English 112, Syllabus

Rhetoric and Composition II

Fall 2008

Reynolds Community College

Professor Steve Brandon, PhD

26 August 2008

Contact Information:

Name: Please just call me Steve.

email: Prof.Brandon@gmail.com

phone: (804) 885-3727

Class Email Discussion List: Eng112Fall2008Reynolds@googlegroups.com*

[*Note: You must be registered by me to send and receive email from this list.]

Class Blog/Web Address: Eng112Fall2008Reynolds.blogspot.com

Course Overview:

This course is the second in a two course freshman writing sequence which will present you with the opportunity to learn how to become a better writer, speaker, and researcher. It will focus on research and public writing, especially academic writing. In this process, you will learn methods and terminology to help you analyze and think critically about the situations in which you communicate and those with whom you communicate. You will learn that whenever you write, you do so with a purpose, for an audience. You will learn how to craft messages which make sure--at least most of the time--that your audience understands and agrees with you; and, you will learn some of the tricks involved in the craft of communication. We call all this rhetoric. Rhetoric is the study of how to effectively accomplish your ends using communication as your means.

If you've never learned to think about writing as something which is logical and straightforward, you will this semester. You will be introduced to how to write more effectively, that is, how to make writing easier and still accomplish your ends. Get over the idea writing is difficult, requires talent, or isn't something you do well. While good writing requires systematic work, once you learn to think about writing correctly, learn the terminology to do so, learn the processes involved, and practice enough, writing becomes easier and easier, fairly straightforward, and logical. You don't have to be Hemingway, and you don't have to be an English major to write well and write with relative ease. You do have to practice. This is why you will write a *lot* in this class and why you won't become a polished, accomplished writer in a single semester or year. What you will do is will learn to recognize and develop the strengths and knowledge you already have as a writer, and you will learn how to make yourself into a better writer on a more-or-less regular basis.

Nota Bene:

This isn't a high school English course. This course isn't about me assigning a paper, your writing it, your turning it in, and my returning it to you marked in red (or not). This class isn't about me teaching something and your regurgitating it. It isn't about your trying to figure out what I want to hear and saying it. This class is about one thing, namely, your unlearning ways of looking at writing which have prevented you from being the writer you want to be and learning new habits which will allow you to grow into this writer. That's it.

If you have it, the first habit you need to break is that of thinking about writing and reading as just something you only do in school. It isn't. Most of the writing you will do is for yourself, as a citizen, and as a professional. Almost every one of these last three kinds of writing--what you will learn to call, "genres" or "major kinds" of writing--don't involve a teacher as your primary audience. Think about it. To get you used to writing for a real audience, most of your work will be read by others in the class, and a major portion of your grade will come from interacting with your classmates.

If you have it, the second habit you need to break is that of thinking, "I will never write well." Just as with the rest of life, every writer starts from where ever they happen to be and tries to make improvements which will get them to where ever they hope to go. The trick is figuring out where you are, where you want to go, and what's the next step. This class is all about figuring out where you are as a writer, where you want your writing to take you, and taking the next step toward your goals. If you can show me you understand these three steps (and take them), I will give you an "A."

Is there a text in this class?

You do not need to buy a text for this class. If you have bought one, return it for a refund. All reading will be posted to the class blog, sent to you via email, or made available online. Having said this, you should plan on checking the class blog several times a week for assignments, class announcements, links to resources, and reading. My best advice: DO THE OUTSIDE READING, and take notes. If you have questions, write the list or write to me. To succeed in the class, I expect you to read everything specifically assigned and/or posted to the class blog. To succeed in an online class, you need to be proactive and able to discipline yourself to pace your own work.

How this course will work:

This is an online class, so we won't have formal class meetings. This means each week you'll decide when to do the work for the class. In general, once a week, usually by Thursday or Friday, I will post the assignments for the coming week on the class blog. Each Sunday by midnight, you will turn in your assignments from the previous week. Weeks run Sunday to Sunday. This should give you over a week to complete most assignments. I design many assignments to build on one another in stages, just like most writing does; so, don't think you can blow off one week's work and just start fresh. Remember, part of what you are learning is how to work and write systematically, so writing, thinking, and reading won't be the chore it has proven in the past. Most assignments will be individual assignments; however, for many assignments, you'll work with a peer or a group of other students, and you will need to schedule your work with your peer or group. Again, be proactive and stay in communication, and you should be fine. Call and check up on group members and make sure they are scheduling and completing their work in time for you to complete your own. [By the way, if you work with your group correctly, they'll help you succeed in class. Blow them off or let members of your group slide, and your grade will probably suffer.]

As questions arise--and they will--the class blog (Eng112Fall2008Reynolds.blogspot.com ) is the first source you should check. Plan to check the blog several times a week. Write down the address now; store in in two places; bookmark it in your browser; you're going to be seeing it a lot, because it will function as the primary way I communicate with you, get you reading, etc. Again, the class blog is where you'll find weekly assignments, updates and clarifications, announcements, class reading, links to resources, and instructions on how to complete and turn in an assignment; so, if not everyday, you should plan on accessing the class blog several times a week. Often, if more than one student has a question, or I think a comment to one student will help a number of students, I will post my response to the class blog; so, you should regard reading the blog as your most essential learning resource. [By the way, I often give extra credit to students who ask questions which help other students learn or understand an assignment; so, don't be shy.]

At any point, if you have questions, you should feel free to get in touch with me. I want to hear from you. I want to help in anyway I can. It's my job, and I enjoy doing my job, and I enjoy teaching. Meet me halfway, and I'll go out of my way to make sure you learn and do well in the course, but you have to meet me halfway. This means reading the assignments and reading more than once. My email address is prof.brandon@gmail.com. Except on the weekends, I check this email address at least once a day, and I've set up office hours to make sure I have a chance to check it and respond almost every week day. Having said this, even on the weekends, if I'm in a position to check email and respond, I will.

At any point, I will also be happy to set up a face-to-face conference with you or your group in person, via the phone (more on this option later), or you can set up a time to stop by my office. My office hours this semester are most MW 9:00-11:00 and 12:00-1:00 and most TTHs 8:00-11:00. Do realize, even though this is an online class, there may be times when a face-to-face conference will clear things up faster and/or provide more help to you than any other option. When you find yourself getting frustrated, confused, or feeling lost, stop by early rather than late. You need to stay on top of things to succeed in this class and in life. Please don't be afraid of looking dumb or, worst, of me, not only do I not bite, I want to help you succeed; but again, you have to be the one to take the initiative and responsibility for getting in touch. Unless I see evidence otherwise, my assumption is you are going great, the material is making sense, and there are no problems.

Remember, this is a course in making yourself a better communicator; a good place to start is by taking the time and initiative to communicate well with your professors, including me. I teach English because I believe your life and society will improve if you know how to communicate better and read more critically.  I will do everything in my power to help you succeed; but, you'll need to keep in touch and keep up with the work.

Due dates for assignments:

In general, you should plan to turn in your work from the previous week each Sunday by mid-night. Having Sunday due dates will allow students who cannot do class work during the week to still have a chance to get their work done on Saturday and Sunday. Having said this, sometimes your work needs to be done earlier than Sunday, so other students can use your work to complete their own. When this happens, you need to be careful to get your own work done

How much time will the work take?

For many of you, 112 will be among your first college classes. Succeeding in college level courses requires a substantial investment of time and effort, and success in college requires a more substantial investment in time, money, and effort. In general, for every hour of course credit, you should plan to spend an additional two to three hours outside of class doing work associated with the class. Some courses are more time intensive, some less. It depends on your background, how quickly you write or read, etc. In this course, you will invest your time doing reading for the course, taking notes on the reading, reviewing your notes, writing papers, doing group work, participating in online discussions, interacting me me, etc.

What does this mean for this section of 112?

As you get started, you should over-schedule your time and set aside eight to twelve hours per week for doing work related to the course. In all likelihood, you will find you are getting the work done in six hours of less per week. If you find yourself routinely spending nine to twelve hours per week, get in touch with me, and let's talk about ways to study and learn smarter.

How will I be graded?

Your grade will be based on your class participation and a final portfolio. Class participation will count 40% of your final grade, and your final portfolio will count 60%.

To receive full credit for class participation, you need to stay up with the reading and the work, turn your work in on time, and make yourself available for any needed conferences and peer and group work. I'll also be looking at your communication with the class, me, and your group and peers. I will try to set up any needed conferences, Monday-Friday at your convenience. Most conferences can take place over the phone or via VoIP. Don't worry if you don't know what VoIP is; usually a phone call is enough. If you need to understand terms and technology like VoIP, I will step you through the process. It is particularly important that you complete the work needed by your peers on a timely basis. If you cost others an opportunity to learn, for obvious reasons, your class participation grade will be severely impacted.

To get full credit for the portfolio, you will need to save all the work you do this semester. Let me repeat this: save every scrap of paper you write, every draft of every paper, and every email; make backups. Let me repeat this again: Save every note you take, every prewriting assignment you do, every email you send, and every draft of every paper you write. Keep them in a file. You should even make a note every time you help a peer edit a paper or revise a draft. All of this will provide material you might include in your final portfolio. When the time comes, all this saved work will you prove you've learned from your time in the course. At the least, your portfolio will include a cover letter (in which you will argue for a grade and explain what you have learned), written responses to each learning outcome (more on this later), and three of the major written assignments from the semester.

What kind of grader am I?

I am what is known in the trade as an easy grader. Most students who do the work for the course, ask questions, and stay up with the reading and the writing earn "B"s or "A"s. After all, with portfolio grading, the student can revise--in fact, I expect you to revise--every major piece of writing. You choose when to stop revising and when you feel your work is polished and finished. However, every semester, students earn a handful of "C"s and "F"s. How? "C"s happen when students get behind, will not put in the effort, or just don't "get it." "C"s usually happen when a student never quite understands that what I want is for them to come to the point where they can and do judge their own work, learn how to incorporate appropriate outside help, and know their work will be successful, all without needing a professor to say, "kudos." This last is one reason I will comment on your work (when asked), I will encourage you and teach you how to give and get useful comments from others (whether you want to or not), but I will not give you a grade on anything but your portfolio. "F"s happen when students don't see the writing on the wall by the withdrawal date (30 Oct.), are already behind, and don't drop the course in time. 10 Sept. is the last day to withdraw from the course with a refund of the money you paid to take the course. 30 Oct. is the last day to Withdraw from this course and receive a "W." Unless there is a very unusual set of circumstances, if you stop attending or doing the work after 30 Oct., you will receive an "F" for the course; so, schedule some time to review your progress in the course and withdraw if necessary. A "W" looks much, much better on a transcript than an "F." If you are in doubt, ask me. Remember, I *want* you to succeed, and I will help you, that is, if you give me the chance and meet me halfway. [One last note, I am required to take attendance in all courses: if you drop out of communication with me or your group or you stop turning in course work prior to 30 Oct., I will unofficially withdraw you from the course. You'll still need to follow through and officially withdraw, but those who aren't doing the work will be dropped. This lets those students who are doing the work get on with the semester with as little interruption as possible. As always, when in doubt, get in touch and ask. This is what I am here for, but please don't drop out of communication and weeks later ask what you can do to get caught up.]

Important Dates to Remember:

• 26 August Orientation/Class Begins
• 28 August First Assignment Posted
• 29 August Last day to add a course
• 1 September Labor Day (Take the day off.]
• 10 September Last day to drop a course with a refund
• 30 October Last day to withdraw from a course with a grade of "W"
  
• 26-30 November Fall Break [Take all these days off.]
  
• 12 December Last day of new class work/reading.
• 17 December Portfolio is Due.