Spring, 2004
Winston
Office: East College 401 Office
Hours: MWF 1:30-2:30
Tel: (245-) 1363 E-mail: Winston@dickinson.edu
In
this course we will read and discuss selected essays on various aspects of life
in the United States. These, along with current news stories, will be the
foundation of discussions designed to stimulate your thinking about possible
essay topics. You will write five papers, each of which will go through a
drafting, feedback, and revision process. Active participation, both oral and
written, is an absolute necessity in the drafting and revision process and will
be evaluated as part of the final grade.
M 01-26 Organization: Reading the Syllabus
W 01-28 Thinking Critically about Cultural Myths
F 01-30 ÒHarmony at Home: The Myth of the Model Family,Ó
Rereading America, 17-52
M 02-02 Rereading America, 52-89
W 02-04 Rereading America,89-133
F 02-06 From Topic to Thesis
M 02-08 Conferences on First Drafts
W 02-10 Conferences on First Drafts
F 02-12 Conferences on First Drafts
M 02-16 ÒLearning Power: The Myth of Education and EmpowermentÓ
Rereading America, 134-91
W 02-18 Rereading America, 191-233
F 02-20 Rereading America, 233-293
Essay #1 Due
M 02-23 Group Editing Workshop (Group 1)
W 02-25 Group Editing Workshop (Group 2)
F 02-27 Group Editing Workshop (Group 3)
M 03-01 Group Editing Workshop (Group 4)
W 03-03 Group Editing Workshop (Group 5)
F 03-05 ÒMoney and Success: The Myth of Individual OpportunityÓ
Rereading America, 294-335
M 03-08 Rereading America, 335-71
W 03-10 Rereading America, 371-401
Essay #2 Due
F 03-12 Conferences (at the discretion of the author and/or instructor)
SPRING VACATION
M 03-22 Group Editing Workshop (Group 5)
W 03-24 Group Editing Workshop (Group 1)
F 03-26 Group Editing Workshop (Group 2)
M 03-29 Group Editing Workshop (Group 3)
W 03-31 Group Editing Workshop (Group 4)
F 04-02 ÒTrue Women and Real Men: Myths of GenderÓ
Rereading America, 402-44
M 04-05 Rereading America, 444-92
W 04-07 Rereading America, 492-533
Essay #3 Due
F 04-09 Group Editing Workshop (Group 4)
M 04-12 Group Editing Workshop (Group 5)
W 04-14 Group Editing Workshop (Group 1)
F 04-16 Group Editing Workshop (Group 2)
M 04-19 Group Editing Workshop (Group 3)
W 04-21 ÒCreated Equal: The Myth of the Melting PotÓ
Rereading America, 534-84
F 04-23 Rereading America, 584-639
M 04-26 Rereading America, 639-75
Essay #4 Due
W 04-28 Group Editing Workshop (Group 3)
F 04-30 Group Editing Workshop (Group 4)
M 05-03 Group Editing Workshop (Group 5)
W 05-05 Group Editing Workshop (Group 1)
F 05-07 Group Editing Workshop (Group 2)
Essay #5 Due:
Tuesday, May 11, by noon.
Requirements: 1) Regular attendance and conscientious preparation [Preparation, attendance, and participation are crucial to this course and your success in it. Students who miss more than three classes during the course of the semester may expect to have their final grades lowered.]; 2) Five essays of varying length (see below); 3) Work as a reader/peer-editor.
Students must complete all requirements of the course in order to pass. This course follows College policies regarding all matters of academic dishonesty; it is the responsibility of each student to know the policies. Please see the current Dickinson College Student Handbook and other appropriate sources.
The instructor reserves the right to adjust the syllabus as necessary.
Grading:
Essays (assuming one-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman as the font):
Essay #1: 2 pp. (10%)
Essay #2: 4 pp. (15%)
Essay #3: 5 pp. (20%)
Essay #4: 5 pp. (20%)
Essay #5: 5 pp. (20%)
Preparation, attendance, and participation as a reader and editor (15%)
WORKSHOP PROTOCOLS:
==========================================================
Self-Evaluation
Guidelines:
For writers submitting a draft to
be critiqued. Append to draft.
1. What are you trying to say in this paper? What is your main idea?
2. What would you work on if you had another day to spend on
this draft?
3. How can your reader help you develop this paper further?
==================================================================
Evaluation of
ReadersÕ Reports:
To be completed by the student
whose work has been critiqued, sent to me by e-mail
1. Whose critiques were especially helpful?
2. Were any critiques absent or inadequate?
3. Describe a point of consensus in the criticism which made
sense to you. If there was a
marked absence of consensus, comment briefly.
==================================================================
Guidelines for
Workshops:
For the Group:
1. Before workshop class: read each essay and make line notes on
style (covering such things as errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar,
unclear wording, awkward and/or confusing sentences) and on substance (pointing out overall strengths and
weaknesses, suggestions for revision, concerns about parts of the essay and/or
the essay as a whole). At the end
of the paper, make a global comment, about a paragraph in length; this should
focus on the ideas and direction of the essay rather than only on its
mechanics.
2. In class: a) When itÕs your turn to comment, talk specifically about what
struck you as most successful and what was most problematic for you about the
essay. b) Offer suggestions that the writer may
wish to consider when rewriting.
c) DonÕt fixate on
individual errors in punctuation or grammar. If a writer has a pattern of repeated mistakes, you may
point that out. d) Do let the writer know where you found
the essay unclear, confusing, hard to follow, inadequately supported. Likewise, if something about the essay
strikes you as especially effective, note it. e) Criticize
constructively (ÒI really liked this essayÓ or ÒThis essay sucksÓ are useless
comments.) and criticize kindly.
Failing to give honest criticism can hurt as much or more than
mean-spirited remarks, so donÕt pull your punches, but remember: what goes around, comes around.
For the
Writer:
1. Before workshop class:
distribute your essay to everyone in the workshop, including me. Either make enough copies and put them
in each personÕs HUB box and get a copy to me via the English Department Staff
Associate or send your material by e-mail; in any case, the deadline for
distribution is at least a full twenty-four hours before your essay is to be
critiqued.
2. In class: a) Listen rather than talk. DonÕt argue or try to defend yourself or try to explain your
intentions. When you sit down to
rewrite, you can decide what to accept or reject. You may ask someone to expand or clarify a comment or you
may ask people to respond to a specific aspect or part of your essay. b) Listen to what people say about other writersÕ essays. You may pick up some good ideas for
your own writing. c) Collect copies of your essay from
people with their written comments.
3. After class: ItÕs your essay -- rewrite according to
your own best judgment. You may
hear contradictory responses and advice; you choose what to accept or reject,
but if you receive the same comment over and over again, you should give it
serious consideration. ==========================================================