1102 Syllabus, Fall 2003 (Minnick)

The goals of English 1102 at Georgia Tech are to develop research, analytical, and communication skills by focusing on the discipline of cultural studies. In this course, we will explore a variety of literary, theoretical, visual, and cultural texts and engage in sustained research to understand the relationship between culture and cultural production. We will work on critical reading and effective writing skills and on developing a deeper understanding of audience and the social contexts that inform communication. In order to enhance understanding of a variety of communication modes, we will work towards expanding and supporting written work with oral presentations. Additionally we will work on improving your writing through engagement with a variety of educational technologies. Incorporating independent and collaborative work to improve research, composition, and revision skills, English 1102 emphasizes writing as process, fundamental research practices, the importance of audience, and attention to the contexts that inform effective communication.

Postmodern America. In this section of English 1102, we will explore American life and cultural artifacts, including literature, generated by and in response to the changes America underwent after the Second World War. In the second half of the twentieth century, the world faced intense conflicts, experiencing a series of upheavals that redefined our lives and our culture. This fascinating period encompasses the dawn of the nuclear age and the fall of the Berlin wall. It claims the Greatest Generation and Generation X; Vietnam and Watergate; the civil rights struggle, sixties counter-culture, and multiculturalism. It was the era of June Cleaver and Barbie but also of the sexual revolution and second-wave feminism. It saw the advent of television as a cultural force as well as literary innovations from the Beat Generation and New Journalism to graphic novels, ‘zines, and hypertext. Postmodern American life was and is multifaceted and paradoxical but always a rich source for analysis. As the basis for research and writing projects, we will look at the conditions and contexts of the postwar period as they influenced American culture then and now. A hallmark of postmodernism is attention to the diversity of the human experience, so there should be something here for everyone.

Software and Computing Resources and Requirements

We will make frequent use of Internet applications in the LCC lab and from remote locations (i.e. your home or dorm room). You must meet the technology requirements for incoming freshmen at GT, including access to your own computer with Internet access to complete the work for this class. We will use e-mail, Web browsers, and online conferencing applications as a means of communicating both in and outside of class for online discussions, to annotate electronic texts, and to participate in collaborative hypertext projects. You will receive instructions within the first few weeks about how to access applications on your computer. Previous knowledge of these applications is not a prerequisite for this course, but it doesn't hurt. If you have concerns about your abilities, please consult with me as soon as you can. Also, please check the course updates page regularly so that you do not miss any important class announcements or assignments.

Academic Honesty

Academic Honesty: All work you turn in for this class must be your own, with all outside reference sources properly cited and acknowledged. All written assignments for this course are subject to analysis via the anti-plagiarism program "Turn It In", which we will discuss further in class. Plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, and other types of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form. You are required to read, understand and comply fully with the policies and definitions outlined in the Georgia Tech Honor Code, linked here. If you are in doubt about how to cite a source or whether a citation is needed, or if you are not sure what level of help on an assignment constitutes collusion, ask me. As I am also required to uphold the Honor Code, my policy is zero tolerance for any type of deception, and I do not want for any of you to find out the hard way how seriously I take this.

Students with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation for any sort of disability, please make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities should also contact Access Disabled Assistance Program for Tech Students (ADAPTS) for information and to discuss accommodations. For an appointment with a counselor call (404) 894-2564 (voice) / -1664 (voice/TDD) or visit 210 Smithgall Student Services Building.

Attendance

English 1102 is an experiential, hands-on course. This means you need to be present every day to the extent that it is humanly possible. Readings, discussions, and activities complement each other, so you need to be in class in order to participate in all components of the course. If you must miss class, my policy is to permit four "freebie" absences. By "freebie," I mean that I do not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences. I also mean that's all you get. Your four days need to be used judiciously so that you do not burn all four of your absences by skipping a month of Fridays and then wake up with the flu one day and have no days left. Four is four. Exceptions can only be made in cases of serious illness (such as those requiring hospitalization) and other documentable emergencies. If you miss more than four class meetings, there may be a substantial deduction in your course grade. Minimal absences reflect favorably. Six or more don't, and may result in a course grade of F.

Being late to class should never happen. Of course, we all have our moments, and infrequent lapses may occur. Overall, however, make it a habit to be in class on time. Otherwise, you risk missing important course content (such as instructions or quizzes) which may be over by the time you get there. Keep in mind that when you walk in late, it is distracting to other students. The same goes for leaving early. It is your responsibility to stay on top of what goes on in class whether you are there or not. If you are late, it is your responsibility to stay after class to make sure you have been marked present. Absences resulting from uncorrected lates count towards your four allotted absences. Habitual lateness will result in a reduction of your participation grade.

Late work is generally frowned upon in college and elsewhere, and this class is no exception. Arrangements should be made in advance(and you'll need a documentable explanation). Unexplained late work (or excuses after the fact) will not be accepted and a grade of zero will be assessed for the assignment.

Makeups: Daily assignments, draft deadlines, quizzes, and in-class activities cannot be made up if missed because of lateness or absence. Makeups on major assignments, such as papers, must be arranged with me in advance of due dates in order to avoid penalties, and you will have to make a pretty strong case in order to be granted an extension.

Classroom etiquette: You are not required to agree with everything you read or everything that is said during discussions in this class. You are encouraged to read and think critically. Occasionally, our readings and discussions may center on issues about which you and your classmates may feel strongly, and some of the readings might not be to your liking. That is perfectly okay; an open dialogue is encouraged, and all thoughtful contributions are welcome. Disagreement with the points of view of others, including me, is also welcome, provided that everyone is respectful during class discussions. The goal is for our classroom and online forums to be safe places for flexing your intellectual muscles, where everyone feels comfortable generating, expressing, and challenging ideas. Your help in reaching this goal is essential.

Other etiquette issues: Sleeping, eating, grooming, reading non-course materials, doing homework, having conversations, and other such activities are discouraged because of their disruptive and impolite nature, and also because they keep you from fully participating. Your active participation is part of your course grade, of course, and also, nothing interesting will happen in class without your input. That is, the class will be as interesting as you make it. Showing up on time and prepared (that means completing all reading assignments and other homework and being ready to work when you get here) will help your grade as well as enhance your learning experience.

1. Formatting for all written assignments: All hard copies of assignments must be typed and double-spaced, including drafts to be turned in or to be workshopped in class. All final drafts must have 1" margins and follow MLA style for page headings, page numbering, formatting and documentation (we'll review this in class; also, see the sample paper on page 475 of the LB Handbook). For formal essays, I recommend using Times New Roman 12 or a comparably sized sans serif font, if you prefer, such as Arial.

2. Please plan ahead with respect to your printing needs. Things frequently go wrong with printers, so waiting until five minutes before class starts to try to print is not a good idea. There are computer labs all over the GT campus; it is simply a matter of leaving yourself enough time not only to print but also to formulate and enact an alternate Plan B if your original printing plan is thwarted. A disk is not a draft; therefore, if you do not have a printed copy (or the requisite number of copies for peer editing days) at the beginning of class on a due date, you will be assessed a grade of zero for the assignment. Even if we are scheduled for lab time, please do not expect to use class time for printing.

3. Please email me any time if you have questions or concerns, and know that you are always welcome in my office. There is no need for an appointment if you wish to drop by during my office hours, but please make arrangements with me if you are not free during office hours so that we can set up a time to meet.

4. A word to the wise: Failure to follow directions is one of my two pet peeves; the other is failure to listen or read carefully when instructions are being given. The first is almost always a result of the second. Points will be subtracted from work which does not properly respond to all requirements of the assignment. If you are ever not completely clear on what is being asked of you, please check with me either in person or via email.

You'll be working on a variety of formal and informal, individual and collaborative, writing assignments and other projects during the semester. You will demonstrate your competency in writing conventional critical, research-oriented essays, and you will also communicate in online discussion forums and work with classmates on oral presentations and collaborative hypertext/media writing projects. Additionally, we'll explore alternative forms of "text," including visual and oral texts. I expect you will find English 1102 a challenging course, but I also hope you'll find your projects exciting and rewarding.

A = minimum of 900 total points
B = 800-899 total points
C = 700-799 total points
D = 600-699 points
F = 599 points or less

Note: Please don't expect final grades to be rounded up unless you have a stellar attendance and participation record. And please do not expect unreasonable rounding (i.e. ten points or more) on your course grade.

All readings should be completed for class discussion on the dates for which they are assigned.

Please note: I reserve the right to make minor adjustments or massive changes to this syllabus as a result of interference from reality. Also, additional activities and readings may be assigned in class. If you come to class every day and follow along with any announced changes, you'll never be out of the loop. Also, check our class updates page for news, reminders, and announcements. If you have questions about what exactly is expected of you (and when it is expected), my door is always open to you.

Week 1. Topics: English 1102 and research-oriented writing; thinking about postmodern America.

Aug 18 Introduction to course. For Wednesday, read "American Prose since 1945" on electronic reserve.
Aug 20 Discuss reading. HW: Impressions of postmodern America (short writing) part 1.
Aug 22 In class: Impressions of postmodern America assignment, part 2. Come to class having read Jameson (PAF 654-663).

Aug 25 Heller (PAF 345-362) and Hassan (PAF 585-595).
Aug 27 White (PAF 255-263). Exploratory Essay assigned.
Aug 29 BR Chapter 1.

Sep 01 No school! Labor Day.
Sep 03 Electronic reserve reading: Charters, "Variations on a Generation" and Kerouac, On the Road, Chapters 1, 4, and 7 (chapters 1 and 4 provided in class).
Sep 05 Electronic reserve reading: Kerouac, On the Road, Chapter 11.

Sep 08 BR Chapter 2, and electronic reserve reading: Di Prima, from Recollections of My Life as a Woman.
Sep 10 Electronic reserve reading: Burroughs, from Junky.
Sep 12 BR Chapters 3 and 8. First draft of Exploratory Essay due.

Week 5. FINAL DRAFT of Exploratory Essay due. The 1950s.

Sep 15 BR Chapters 9-10 and electronic reserve reading: Ellison, from Invisible Man.
Sep 17 Final draft of Exploratory Essay due. Capote (PAF 127-141).
Sep 19 Electronic reserve reading: O'Connor, "Good Country People."

Sep 22 Wallace (PAF 362-391). Interpretive group projects assigned.
Sep 24 Electronic reserve reading: O'Brien, "The Things They Carried."
Sep 26 Drop deadline. Eco (PAF 622-624) and electronic reserve reading: Baldwin, from The Fire Next Time.

Sep 29 BR Chapter 11.
Oct 01 Electronic reserve reading: Bellow, "Looking for Mr. Green." Group work on Interpretive Projects, time permitting.
Oct 03 Bérubé (PAF 595-603), hooks (PAF 624-631). Analytical Essay assigned.

Week 8 (revised). The 1970s. Interpretive project group presentations, as scheduled, beginning October 10. Midterm grades, October 10.

Oct 06 BR Chapter 12 and Roth (PAF 306-321).
Oct 08 Russ (PAF 537-547) and Vonnegut (PAF 84-93).
Oct 10 Silko (PAF 321-331). First day of presentations, as scheduled. Midterm grades.

Week 9 (revised). Complete Interpretive Project presentations October 15 and 17. Final deadline for submission of interpetive project materials Friday, October 17. First Analytical Essay WebX posting due Sunday, October 19, at midnight.

Oct 13 Fall break. No school!
Oct 15 Presentations, as scheduled.
Oct 17 Presentations, as scheduled. Annotated bibliographies and self-/group-evaluation sheets due by 5 p.m. Interpretive project WebX posting due by midnight.

Analytical Essay WebX posting (research question) due by midnight on Sunday, October 19.

Oct 20 Oates (PAF 396-409).
Oct 22 BR Chapter 13.
Oct 24 DeLillo (PAF 526-536). Analytical Essay WebX posting (working thesis) due by midnight.

Week 11 (revised). Collaborative projects assigned. Outline/proposal due for Analytical essay.

Oct 27 Morrison (PAF 301-306).
Oct 29 BR Chapter 16-17. Collaborative projects assigned.
Oct 31 Viramontes (PAF 497-507). Outline/proposal due for Analytical Essay due at class time.

Nov 03 BR Chapter 14.
Nov 05 Kingston (PAF 458-470).
Nov 07 Analytical essay first draft deadline.

Nov 10 Coupland (PAF 568-573).
Nov 12 Alexie (PAF 341-345).
Nov 14 Analytical essay second draft deadline.

Nov 17 Complete discussion of assigned readings.
Nov 19 Work on final revisions of Analytical Essay.
Nov 21 Analytical essay final draft due.

Week 15 (revised). Work on collaborative projects. Thanksgiving holiday.

Nov 24 Work on collaborative projects.
Nov 26 Work on collaborative projects.
Nov 28 No class! Thanksgiving holiday.

Week 16. Dec 01-05: Collaborative Hypertext project presentations, as scheduled.

Exploratory essay..................................................15%	Grading Scale
Analytical essay......................................................20%	A = 90-100% Excellent (not merely good) work
Collaborative project using electronic media.....20%	B = 80-89% Above average to very good work.
Interpretive presentation......................................15%	C = 70-79% Average to above average work.
Homework and deadlines....................................15%	D = 60-69% Below average work.
Participation and attendance..............................15%	F = 0-59% Does not meet minimum standards.