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Objectives
This course is designed to develop your skills in writing, reasoning, argumentation, and research. Our class discussions and writing projects will explore current issues in our society and culture; the newspaper, news magazines, television broadcasts, and Internet materials will form the basis of our weekly readings, discussions, and writing assignments.. This approach allows for a wide range of research projects that address different applications of rhetoric and different approaches to writing. You will have the opportunity to tailor your writing skills to the academic fields in which you are especially interested. An in-class presentation will encourage you to develop your speaking skills. While much of your work in this class will prepare you for the kinds of communication situations you will encounter at the university, the fundamental goal of the class is to help you become a confident and effective communicator in whatever occupation you choose to enter.

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You will need to have access to the Internet via a current browser. The Critique Lab (Kuy 411) is available for your use, but the schedule of open lab times may be limited. You will also need an active email account.

Assignments

This course emphasizes the process of writing. For most assignments, you will submit a draft of your essay (or a demonstration version of your web site) which I will review along with your peers. You will be graded only on the revised versions of your projects.

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Policy

I will give incompletes only in cases of medical or family emergencies, for which I will require written documentation.

I also expect you to adhere to the Interim Policy for Responsible Computing and Network Access and the Critique Lab Policies.

Grading
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day on which they appear in the schedule. You must complete all assignments to receive a passing grade in this class.  Grades for late assignments, including drafts, will be lowered by one letter grade for every day past the due date. I will be happy to discuss any questions you have about grades, but please give yourself at least 24 hours to review my comments before speaking with me about a grade.

I will give incompletes only in cases of serious medical or family emergencies.

Attendance
You are expected to attend this class regularly and on time. More than six (6) unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for the class. If circumstances arise that make it difficult for you to come to class or to complete your assigned work, please inform me immediately. Don't wait until the end of the semester, when it will be harder to make accommodations.

Portfolios
Please retain all work for this class in a folder or binder, including all drafts. I will ask you to submit these portfolios at the end of the semester so that I can review them before assigning your final grade.

Scholastic Dishonesty
The University of Hawai‘i regulations strictly forbid plagiarism and collusion. Submitting someone else’s work as your own, arranging for someone else to do your writing for you, or purchasing papers will earn you a failing grade for the assignment and may result in a failing grade in the class. Please review the handout on plagiarism and ask about any issues that you do not understand. I also expect you to adhere to the Interim Policy for Responsible Computing and Network Access <http://www.hawaii.edu/infotech/policy.html> and the Critique Lab Policies <http://maven.english.hawaii.edu/lab/index.html>.
   

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(subject to change) 

January 14
introduction to the course

January 16
in-class writing exercise

January 18
invention techniques; review of basic grammar and mechanics

January 21
Holiday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 23
DUE: Writing Exercise I
review of basic structures

January 25
Eighner, “On Dumpster Diving”
focusing an essay; beginning research

January 28
DUE: introductory paragraphs of Writing Project I
formulating claims

January 30
introduction to peer reviewing

February 1
in-class exercise on paragraphing and transitions

February 4
DUE: draft of Writing Project I
coordinating components of an essay; introduction to evaluation
criteria and procedures; revision

February 6
peer review of Writing Project I

February 8
DUE: final version of Writing Project I
formulating arguments

February 11
Friere, “The Banking Concept of Education”
establishing a research question

February 13
logic in argumentation

February 15
in-class logic exercises

February 18
Holiday: Presidents’ Day

February 20
DUE: draft of Writing Project II
analyzing arguments

February 22
peer review of Writing Project II

February 25
Burley and Dickenson, “Seeking Polynesia's Beginnings in an Archipelago
of Shards”; examples of scholarly argumentation

February 27
DUE: final version of Writing Project II
selections from The Craft of Research
using scholarly sources

March 1
research techniques and documentation styles

March 4
DUE: draft of Writing Project III
in-class exercise: mock essay exam

March 6
peer review of Writing Project III

March 8
general comments on drafts of Writing Project III

March 11
in-class exeercise on documentation

March 13
DUE: final version of Writing Project III
in-class exericse: essay exam

March 15
Internet research techniques

March 18
library research techniques

March 20
Hoodfar, “The Veil on Our Heads and in Their Minds”
integrating argument and research

March 22
in-class exercise on research techniques

March 25
Spring Break

April 1
DUE: introductory paragraphs of Writing Project IV
evaluating sources

April 3
peer review of research questions; claims

April 5
general comments on claims and research questions

April 8
DUE: drafts of Writing Project IV
review of documentation styles

April 10
peer review of Writing Project IV

April 12
general comments on drafts of Writing Project IV

April 15
individual meetings

April 17
individual meetings

April 19
individual meetings

April 22
DUE: drafts of Writing Project V

April 24
peer review of Writing Project V

April 26
group meetings on collabaorative Introducctions and panel presentations

April 29
group meetings on collabaorative Introducctions and panel presentations

May 1
panel presentations

May 3
panel presentations

May 6
panel presentations

May 8
DUE: group anthologies of final versions of Writing Project IV with
collaborative Introductions, final versions of Writing Project V, and individual
portfolios