English 1302

English 1302
Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking
Instructor: Angela Sowa
Course Information: Section 001/005; 8:00-8:50/9:00-9:50; LOCATION
Office/Hours: 212 Carlisle Hall; MW 10:00-11:30 (or by appointment)
Email: Sowa@uta.edu
Phone: ext. 20949
Course Description.
English 1302 is an integrated course in critical thinking, reading, and writing, with special emphasis on argument. Attention is given to identifying and taking positions on issues, developing ideas, both through reasoning and library research, and writing well-developed papers that exhibit an awareness of particular audiences. You will be taught argumentative strategies, analytical models, argumentative proofs, modes of appeal, and methods of reasoning. Special applications are made but not limited to scholarly argument.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to:
1. Use research and rhetoric in order to identify, develop, and support their own argument about an issue.
2. Work in a collaborative setting in order to discover, analyze and synthesize information.
3. Analyze and synthesize class texts in order to write thoughtful responses and participate in thoughtful discussions.
4. Evaluate and assess their own work as well as the work of their peers in order to reflect critically on their own writing and the writing of others
5. Evaluate validity and relevance of different types of resources in order to appropriately support a researched position.
6. Use written, oral, and technological mediums in order to present and support a position.
7. Have an awareness of various ethical questions in argumentation in order to evaluate the validity of responses based on these ethical standpoints.

Required Texts.
Wood, Nancy V. Perspectives on Argument, Third Edition. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2000.

Syllabus and Schedule Changes.
I have tried to make this document as complete as possible. However, during the course of the semester I may be required to alter, add, or abandon certain policies/assignments. I reserve the right to make such changes as they become necessary. You will be informed of any changes in writing.

Grading.
Your final grade for this course will be based on quizzes and class assignments, a Toulmin Analysis Project and Presentation, a Rogerian Argument Paper, an Issue Proposal, Research Assignments, a Film analysis, an annotated bibliography, and class participation/group work.

Your final grade distribution is as follows:

Quizzes, journals and exercises 75
Class Participation 75
Rogerian Paper 75
Oral Presentation 75
Film Analysis 75
Ad Analysis (Toulmin)* 100
Issue Proposal* 125
Annotated Bibliography* 150
Researched Position Paper * 250

Total 1000

ALL work must be completed in order to pass the class!

Grades in FYC are A, B, C, F, and Z. The Z grade is reserved for students who attend class regularly, participate actively, and complete all the assigned work on time, but simply fail to write well enough to earn a passing grade. This judgment is made by the instructor and not necessarily based upon a number average. The Z grade is intended to reward students for good effort. While students who receive a Z will not get credit for the course, the Z grade will not affect their grade point average. They may repeat the course for credit until they do earn a passing grade. The F grade, which does negatively affect GPA, goes to failing students who do not attend class regularly, do not participate actively, or do not complete assigned work.
If a student makes a Z on the Position Paper, earlier assignments that received Zs will be averaged as Zs even if they have received higher grades as a result of re-writing. This policy ensures that, by the end of the course, students are capable of writing passing work without the benefit of teacher feedback and re-writes.

Late Paper Policy:
I will not be accepting late work except for the major papers. Major papers lose 10% for each day they are late. If you will be absent the day a paper is due, please make arrangements to turn your paper in early. Quizzes cannot be made up without an excused absence (see Attendance Policy). If you turn in a major assignment late, you do not have the option to re-write. Your final paper (Rogerian Paper) CANNOT be late. There are no exceptions to the late policy.

Re-write Policy:
You will be allowed to re-write the Issue Proposal, Annotated Bibliography, and Position Paper one time each if you receive a grade lower than an A and would like to raise the grade. I will average the grade on the re-write with the original grade on the essay. Re-writes are due one week after I return the essay to you. However, before you begin a re-write, you must have a conference with me to outline your revision plan. In order to improve your grade through re-writing, you must do a substantial revision of your paper, but I am happy to help you do so. If you receive a Z on a major project (indicated above with an asterisk), you will be given an opportunity to re-write the assignment. If your project is improved, the new grade will be averaged with the Z (which is equal to any grade below a 70). However, if you do receive a Z on any major assignment prior to submitting the Position Paper, then the Position Paper must receive at least a C in order for you to receive credit for the course.

Note: Please be advised that it is your responsibility to retain all of your assignments until after you have received your final grade. You cannot formally challenge a final grade if you do not have evidence of your work.

Attendance Policy:
Because much of the work you will be doing is designed to do in groups, your attendance is EXTREMELY important to the success of both your learning and the success of the class. You are allowed (2) absences…no questions asked. These are your only “freebees,” so use them wisely. Each additional absence will result in the lowering of your final grade by two points (2). Two tardies count as an absence. Note that absences due to medical/family crises do not excuse you from the work assigned in this class, though they are not counted against your attendance record with proper documentation. For ANY absence, you (the student) are responsible for acquiring information about the work you missed. If you are more than 15 minutes late to class, you will be counted absent.

Dropping the Course:
If, during the course of the semester, you choose to drop this class, it is your responsibility to fill out the appropriate documentation and pursue the procedure for dropping a course. I cannot drop you from this course for any reason, so never assume that an instructor has dropped you if you simply refrain from attending class. Do assume that you will receive an F, as I must issue you a grade if you do not drop.

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism:
It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. “Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts.” (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22) You can get in trouble for plagiarism—even if you do not intend to cheat—by failing to correctly indicate places where you are making use of the work of another. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the conventions of citation by which you indicate which ideas are not your own and how your reader can find those sources. Read your handbook for more information on quoting and citing properly to avoid plagiarism. If you still do not understand, ask your instructor.

Student Success Programs:
The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. They include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admissions and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.

Americans With Disabilities Act:
The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112 — The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans With Disabilities Act – (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens. As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide “reasonable accommodation” to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty at the beginning of the semester and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels.

Classroom Decorum:
I want to welcome you to another course in higher education. It is a privilege for me to be your instructor and it is a privilege for you to be enrolled at the university. I fully expect that you will conduct yourselves in an adult manner in the classroom and that you will take responsibility for your words and actions. Disruptions and personal business will not be tolerated, including the ringing of pagers and cellular phones. You are required to participate in all discussions and activities of the course in a thoughtful and engaged manner. Your reading and assignments, through careful reflection, should prepare you for participation. This will not be a class of one or two voices. You all have something to say.

Course Schedule:
The assignments listed below are subject to change according to the needs of the coursework and your needs in completing the same. It is your responsibility to keep up with the class. If it is necessary to make any major revisions to this syllabus, I will hand out a printed version of the revised syllabus. Minor revisions will be made on a day-to-day basis, and it will be your responsibility to take note of these revisions or to contact a classmate, or myself, if you are absent.

Week 1:
1/17 W Introduction to Course; Examine Textbook; What is Argument?
HW: Bring example of argument on Friday; Wood Ch. 1
1/19 F Freewriting; Argument discussion; Précis Work
HW: Wood pages 197-199, 209-210, 212-218 on ethos; bring newspaper article to class on Monday to examine ethos

Week 2:
1/22 M Discuss ethos in articles; What is Response?
HW: Read Wood 199-209 on logos and Wilson “The Future of Life” in Reader (652-656); Summary Response 1 on Wilson
1/24 W Summary Response 1 Due; Discuss logos; Issue discussion
HW: Read … on pathos; bring visual text that uses pathos; Read Sarraj “Why We Blow Ourselves Up” in Reader (685-686)
1/26 F Library Day
HW: Wood Chapter 3 on The Rhetorical Situation

Week 3:
1/29 M What is The Rhetorical Situation?; TRACE exercise; Issue discussion
HW: Read College Packet; Wood Chapter 4 on Issues
1/31 W Discuss College Packet readings; observe rhetorical situations and strategies; Universal Audience
HW: Read Sexism in English Packet; Summary Response 2 on Favorite Reading from Packet
2/2 F Summary Response 2 Due; Freewriting; Discuss Sexism in English Readings; Issue Proposal and Annotated Bibliography assigned
HW: Read Media Packet; Wood Chapter 5 on Toulmin Analysis

Week 4:
2/5 M Discuss Toulmin Analysis
HW: Read Gay Issues Packet: Bring Advertisement
2/7 W Discuss Gay Issues readings; Toulmin Analysis on Ad; Assign Ad Analysis Project
HW: Read Wood Chapter 6 on Claims
2/9 F Freewriting; Discuss types of claims
HW: Read Wood Chapter 7 on Proofs

Week 5:
2/12 M Issue Proposal Due; Discuss types of proofs
HW: Read Wood Chapter 8 on Fallacies
2/14 W Fallacies Quiz; Fallacies discussion
HW: RD of Toulmin Analysis
2/16 F Freewriting; Workshop RD of Toulmin Analysis
HW: Wood Chapter 13 on Visual and Oral Argument

Week 6:
2/19 M Toulmin Analysis Due; Discuss Visual, Cultural, and Oral Argument; assign Film Analysis project
HW: Find non-traditional argument
2/21 W Share non-traditional argument; discuss film analysis:
2/23 F Freewriting; Creating Visual Argument Exercise

Week 7:
2/26 M Film Analysis Due; Library Day
HW: Bring sources for Wednesday
2/29 W Workshop Sources
HW:
3/2 F Annotated Bibliography Due; Freewriting;
HW: Read Wood Chapter 10

Week 8:
3/5 M Discuss Purpose and Audience; Audience Workshop
HW: Read Wood Chapter 11
3/7 W Discuss Research and Invention
HW: Read Wood Chapter 12; Write Outline
3/9 F Outline Due; Freewriting; Discuss Organization and Writing: assign workgroups
HW: Revise Outline and Add Detail

Week 9: SPRING BREAK! NO CLASS THIS WEEK! HOORAY!

Week 10:
3/19 M Revised Outline Due; Workgroups
HW: Write RD for RPP
3/21 W Switching Views Workshop
HW: Write RD for RPP
3/23 F RD for RPP Due; Freewriting; Peer Workshop

Week 11:
3/26 M Conferences
3/28 W Conferences
3/30 F (Last day to drop) Freewriting; Citing Sources

Week 12:
4/2 M RD#2 Due for RPP; Peer Workshop
4/4 W Peer Workshop; Organization Exercise

4/6 F Freewriting; Meet at Fountain; Position Paper questions

Week 13:
4/9 M Final RPP Due
4/11 W Presentations
4/13 F Freewriting; Presentations
HW: Read Wood Chapter 14 on Argument in Literature

Week 14:
4/16 M Discuss Argument in Literature; poetry workshop
HW: Bring in lyrics
4/18 W Lyric Workshop;
4/20 F Freewriting; Introduce Rogerian; Compromise Exercise
HW: Read Wood Chapter 9 on Rogerian

Week 15:
4/23 M Rogerian exercises and Workshop; assign Rogerian Project
HW: Write position
4/25 W Group workshop on Rogerian; Introduce Debate; Decide Groups
HW: Memo of Rogerian Process and Outcome
4/27 F Rogerian Memo Due; Freewriting; Group brainstorming for Class Debate

Week 16:
4/30 M Group Work for Debate
5/2 W Class Debate
5/4 F Class Debate