09.20.06
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Writing 2 – Fall 2006
Group Presentations – Lessons on Style
Purpose:
To demonstrate expertise in one area of sentence style or word choice.
To practice speaking in front of the class.
To learn to effectively collaborate with one’s peers.
Collaboration and speaking in front of your peers are important skills that you’ll need all through college and beyond. Therefore, one group will teach a lesson each Monday on a subject from Diane Hacker’s A Writer’s Reference. Read the rest of this entry »
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Unit One – Science & Technology: Determinism
Synthesis and Analysis Paper
Subject to Revision
Purpose:
To formulate a thesis based upon critical analysis.
To effectively synthesize outside sources as part of your argument.
To demonstrate your ability to structure a clear and effective essay.
Topic:
For paper one, you will address either technological determinism or gender-based biological determinism. The basic concept of determinism attributes all action and events to causes outside of one’s free will. Technological determinism implies that technology influences our reality – either in terms of the way we interact with our social environment, or in terms of our status as “human.” For example, after the invention of the wheel, man became far more mobile and thus his concept of “space” and “boundaries” was altered. In contrast, gender determinism is the concept that socially constructed gender norms influence our social reality. For example, girls that believe that their gender prevents them from being good at math, or playing video games. The goal of this paper is to synthesize the ideas from our readings on determinism and use them to support your analysis of a cultural object – a film, advertisement, fad, or product. First, decide whether you will address technology or gender. Then, choose an object to analyze. Finally, use the preparatory activities to help you draft a 4 – 6 page paper in response to the following prompt:
Using your cultural object as evidence, argue the extent of technological/gender determinism in today’s culture.
Read the rest of this entry »
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Unit Two – Social Sciences: Collaborative Knowledge
Research and Summary Paper
Purpose:
To summarize the complex debates surrounding an issue, including background and context.
To find and evaluate outside sources.
To effectively synthesize sources into your paper.
To demonstrate your ability to structure a clear and effective essay.
Topic:
IIn the “digital age,” the way that we view information is changing. Information has become a product, a commodity, and thus, the issues of information management and information production have become increasingly important. Some of the most controversial topics today center on who has the authority to produce “legitimate” information and who has access to it. For this paper, you will research the viewpoints surrounding collaborative knowledge bases and create a report that summarizes the controversy. Rather than summarize each individual article, you should synthesize readings into a broad summary of the debate. Please note: summarizing an issue should include its background and social context, as well as an awareness of the complexity of the issue.
Collaborative knowledge is by no means a concept exclusive to the digital age. People have been collaborating to produce information for centuries. However, the recent proliferation of web 2.0 technologies has brought the debates surrounding collaboration to the forefront of social consciousness. The paradigmatic example of collaborative knowledge and its controversial nature is Wikipedia. Other examples of collaborative knowledge bases or tools include other wikis (including our course wiki!);Code 2.0 by Lawrence Lessig and GAM3R 7H3ORY by Mackenzie Wark; Flickr; del.icio.us; Writely; Linux; Blogs; Open Source software such as Firefox, WordPress, etc. Read the rest of this entry »
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Unit Three – Humanities: Representations of Memory
Research and Analysis Paper
Purpose:
To formulate a thesis based upon close reading of one or more texts.
To find and evaluate outside sources.
To effectively synthesize sources into your paper.
To demonstrate your ability to structure a clear and effective essay.
Topic:
As life becomes increasingly digital, our cameras, our televisions, even our coffee makers, have memory. As computerized memory becomes ubiquitous, the status of human memory becomes increasingly subject to scrutiny. Questions arise about the verity of memory or about where one draws the line between one’s digitized and one’s “real” memories. Your challenge for paper three is to analyze the artistic representation of memory in one or more texts or artworks. Your goal, as a cultural critic, is to understand what the film/story/poem/art installation/object says about memory and to speculate on why it matters.
Option 1: Write a 4 – 6 page analysis of one or more texts based upon close reading and outside research.
Option 2: Write a 3 – 4 page short story and 3 – 4 page analysis of your story. The story should address the subject of memory and should incorporate the themes that have surfaced during readings and in-class discussion. The accompanying analysis should explain how the story connects to the themes and readings and should also reflect on the medium of the short story as a means of portraying memory.
Readings: See the online course schedule.
Requirements:
- For the essay: 4 – 6 pages; For the story/analysis: 6 – 8 pages; Both options should be double spaced; 12-point Times font; 1-inch margins all the way around
- Use a minimum of two outside sources to support your analysis.
- MLA-style in text citations and works cited list
- All work submitted on time in an electronic portfolio. No late work will be accepted.
Grading Breakdown (25 points possible):
Preparatory Activities: 5 points
Final Draft: 20 points (See the grading rubric on the course website).
Activities and due dates:
Topic Proposal, due Mon 12/4: The proposal should indicate which text(s) you plan to analyze, which outside sources you intend to utilize, etc. The proposal may or may not include a tentative thesis but at the very minimum it should give the reader a robust understanding of what your paper will be about. Why have you chosen a certain text(s)? If you are using more than one text, what is the relationship between them? Which aspects of a text will receive your focus – characters, themes, etc? Topic proposals should be written in well-organized paragraphs and should fall somewhere between 300 – 500 words.
Annotated Bibliography, due Wed 12/6: This paper requires that you complete outside research. As a means of helping you organize and assess your research, an annotated bibliography of a minimum of 5 secondary sources is required. Secondary sources may be on the subject of memory or may critically address a text. It is unlikely that you will use all of these sources in your paper; in fact, you may not end up using any, but the bibliography is a means for you to start the research process. In order to be effective, annotations should be a minimum of 75 words. Bibliographic material should be in MLA format.
Peer Review: Peer review for Unit Three is optional. If you wish to receive feedback on your paper before turning it in, make arrangements with your peer review partner. Although it is optional, any completed peer review should be submitted as part of your electronic portfolio.
Electronic Portfolio: As you complete preparatory activities and drafts, you will be building an electronic portfolio in the course wiki. Before posting your first journal, you should create a wiki article entitled “Your Name Unit Three Portfolio.” The article should be sub-divided into sections: Topic Proposal, Annotated Bibliography, Peer Review (optional), and Final Paper. Additionally, the article should be placed into the categories “Your Name,” “All Pages,” and “Unit Three.” By the time the final draft is posted, your portfolio will show the genesis and evolution of your paper, from start to finish. For information on how to create an article, add sections, or add categories, see the course website.
Final draft due Wednesday, Dec. 13. Post in class wiki by 11:59 p.m.
Download a .pdf file of the Unit Three Assignment Sheet.
Download a .pdf file of the Unit Three Rubric.
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Monday, October 2nd Introduction and Class Overview
- Syllabus Review
- Class Introductions
- Diagnostic Essay
Wednesday, October 4th Reading and Writing in College
- Post an introduction in the course wiki
- WatW 2 – 13
- WR v – ix, tutorials 1 – 3 (bring completed tutorials to class)
Unit One – Science & Technology: Determinism
In unit one, we will address two types of determinism – biological and technical. We will begin, with an exploration of what constitutes “scientific” writing and will move on to explore how science and technology shape our social reality. The goal of unit one is to produce a critical paper that synthesizes our readings into an analysis of a cultural object. Read the rest of this entry »
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Unit Two – Social Sciences: Information Culture
In unit two, we will explore the nature of “information” in contemporary culture. We will begin with an examination of the role of information in shaping culture. Then we will look at how information is managed or restricted in digital culture. Finally, we will examine the benefits and drawbacks of new models of creating and sharing information. The goal of this unit is to conduct independent research for a paper that summarizes the different viewpoints surrounding a controversial topic. Read the rest of this entry »
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Unit Three – Humanities: Representations of Memory
In Unit Three, we will examine the ways in which the arts represent memories. We will begin with attempts to visualize memory and move on to attempts to convey memory through text. The goal of this unit is to utilize outside research in a close reading of one or more texts that address memory. Read the rest of this entry »
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Writing 2: Academic Writing
Fall 2006
Catalog No. 45625
Meets: MW 12:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Location: HSSB 45625
Instructor: Kim Knight (kimberly_knight@umail.ucsb.edu)
Office Hours: M, W 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and by appointment in SH 2509.
Course website
Course wiki
Course Description
Welcome! Writing 2–Introduction to Academic Writing is designed to help you successfully navigate the challenges of writing for college level courses. We will read a variety of essays that will provide an introduction to topics in the Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities, the three major divisions of disciplines in the university system. Although strengthening critical reading and writing skills will be our primary focus, you will also be evaluated on class participation and the contributions you make to group assignments.
Important Information
- The last day to drop Writing 2 without petition is Wednesday, October 4th by 11:45 p.m. (via GOLD).
- If you are a student with a documented disability and would like to discuss special accommodations, please see me during the first two weeks of class.
- Campus Learning Assistance Services (CLAS) offers help with any phase of the writing process (please note: they are not an editing service). Tutors are available on a walk-in or appointment basis.
Required Texts
(Available at the UCSB bookstore, unless otherwise noted.)
Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference. 5th Edition. Boston: Bedford / St. Martin’s, 2003.
McLeod, Susan, John Jarvis, and Shelley Spear, eds. Writing About the World. 3rd Edition. Boston: Thompson, 2005.
McLuhan, Marshall and Quentin Fiore. The Medium is the Massage. Corte Madera: Gingko Press, 1967. (Available at Borders Goleta or online at Amazon.com [new] or Alibris.com [used])
Various Online Readings. Bring copies of online readings to class with you.
Required Accounts
(all required accounts are free-of-charge)
Course Policies
Course Schedule
Assignments
Course Tools
Dowlnoad .pdf file of Fall 2006 Syllabus
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Schedule
The weekly schedule is subject to revision – check the course website for the most up-to-date information. Readings and assignments are due on the date listed. Sources for readings are abbreviated as follows: McLeod, et al. = WatW; Hacker = WR; Online = O. Bring books or a printout of online readings to each class meeting.
Because most of the work for Writing 2 will be turned in electronically, many due dates fall outside of our scheduled Monday and Wednesday meetings.
For units one and two, each week is divided into two parts: Mondays we will workshop important writing skills and Wednesdays we will discuss the content of the week’s reading in relation to writing skills and the current paper assignment. Although we may not discuss the content of readings in-depth until Wednesday, you should still do the readings for each Monday, as we will use this material for our skills workshops. For unit three, we will discuss materials and repeat skills workshops as necessary during each class meeting.
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Course Policies
Attendance:
This class is structured around workshops and in-class discussions and your participation is necessary for our success. Missing classes hurts your peers and inhibits their learning. Therefore, it is important that you come to every class prepared and on time. To be “prepared” means that you have thoughtfully engaged with the reading, completed any assignments, and that you are equipped with the supplies necessary to participate in class (books, paper, writing instruments, etc.)
Because your presence in class is important, three or more absences will impact your final grade. In most circumstances, six absences will result in failure. Two instances of tardiness will equal one absence.
Cell phones are to be turned off and kept out of my sight. If your phone rings during class, or if I see you text messaging or checking your messages during class, you will be marked absent. No exceptions.
In addition to attendance at scheduled class meetings, you are required to conference with me (during office hours or by appointment) at least once after you have completed the first draft of paper one. We will discuss your progress on the current paper and in the class in general.
Email Policy:
Please be aware that I respond to most email messages within 24 hours Monday – Friday. If you send me an email and I do not respond during this time frame, chances are that I did not receive it. It is your responsibility to re-send the email or to contact me another way.
Online Etiquette:
As we will undoubtedly discover in class, the finer points of online communication can be tricky. Emotions are difficult to express and read. Our many online assignments will require vigilance to ensure that we are always preserving an atmosphere of mutual respect. Disagreements may arise and consensus may not be possible. We can, however, respect each person’s right to an opinion. Name-calling or menacing behavior will not be tolerated.
Academic Honesty:
From the UCSB General Catalog: “Materials submitted to fulfill academic requirements must represent a student’s own efforts. Any act of academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism or other forms of cheating, is unacceptable and will be met with disciplinary action.”
Plagiarism will result in a failing grade on the plagiarized assignment and will be reported to the Student Judicial Affairs Office. We will review the proper way to use outside sources in order to avoid plagiarism; however, I encourage you to meet with me if you are at all uncertain about whether your writing could be misconstrued as plagiarism.
Late Work:
All late work will be given a failing grade. No exceptions.
Revision:
One round of revisions is permitted for Units 1 and 2. Revision applies only to the final draft of each paper and does not include the preparatory work. Those wishing to revise must either conference with me or visit CLAS and must make a substantial effort to engage with my feedback. Revised papers are due two weeks after the date grades are distributed in class. Grades on revised papers may improve as much as one full letter grade and will not decrease. No revision is allowed for Unit 3.
Other Important Information
- The last day to drop Writing 2 without petition is Wednesday, October 4th by 11:45 p.m. (via GOLD).
- If you are a student with a documented disability and would like to discuss special accommodations, please see me during the first two weeks of class.
- Campus Learning Assistance Services (CLAS) offers help with any phase of the writing process (please note: they are not an editing service). Tutors are available on a walk-in or appointment basis.
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Assignments
In-Class Presentation: 10 points
Participation (including attendance, quizzes, in-class assignments, conferences, etc.): 15 points
Paper One: 25 points
Paper Two: 25 points
Paper Three: 25 points
Total: 100 points possible
Late Assignments will not be accepted.
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