WR 65: Rhetoric and Critical Thinking II
Fall
2008
CRN 40606 M&W
10:15 – 11:55 a.m. PIO 112
|
Dr. Eleanor Latham
Phone:
383-7547
Office:
Modoc 213
E-mail: elatham@cocc.edu
Office Hours:
W 2:30-3:30; TR 1:30-3:30; & by appt. |
Required Textbooks:
 | McCage, Crystal et al.
Reading Writers: Across the Curriculum (Boston:
Pearson Custom Publishing, 2007). |
| Rosen, Leonard J.
The Academic
Writer’s Handbook 2nd
ed. (New York: Pearson Longman, 2008). |
| Miller, Arthur.
The Crucible. Penguin. |
| 100 Words Every High School Graduate should Know. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003). |
|
Recommended: A college level dictionary |
| 4 Two-pocket folders: 2 for
submitting work, 1 for
saving
graded work and 1 for organizing
current work. |
| A 1”-1 ½”
3 ring binder with at
least 2 dividers (for the Portfolio at the end of the course)
|
|
Pens and paper |
|
A COCC email address and regular computer and internet access |
WR 65, Rhetoric and Critical Thinking II is the second course in a two-course
sequence in developmental reading and writing.
Students will study one long text and shorter selections from varying
points of view representing the three major academic disciplines of humanities,
science, and social science.
Mirroring the reading and writing skills used in college, students read and
write about the primary ways of thinking across the disciplines.
See the WR 65 Outcomes for specific course goals. Recommended
prerequisites reading and/or writing ASSET placement scores of 36-42 or C or
better in WR 60.
Course Theme and Format:
This course will use the theme of the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th
century, using texts from literature, social science and biology. In class, we
will use a variety of learning formats, including (but not limited to) small and
large group discussion; peer reviews; listening and taking notes on lectures;
viewing portions of films; and in-class exercises on vocabulary, grammar,
diction, and documentation.
Major assignments receive traditional letter grades (for example, “A” “B” “C+”);
exercises and reading journals will get number grades (for example, 20/20).
Essay preliminary work and rough drafts get comments but their grades are
included in the final package for each essay (all rough work and worksheets, the
rough draft with instructor comments, peer review worksheet, final draft).
Exercises are all done in-class, using a testing feature in Blackboard (online
course support) and auto-graded for immediate feedback.
The following weightings will apply:
|
3 major homework assignments @ 35%
| ||
|
In-class exercises @ 10% | ||
|
Reading Journals @10% | ||
|
Portfolio including a 3rd essay (reflective essay) to introduce the
portfolio, all work on all 3 essays and new revisions of essays 1 & 2, @ 40% | ||
|
Final Examination @ 5% |
1.
ONE Late Final Draft of essay 1 OR 2 accepted one class late.
Other assignments, OTHER THAN IN-CLASS WORK, are
accepted late ONLY with official documentation showing serious illness
(i.e., a doctor’s note showing physician recommended absence from school)
or significant personal emergency (a family member dying is a
significant personal emergency; your car dying is not).
I grade late drafts
whenever they fit into my grading schedule, which may be after the next
assignment is due. In-class
assignments, including peer reviews, must be completed by the end of the class
period in which they are assigned.
2.
All essay drafts and reading journals must be submitted to Turnitin OR in hard
copy. Assignments are due by the
start of class, either in hard copy or in Turnitin.
All rough work to accompany assignments in Turnitin is due in hard copy
at the start of class. For hard copy
submissions and rough work for assignments submitted to Turnitin, submit in
assignments in a 2 pocket folder. If
you are looking at a graded assignment in Turnitin and you don’t see comments,
just a grade, you aren’t looking at the graded assignment!
3.
All essay final drafts must use MLA format throughout (page layout, pagination,
documentation, etc.) and must be typed/word processed.
Essay rough drafts must be typed/word processed.
4.
I give assignment details/instructions in class: it is your responsibility to
get instructions if you miss the class in which they are given. Assignment
handouts and general class notes will be in our Blackboard course no later than
the day before I give out the handout in class. I encourage you to print out the
general class notes so that you can take specific notes on them. If you do not
get a handout in class, you must get it online in the Blackboard course.
I recycle extra handouts after the class in which I give them out.
5.
Plagiarized assignments fail
(see the COCC policies handout and the
online Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook).
If you are eligible for accommodations for a disability (or think you might be
eligible) but have not applied for formal disability status, please contact Ann
Walker (383-7583) at your earliest convenience.
If you have documented (i.e., a letter from COCC’s Disability Services)
disabilities requiring accommodations, if you have any emergency medical
information I should be aware of, or if you need special arrangements in the
event of evacuation, make an appointment with me during the first week of the
term.
Assigned readings are from your Reading
Writers: Across the Curriculum (abbreviated as
RW), Crucible, and
Academic Writer’s Handbook
(abbreviated as Rosen). Vocabulary quizzes are from the
100 Words
Every High School Graduate Should Know
text (abbreviated as 100 Words).
This course outline is subject to change, with notice in class, at any point in
the course!
Week 1 Sept. 22-26
Reminder: students must attend both class meetings this week or contact me
before 9 a.m. on the class day.
Monday Sept. 22:
In class we will
·
Get Started: basic writing goals.
·
Overview the course
·
Discuss reading as a source for writing
·
Discuss annotating reading.
Wednesday Sept. 24:
Before you come to class, complete the following
2 tasks:
·
Read: WR 65 syllabus and course outline
·
Read and annotate (underline, highlight important points, write notes in the
margins) RW “Reading and Writing to
Learn” (pp. 3-10)
In class, we will
·
Preview The Crucible
·
Discuss the kinds of notes you should take while reading the play (as
preparation for the 2 main essays in the course)
·
Discuss learning vocabulary in context and the
100 Words text vocabulary learning
process.
Week 2 Sept. 29-Oct. 3
Monday Sept 29:
Before you come to class, complete the following
2 tasks:
·
Read and annotate The Crucible Act 1
·
Read and annotate RW “Studying Across
the Curriculum” (pp. 11-20)
In class, we will
·
Take a quiz on the syllabus and the
two readings for today
·
Discuss the play, its characters, plot, action, setting, etc.
·
Discuss literary analysis (emphasizing character analysis, as preparation for
essay 1)
·
Discuss taking notes on lectures
Wednesday Oct. 1:
Before you come to class, complete the following
4 tasks:
·
Read and annotate The Crucible Act 2
(complete p. 59)
·
Prepare a list of characters in the play with room for notes for each character.
·
Read and annotate RW “Introduction to
the Writing Process” (pp. 38-47)
·
Study words 1-15 (abjureàdeciduous)
in 100 Words
In class, we will
·
Take a vocabulary quiz on words 1-15
in 100 Words
·
Learn about the historical and social background of
The Crucible
·
Continue our discussion of character analysis
·
Do some initial writing about the characters based on class discussion (using
your pre-prepared list of characters)
·
Learn about the writing process
Week 3 Oct. 6-10
Monday Oct. 6:
Before you come to class, complete the following
2 tasks:
·
Read and annotate The Crucible Act 3
(complete p. 61)
·
Study words 16-31 (deleteriousàgauche)
in 100 Words
In class, we will
·
Take a vocabulary quiz on words
16-31 in 100 Words
·
Discuss essay structure (See sample essay in Rosen, pp. 43-49)
·
Discuss and begin essay 1: Character Analysis of One Major Character in
The Crucible
Wednesday Oct. 8:
Before you come to class, complete the following
5 tasks:
·
Read and annotate The Crucible Act 4
(complete p. 63)
·
Read and complete RW Character
Profile Exercise (pp. 65-67)
·
Read and annotate RW Character Profile Essay Assignment pp. 69-70
·
Read and annotate RW “Thesis
Statements” (pp. 33-37)
·
Review your lecture notes on The Crucible
and annotations on Acts 1-3
In class, we will
·
Take a quiz on
The Crucible Acts 1-4
·
Discuss thesis statements and outlines (See Rosen, pp. 18-21)
·
Discuss thesis checklist (RW pp. 37 &
75)
·
Begin Voice, Audience and Purpose (VAP) worksheet (RW
p. 77)
·
Begin essay outline (RW review pp.
41-42; pp. 73-74)
Week 4
Oct. 13-17
(Monday:
Faculty Work day: no classes or office hours)
Monday:
No class
Wednesday Oct. 15:
Before you come to class, complete the following
4 tasks:
·
Complete the Voice, Audience and Purpose worksheet for essay 1 (RW
p. 77)
·
Complete the thesis checklist for essay 1 (RW
p. 75)
·
Complete outline for essay 1 (RW pp.
73-74)
·
Complete a rough draft of essay 1, evaluate it using your essay 1 grading
checklist, and revise
·
Prepare a second draft of essay 1
In class, we will
·
Do a peer review of Essay 1 second
draft (RW pp. 79-80)
·
Discuss thesis checklist (and revise as necessary)
·
Discuss paragraph structure (see Rosen, pp. 50-63)
·
Discuss revising and editing (see Rosen, pp. 30-42)
·
Turn in your rough work package:
all exercises, worksheets, and in-class writing about
The Crucible, Character Profile,
outline, the rough draft, the peer review your partner completed on your second
draft, the second draft.
Week 5 Oct. 20-24
Monday Oct. 20:
Before you come to class, complete the following
4 tasks:
·
Read and annotate Bigsby “Introduction” to
The Crucible
·
Write out responses to questions in RW
pp. 54-56.
·
Read and annotate RW “Composing a
Summary” (pp. 21-24)
·
Read and annotate Grammar Workshop 3 (RW
pp. 81-82)
In class, we will
·
Return and discuss Essay 1 Rough Work Package
·
Discuss revisions vs. editing (in-class exercises
RW p. 32)
·
Discuss summaries and reading records
·
Discuss critical reading: fact vs. opinion
·
Begin creating a summary
Wednesday Oct. 22:
Before you come to class, complete the following
5 tasks:
·
Read and complete RW “Evaluating Your
Summary” (p. 193)
·
Read and annotate RW Caporael, “Ergotism:
The Satan Loosed in Salem” (pp. 127-143)
·
Complete Reading Record 1 (RW pp.
48-49)
·
Study words 32-47 (gerrymander
à
kow-tow) in 100 Words
·
Read and annotate Grammar Workshop 2 (RW
pp. 29-31)
In class, we will
·
Turn in Reading Record 1
·
Take a vocabulary quiz on words
32-47 in 100 Words
·
Discuss revisions and editing for essay 1 final draft
·
Take a quiz on major sentence
errors.
Week 6 Oct. 27-31
Monday Oct. 27:
Before you come to class, complete the following
1 task:
·
Complete Essay 1 final packet (see assignment for the order for materials in the
packet)
In class, we will
·
Return Reading Record 1
·
Prepare Progress Log (RW p. 71)
·
Turn in Essay 1 Final Packet with Progress Log
·
Discuss revisions and editing of essay 1 final draft for the Portfolio
Wednesday Oct. 29:
Before you come to class, complete the following
5 tasks:
·
Study words 48-63 (kinetic
à
orthography) in 100 Words
·
Read and annotate RW Miller, “The
Crucible in History” (pp. 145-153)
·
Complete Reading Record 2 (RW pp.
83-84)
·
Read and annotate RW Bartel, “Why the
Peace of Salem was Disturbed” (pp. 155-180)
·
Complete Reading Record 3 (RW pp.
89-90)
In class, we will
·
Turn in Reading Records 2 & 3
·
Take a vocabulary quiz on words
48-63 in 100 Words
·
Begin discussing essay 2: Research Paper
·
Discuss and begin research
Week 7 Nov. 3-7
Friday, Nov. 7 is the last day to drop a course without it appearing on your
transcript, the last day to add a course, and the last day to change to or from
audit status.
Monday Nov. 3:
Before you come to class, complete the following
4 tasks:
·
Study words 64-79 (oxidize
à
respiration) in 100 Words
·
Begin research and complete Reading Record 4 (RW
pp. 121-122) and Reading Record 5 (RW
123-124).
·
Complete Outline for Essay 2 (RW p.
105).
·
Complete a rough draft for Essay 2
In class, we will
·
Turn in Reading Records 4 & 5
·
Take a vocabulary quiz on words
64-79 in 100 Words
·
Study Grammar Workshop 5 RW pp. 91-93
(you need both RW and Rosen for this
workshop)
·
Return and discuss Essay 1 Final Package.
·
Return Reading Records 2 and 3
·
Discuss your research results
Wednesday Nov. 5:
Before you come to class, complete the following
2 tasks:
·
Read and annotate Grammar Workshop 4 (RW
pp. 85-87)
·
Review your rough draft using the essay 2 grading checklist, comments on the
graded essay 1 and reading records, and revise.
·
Complete a full second draft of Essay 2, with all worksheets and documentation
In class, we will
·
Do a peer review on Essay 2 second
draft
·
Turn in Essay 2 Rough work package, including the rough draft and the second
draft
·
Discuss punctuation and take a quiz
Week 8 Nov. 10-14
Tuesday
Veterans’ Day Holiday
no classes or office hours
Monday Nov. 10:
Before you come to class, complete the following
3 tasks:
·
Study words 80-95 (sanguine
à
vortex) in 100 Words
·
Begin research and complete Reading Record 4 (RW
pp. 121-122) and Reading Record 5 (RW
123-124).
·
Complete Outline for Essay 2 (RW p.
105).
In class, we will
·
Take a vocabulary quiz on words
80-95 in 100 Words
·
Return and discuss Essay 2 Rough Work Package.
·
Return Reading Records 4 & 5
·
Discuss your research results
Wednesday Nov. 12:
Before you come to class, complete the following
3 tasks::
·
Complete the full final package for Essay 2, with all worksheets and
documentation
·
Complete Progress Log
·
Read and annotation the Portfolio Assignment and Reflective Essay Assignment (RW
pp. 111-113)
In class, we will
·
Turn in Essay 2 Final package with Progress Log
·
Discuss Essay 3 and the Portfolio
·
Discuss Course Outcomes
Week 9 Nov 17-21
Monday Nov. 17:
Before you come to class, complete the following
2 tasks:
·
Complete Voice, Audience and Purpose Worksheet for Essay 3 (RW
p. 117).
·
Complete an outline or other kind of organization and content planning for Essay
3
In class, we will
·
Return and discuss Essay 2 Final Package.
·
Share plans for organizing essay 3
·
Editing for clarity (handout)
Wednesday Nov. 19:
Before you come to class, complete the following
2 tasks:
·
Complete a rough draft and review it using the essay 3 grading checklist and
revise.
·
Complete a second draft for Essay 3
·
Complete a progress log for essay 3 final draft
(RW p. 115)
In class, we will
·
Do a Peer Review on Essay 3 second draft
(RW pp. 119-120)
·
Discuss revisions for Essay 3
·
Practice editing and proofreading
Week 10 Nov. 24-28
Thursday
and Friday Thanksgiving Day Holiday
Monday Nov. 24:
Before you come to class, complete the following
2 tasks:
·
Complete Portfolio revision for essays 1 & 2
·
Review Grammar workshops 2 & 3
In class, we will
·
Review and discuss Essay 1 & 2 revisions
·
Complete informal peer reviews of Essays 1 & 2
·
Produce a final revision plan for essays 1, 2, & 3
·
Take an editing and proofreading quiz
Wednesday Nov. 26:
Before you come to class, complete the following
1 task:
·
Review grammar workshops 4 & 5
In class, we will
·
Return Essay 3 second draft;
Discuss revisions for Essay 3
· &n