Writing 50—Writing and the Research Process:
Work in the Twenty-first Century
Instructor: James H. Donelan
Tuesday, Thursday 9:00-10:50
GIRV 2119
Enroll Code: 41594
Email: donelan@writing.ucsb.edu
Office: 1310 Girvetz Hall
Office Hours: Wednesday 2:00-2:50, Friday 9-10 or by appointment.
Texts:
Gig: Americans Talk About Their Jobs, ed. Bowe, Bowe, and Streeter
Tuman and Rodriguez, Writing Essentials and Norton ConnectWeb
(Writing Essentials is abbreviated WE in the syllabus.)
ConnectWeb Course Page: http://connectweb.com/ucsb.asp
Course Description: The course will explore writing and research
methods in relation to the subject of work, allowing for approaches from
a variety of disciplines and viewpoints. Students will research and write
a series of exercises and a research paper concerning an aspect of this topic.
In addition, students will use networked computers to conduct research, to
exchange ideas, and to compose assignments.
Requirements: An interview proposal, an interview report, a résumé,
a cover letter, and a bibliography, brief electronic discussion exercises,
and an oral presentation, all leading to a 10-12 page paper. Please observe
the following rules:
- Papers should be no longer or shorter than the length assigned and submitted
on time.
- Use twelve point type, in Times New Roman or CG Times.
- Assignments should be delivered electronically on the date due. Late
papers will result in grade reductions.
- Never submit an assignment without proofreading it carefully.
- Your classmates and your instructor depend on your presence in class
and your full participation. Participation therefore counts for a substantial
part of your grade. Do not miss class or fail to engage in electronic
exchanges and discussions.
- University regulations regarding plagiarism will be strictly enforced.
- The DROP DEADLINE is FRIDAY, APRIL 5 by 4:45PM.
- Your final grade will be calculated as follows: Completeness
and Punctuality of Connect Assignments, 15%; Class Participation,
10%; Interview Proposal, 5%; Interview, 15%; Cover Letter, 10%; Résumé
10%; Final Project, 35%.
How to Read the Syllabus
The homework and reading assignments on the syllabus describe what is
due by the time you arrive in class. For instance, the syllabus for April
9 reads:
4/9
Reading: William K., High School Teacher, 484-489; WE, Chapters
16-17.
Homework: Interview proposal draft.
In-class: Practice interview exercise.
This means before you attend class on Tuesday, April 9, you should read
pages 484 to 489 of Gig and Chapters 16 and 17 of Writing Essentials
so that we can discuss the readings in class. You should also post an interview
proposal on ConnectWeb by class time; we will learn how to post assignments
at the first lab meeting. All ConnectWeb work must be completed by class
time on the day it is due, unless otherwise noted. Home computer failure
is not a valid excuse for missing an assignment; go to an IC lab if you can’t
use your home computer.
________________________________________________________________________
I: Personal Perspectives: The Work Interview
4/2
Handout: Excerpt from Gig: Rose Collins, Executive Recruiter,
10-15.
In-class exercise: Writing sample on personal experience with work.
4/4
Class meets in Rincon Lab, Phelps 1518.
Reading: Tracy Jensen, Sales Rep., 138-147.
Homework: 250-word description of a career track.
In-class assignment: Group feedback.
4/9
Reading: William K., High School Teacher, 484-489; WE, Chapters
16-17.
Homework: Interview proposal draft.
In-class: Practice interview exercise.
4/11
Class meets in Rincon Lab, Phelps 1518.
Reading: WE, Chapters 18-20.
Homework: Revised proposal.
In-class: Preliminary interview work.
4/12
Final version of Interview Proposal due by 5:00PM.
4/16
Reading: Kate G., College Professor, 490-495; WE, Chapters
26-28.
Homework: Interview notes due.
In-class: Editing an interview.
4/18
Class meets in Rincon Lab, Phelps 1518.
Reading: WE, Chapters 29-31.
Homework: Revised interview. Bring a job advertisement for your
career to class.
In-class: Interview feedback. Job description analysis.
4/19
Final version of Interview due by 5:00PM.
II: Career Opportunities: Applications and Resumes
4/23
Reading: William Rosario, UPS Driver, 5-9; John Hart, Securities
Lawyer, 505-510.
Homework: Bring a paper draft of your cover letter and résumé.
In-class: Fine-tuning the cover letter.
4/25
Class meets in Rincon Lab, Phelps 1518.
Homework: Bring a revised paper of your cover letter and résumé
to the lab, along with their word processing files.
In-class: Group review of applicants.
4/26
Final draft of résumé and cover letter due.
III: Career Research
4/30
Reading: Jonathan Brown, Psychiatric Rehab. Therapist, 643-647.
WE, Chapters 1-3
Homework: One-paragraph description of research topic idea.
In-class: Developing a research plan.
5/2
Library visit. Bring a notebook and pen!
5/7
Readings: James R., Basketball Coach, 389-398; WE, Chapters
6-8.
Homework: Working bibliography.
In-class: Finding what you need; outlining.
5/9
Class meets in Rincon Lab, Phelps 1518.
Reading: WE, Chapters 9-10.
Homework: Revised working bibliography.
In-class: On-line discussion of topics and research.
5/14
Reading: WE, Chapter 11.
Homework: Prospectus.
In-class: Discussion: Evidence and Argument.
5/16
Class meets in Rincon Lab, Phelps 1518.
Reading: WE, Chapters 4-5.
Homework: Progress report.
In-class: Research and essay development.
IV: Analysis and Critique of the Working World
5/21
Homework: Preliminary outline and working thesis.
In-class: From outline to draft—working methods.
5/23
Class meets in Rincon Lab, Phelps 1518.
Homework: Revised outline and working thesis.
In-class: Connect critique.
5/28
Homework: First page of rough draft.
In-class: Editing techniques.
5/30
Class meets in Rincon Lab, Phelps 1518.
Readings: Half of rough draft due. Connect draft evaluations.
In-class: Putting it all together.
6/4
Homework: Full rough draft due.
In-class: Oral Presentations.
6/6
Class meets in Rincon Lab, Phelps 1518. Final Class.
6/7
Final Project Due.