ENG 101 Composition as Critical Inquiry Fall 2014
Instructor: Lisa Dooley
Class time:
Classroom: STV
Office: STV 424F
Contact: ldooley@ilstu.edu
Office hours: T/Th XXX-XXX
and by appointment
Mantra
Language is the product of a community and an instrument for changing the world.
Course Description:
The way that we understand the world impacts how we learn. Throughout this
course you will become a writing researcher as you learn to document and evaluate
your learning throughout your writing process, recognizing the value of this
research as it impacts your object of production while constantly assessing what is
being learned.
Since this course is based on genre studies, we will analyze, in depth, the different
situations that produce different kinds of genre environments, which then produce
different genres. We will spend a great deal of time looking at the underlying
ideologies (belief systems) that influence what genres are produced in society, how
they are produced, why they are produced, and whose interests are being served by
their production.
My goal, as best described by Ann George in her essay Dreaming of Democracy, is to
“engage students in analysis of the unequal power relations that produce and are
produced by cultural practices and institutions…[hoping] to enable students to
challenge this inequality.” In short, the purpose of this course is to utilize a genre
studies model to rejuvenate your understanding of freedom and to inspire you to
work together with the other members of your learning community to transform
and recreate a society founded on democratic ideals and respect for each other’s
differences.
Course Materials:
The Grassroots Writing Research Journal, Spring 2015 (available at bookstore)
Additional readings and supplementary materials posted on ReggieNet
throughout the semester
Access to, and proficiency with, ReggieNet
A plastic, two-pocket folder
An ISU email account that you check regularly (I recommend daily if possible)
Printing will be required in order to hand in your assigned projects. You will
either need regular access to a printer or money on your Redbird Card to print.
Course Objectives:
By the end of ENG 101 you will be able to:
Identify different genres, their features, and their roles in contemporary society.
Analyze content that has been created in different genres and create your own
content in multiple genres.
Organize information in a variety of genres, identify the organizational structure
of particular genres, and analyze the content of multiple genres.
Determine the appropriate technology and tools necessary to produce a text in a
particular genre while understanding the affect of technology on that given text.
Trace the trajectory of a text and the social and cultural forces that shape how a
particular genre is created, identified, and understood.
Perform rigorous research.
Cite, quote, and paraphrase a variety of sources correctly, integrating cited
source material into the texts that you produce.
Employ proper grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and sentence structure in
your work throughout the semester. In addition, you will learn to analyze your
textual productions with a keen eye, identifying areas that require improvement
and then addressing these problematic aspects.
Course units:
Each unit will include a detailed research log and reflection journal in addition to
the specific unit assignments.
Unit 1
This unit will lay the groundwork for the entire semester. We will discuss the
foundations of this course as we generate working definitions for the concepts that
we will be dealing with during the semester, including an analysis of genre, CHAT,
and ideology. Social issues and oppressive belief systems will begin to be analyzed,
while these themes will be identified in a variety of genres
Unit 2
This unit will focus on the social and cultural implications of genre and ideology.
Through our examination of “real world genres” we will discuss problematic
ideologies, such as consumerism, as we trace the underpinning belief structures of
genres present in our everyday lives and begin to discuss what it means to take a
stand against these oppressive systems in place. As we lead into a discussion of
trajectory, we will begin to map the way that genre is recognized, constructed, and
understood.
Our work will then lead us to further explore social action and the act of taking a
stand against an oppressive social issue or ideology. We will read and discuss, in
depth, different reviews from a variety of publications as we develop an
understanding of the ways in which publication venues impact the style, content,
and subject matter of the review being analyzed. As the research process becomes
the subject of focus, we begin to look even more closely at our own personal
research methodology.
Unit 3
This is the unit during which we will focus on how to do scholarly research. We will
learn about different ways to research as well as the publication of research in a
variety of journals. The work done throughout this unit will comprise the largest
project of our semester and the subject matter will deal with the genre of the
research article. A thorough genre analysis of the research article will be performed
and a research article will be the object of production in this unit.
Take Home Final
The final project due in this class will contain research of your own research
throughout the semester. Through careful analysis of your reflection journals, your
research logs, and your self assessments, you will produce a project about your
research process. This project can be in the form of any genre(s) that you choose
(whether reviewed in class or not) and must include an explanation of why you
chose the selected genre(s).
Grading breakdown:
Unit 1……………………………………………….15%
Unit 2……………………………………………….25%
Unit 3……………………………………………….30%
Take Home Final Exam………………….…..10%
Participation/Conferencing……………….20%
Grading scale:
90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
0-59 = F
ISU’s Code of Conduct / Academic Dishonesty
Students are expected to be honest in all academic work. A student’s placement of
his or her name on any academic exercise shall be regarded as assurance that the
work is the result of the student’s own thought, effort, and study. Violations include
but are not limited to:
possessing or utilizing any means of assistance (books, notes, papers, articles,
etc.) in an attempt to succeed at any quiz or examination unless specifically
authorized by the instructor.
taking any action with intent to deceive the person in charge as to the student’s
acting without honesty to complete an assignment, such as falsifying data or
sources, providing false information, etc. Students are prohibited from
conversation or other communication in examinations except as authorized by
the instructor.
appropriating without acknowledgement and authorization another’s computer
program, or the results of the program (in whole or part) for a computer-related
exercise or assignment.
plagiarizing. For the purpose of this policy, plagiarism is the unacknowledged
appropriation of another’s work, words, or ideas in any themes, outlines, papers,
reports, speeches, or other academic work. Students must ascertain from the
instructor in each course the appropriate means of documentation.
submitting the same paper for more than one University course without the
prior approval of the instructors.
willfully giving or receiving unauthorized or unacknowledged assistance on any
assignment. This may include the reproduction and/or dissemination of test
materials. Both parties to such collusion are considered responsible.
substituting for another student in any quiz or examination.
being involved in the unauthorized collection, distribution advertisement,
solicitation, or sale of term papers, research papers, or other academic materials
completed by a third party.
Technology policy:
Our classroom is situated in a technology-equipped space and you are encouraged
to utilize this provided technology during your time in the classroom. In addition,
you are free to bring your own devices to class and use them as well. However, a
few rules do apply:
You are not to use your phones in the classroom, unless given prior permission
on a per-case basis. This includes talking as well as texting. If you are texting
during class, a warning will be given to the class in general (without specifically
singling you out); if the texting continues then you will be asked to leave and you
will be counted as absent for the day.
The classroom is not the place to check or engage in social media. If you are on a
social media site, and this activity is not instructed as part of a classroom
activity, then you will be asked to leave and counted as absent for the day.
In addition, engaging in any unassigned Internet activity (checking email,
shopping, reading a blog, etc.) is prohibited.
All devices that you have with you should be silenced before entering the
classroom in respect for our learning environment.
Student responsibilities:
Attendance
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class, and is a requirement for
this course. For this course you are allowed three un-penalized absences. Each
absence beginning with four receives a penalty of 1/3 of a letter grade. If you miss
more than 20% of the class (10 classes) you will automatically fail the course. This is
a Writing Program policy.
I will allow you a five-minute grace period at the beginning of every class, after that I
will mark you tardy. If you are ten minutes or more late to class then you will be
marked absent for the day. Please note that five late arrivals will equate to one
absence. Those of you who need to miss class for a university-sponsored activity
should notify me with the appropriate documentation (in writing) in advance of the
absence. In this case, you are still responsible for making up any missed work and
handing in any assignments by/before the due date.
Participation
Attending class also means that you are prepared by having read the assigned
readings, brought in the assigned material needed for workshop participation,
completed the assigned projects, written the assigned journal entries, and that you
are prepared to discuss and be a valuable participant in the classroom. You must
participate in class by being physically and mentally present and respectfully
engaging in classroom activities and discussions. Your level of participation will
impact your semester grade.
Saving files
You are responsible for saving your files in multiple places. Please use your USB
drive to transport your files to class each day. In addition, I would recommend
emailing yourself these documents just in case you forget/lose this drive. Loss of
USB drive and/or technological failure of any kind is NOT an excuse for a late or
missing assignment.
Late assignment policy
All assigned work is to be completed, printed, and placed in a folder BEFORE class
begins on the day it is due. It is absolutely inappropriate to try to print your
assigned work in class. Any assignments that are not printed and in a folder
before class begins will be considered late. For each calendar day that the
assignment is late, the grade will be lowered by ½ letter grade.
If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances that prohibit you from handing in
your assignment on time please come and talk to me to request a possible extension.
In order for an extension to be considered you must contact me no less than 48
hours ahead of the due date to explain the circumstances surrounding your request.
This will help to avoid extension requests due to procrastination. In addition, I
reserve the right to grant/deny any request for extension.
Missing class is NOT an excuse for turning in late assignments. If you are absent, for
any reason on the day an assignment is due and do not turn in the assignment by the
time that class starts then the late assignment penalty still applies.
Conferences
During the semester there will be three separate student-instructor conferences.
Conferencing is an important aspect of this course. You are expected, without
excuse, to be present and ON TIME at your scheduled conferences. When signing up
for your conference time please remain conscious of your schedule (school, work, or
otherwise) and plan accordingly. Conferences cannot be rescheduled. Absence
from a scheduled conference will result in a zero.
Practicing respect:
Throughout the semester we will be encountering and discussing subject matter
that may be controversial. I want to create a classroom environment that fosters
and encourages questioning and critical thinking about important social issues. In
all of our discussions we must remain respectful of everybody in our learning
community. Choose your words wisely, as not to offend any other individual, and
think through the implications of the statements that you might make and the
judgment that you may pass. Disagreements will occur but must always be handled
with the utmost respect for the opinions of others. Please keep in mind that each
person’s life has been shaped by a multitude of different experiences and impacted
by a variety of belief systems; let this knowledge guide you to always respond to
each other with respect and an open mind.
Counseling Services:
Student Counseling Services at ISU provides students with a variety of support
systems to manage everyday life issues. Students can receive help from trained
professionals on topics such as individual and group counseling, self-help and
assessment, career and life choices, sexual assault, outreach workshops, and help for
friends and family. Emergency walk-in service is also available.
For more information call Student Services at 309-438-3655.
Disability Services:
The Office of Disability Concerns at ISU provides a welcoming atmosphere for
individuals with disabilities by assisting each individual with being able to function
independently within the university community and providing equal access and
opportunity in accomplishing educational, professional and personal goals. The
Office of Disability Concerns obtains and maintains documentation of disability,
certifies eligibility for services, determines reasonable accommodations, and
develops plans for providing such accommodations to those in need such services.
For more information visit Fell Hall, Room 350 or call 309-438-5853.
Writing Center:
I have personally worked in a university writing center and know, first-hand, the
help that they provide to students in all disciplines. I recommend that you visit ISU’s
Writing Center, located in the Julia N. Visor Academic Center, to help you with any
and all of your writing needs.
The Julia N. Visor Academic Center provides FREE one-on-one writing tutoring for
every ISU student taking any course that is offered on campus. Students can receive
help with all aspects of the writing process, from brainstorming and research
techniques to drafting, citing and final revisions.
To schedule an appointment, call 438-7100.
The Julia N. Visor Academic Center (between Manchester and Hewett dorms)
www.ucollege.IllinoisState.edu/tutoring/writing
This syllabus is subject to change at any time to better suit the needs of the class. I will alert you
immediately to any changes.