Instructor: James H. Donelan

M, W 1:00-2:50 in GIRV 2120; Section 5, Course No. 45062
Office Hours: Tuesday 10:00-10:50, Wednesday 12:00-12:50 or by appointment.
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, SEPTEMBER 29, BY 4:45PM.
• 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 September 27 reads:

9/27
Reading: SF Writer, "The Writing Process," Sections 1-3
Homework: 250 word (1 page) summary of an argument in the syllabus
In-class: Small group discussion: argument and writing processes

This means that by the morning of Septeber 27, you should have completed the reading and written assignment. The "In-class" section is a brief description of that day’s activities.

I: Introduction: Critical Reading—Writing Summaries and Arguments
9/25
Introduction and Logistics
In-class: Strategies for critical reading and writing; summary

9/27
Reading: SF Writer, "The Writing Process," Sections 1-3
Homework: 250 word (1 page) summary of an argument in the syllabus
In-class: Small group discussion: argument and writing processes

10/2
Reading: SF Writer, "The Writing Process," Sections 1-3, continued
Homework: 250-word analysis of an argument in Aristotle’s Politics
In-class: Workshop: writing persuasively; group discussion: planning an essay

10/4
Reading: SF Writer, Chapter 10, Sentences
Homework: Outline for first essay
First In-class Writing

10/9
Reading: SF Writer, Chapters 17 and 18
Homework: Draft of short essay
In-class: Incorporating primary sources

10/11 Library Visit
First essay due!

II: Competing Ideas—Writing Comparisons

*10/16 First PS1 Essay Due.

10/16
Reading: SF Writer, Chapter 19, Other Punctuation
Homework: Outline of competing arguments
In-class: Group discussion of comparative essays; sentence variety exercise

10/18
Reading: Review excerpts from Hobbes and Rousseau in reader
Homework: List main points of difference between Hobbes and Rousseau
In-class: Peer editing for sentence structure; sentence combining exercise

10/23
Reading: SF Writer, "The Writing Process," Chapters 4-6
Homework: Paragraph downshifting exercise; premise and conclusion
In-class: Making comparisons—identifying issues; peer editing of paragraphs
10/25
Reading: SF Writer, "The Writing Process," Chapters 4-6, continued
Homework: Midterm preparation notes

*10/30 PS 1 Midterm.

10/30 Conferences.

11/1
Reading: SF Writer, Chapters 7-8
In-class: Opinion vs. position; Midterm analysis
Homework: Prospectus for second essay

11/6
Reading: SF Writer, Chapter 9
Homework: Outline of second essay due
Second In-class Essay

11/8
Homework: Draft of second essay due
In-class: Editing vs. proofreading: peer review

11/10
Second Essay Due

III: Thematic Essays

11/13
Reading: SF Writer, "Research and Writing"
Homework: Identifying an important question
In-class: Class debate: defending your position

11/15
Reading: SF Writer, "Research and Writing," continued
Homework: Working bibliography
In-class: Embedding exercise; plagiarism exercise

11/20
Reading: Writing with Sources, review
Homework: Prospectus due
Third In-class Essay

*11/22 Second PS 1 paper due.

11/22
Homework: Outline of essay due
In-class: Conferences

11/27
Homework: Rough draft of essay due
In-class: Editing for style; small group discussion of audience

11/29
Homework: Second draft of essay due; peer reports
In-class: Group reading; thesis statement clinic

12/4
In-class: Final essay workshop.

12/6
Final Class; Final Essay Due

*12/8 PS 1 Final.