Instructor: James H. Donelan

M, W 1:00-2:50 in GIRV 2120; Section 5, Course No. 45062

Office Hours: Monday 9:00-10:00, Tuesday 2:00-3:00

Girvetz 1310

Email: donelan@humanitas.ucsb.edu

Texts: Ruszkiewicz, Hairston, and Seward, SF Writer
Texts for PS1
The book is at the UCSB Bookstore.

Course Description: The course will explore the fundamental forms and styles of academic writing in essays related to the content of PS 1. In addition, students will improve their reading and critical thinking skills through class discussion and exercises.

Requirements: The course requires regular attendance, active participation in class and timely completion of all assignments, including all writing exercises, reading journals, peer reports, and preliminary drafts as well as the final draft of each assignment.

In addition, please do your best to observe the following rules:

• Assignments should be no longer or shorter than the length assigned and submitted on time and use the prescribed format. Late papers will result in grade reductions.
• Never hand in a paper without proofreading it carefully.
• Your classmates and your instructor depend on your presence in class and your full participation. Do not miss class.
• University regulations regarding plagiarism will be strictly enforced.
• The DROP DEADLINE is FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, by 11:45PM.
• Your final grade will be calculated as follows: First Essay, 15%; Second Essay, 15%; Third Essay, 20%; In-class Writings, 10% each (for 30%); completeness, punctuality, and quality of daily assignments, 10%; class participation, 10%.
• The class assumes that you are current with your reading assignments for PS1. Bring your PS1 books to class, even if they are not specifically mentioned on the syllabus.
• I may change the syllabus as the quarter progresses; listen carefully for changes and specific instructions on assignments in class.

The homework and reading assignments on the syllabus describe what is due by the time you arrive in class. For instance, the syllabus for February 8 reads:

10/6
Reading: SF Writer, "The Writing Process"
Homework: 250 word (1 page) summary and analysis of Aristotle’s argument in Books I and II.
In-class: Small group discussion: argument and writing processes

This means that by the morning of October 6, you should have completed the reading and written assignment. The "In-class" section is a brief description of that day’s activities.

I: Introduction: Writing and Critical Reading—Virtue vs. Violence

10/4
Introduction and Logistics
Reading: Aristotle, Book I
In-class: Strategies for critical reading; summary

10/6
Reading: SF Writer, "The Writing Process," Sections 1-3
Homework: 250 word (1 page) summary of one of Aristotle’s arguments in Books I and II
In-class: Small group discussion: argument and writing processes
10/11
Reading: SF Writer, "The Writing Process," Sections 1-3, continued
Homework: 250-word analysis of an argument in Book X of Aristotle
In-class: Workshop: writing persuasively; group discussion: planning an essay

10/13
Reading: SF Writer, Chapter 10, Sentences
Homework: Prospectus for first essay  Suggested Topics
In-class: Editing for sentence structure: partner exercise; First in-class writing
10/18
Library Visit
*First PS1 essay due!

10/20
Reading: SF Writer, Chapters 17 and 18; Writing with Sources 1-3
Homework: Working bibliography for short essay
In-class: Incorporating sources

II: Competing Ideas—Absolute Authority vs. Limited Government

10/25
Reading: SF Writer, Chapter 19, Other Punctuation
Homework: Outline of first essay
In-class: Group discussion of thesis statements; sentence variety exercise

10/27
Homework: Draft of first essay
In-class: Peer editing for sentence structure; sentence combining exercise

10/29
First Essay Due

11/1
Reading: SF Writer, "The Writing Process," Chapters 4-6
Homework: Paragraph downshifting exercise
In-class: Making comparisons—identifying issues; peer editing of paragraphs
*PS1 Midterm!

11/3
Reading: SF Writer, "The Writing Process," Chapters 4-6, continued
Homework: Outline of Declaration, opening sentences
In-class: Claim and evidence exercise

11/8
Reading: SF Writer, Chapters 7-8
Homework: Prospectus of second essay due  Suggested Topics
In-class: Group discussion: looking for evidence; reading notes

11/10
Reading: SF Writer, Chapter 9
Homework: Outline of second essay due
In-class: Second In-class Essay

III: Developing a Position—Equality vs. Liberty
11/15
Reading: Re-read Rousseau’s first essay
Homework: First draft of second essay due
In-class: Peer editing of transitions

11/17
Homework: Second draft of second essay due
In-class: Editing vs. proofreading: peer review

11/19
 

11/22
Reading: SF Writer, "Research and Writing"
Homework: 250-word short essay, "DeTocqueville’s Thesis"
In-class: Class debate: defending your position

11/24
Reading: SF Writer, "Research and Writing," continued
Homework: New Due Date! Second Essay Due
In-class: Embedding exercise; plagiarism exercise

11/29
Reading: Writing with Sources, review
Homework: Prospectus of third essay due  Suggested Topics
In-class: Third In-class Essay

12/1
Homework: Outline of essay due
In-class: Workshop on structure

IV: Voice and Identity—Universalism vs. Difference

12/6
Homework: Rough draft of essay due
In-class: Editing for style; small group discussion of audience
*Second PS1 essay due!

12/8
Homework: Second draft of essay due; peer reports
In-class: Group reading; thesis statement clinic

12/10
Final Essay Due

12/13
PS1 Final, 8:00AM-11:00AM

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