University at Buffalo

Fall 2000 English 201:  Advanced Writing 1

Section E4—MWF. 12-12:50 pm Room 152 Park

Section F1—MWF 1-1:50 pm Room 107 Clemens

Section G2—MWF 2-2:50 pm Room 117 Clemens

   

Credit hours:

Prerequisite:

Instructor: 

Office:

Office hours:

Email:

3

 English 101 or appropriate test score

Ms. Jane Adam

644 Clemens  

M & W 3-4 pm 

adam@acsu.buffalo.edu  

 

Texts:  (available at University Bookstore)

Muller & Williams, Bridges:  Literature Across Cultures    REQUIRED

Hacker, A Writer’s Reference 3rd ed.    OPTIONAL

 

Also Required:

--Pocket folder

--Access to computer, word processor, or typewriter (essays must be typed double spaced)

--Approximately $5.00 for photocopying costs

 

Course Objectives:  English 201 gives you the opportunity to build upon the  critical, organizational, and language skills which you developed  in English 101.  You will further develop your logic, argument

and research skills.  You will write longer and more complex essays and gain even greater control over your grammar, mechanics, and usage. You will grow in your ability to understand and enjoy literature.

                The class will work toward these objectives through reading and discussion, informal in-class writing, and invention, drafting, and revising of formal essays and a research paper--with input at every stage from instructor and peers.  To demonstrate your progress as a writer and to motivate yourself to think critically about your education, you will keep all your written work throughout the semester, and you will revise some of your essays for your midterm  portfolio.

 

Coursework

                Formal Essays (three total, 3-5 pp each)--for each essay you will write one draft and at least one revision. Topic choices will be announced.

                Informal Writings and Exercises--to be done in or out of class, individually,  in small groups, or on our listserv as announced;  completeness will count toward final grade.

                Assigned Reading--the basis for class discussion and both formal and informal writings.  

                Midterm  Portfolio--includes a further revision of one of your graded formal essays, along with all notes and drafts and a written analysis (1-2 pp) of the steps you took to revise it.

                Oral Presentation (5 min.)—based on research paper or a previous essay.

                Research Paper (7-10 pp)—Topic choices will be related to our reading and class discussion—specifics to be announced.  You will use MLA documentation and follow a research process, with thesis statement, working bibliography, and draft due earlier in the semester; final revision due at the end.

               

Conferences:  Each student will meet with the instructor at least twice—in the middle and at the end of the semester.

Grades

You will receive letter grades on your formal essays, midterm portfolio, oral presentation, and research paper. You must give an oral presentation and turn in all three essays, the midterm portfolio, and the research paper with all its components in order to pass the course.  Your coursework will then be weighted as follows to determine your final grade:

 

                50%  --  Formal Essays #1, #2, #3, and Midterm Portfolio

                10%  --  Oral Presentation

                15%  --  In-class and listserv (informal) writing activities, conference attendance

                25%  --  Research Paper

               

Research papers are due Friday, December 8, 2000.  No late research papers will be accepted.

 

Policies

 

Attendance--You are allowed five absences without penalty. For each additional absence, your final grade will be lowered.  You are responsible for all material covered while you are absent.

 

Late or Missed Assignments--You will be allowed one late essay without penalty.  If you turn in a second late essay, the grade will be lowered.

                If you miss an in-class group activity or are unprepared for it, you are still responsible for completing the work.

 

Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of someone else’s words, ideas, or information.  One plagiarized essay will earn you an F for that assignment.  A second plagiarized essay will earn you an F for the course.  If you are unsure whether you are using someone  else’s words or ideas appropriately in your writing, ask for advice early in the writing process!

 

Incompletes--Only those students who have fulfilled the attendance requirements for this course and completed all but one of the written assignments are eligible for an Incomplete grade.

 

 

Schedule

 

Week 1

8/28

8/30

9/01

 

Introduction  

Introduction cont.—discuss syllabus and requirements.  Letter of introduction due.

Read  “Children and Families” in Bridges, pp 3-5, 7-14  

Week 2

9/04

9/06

9/08

 

Labor Day—NO CLASS  

Bridges pp 14-21

Bridges pp 21-36  

Week 3

9/11

9/13

9/15

 

Bridges pp 38-50

Bridges pp 50-62

Bridges pp 62-75  Essay #1 due

Week 4

9/18

9/20

9/22

 

“Women and Men” in Bridges pp 185-187, 189-210

Bridges  pp 210-228  

Bridges pp 228-249