English 315.02, Spring 2004, Work

Science Fiction
English 315.02
Spring 2004

Work

Essays

During the course, you’ll be asked to write three 4-6 pages essays in which you’ll analyze one or more texts we’ve read during the term. An alternative project may be substituted for one essay. Additional details will be provided close to the date of the assignments.

Exams & Quizzes

There will be a midterm, a final, and five quizzes, which will ask you to identify terms and passages, explicate short pieces of text, and write short responses to questions. For the quizzes, you will be able to drop the lowest score.

Journals

I want you to keep a reading journal for this course. Your journal is a place for you to keep notes about your readings, explore issues relevant to class, and try out ideas. I'll ask you to turn in your journals entries every two weeks. A good entry is more than a few lines and about any topic related to this class. Journal entries can be (1) responses to the readings (Your response can be a summary, an interpretation, or an evaluation of what you've just read as long as it makes specific references to the text.); (2) explorations of ideas, issues, and themes relevant to the course; and (3) connections between this class and other aspects of your life (connections both with other classes, with other works you've read, or even with aspects of your life unrelated to school).
Journals will be collected regularly. They will not be graded for mechanics, selling, grammar, or content but for thoroughness (though I reserve the right not to give credit to journals which repeatedly violate the spirit of the assignment (i.e. journal entries which are just a few lines, journal entries which clearly have nothing to do with the course, etc.). Plan on spending 5-10 minutes of writing per entry. Journals which average 4 entries/week will receive a grade of B.

Letters

Through a series of letters, you will carry on a discussion with members of your group about issues related to this course. Each letter sequence -- there will be six sequences in all -- will have a different set of requirements. Each letter will be about 1 to 2 typed pages. While the letters are informal, I will evaluate them based upon content. As your peers have to read and respond to these, do them a favor and proofread.

Miscellaneous Work

Small assignments will be required throughout the term.

Participation

Regular and active participation in class is required and such participation presupposes you have prepared for class by completing both the reading and writing assignments and thinking about them. Your participation grade is made up of four components:

Discussion: I expect you to contribute to class discussion, which will require you to not only read but also think about the reading writing assignments. Discussions will be conducted in class both face-to-face and online.
In-class writing: These writings, which will take no longer than ten minutes, will be based upon prompts generated by the instructor or by the class. Periodically, they will be collected and sometimes they will be graded for content. At times these in-class writings will also be evaluated for style. When they are, you'll be given time in class to revise them.
Peer review: During peer reviews you will be responsible for critically reviewing others’ writing as well as having your own writing reviewed. The purpose of peer review is for you to practice critically analyzing writing and to receive feedback on your own work. Both purposes, ideally, will help you develop as a writer. Attendance at and participation in these peer review sessions are essential and will determine part of your grade.
Presentations: Throughout the course, you will be involved in a number of presentations. Many presentations will be accompanied by a handout. Presentations will often require you to read and summarize some additional material or keep track of a character or theme in a text. There will be both individual and group presentations.

Last Modified: 10 January 2004

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