SYLLABUS

ENGLISH 302-H26

Advanced Composition

CRN 71180 

Instructor: J. Johnston   

Fall 2008

Hybrid Instruction

Office: Robinson A 455

OFFICE HOURS: Monday 6:00-7:000 PM in Innovation 319 or by appointment

(H and Fax) 703.368.1704 (W) 703.368.1160

E-MAIL: jjohnsto@gmu.edu

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NOTE: All assignments, including textbook read assignments, are DUE on the dates specified. Late papers will be penalized one letter grade the first week and two letter grades thereafter.

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DATE

ASSIGNMENT DUE

READING DUE

ACTIVITIES


Complete preterm questionnaire at end of e-mail letter from instructor by 8/25; e-mail response to instructor

 

Receive welcome letter from instructor; contact instructor by e-mail if added to course after 8/25 to receive make-up work.  Access course folder online at courses.gmu.edu

 

 

 

 

 Plan Ahead (immediate): (1) locate painting, sculpture or art work for Artistic Analysis paper; (2) buy the textbook and start the reading assignment for the first class

 

 

 

Plan ahead (short-term): if not familiar with WebCT, consult the tutorial on Navigating in WebCT 

 

 


If necessary, activate GMU E-mail account to receive class mailings; set forwarding if preferred. If using GMU mail, remember to check it reguarly throughout the semester, especially in the 24 hours before a class meeting.

 

8/25/08
(Week 1) ONSITE

 

 DiYanni, chapter 1, pp. 1-18

The Writing Center and links to other writing centers

 

 

 

Review instructions for Publication and Authority Paper

 

 

 

For Publication and Authority paper, review “What is a Scholarly Journal?”

 

 

 

 Introduce Artistic Analysis paper

 

 

 

 Plan Ahead (immediate):  locate painting, sculpture or art work for Artistic Analysis paper if you haven't already done this

 

 

 

Plan ahead (long-term): Read instructions for research paper.  Decide whether to dually submit the research paper ONLY to this and another class.  If so, print out dual submission form, have other professor complete it, and send scanned version to instructor. If not exercising the dual submission option, begin thinking of a topic for this paper.

 

 

 

Plan ahead  (longterm): select a theater, dance or music performance to attend. See Week 9 for parameters.
9/1/08 LABOR DAY--UNIVERSITY CLOSED

9/2/08
Week 2)

OFFSITE

By midnight 9/5/08, read Netiquette Guidelines and The Core Rules of Netiquette. Then take the Netiquette Quiz. While viewing score screen, push Print Screen key. Open a Word document.  Go to Edit menu, then Paste the screen shot into your document.  Save document and submit to WebCT Assignments under Netiquette Quiz. (See tutorial if needed)

DiYanni, ch. 3, pp. 37-59

1. Choose a work of art or sculpture from a list of  major museums or a museum in the Virtual Library of Art Galleries for Artistic Analysis paper. If choosing an art photograph,  see sources recomended in the help file for this assignment. 

2. Make an electronic copy of the selected piece to submit with your Artistic Analysis paper 

 

 


Review instructions for Artistic Analysis paper.

Locate three REPUTABLE sources of information to support your analysis.

 

 


 

Refer to help files for analyzing art and sculpture or help file for analyzing art photography

 

 

 

 Develop a thesis for your Artistic Analysis paper which helps the reader understand the intention behind the piece and its historical context as well as its actuality

 

 

 

Plan Ahead: select and visit a public space for the upcoming Design, Image and Subtext in Public Spaces paper .  Take digital photos, collect brochure(s) and/or locate online photographs and maps of key portions of the space.

Note: avoid selecting a site which is very large and complex, such as the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum or the Washington National Cathedral. Choose either one section of such a site or select a smaller, more unified site.

9/8/08
(Week 3)

ONSITE

 By Friday, 9/12/08,compose and post a self-introduction, 1-2 paragraphs long, to your writing group on WebCT.  Include a photo if you wish.  See tutorial for posting to groups if needed. Read "An Education in the Dangers of Online Research" by Susan Kinzie, The Washington Post, Aug. 10, 2008, C1 and C5. Visit from Julie Lubochinski of GMU Career Services

 

Write draft of Artistic Analysis, approximately 750 words, before next week.

If needed, orient yourself to the process of critical analysis

 Form possible peer writing groups by major; exchange names and e-mail addresses

 

   

Documenting research: MLA format for the humanities. APA Style Resources for hard and social sciences. Chicago style for history, government and public policy

 

 

 

 Plan Ahead (short term): Identify interviewee for Publication and Authority Paper.  Make appointment or preliminary contact with that person.
9/9/08 LAST DAY TO ADD OR TO DROP WITHOUT TUITION PENALTY

9/15/08
(Week 4)

OFFSITE

 By midnight 9/15/08, post COMPLETED draft of Artistic Analysis paper to writing group on WebCT.  BEFORE posting, prepare the draft for comments using the Comment function (see “Beginning Your Document.”)

DiYanni, ch. 9, pp. 171-180

.Review Tutorial for MLA or APA style as appropriate. Note that both formats use internal citations rather than footnotes or endnotes; these appear only in Chicago style. Correct documentation format will be expected for all papers in this course from this date forward.

 

 By midnight 9/17, critique each other's drafts in WebCT Writing Groups, using the same revision questions plus any other helpful suggestions

 

1. Download or copy each group member’s draft to Word before reviewing.  

2. Review instructions for using the Comment function in Word to critique others’ papers.  Under What do You Want to Do? click on  add review comments.

3. Finally, return critiques by attaching each to a message within the writing group. Make sure the message title indicates the author of the draft. (Example: Susie’s critique of Jim’s draft)

 

Artistic Analysis (approximately 750 words), with image file attached, submitted to WebCT Assignments by midnight on 9/19; see link

 

 Plan ahead:  If unfamiliar with WebCT, review instructions for viewing graded work to be ready for return of Artistic Analysis papers

9/22/08
(Week 5)

ONSITE

 

 

 Meet in classroom, then move to Fenwick library Instructional classroom 214A for library research orientation with librarian Melissa Johnson

 

 

 

 Review and evaluate writing group function after first paper (Artistic Analysis.)

 

Only after practice, take online test on plagiarism, due by midnight 9/26/08.  After viewing score screen, go on to screen showing a printable certificate. Push Print Screen key. Open a Word document.  Go to Edit menu, then Paste the screen shot into your document.  Save document and submit to WebCT Assignments under Plagiarism Quiz. Your research project will NOT be accepted without completion of this test of academic integrity.

Remember: submit the plagiarism training certificate, NOT the score screen.

Read articles on design, subtext and imagescapes

 

 

 

"What is Plagiarism?"

Gain an overview of Intellectual Property

 

 

 

Review Copyright, ethics and intellectual property law; The Copyright Website

 

 

 

Publication and Authority Papers returned.  See instructions for viewing graded work with comments in WebCT.

 

 

 

Develop a thesis for your Public Spaces paper which helps the reader understand the intention behind the space as well as its actuality

9/26/08

LAST DAY TO DROP

9/29/08
(Week 6)

OFFSITE

Post COMPLETED rough draft of Publication and Authority paper to WebCT Writing Group by midnight on Monday, 9/29/08

 

 

 

By midnight on Wednesday, 10/1 critique each other's drafts in WebCT Writing Groups, using the Comment function

 

 

 

Publication and Authority Paper due to WebCT Assignments by midnight on Friday, 10/3/08; see link


 

10/6/08
(Week 7)

ONSITE


DiYanni, ch. 3, pp. 60-68

Introduce Design, Image and Subtext in Public Spaces paper.  For guidance in interpreting architecture, see the help file.

 

 

 

Bring a jacket if evening is chill for approximately 20-minute architectural tour of the Johnson Center exterior and the George Mason statue

 

 

 

 To understand subtext, read “Look Out Below: At the Movies, Subtext Plays a Summer Role,” by Stephen Hunter, in The Washington Post on August 18, 2002, p. G01.

 

 To understand design and imagery in public spaces, read “Next Step Marine Land,” by Philip Kennicott, in The Washington Post on July 31, 2006, p. C1.

 

Both articles are available through the GMU library website in the Factiva  and LexisNexis Databases.

 

 

 

Select and visit a public space for the upcoming Design, Image and Subtext in Public Spaces paper .  Take digital photos, collect brochure(s) and/or locate online photographs and maps of key portions of the space.

Note: avoid selecting a site which is very large and complex, such as the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum or the Washington National Cathedral. Choose either one section of such a site or select a smaller, more unified site.

 

 

 

 Plan ahead  (short term): Be sure to have concert, dance or theater tickets in hand.  Rough drafts of review are due in two week.

 

 

 

 Plan Ahead (long term): Choose topic for research paper. Beginning with a research question, develop a thesis for your paper.  Can submit Research Proposal early if desired.
10/13/08 COLUMBUS DAY HOLIDAY--MONDAY CLASSES MEET ON TUESDAY
10/13/08
Week 8)
OFFSITE		 Post COMPLETED rough draft of Public Spaces paper to WebCT Writing Group by midnight on Monday, 10/13/08

 

 

 

 By midnight on Wednesday, 10/15, critique each other's drafts in WebCT Writing Groups, using the Comment function

 

 

 

Public Spaces paper (with images files attached) submitted to WebCT Assignments by midnight on 10/17/08; see link

 

 

 

10/20/08

(Week 9)

ONSITE

Note that instructions for the Theatre or Concert review are found in DiYanni; there is NO online instruction file for this assignment

 If writing a concert review, read DiYanni, ch. 4, pp. 69-80.

 

If writing a theatre review, read DiYanni, ch. 6, pp. 105-126

If reviewing a dance performance, read DiYanni, ch.4, pp. 81-83.

Select either one concert or one theater performance and attend. GMU options include The Center for the Arts and Today@Mason as well as GMU Players. If desired, you may attend a performance outside the university between June 1, 2008, and Oct. 15, 2008 

 

 

 

Learn about reviews of music and drama

 

 

 


 Practice review note taking in class.

 

 

 

 Review instructions for the Research Project; since you will be writing an argumentative (also called persuasive) paper, clarify the difference between analytical vs. argumentative papers.

10/27/08
(Week 10)

OFFSITE

Post COMPLETED rough draft of theatre/concert review to WebCT Writing Group by midnight on Monday, 10/27/08

 

1. If writing a concert review, follow instructions in DiYanni under Exercises, pp. 72-73. Use the bulleted list starting at the bottom of p. 72 as a guideline.  Include some research into the composer and music type(s) in your review.                                       

2. If writing a theatre review, follow instructions in DiYanni, Exercise #2, p. 124. 

3. If writing a dance review, follow the instructions in "Dance Watching/Writing Tips."

 

 By midnight on Wednesday, 10/29/08, critique each other's drafts in WebCT Writing Groups, using the Comment function

 

 Refer to criteria for evaluating play reviews for assistance in critiquing drafts of theater reviews.

Refer to criteria for evaluating music
reviews for assistance in critiquing drafts of concert reviews

Refer to criteria for evaluating dance reviews for assistance in critiquing drafts of dance performance reviews.

 

 Theatre, Dance or Concert Review submitted to WebCT Assignments by midnight on Friday, 10/31/08.

 

Submit Review earlier if you have plans for Halloween.

 

 

 

Plan ahead (immediate): Identify and consult research guides in your major to assist with the research paper. Review instructions for Research Proposals

11/3/08
(Week 11)

ONSITE

 

 

 Review instructions for the Research Project; since you will be writing an argumentative (also called persuasive) paper, clarify the difference between analytical vs. argumentative papers.

 


 

DiYanni, ch. 7, pp. 127-140

DiYanni, ch. 8, pp. 141-150

Identify the appropriate GMU research guide for your major 

 


 

Workshop: research paper elements

 

 

 Audit student topics and sources in preparation for proposals

11/10/08

(Week 12)

OFFSITE

 

E-mail Research Proposal to instructor by midnight on Monday, 11/10/08. See link. Your research project will NOT be accepted without completion of the Proposal. You are urged to complete this requirement much sooner!

 DiYanni, ch. 8, pp. 150-170

Instructor feedback on research proposals by midnight on Wednesday, 11/12/08

11/17/08

(Week 13)

ONSITE


 Read Stacy Schiff, "Know It All," The New Yorker (July 31, 2006), p. 36+, available through the GMU library on several databases: Factiva, Expanded Academic ASAP, LexisNexis Academic or ProQuest.

Write opening paragraphs in class. Workshop structure of research paper: balance, evidence, citations.

 

 Note schedule change: Post complete draft of research paper by midnight on Friday, 11/21/08



11/24/08
(Week 14)
OFFSITE
 By midnight on Monday, 11/24/08, critique each other's drafts in WebCT Writing Groups, using the Comment function

 

 

 

RESEARCH PROJECT DUE to WebCT Assignments by midnight on Friday, 11/28/08 ; see link

 

Plan ahead (immediate): Decide whether  you wish to exercise the revised paper option and, if so, which paper you will revise

11/26-30/08 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

12/1/08
(Week 15)

ONSITE

 

 

 Optional: LAST CLASS MEETING. Instructor and university evaluations.

 

 

 

 Optional: Select one paper of your choice to revise for an improved grade. Begin work on revisions.

 

 

 

Instructor grades and returns Research Projects no later than Sunday, 12/7

12/8-9/08

UNIVERSITY READING DAYS until 4:30 on 12/9

12/9-12/12/08

Exam Week
(Week 16)

Absolutely last day to submit rewritten paper of your choice by midnight on Friday, 12/12. Paper MUST be submitted BY E-MAIL to instructor with changes, additions or deletions clearly marked and original grading rubric included.

 

Complete university course evaluations at link provided by instructor

12/17

 

 

Final course grades computed and submitted to registrar by instructor, no later than this date. Available to students on WebCT or through PatriotWeb

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