Writing 2: Origins

Writing 2: Origins

Instructor: James H. Donelan

Email: donelan@english.ucsb.edu
Office Location: 2715 Hall
Office Hours: Monday 9:30-10:30, Tuesday 11-12 or by appointment.
Enroll Code: 46557
Class Meetings: TR 12:00- 1:50 HSSB 1227
Instructor Home Page: http://www.english.ucsb.edu/faculty/jdonelan

Course Description: The course will explore the fundamental forms and styles of academic writing across the disciplines. Students will research and write a series of exercises and essays in three areas: literature, anthropology, and geography.

Course Outcomes: Students who complete the course successfully should be able to:

read, understand, and summarize academic texts in different disciplines
understand distinctions in methodology, rhetoric and argumentation among the disciplines and apply that understanding to analysis and critique
conduct basic library research using electronic databases
evaluate and document sources properly
schedule research, writing, and editing time effectively
plan and execute short writing projects in the disciplines with confidence
participate in oral, written, and online exchanges among fellow students

Texts:
McPhee, Assembling California
Darwin, Norton Critical Edition
Foster, Epic of Gilgamesh
Hacker, A Writer’s Reference

Requirements:
The course requires regular attendance, active participation in class discussion and activities, and timely completion of all assignments, including short on-line assignments and preliminary drafts as well as the final draft of each assignment. In addition, please note:

The drop deadline is Friday, January 7, by 6:45PM through GOLD.
On-line assignments are due by class time on the day assigned, unless otherwise indicated. Late assignments will result in grade reductions.
Every assignment should be carefully edited and proofread.
Your classmates and your instructor depend on your presence in class and your full participation. Attendance, participation in class discussion, and electronic exchanges therefore count for a substantial part of your grade.
Plagiarism—the use of someone else’s writing or ideas without proper documentation—is a serious offense. University regulations regarding plagiarism will be strictly enforced; penalties for academic dishonesty include failure of the course and dismissal from the university.
Chronic absenteeism or late assignments will result in failure of the course.
Students with disabilities may contact me via email, during office hours, or after class to discuss special accommodations.
All assignments must be completed in order for you to receive a passing grade. Your final grade will be calculated as follows:

Completeness and Punctuality of Assignments, 15%
Class Participation, 10%
Literature Essay, 25%
Anthropology Essay, 25%
Environmental Studies Essay, 25%

Syllabus

I: Writing, Literature, and Civilization: The Gilgamesh Epic

1/4       Introduction: Academic Writing and Logistics

1/6      Reading: Gilgamesh, Introduction, Tablets I-II; Hacker “A” and “G”
            Writing: 250-word response: “Gilgamesh as Hero”
            In-Class: Reading ancient texts; literary criticism

1/11     Reading: Gilgamesh, Tablets III-VII; Hacker “S” and “P”
            Writing: Invention: “Ten Questions About Gilgamesh”
            In-Class: Developing an idea into a working topic and thesis.

1/13     Reading: Gilgamesh, Tablets VIII-XI; Hacker “C”
            Writing: Close reading: “The Key Tablet”
            In-Class: Framing a primary source; developing a reading

1/18     Reading: Moran, “The Gilgamesh Epic,” 171; Hacker “MLA”
            Writing: Framing a secondary source: “The Key Tablet in Context”
            In-Class: Argument, logic, and sources

1/20     Reading: Jakobsen, “And Death…” 183; Hacker “W”
            Writing: Complete draft of essay
            In-Class: Revision workshop

1/22 Essay in Literary Criticism Due

II: Writing, Evolution, and Anthropology: Darwin

1/25     Reading: Introduction, 1 and Beagle, 67; Hacker “APA/CMS”
            Writing: Personal response: 250 words on science and truth
            In-class: Principles of scientific argument; research in science

1/27     Reading: Origin of Species, 95; Hacker, “R”
            Writing: Defining four major terms
            In-Class: Ideas, conjectures, theories, and proof

2/1       Reading: Scientific Method, 289; Evolution as…Fact, 373; Review Hacker “S”
            Writing: From evidence to argument
            In-Class: Inductive reasoning; acceptable arguments

2/3       Reading: Descent of Man, 175; Review Hacker “C”
            Writing: Applying a theory
            In-Class: Developing a scientific essay; ideas and organization

2/8       Reading: “Cooperation and Competition” and “Nature and Nurture,” 387
            Writing: Prospectus and outline
            In-Class: Evaluating your plans; improving an outline

2/10    Reading: “Darwin and the Literary Mind,” 631
            Writing: Draft of social science essay
            In-Class: Draft workshop

2/12 Essay in Social Science Argument Due

III: Writing, Science, and Plate Tectonics: McPhee

2/15    Reading: McPhee, 1-66; review Hacker “S”
            Writing: 250-word response on style
            In-Class: Improving your writing style: sentences

2/17    Reading: McPhee, 67-127; review Hacker “W”
            Writing: Issues in geology
            In-Class: Choosing a topic; scientific questions

2/22    Reading: McPhee, 128-193; review Hacker “G” and “P”
            Writing: Essay proposal
            In-Class: Judging proposals; responses and modifications

2/24    Reading: McPhee, 194-end; review Hacker “R” and “APA/CMS”
            Writing: Essay research list
            In-Class: Evaluating sources

3/1       Reading: Sources
            Writing: Outline
            In-Class: Scientific arguments and paper structure

3/3       Reading: Sources, continued.
            Writing: Draft of science essay
            In-Class: Peer review of drafts

3/5 Essay on Science Due

IV: Revision Week

3/8 Workshop
3/10 Workshop

3/12 Revision Due