Jeff Pence	Office: Rice 26
Fall 1998	Of. Hrs: M, 9-10:30; W, 2:30-4
MW(F), 11:00-11:50	Phone: x8586
King 325	Email: fpence

Text: Bartholomae & Petrosky, Ways of Reading

This class provides an introduction to the conventions of academic writing and reading. Through selected readings, weekly writing assignments--fresh drafts and/or revisions--workshop discussion of student writing, and regular individual conferences, we will explore the various dimensions of academic discourse: discovery, argument, authority, voice and clarity. A guiding principle is that writing is a way of learning, an active process enriched by reflection, revision and the critical contributions of a community of other writers. The same is true of reading and discussion. Used together, all three modes of learning and communication can challenge and shape each other.

While writing is a way of generating knowledge, it is also a means of transmitting and sharing that knowledge. Effective writing requires a continual effort to find the match between one's rhetorical goals and the demands of context, material and audience. To begin to meet these challenges, we will test out various strategies of voice, evidence, structure, style and revision.

This course must be taken Credit/No Entry. Students whose writing meets Oberlin's "Criteria for Proficiency" by the end of the semester can earn a writing certification. This award is not automatically granted upon passing the course. (One exception: students who have passed EXWR 100 and then pass this course earn one certification credit automatically. Let me know if this is your plan.)

Your evaluation will depend upon your progress between drafts and over the course of the semester, your meeting of the procedural requirements listed below, and the quality of your participation in class discussions and peer reviews.

Writing requirements include the following:

1. Regular posts on our electronic bulletin board, Alta Vista Forum, in response to writing tasks which I will give you.

2. Five 4-6 page essays (1000-1500 words) responding to the readings and discussions we have over the course of the semester. Some revisions of these essays will be required; others will be optional.

3. A final essay, of 6-10 pages, will be required at the end of the semester.

The following policies will govern course procedures:

1. Attendance at classes and any conferences we might schedule is mandatory. No more than two absences are allowed without an acceptable excuse.

2. Papers are due at the beginning of class on their scheduled dates.

3. Readings must be completed and considered by the class period in which they will be discussed.

4. During the semester, each of you will meet with me every other week for an individual conference. In return for this commitment, we will normally not meet as a class on Fridays. You will also be asked to review and comment on each other's writing, both in class and on AVF.

Normally, written work will be submitted in two ways. First, you will bring a typed, double-spaced draft with one-inch margins. Second, you will also submit one copy as an attachment to Alta Vista Forum.

Week 1

9/2 Introductions; syllabus discussion

 

9/4 Rodriguez, 567-85

Week 2

9/7 Class cancelled for Labor Day

 

9/9 DRAFT OF ESSAY #1 DUE

 

9/11 No Class: Conference Group A

Week 3

9/14 FINAL OF ESSAY #1 DUE; Percy, 511-23

 

9/16 Discussion of Percy continued

 

9/18 No Class: Conference Group B

Week 4

9/21 DRAFT OF ESSAY #2 DUE; Oates, 470-509

 

9/23 Discussion of Oates continued

 

9/25 No Class: Conference Group B

Week 5

9/28 FINAL OF ESSAY #2 DUE

 

9/30 Class canceled for Yom Kippur

 

10/2 No Class: Conference Group A

Week 6

10/5 DRAFT OF ESSAY #3 DUE; Griffin, 319-66

 

10/7 Discussion of Griffin continued

 

10/9 No Class: Conference Group A

Week 7

10/12 FINAL OF ESSAY #3 DUE

 

10/14

 

10/16

Week 8

10/26

 

10/28

 

10/30

Week 9

11/2

 

11/4

 

11/6

Week 10

11/9

 

11/11

 

11/13

Week 12

11/16

 

11/18

 

11/20

Week 13

11/23

 

11/25

 

11/27

Week 14

11/30

 

12/1

 

12/3

Week 15

12/7

 

12/9

 

12/11

Week 16

12/14