
persuasion, analysis, synthesis and an introduction to research methodologies. We will use
readings in the nature and history of language, semantic and linguistic analysis, problems in
rhetoric and other approaches to composition. These resources will add to our discussion of and
practice with purposeful writing. Particular attention will focus on the writing process through
drafting, revising, and editing as you complete short exercises, longer essay assignments, and a
final portfolio.
Course Goals:
The primary goal for this course is to prepare you for academic and professional success. In
short, the foundational knowledge you acquire in this course will aid in your effective
participation and critical understanding of the world around you.
By the end of this course, you will
 learn to write effective, organized prose which communicates clearly and demonstrates
awareness of audience, adequate development, unity, and coherence
 construct and support specific and clear thesis statements and structure multi-paragraph
essays in various modes
 adapt tone and content to suit both your purpose and your audience in written essays and
oral presentations
 demonstrate knowledge of the writing process by prewriting, drafting, revising, and
editing essays
 have read a substantial work of fiction or non-fiction as a source for ideas, discussion,
and writing activity
Required texts:
 Common Culture: Reading and Writing About Popular Culture [7th edition]. Michael F.
Petracca & Madeleine Sorapure. Alynn & Bacon, 2012.
ISBN-13: 978-0205171781
 The Little Seagull Handbook. Richard Bullock & Francine Weinberg. W. W. Norton &
Company, 2011.
ISBN-13: 978-0393911510
 Assigned handouts are posted online on our course blog.
 Bring your textbooks and all assigned readings to each class.
Discussing and analyzing a variety of texts plays an integral role in learning to write
sophisticated, non-fiction pieces and practicing critical thinking skills. Read all assignments
carefully and thoughtfully and be prepared to discuss readings in class.
Grading:
There are 100 points possible: 100-90=A; 89-80=B; 79-70=C; 69-60=D; 59-0=F.
10 points: Reading responses, exercises, and in-class writing
10 points: Essay 1
10 points: Essay 2
10 points: Essay 3
10 points: Essay 4
25 points: Final portfolio (Essay 5 + one revised essay)
15 points: Presentations
10 points: Participation and attendance
Your writing is not graded on a curve, and you cannot pass simply by attending class. Other
considerations adversely affecting your grade include habitual tardiness, chronic absences,
general apathy, and lack of participation (both in class and online). Keep copies of all graded
assignments!
Essays:
All writing for this course requires risk, revision, and some require research using MLA
style documentation. All work must be typed using 12-point font, double-spaced with oneinch margins. Turn in all pre-writing outlines, drafts, etc. with your completed assignment. This
includes post-it notes, hand-written outlines, brainstorming, etc, etc. It all counts!
For your essays, you will be asked to explore complex questions, examine and analyze one or
more texts and create your own argument. You will be graded on your ideas and your
presentation of those ideas. For each essay, you will receive a detailed assignment sheet
outlining specific grading criteria and expectations. Each essay is due in class and will be
marked down one letter grade for each day it is late.
Reading Responses, Writing Assignments, & Discussion Questions:
These shorter writing assignments must be at least one full (double-spaced) page unless
otherwise specified. Some of these assignments will simply be journal responses to a text, while
other assignments will require risk and creativity. These assignments, for the most part, will be
assigned during class and will be due during our next meeting. For this reason, it is very
important that you do not miss class sessions.
Course Blog [http://iupcollegewriting.wordpress.com]:
Our online community provides a paperless way for you to turn in certain assignments. The
course syllabus, writing projects, and assigned readings are also posted on the page for your
convenience. Each of you is responsible for keeping up to date on blog postings and for
contributing to our creative space.
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Peer-review:
Bringing copies of your rough draft to class is required on days with peer review. You will
utilize this time to read over your classmates’ work and offer feedback (both positive and
critical). You will lose participation points if you do not bring copies of your work on these days
or if you do not take this exercise seriously during class time. Come prepared with specific
questions and/or concerns about your assignment for your peers to address. Also come prepared
to give the same amount of feedback that you expect to receive. Each group member must
participate in a thoughtful, polite, helpful, and fair manner.
Conferences:
These required one-on-one meetings are one of the best ways for you to improve your writing
because we can discuss specific concerns and goals for your writing. Since you all have different
writing strengths and weaknesses, I am better able to address your needs in a private conference.
Students who take conferences seriously usually show the most improvement and in the writing
classes that follow. But, please know that conferences do not guarantee good grades. I will make
suggestions for improvement, but editing is still your responsibility. Please note that individual
conferences take place outside of class and do count towards your participation grade. Missing a
conference will count as an absence so please plan accordingly so that you do not have a
scheduling conflict.
Absences/Lateness:
You are allowed three unexcused absences during the semester without adversely affecting your
grade. Excused absences, such as illnesses or personal emergencies, must be cleared with me
beforehand and/or justified immediately afterwards by written documentation (e.g. a note from
an E.R. doctor). If you need to miss class, it is your responsibility to catch up on the material you
missed either by contacting me or by talking to a classmate. I expect everyone to be fully
prepared and ready for active engagement at the beginning of class. If you are late to class or
leave frequently or for an extended period of time during class, you will be marked for half an
absence for that day.
Techno-gadgets:
It’s a simple rule: turn everything off and put everything away. If you like to keep track of the
time during class, you’ll have to wear a watch since you will not be permitted to keep your cell
phone on your desk. Repeat offenses will count against your participation grade.
The Writing Center
Located in Room 218 of Eicher Hall, the Writing Center offers free, individual tutoring and
writing resources to help you improve your writing. It is open M-Th 9 AM to 5 PM and 6PM to
9 PM, and Friday 9 AM to 3 PM. Visit the following link for more details:
http://www.iup.edu/writingcenter/default.aspx
Academic Integrity:
Cheating and plagiarism are serious infractions, not only of IUP policy but also of the spirit of
higher education and university life. Please read IUP’s academic integrity policy at
http://www.iup.edu/page.aspx?id=24475 to better understand what counts as a violation and
what procedures will be followed if you are suspected of having violated the policy.
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[Tentative] Course Schedule:
All assignments are due on the date listed above. Have each assignment completed at the
beginning of class. Be prepared: have any required texts, handouts, and written work with you.
UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO POP CULTURE & THE WRITING PROCESS
August 29
Course Introduction
In-class essay
August 31
CC: 1-26
Discussion question (DQ’s are to be typed and turned in during the next class meeting):
Why is pop culture a relevant area for study?
September 5
No class.
Seagull: 14-26
September 7
CC: 26-45
Seagull: 46-49
Come to class with a written definition for “thesis statement”
September 12
WRITING ASSIGNMENT #1 DUE
Watch TV on Sunday, September 11th. Observe the ways in which different channels
approach the tenth anniversary of 9/11. If you don’t have a television (good
for you!), then please check a variety of web resources to see how online newspapers,
blogs, facebook, etc., are documenting the anniversary. Take notes on your observations.
Print from course blog: “The View From Mrs. Thompson’s,” “Welcome to the Desert of
the Real”
September 14
ESSAY 1 DUE
Course blog: “A Modest Proposal”
UNIT 2: WHAT MAKES US LAUGH?
September 19
CC: “Losing Our Religion,” “Amusing Ourselves to Death with Television News: Jon
Stewart, Neil Postman, and the Huxleyan Warning” (151-178)
Discussion questions: 1-4 (pg 166)
September 21
CC: “‘Fake’ News versus ‘Real’ News as Sources of Political Information: The Daily
Show and Postmodern Political Reality” (178-199)
Discussion questions 2, 4, 5 (pg 199)
September 26
WRITING ASSIGNMENT #2 DUE
Browse www.theonion.com until you find an article that has you in hysterics. PRINT and
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bring your favorite article to class.
September 28
LOGICAL FALLACY QUIZ
Seagull: 38-41
Create and bring in two top five lists: one list of things you think are hilarious and
another list of things that aren’t. Your lists can be made up of any combination of films,
TV shows, songs, books, etc.
October 3
PEER REVIEW
October 5
ESSAY 2 DUE
CC: “How to Save the Music Business” (268-275)
Print out lyrics from your favorite song.
UNIT 3: DO WE WORSHIP FALSE IDOLS?
October 10
CC: “Breaking Down Borders: How Technology Transforms the Private and Public
Realms” (319-322), “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” (336-346)
Discussion questions: 1-3 (pg 322), #5 (page 346)
October 12
WRITING ASSIGNMENT #3 DUE
CC: Chapter 3 Intro (115-116), “Society’s Storyteller: How TV Creates the
Myths by Which We Live,” “Television Addiction Is No Mere Metaphor,” “Watching
TV Makes You Smarter” (116-144)
Discussion questions: #2 (pg 121), #1 (pg 130), #2 (pg 143)
October 17
CC: “The Roar of the Crowd” (361-370), “Champion of the World” (391-395)
Discussion questions: 1-2 (pg 369), #1 (pg 394)
Course blog:
http://www.infowars.com/articles/sept11/giuliani_spent_more_time_at_yankees_games_than_gr
ound_zero.htm
In class viewing: Nine Innings From Ground Zero
October 19
CC: “The Boy Who Died of Football,” “Does Football Have a Future?” (396-435)
Seagull: 32-37
Reading response: Nine Innings From Ground Zero
October 24
PEER REVIEW
October 26
ESSAY 3 DUE
CC: Chapter 2 intro (46-48), “The Cult You’re In” (49-53), “Jesus is a Brand
of Jeans” (86-91
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UNIT 4: WHAT DOES ADVERTISING ACTUALLY SELL US?
October 31
CC: “Advertising’s Fifteen Basic Appeals” (54-72), “How Advertising Informs to Our
Benefit” (73-84)
Discussion questions: 1-2 (pg 72), #2 and #4 (pg 84)
November 2
CC: “Interview with Mark Crispin Glover,” “The Post Advertising Age” (93-108)
Discussion questions: 1-3 (pg 100), #1 (107)
November 7
CC: “The Brain: Marketing to Your Mind” (109-111)
Discussion questions: 1-2 (pg 111)
Bring TWO magazines to class.
November 9
GROUP PRESENTATIONS
November 14
PEER REVIEW
November 16
ESSAY 4 DUE/Presentations of visual arguments
HAPPY TURKEY DAY!
November 21/November 23: No class
UNIT 5: DOES CINEMA REFLECT YOUR CULTURE?
November 28
CC: Chapter 7 Intro, “The Way We Are” (451-465), “Freaks, Geeks, and Mensches: Judd
Apatow’s Comedies of the Mature” (536-541)
Discussion questions: 1, 2, and 5 (pg 541)
November 30
View outside of class: Fight Club
CC: “Fight Club: A Ritual Cure for the Spiritual Ailment of American Masculinity”
(463-486)
Discussion questions: 1-4 (pg 485-486)
December 5
CC: “Raising the Dead: Unearthing the Nonliterary Origins of Zombie Cinema” (507523)
Discussion questions: 1-5 (pg 522)
December 7
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS
December 12
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS
Class wrap up
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FINAL EXAM
Wednesday, DECEMBER 14th
2:45-4:45 p.m.
[Final portfolio due AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FINAL EXAM
PERIOD]
NO EXCEPTIONS
Includes:
-ESSAY 5
-One revised essay
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