English 1101
“Walking to Tell the Tale”: Narratives of Travel, Place, and Perambulation
Informing, Reflecting, and Rhetoricking in First-Year Composition
(Writing to Inform, Reflect, and Analyze)
University of Georgia, English Department, Fall 2017
MWF 11:15 (#36863), 12:20 (#36864), 1:25 (#36667)
Instructor: Joshua Hussey
Email: jhussey@uga.edu
Office: Park Hall 43
Office Hours: MW 10-11AM & 2:30-3:30PM; available through Slack (online)
Required Course Materials
Joining the Conversation, Mike Palmquist
First-Year Composition Guide, 2017-2018 Edition
V.S. Naipaul, An Area of Darkness (ISBN 978-0375708350)
Roland Barthes, Camera Lucida (ISBN 978-0374532338)
Other Readings will be made available on <>emma<> Resources
Goals
The First-Year Composition Guide provides the standard prerequisites and goals of the core composition courses for the University of Georgia. The goals of our class are the same as any regular 1101 course though we may spend some additional time considering digital literacy. FYC Goals follow:
write papers in and out of class using processes that include discovering ideas and evidence, organizing that material, and revising, editing, and polishing the finished paper;
think critically so that they can recognize the difference between opinion and evidence and so that they can support an intelligent, challenging thesis;
address papers to a range of audiences;
understand the collaborative and social aspects of the writing process and demonstrate an ability to critique the writing of themselves and others;
develop a sense of voice appropriate to the subject, the writer’s purpose, the context, and the reader’s expectations;
understand how genres shape reading and writing and produce writing in several genres;
compose unified, coherent paragraphs that develop topic sentences with detailed support;
follow the conventions of standard edited English and MLA documentation.
Course Theme
While this course is ultimately on the process of composition, and we will be looking closely at a composition textbook, the organizational theme for this ENGL 1101 is travel narrative. To facilitate our discussions on this topic, we will look to the classical Greek peripatetic method of instruction, writing that creates portraits of place, photo essays, journalism on travel, and essays concerning nature. We will consider how the act of walking may be utilized as an empirical method, a practice of self-inquiry that, in generating responses from external stimuli, depends on observational experience. From this locus of observational experience we will write to inform, reflect, and analyze.
Course Requirements
Students will write a minimum of three essays (approximately 1000-1500 words). In addition to writing essays and completing other assignments, all students will create a final electronic portfolio posted to <>emma<>™ that counts approximately as one-third of their final grade. The e-Portfolio will include: a Biography; an Introductory Reflective Essay; two of three essays (revised) written for class; an example of the revision process; an example that demonstrates peer review; a “wild card” submission.
While the three essays and the final writing portfolio constitute a major portion of your grade, we stress the importance of the writing process through in-class and outside assignments. The writing process assignments will help you continue to develop an appropriate approach to university-level writing. We will work extensively on prewriting, drafting, revising, and peer reviewing. In order to fulfill the requirements for each of the essays, you must complete all of the writing process assignments.
Participation is considered through the timely completion of reading and writing assignments including process work, verbal contributions in class, and attendance record. Regular class engagement is expected to best foster a connected class environment. There will also be opportunities for small group participation. Students are expected to read all assigned materials, to bring books to class, to contribute to class discussions, and to pay attention to the instructor and to each other. The assumption will be that students are aware that certain kinds of behavior are not appropriate in class: tardiness, sleeping, talking or texting on the phone, surfing the web, doing homework from another class, etc. Disregard for this will be reflected in your grade.
Late Work Policy
Late work is not accepted unless extenuating circumstances prevent the student from completing work on time. Students must contact the instructor in advance of the deadline to discuss complications.
Attendance Policy
Because writing skills develop slowly over time, students’ regular attendance is essential in First-Year Composition. As stated in First-Year Composition Guide, on the fifth absence (MWF classes) or the fourth absence (TR classes), no matter what the reason, students can expect to be dropped either with a W before the midpoint of the semester and with a F after the midpoint of the semester. Additionally, lateness is unprofessional and continual tardiness will reflect poorly on one’s final grade.
Access Policy
Students with special needs are invited and encouraged to discuss them with the instructor.
English Department Resources
All first-year composition students are eligible for free tutorial services in the Writing Center (Park Hall 66). Book a writing center appointment at uga.mywconline.com.
All first-year composition students are also eligible to use the Digital Writing Lab (Park Hall 118) during open hours. The computer lab in Park 118 is dedicated to general technical and <>emma<> support. Its hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and it will be staffed by assistants who can assist you. If you have computer problems or questions regarding <>emma<>, ask your instructor but also go to the lab.
<>emma<> and Digital Resources for composition
<>emma<> http://www.emma.uga.edu is a content management system designed for writing classrooms. It is an online environment containing a set of digital document tools that we will use throughout the semester to compose, conduct peer review, make assignment submissions, and create portfolios. To gain access to the <>emma<> system, add our class (search by instructor name).
Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
All students in the room are entitled to feel safe, listened to, represented, and respected in an anti-oppressive classroom space. As a result, it is of critical importance that students adhere to UGA’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policy. This policy mandates “Neither employment nor study, nor institutional services, programs, and activities should be hindered by such prohibited bias factors as race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, veteran status, or disability.” Any statements that are deemed racist, sexist, homophobic, classist, or otherwise discriminatory toward others in the class or outside of class will not be tolerated. Please review the policy on UGA’s Equal Opportunity’s website at: http://eoo.uga.edu/policies/NDAH-Policy.html.
Academic Honesty
You are required to know all the University policies regarding plagiarism and other dishonesties. Not knowing does not reprieve one from recourses for academic dishonesty. All academic work must meet the standards contained in “A Culture of Honesty”. Students are responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing any academic work.
Grade Quantities
Participation: 100
Quizzes/Labs: 50
Essay 1: 100 + 50 (process)
Essay 2: 150 + 75 (process)
Essay 3: 100 + 75 (process)
(Process work total: 200)
Portfolio: 300
Assignment Deadlines
Due: 09/22/17 Essay 1 | Research essay on location (Informing)
Due: 10/25/17 Essay 2 | Personal Narrative and Photo Essay (Reflecting)
Due: 11/15/17 Essay 3 | Reading analysis (Analyzing)
Due: 12/04/17 Final Course Portfolio
