ENGLISH 300 | Intermediate Rhetoric and Composition

Fall 2009

For each home ground we need new maps, living maps, stories and poems, photographs and paintings, essays and songs.  We need to know where we are, so that we may dwell in our place with a full heart. - Scott Russell Sanders, Writing from the Center

Professor:  Dr. Joe Wilferth
Office:  Holt Hall 229B
Office Phone: (423) 425-4621

E-mail: Joe-Wilferth@utc.edu
URL: www.utc.edu/Joe-Wilferth
Office Hours:  

Required Texts:
Catalog description: An introduction to the theory and practice of the basic kinds and combinations of discourse and their aims; extended essays and other writing assignments in these kinds of discourse.

A slightly more specific (and useful) description:  This writing-intensive course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of writing as a rhetorical enterprise.  That is, we'll approach writing from a rhetorical perspective.  If we consider rhetoric to be the use of a symbol system--both verbal and nonverbal--that aims to influence the attitudes, beliefs, values, and/or actions of others, then writing should be considered one of the means by which we employ rhetoric, i.e., as one of the means by which we aim to impact those around us through our craft.  

And just as we intend to impact others through our writing, the writing of others simultaneously affects us as readers.  That is, writing has a uniquely constitutive and epistemic quality.  It is, among other vehicles of communication, the means by which we come to know the world around us--the means by which others constitute the world around us.  As readers, then, we have choices either to accept those renderings of our world or to reject those renderings.  Yes, reading too is a rhetorical enterprise, one that is interconnected with cultural politics.  What we read and what we take from our reading helps us determine our values--i.e., what we deem important or significant and what we deem unimportant or insignificant.  

Over the course of the semester, selected readings and topics of discussion will address that world around us and it will challenge our values.  Specifically, the focus of this section of ENGL 300, as is suggested by the quote from Scott Russell Sanders (above), will be on the natural environment and the places around us (our "home grounds") that impact who we are and how we interact with the environment.  Over the course of the semester, we'll get into issues related to authorship, readership, context, and purpose--the major concerns for any writer/reader--but we'll do so within the context of environment- and place-related topics.  In doing so, we'll read works from authors like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, Aldo Leopold, William Cronon, Annie Dillard, Wendell Berry, Barry Lopez, Gary Snyder, Terry Tempest Williams, Luther Standing Bear, Wallace Stegner, Barbara Kingsolver, and more.

Course Overview and Objectives:  Over the course of the semester, you may expect to. . .
Course Requirements  (NOTE:  You are expected to complete ALL writing assignments.)

Readings/Participation:  Complete readings on time and participate in class discussion. 10%

Composition Journal:  Journal prompts will be provided periodically throughout the semester--at least one per week.  The prompts are intended to be thought-provoking, and the work you produce in response to these prompts--which may be quite informal--will provide fodder for class discussion and for longer, more formal writing assignments. 15%

Facilitation:  You will be asked to facilitate a discussion based on one of our selected readings.  In this facilitation, you are responsible for the direction of the class discussion for approximately 15 minutes.  Demonstrating clear comprehension of the material and your ability to apply and synthesize information from the readings, you may incorporate into this facilitation activities such as in-class writings, small group discussions, video, even guest speakers.  By the second week of class, I shall ask you to sign up for your facilitation. 15%

Essays (3):  Over the course of the semester, you will be expected to write several essays as you strengthen the skills needed for organized and stylistic writing.  These essays will include narrative writing, argumentative writing, and expository writing.  An assignment sheet for each of these essays--containing information on assignment guidelines and assessment--will be provided. 45% (15% each)

Writing Workshops:   Our class will include writing workshops in which you collaborate with your peers and seek guidance for revision--i.e. for seeing your writing with fresh eyes, with new or re-vision.  In these workshops, you are encouraged to be open and candid with others, but also keep in mind that the aim of our workshops is to provide constructive feedback. 15% (5% each)

Attendance:  The Student Handbook clearly states the following:

At the beginning of the semester, faculty members will state to their classes their policy on absences.  It is the responsibility of the students to inform instructors when illness or participation in University activity prevents attendance.  Instructors will decide whether the students may make up work missed and what effect the absences may have on the requirements of the course.

When absences are occasioned by University projects, students should check with instructors, informing them of the possibility of the out-of-town trip and the classes to be missed. (11)

With this statement in mind, the attendance policy for this class is as follows:  regular attendance is required.  Sporadic attendance signals that you don't take your education or your active membership in this class seriously.  Additionally, if you fail to attend class, your grade is directly impacted because you are not involved.  That is, you do not get the benefit of in-class response to your work, insight from others gained only through in-class discussion, nor do you receive information on upcoming assignments.  Plan to be here for all of our class meetings.

Late Work

All work is to be turned in on time.  If, however, you are unable to turn in your work on time due to an emergency, please inform me as soon as possible.

Plagiarism

The Student Handbook defines plagiarism as follows:  "To plagiarize means to take someone else's words and/or ideas (or patterns of ideas) and to present them to the reader as if they are yours.  Plagiarism, then, is an act of stealing."

In short, cite the work others in your own writing—whether by direct quote, summary, or paraphrase.  Purdue University's OWL (Online Writing Lab) and its information on avoiding plagiarism is a fine resource if you're uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism.

Campus E-mail  

To enhance student services, the University (and therefore I) will use your UTC email address (firstname-lastname@utc.edu) for communications.  Please check your UTC email on a regular basis.  If you have problems accessing your email account, contact the Help Desk at (423) 425-2676.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, or otherwise) and believe that you may need assistance or accommodation in this class, call the Office for Students with Disabilities/College Access Program at 425-4006 or visit Frist 110.

Pledge to Students with Disabilities

I pledge to work with you to seek departmental and University resources that will ensure access and/or accommodation in this class.

Counseling and Career Planning

If you find that personal problems, career indecision, study and time management difficulties are adversely affecting your successful progress at UTC, please contact the Counseling and Career Planning Center at 425-4438, or walk in to see a counselor between the hours of 9:00 to noon and 1:00 to 3:00 Monday through Friday—UC 338.

University Writing Center

Take advantage of the free writers resources available to all UTC students, including one-on-one writing consultations, handbooks, style guides, and computers for research and for printing student texts.  The Writing Center is located in Holt 119.  Phone:  (423) 425-1774