English 120 Schedule
Nichols, Fall 2015
After each date below, you will see instructions for work-to-be-done before class time,
as well as tentative in-class activities and any work due.
If you should miss a class, please do NOT contact me first, asking, “What did we do?”
You should first check this schedule, review and/or watch any new Power Point
presentations, and request notes from a couple classmates. Then let me know if you
have specific questions.
Wed. Aug. 26—
Introduction to course. “Describe this Class.”
Fri. Aug. 28—
Before Class
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Explore all links in Bb, especially the Homepage.
Read Martin Luther King Jr., “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
Also: save this piece on your laptop or print out a copy for use
throughout term.
In Class
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Always bring your laptop to class.
Review course aims, textbooks, etc.
Overview of recent race issues. Confederate flag; Black Lives Matter
campaign; police brutality. YouTube assignment.
Summary of “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
Mon. Aug. 31—
Before Class
Browse through these YouTube videos and other resources which relate to the
King letter you read recently.
Archival footage of Dr. King and police with nonviolent protesters
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFKx6HJLC7U
Sandra Bland
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpSEemvwOn4
Here’s the same incident with commentary:
o http://www.attn.com/stories/2498/sandra-bland-arrestlawful?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign
=internal
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiSwzr-gbxY
Eric Gardner
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhqHEgIgSGU
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With commentary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpSEemvwOn4
Walter Scott
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdoeBXt06Bc
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With commentary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kO_wLMH3hc
Photos of Dylann Roof, accused of murdering 9 African Americans
in a historic black church:
 http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=dylan%EE%80%81
+roof+%EE%80%80photos&qpvt=Dylann+Roof+photoes&qp
vt=Dylann+Roof+photoes&FORM=IQFRML
Arrest of Dylann Roof (compare to how African Americans are seen
to be arrested):
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6M73uToRR0
Young girl slammed into ground, cop pulls gun on teens
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R46-XTqXkzE
And some news items:
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_28668742/atminnesota-capitol-confederate-flag-rally-set
Black churches burning:
http://bluenationreview.com/whoisburningblackchurches-anotherhistorically-black-church-fire-erupts-in-south-carolina/
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In Class
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Finish King summary, if necessary.
Share YouTube observations.
Intro to argument.
Begin work on King rhetorical analysis (worksheet).
Wed. Sept. 2—
Before Class
In Class
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RETURN WRITING TODAY IF YOU HAVE THE WRONG EDITION. We
are using the BRIEF 3rd, not the regular 3rd.
If you DID already purchase the regular 3rd, you need to return in
BY TODAY, then order the Brief version online through the
bookstore. They will contact you when it is in.
Groups complete King rhetorical analysis worksheet.
Fri. Sept 4—
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We will not meet today.
Mon. Sept. 7—Labor Day Holiday
Wed. Sept. 9—BE SURE TO RETURN YOUR WRITING TODAY TEXT TO THE
BOOKSTORE WITH RECEIPT NO LATER THAN TODAY.
Before Class
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Take a look at Salon.com article on North Dakota high school dress
codes!:
http://www.salon.com/2014/10/01/north_dakota_high_school_eliminates_
dangerous_threat_to_male_students_yoga_pants/
Read “Describe This Class”:
http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/First Class Descriptions Sp
15.docx. Also print this out or have it available on your laptop.
Read John Holt, “School Is Bad For Children”:
http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Holt School is Bad for
Children.docx

Read Greta Gao, “Why School Should Be less Fun”:
http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Ed Anti Fun.docx
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Rent or buy Dangerous Minds (1:39). You can try Amazon.com, Netflix, or
YouTube, etc. (Amazon has it on Instant Video.)
Watch film. Print out and jot notes on this question sheet
as you watch the film!:
http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/EdFilmQuestionsGeneralUse.do
cx You don’t have to turn in the completed sheet; simply use it to take
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notes as you watch the film. SAVE YOUR WORK.
Read critical essay on Dangerous Minds:
http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Rhetorical Analysis Dangerous
Minds.docx
In Class
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Begin work with Project #1: rhetorical analysis of a popular film about
education.
Class descriptions and perspectives wheel.
Possibly go over King summaries, then your King rhetorical analyses.
Possibly summarize and rhetorically analyze arguments by Holt and Gao
(or simply add generalizations to perspectives wheel)
Possibly begin discussion of Dangerous Minds.
Fri. Sept. 11—
In Class
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Be sure to have watched Dangerous Minds by today!
Discuss King summary and rhet. analysis.
Assignment for Project #1: Rhetorical Analysis of Popular Media: Films
about Education:
http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project1RhetoricalAnalysisEdFi
lmSp2015.htm
Exploring messages in pop culture and how to rhetorically analyze
cultural documents, including fictional film.
Continue discussion of Dangerous Minds and possibly look at scenes
from Whiplash.
Preview of visual argument fundamentals.
Mon. Sept. 14—
Before Class

Select your ed film and watch, using question sheet again:
http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/EdFilmQuestionsGeneralUse.do
cx
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In Class
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Continue work with visual argument etc.
Outlining first drafts.
Reviewing basic terms of rhetorical analyses.
Begin conference sign-up.
Wed. Sept. 16—
Before Class
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Read a sample rhetorical analysis of a popular film:
www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/RhetoricalAnalysisInstructorSa
mpleEssayDangerousMinds.docx
Write draft for first project, minimum 3 pages. Print out 2 hardcopies.
Print out 2 copies of critique form:
https://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project%201%20CRITIQUE%2
0Education%20Rhetorical%20Analysis.docx
In Class
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Draft #1, Project #1 due, minimum 3 pages. BRING 2 HARDCOPY
PRINT-OUTS.
Also bring 2 HARCOPY PRINT-OUTS OF CRITIQUE FORM:
http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project1CRITIQUEEduca
tionRhetoricalAnalysis.do
Peer critiques.
Fri. Sept. 18— Conference week. No regular class. MEET IN MY OFFICE, MINARD
316F.
Your second draft is due at the time of your scheduled meeting. No rescheduling.
Groups should meet once over the conference period to critique second
drafts. (Use the same critique form as above.)
Everyone should save all critiques.
Mon. Sept. 21— Conferences. Same as for 18th.
Wed. Sept. 23— Conferences. Same as for 18th.
Fri. Sept. 25— Conferences. Same as for 18th.
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Mon. Sept. 28— Conferences extended through today.
Wed. Sept. 30 —
Before Class
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Work on final draft of Project #1.
In Class
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Finished version of Project #1 due. Include 2nd draft with instructor
comments, second peer critiques, and completed film worksheet
questions. STAPLE ALL MATERIALS. Remember that you do have a 1week grace period. If you hand in your project within a week, there will be
no penalty other than going into my late pile. Be sure to use the Late Form
which you can access at the top of our Bb menu.
Overview of Project #2.
Ranking songs. Discovering and developing personal criteria for art/music.
Art perspectives wheel.
Fri. Oct. 2—
Before Class

Click here for a list of sample reviews to look over:
www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project2ReviewstoReadAsSam
plesFall2015.docx
In Class
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Finish looking at student rankings and views. (We’ll come back to the 2sided list of views later.)
What is “music”? What constitutes real music? Listen to Tibetan throat
singing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GslzWvQRiJg&spfreload=10ht
tps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp_y1B1eQeo&spfreload=10
Yesterday’s school shooting.
Look at Assignment for Project #2:
www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project2ArtReviewCollabo
rativeFall2015.htm
Discuss sample reviews.
Informal reviews of Dangerous Minds, using some of the criteria we
developed on Wed.
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Mon. Oct. 5—
Before Class
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Be thinking about what kind of art you might like to review! Look
around, check newspapers, web sites, campus attractions.
Carefully read the assignment for Project #2 and explore the links
provided under the assignment in Bb.
In Class
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Look at Project Steps:
www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project2ArtReviewProjectSte
psFall2015.docx
Discuss research and note-taking.
Groups assembled and point persons assigned.
Groups decide what to review. Look at:
www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project2ArtReviewSelectingSu
bjectFall2015.docx
Divide up background research.
Plan to watch/listen to/experience your chosen work.
Wed. Oct. 7— Work Day. No regular class meeting. Between Oct. 5 and Oct. 9, everyone
should do the following:
1. Group members complete their assigned background research on the kind
of art they’ve selected. See:
www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project2ArtReviewBackgroun
dResearchFall2015.docx
2. Group members send their research reports to the point person. The point
person should keep this material in a folder.
3. Group members watch/hear/experience their chosen art work, either
individually or as a group. Watch the film, go to the concert, visit the art
gallery, listen to the CD, etc. TAKE NOTES—jotting impressions, questions.
Fri. Oct. 9—
Before Class
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Everyone should complete their assigned background research and also
experience the art work, taking ample notes.
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Everyone should send their work to the point person, who should keep it all
in a folder.
In Class
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Discuss how to work effectively in groups and Group Member Peer
Evaluation.
Groups discuss general impressions of art work; thumbs-up or thumbsdown. Compare views.
Read reviews already written: divide up research for reviews already
written on your subject. See:
www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project2ArtReviewOtherRevie
wsResearchFall2015.docx
Mon. Oct. 12—
Before Class
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Each member should complete appointed research and write up
report/summary. Send to point person before class.
In Class
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Each group member should email the point person any new material by
class time.
Groups compile and discuss the reviews they’ve read. Reach final consensus:
thumbs up, down, or something else?
Basic outline and components for the reviews you’ll write.
Groups divide up writing segments.
Sneaking into the Movies” ?
Wed. Oct. 14—
Before Class
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Work on assigned segments.
Be thinking about visual design for reviews.
In Class
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Preview the kind of web review you’ll create: design and layout. See
Raindance’s index of film review sites:
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http://www.raindance.org/top-10-film-review-websites/
Watch Power Point presentation, Visual Design and Visual Rhetoric:
Fundamental Principles.
Take a look at “How to Document Images”:
www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Documenting Images.docx
Work on web page design for your review.
Possibly begin inserting written segments.
Review rules of plagiarism.
Fri. Oct. 16—
Before Class
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Continue work on drafts. Each group member should have a task to
complete.
In Class
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Continue work on drafts.
Mon. Oct. 19—
Before Class
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Work on drafts. Each group member should have a task to complete.
Begin reading Bone. Remember that I’ve issued a “reader discretion
advised” and offered a modified copy of the book for anyone who
cares for it.
In Class
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Draft #1, Project #1 due. Check rubric before handing this in:
www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project2ArtReviewRubricFall2015.docx
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Conferences with groups.
Wed. Oct. 21—
Before Class
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Be editing and proofreading your portions of review.
Continue reading Bone. Remember that I’ve issued a “reader
discretion advised” and offered a modified copy of the book for
anyone who cares for it.
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In Class
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Check www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project2ArtReviewRubricFall2015.docx to
be sure you are covering all bases.
Mechanics and editing review. Groups will share this task.
Fri. Oct. 23—
Before Class
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Be editing and proofreading your portions of review.
Continue reading Bone. Remember that I’ve issued a “reader
discretion advised” and offered a modified copy of the book for
anyone who cares for it.
In Class
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Peer critiques.
Mon. Oct. 26—
In Class
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Continue work on reviews.
Begin work with novel. BRING BOOK TO CLASS.
Discuss final genre: literary analysis.
Wed. Oct. 28—
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Finished version of project #2 due. Post this in Bb “Major Project
Assignments.” If I think the writing in your project needs a little work still, I’ll
inform your group and you’ll have a chance to make a few corrections.
Also post your group’s process narrative:
www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/Project2ArtReviewProcessNarrat
iveFall2015New.docx
Turn in (hardcopy) your completed group member evaluation:
www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/120/GroupMemberEvaluationSheet.d
ocx
Work with novel. BRING BOOK TO CLASS.
Fri. Oct. 30—
In Class
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Continue work with novel.
Mon. Nov. 2—
In Class
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Continue work with novel.
Wed. Nov. 4—
In Class
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Continue work with novel.
Fri. Nov. 6—
In Class
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Finish discussion of novel. Examine final essay project. Brainstorming
foci, outlining.
Look over assignment for Project #3.
Begin work on drafts.
Begin conference sign-up.
Mon. Nov. 9— First draft, Project #3 due.
Wed. Nov. 11—Vet’s Day Holiday
Fri. Nov. 13—
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Conference week. No regular class. Your second draft is due at the time of
your scheduled meeting. No re-scheduling. Groups should meet once
over the conference period to critique second drafts. CLICK HERE. for
critique form.
Mon. Nov. 16—
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Conferences.
Wed. Nov. 18—
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Conferences.
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Fri. Nov. 20—
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Conferences.
Mon. Nov. 23
In Class
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Project #3 due. Include second draft with instructor comments and peer
critiques. All materials must be STAPLED.
Course review.
Wed. Nov. 25—
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Course review.
Fri. Nov. 27—Thanksgiving Holiday
Mon. Nov. 30
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Begin work with Portfolios and Reflective Letter. See PORTFOLIO assignment
for full details
Discuss how to do a course evaluation, drawing on education discussions early
in term and review genre. Review notes from first segment of semester.
Review summaries, rhet analysis, identifying lousy arguments.
Portfolios.
Wed. Dec. 2
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Work on Portfolios and Letter.
Fri. Dec. 4
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Work on Portfolios. Review summaries, rhet analyses etc.
Mon. Dec. 7—
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Final class.
Portfolios due in class. No grace period. No late items accepted without
documented evidence of serious hardship.
Wed. Dec. 9—Special office hours.
Fri. Dec. 11—No class. English Dept. program assessment.
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Mon. Dec. 14-Fri. Dec. 18 FINALS WEEK
We will not meet over finals week.
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