NOTE: The following schedule is a broad, not-too-detailed outline of what we'll cover in the course. Because we are using a writing workshop approach throughout the course, with class time spent on planning, drafting, giving and getting feedback, and revising, the specifics of course content will depend a good deal on the writing skills you bring to the course. Expect to have mini-lessons on various aspects of writing throughout the course; the topics of these lessons will reflect what you most need to understand better and work on in your own writing.  Similarly, the number of revisions of each major essay will vary, depending on the quality of the revising done prior to turning in drafts and revisions.

Completed classes have been moved to bottom of page.

Essay Assignments

7/10 (R)
Focus on revising, postponed.
Assignment for 7/11: Complete revision of Essay 1.

7/11 (F)
Revision due, postponed. Summing up Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
Assignment for 7/14: Begin planning Essay 2. Begin reading book of your choice.

Week 5

7/14 (M)
Workshop on Essay 2 and revising Essay 1.
Assignment for 7/15: Finish Essay 2. Continue reading book of your choice, selecting passages to share with class.

7/15 (T)
Selecting sources; details in your writing (look at Camille's essay on pages 272-273 for a humanities example and example paragraph from BIOL 100 paper).
Assignment for 7/16: Work on revising Essay 1 or drafting Essay 2.

7/16 (W)
Work on Essay 2.
Assignment for 7/17: Complete draft of Essay 2. Complete revision of Essay 1.

7/17 (R)
Revision of Essay 1 due. Peer feedback on Essay 2.
Assignment for 7/18: Revise Essay 2 as needed to turn in.

7/18 (F)
Essay 2 due. Self-assessment. Present passages from your third book to class and comment on them.
Assignment for 7/19: Read/reread your third book, thinking about your essay topic as you read.

Week 6

7/21 (M)
Discussion of your book and writing topic. Portfolio requirements and revising considerations.
Assignment for 7/22: Continue reading your book; begin Essay 3. Work on revising as needed for final portfolio.

7/22 (T)
Mini-conferences on final portfolio.
Assignment for 7/23: Continue drafting and revising essays for final portfolio.

7/23 (W)
Workshop on final portfolio
Assignment for 7/24: Continue revising as needed.

7/24 (R)
Self-assessment; cover essay
Assignment for 7/25: Complete cover essay and all revising.

7/25 (F)
Final portfolio due. In-class writing.

Completed Classes:

Week 1

6/16 (M) Bowman 319; Special Meeting Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Introduction and syllabus
Assignment for 6/17: Write brief introductory essay.

6/17 (T)
Discussion of essay format & style vs. Webpage writing. Levels of formality. Brainstorming: you as a writer. Some guidelines for reading.
Assignment for 6/18: Start reading Into the Wild.  

6/18 (W)
Discussion of reading.
Assignment for 6/19: Continue reading Into the Wild (through page 85). Make notes as needed.

6/19 (R)
In-class writing: commenting on reading. What humanities, social science, and science topics are suggested?
Assignment for 6/20: Continue reading Into the Wild, taking notes as needed. Start listing possible writing topics.

6/20 (F)
Discussion of reading. Reading to write.
Assignment for 6/23: Finish reading Into the Wild.

Week 2

6/23 (M)
Movie: Into the Wild
Assignment for 6/24: Continue reading, if you haven't finished.

6/24 (T)
Movie: Into the Wild
Assignment for 6/27: Finish reading; consider possible essay topics.

6/25 (W)
Discussion of book and movie.
Assignment for 6/26: Select topic for Essay 1. If time permits, begin reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

6/26 (R)
Final discussion of book vs. movie. Topic selection. Starting your paper. Introductions and organization.
Assignment for 6/27: Start Essay 1.

6/27 (F)
Incorporating quotations, paraphrases, and summaries. Style and tone. Pertinent questions to consider as you read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
Assignment for 6/30: Begin reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Keep notes as needed. Read through p. 69 or 85.

Prereading Questions:

• What are some of your favorite foods or meals?
• Does your family grow any of the food you eat?
• Do you know where your parents shop for most of your groceries?

Consider keeping a written record of everything that you eat for several days, for comparison/contrast with the Kingsolver family's diet.

• In the first chapter, Kingsolver contrasts brief conversations with two service workers regarding the prospects for rain. How do these conversations embody an important concern that motivates the change in lifestyle this book describes?
• What is the major argument of this book?
• How does the argument of the book relate to the personal story the book tells?
• Do you "hear" any difference in the "voices" of the family members who contribute to this book?

Week 3

6/30 (M)
Workshop on Essay 1.Discussion of reading. The humanities, the social sciences, the sciences, revisited. The writer's voice.
Assignment for 7/1: Continue reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, keeping notes as needed. Read through p. 123.

7/1 (T)
Revising & editing issues. Exercises in imitation. In-class mini-conferences about essay on Into the Wild.
Assignment for 7/2: Continue reading, keeping notes. Read through 153. Begin revising essay on Into the Wild.

7/2 (W)
Essay 1 due by 5:00 p.m. Discussion of reading. Some in-class research. Selecting 3rd book
Assignment for 7/3: Continue revising essay on Into the Wild.

7/3 (R)
Critical reading as a bridge into writing: questions to consider.
Assignment for 7/7: Complete revision. Read assigned chapter of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, summarizing to share with class.

7/4 (F)  INDEPENDENCE DAY

Week 4

7/7 (M)
Discussion of reading--summaries of Chapters 3 and 9. Delayed till 7/10: Brainstorming and planning essay on Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
Assignment for 7/8: Read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, summarizing assigned chapter.

7/8 (T)
Discussion of reading.
Assignment for 7/9: Continue reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, summarizing if you have not done so.

7/9 (W)
Discussion of reading: sharing of summaries.
Assignment for 7/10: Begin planning essay on Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Begin drafting essay.