Brief Description from the COCC Course Catalog:
WR 122 - English Composition II
Using critical reading, observation or investigation to explore topics
in depth, students learn to incorporate, accommodate or refute other
voices, use evidence and persuasion and follow patterns of reasoning to
support their positions.
Recommended Prerequisites:
WR 121
Credits: 3 Lecture: 3
In-Depth Description of Assignments:
Our Course is broken down intro five parts: (1) Introduction to
Argumentation, (2) Issue Cycle #1:
Exploring Representations of War, (3) Issue Cycle #2: The Condition of Gender in American Culture, (4) Issue Cycle #3:
The Concept and Condition of Family in American
Culture, and (5) Issue
Cycle #4: Violence in America.
The Introduction to Argumentation section of
our course is meant to establish a basic foundation from which to
approach the concept of argumentation itself. We’ll define the
argumentative essay and establish a vocabulary we can share in
discussing the argumentative essay and which you can incorporate into
your own writing as you analyze and evaluate arguments. Assignments
you’ll complete during this section include:
Critical Response/Analysis.
Issue Cycle #1:
Exploring Representations of War section of our course will raise the
issue of how war is represented, and thus perceived, by popular culture.
With the 60th Anniversary of D-Day and Memorial Day fresh in
our memory, we’ll watch two films representing WWII, one new (Saving
Private Ryan) and one old (The Longest Day). We’ll read about
and discuss the concept of how film treats and, ultimately, (re)shapes
historical perspectives, as well as how journalists portray and
communicate what war is like for the soldier. Ultimately, our goal during
this cycle will be to engage various perspectives concerning how war is
perceived in modern consciousness and theorize about how popular culture
influences such perceptions. Assignments you’ll complete during this
section include: Exploratory Essay #1.
Issue Cycle #2: The Concept and Condition of
Family in American Culture section of our
course will raise two issues relating to the condition of the American
family. We’ll watch a film that raises questions about this issue,
specifically a feature film that is critical of the condition of the suburban
nuclear family (American Beauty). We’ll read about and discuss the
concept of how film treats and, ultimately, (re)shapes perspectives on
thisissue. In addition, we’ll read and react to what various authors have
to say about the state of the modern American
family unit. Ultimately, our goal during this cycle will be to develop a
solid understanding of various positions on this issue. Assignments you’ll complete
during this section include: Exploratory Essay #2 and Arguing to
Convince Essay.
Issue Cycle #3: The Condition of Gender in American Culture section of our course will
raise the issue of how each gender is represented, and thus perceived, by
popular culture. During this issue cycle we’ll watch two films dealing
with the issue of gender, one focusing on men (Fight Club) and one
on women (Thelma and Louise). We’ll read about and discuss the
concept of how film treats and, ultimately, (re)shapes perspectives on
gender. Ultimately, our goal during this cycle will be to engage various
perspectives concerning how gender is perceived in modern consciousness
and theorize about how popular culture influences such perceptions.
Assignments you’ll complete during this section include:
Exploratory Essay #2 and Arguing to Convince Essay.
Issue Cycle #4: Violence in America section of our
course will raise issues relating to violence and its presence within and
impact on American culture. We’ll watch a film that raises questions about
this issue, specifically a documentary that establishes an argument on
why there is so much gun violence in America (Bowling for Columbine). We’ll
also read about and discuss the
concept of how film treats and, ultimately, (re)shapes perspectives on
this issue. In addition, we’ll read and react to what various authors have
to say about violence in American culture. Ultimately, our goal during this cycle will be to develop a
solid understanding of various positions on this issue. Assignments you’ll complete
during this section include: Exploratory Essay #4 (optional/extra
credit) and Arguing to
Negotiate/Mediate Essay.
Films and Writing 122:
As from the above assignment descriptions, throughout
the term we’ll be using films to raise issues about which you’ll end up
writing. It’s important to keep in mind that this class is not about
film in general and we won’t be concentrating on film as entertainment.
Rather, we’ll use the films to raise critical questions based on the
issues and points they raise. To this end we’ll be breaking down the
films and analyzing their content for argumentative threads. During
class, we’ll watch portions of 1-2 films at the beginning of each
“issue cycle.”
Assignment Weights:
Your grade in this class will be determined by your performance in the
following areas:
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Quizzes 10% |
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Critical Response
5% |
|
Exploratory Essay #1
10% |
|
Exploratory Essay #2/Arguing to Convince Essay
25% |
|
Exploratory Essay #3/Arguing to Persuade Essay
25% |
|
Exploratory Essay #4/Arguing to Negotiate/Mediate 20% |
|
Peer Review 5% |
Assignment
Descriptions:
Quizzes: You'll be asked to
take quizzes frequently throughout the term. In all cases, the quizzes will
test your comprehension on the subject-matter assigned for reading or
viewing on the day of the quiz. These quizzes are not difficult; they are
simply meant to confirm that you’re doing the reading/viewing expected of
you prior to coming to class.
Critical Response/Analysis : This is a short essay
in which you demonstrate, in writing, your ability to critically read and
analyze the ideas in a subject text (e.g., an essay, a movie, a book, etc.).
You will not only be responsible for objectively identifying the main
idea and supporting ideas of the subject essay, you’ll also extend your
discussion to include an analysis of the author’s reasoning. This task
demands you evaluate the (1) point of view and (2) argumentative approach taken
by the author of subject essay you choose, as well as (3) the essay's
overall argumentative structure and method of reasoning. To
this end, your willingness to thoroughly annotate your subject essay and
engage the concepts in Chs. 2 and 3 of Aims of Argument will be
crucial. You may choose to Critically Respond to either "Loose
Ends," by Rita Dove, or "Being
a Man," by Paul Thoreaux.
Exploratory Essays: Over the course of the term
you’ll write four exploratory essays (AKA, essays that argue to inquire). The goal of the exploratory essay is
to analyze and evaluate multiple perspectives on an issue and, ultimately,
compare it with your own perspective. We'll explore this type of essay
thoroughly during the first essay cycle (see Issue Cycle #1:
Exploring Representations of War above and Week 2 of the
Class Schedule ).
In addition, you'll also write exploratory essays during the other three essay cycles we'll
cover this term, where the intent is to allow such writing to help you
prepare your other essays.
Arguing to Convince Essay: The goal of your Arguing to Convince Essay
is to "pit [your] case [on a specific issue] against the case(s)
of others in an effort to win the assent of readers who will compare the
various arguments and ask, Who makes the better case?" We'll explore this type of writing during essay cycle
#2 (see Issue Cycle #2: The Concept and Condition of Family in American Culture
above and Weeks 3-4 of the Class Schedule).
Arguing to Persuade Essay: The goal of your Arguing to
Persuade Essay is to create an argument concerning your position on
a specific topic that "appeals to the whole person, to our full humanity,
not just to the mind" by encouraging "the reader [i.e., your audience] to
identify with the writer [i.e., you], to respond not only to the quality of
an argument but also to the quality of the arguer" (from Aims of Argument,
p. 251).We'll explore this type of writing during essay cycle #3 (see
Issue Cycle #3: The Concept and Condition of Gender in
American Culture above and Weeks 5-6 of the
Class Schedule). Arguing
to Negotiate/Mediate Essay: The goal of your
Arguing to Negotiate/Mediate Essay is to create an argument "that aims to
resolve, or at least reduce, conflict to the mutual satisfaction of all
parties involved and allows "opposing sides to come to a greater
understanding of their differing interests, background, and values." We'll explore this type of writing during essay cycle #4 (see Issue Cycle #4: Violence in America
above and Weeks 7-8 of the Class Schedule
Late Work Policy:
All assignments must be word processed or typed and are
due on their respective due dates (see
Class Schedule).
On such dates, an open folder will be on the desk at the front of the class.
You may place your assignment in this folder at the beginning or end of
class. Once class ends, the folder closes and no more assignments will be
accepted (i.e., no late assignments will be accepted). Note concerning in-class printing (may not be applicable to all classes): You may not come
to class with the intention of printing out your assignments. As stated
earlier, step into class on deadline days with your assignment in hand and
ready to turn in. Note concerning emailing
your assignments: Unless special permission is given, please do not
email your assignments to me. Have a hard copy ready at the beginning of
class (see above).
Quizzes, in all cases, can only be taken on the day
they are given.
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