Jan. 11 Jan. 13 Jan. 15 Jan. 18 Jan. 20 Jan. 22 Topic: Introduction to the course, syllabus Activity: Fill out information cards, Icebreaker, short written response to Persuasive Experience Reading for 1/13: QAC Good Summaries 374; EID Pope et al. Male Body Image 284-91, and one of the following: Udovitch Starving 273-79 DeMello Tattooing 300-12 Boyd Doin Me 376-79 Kennedy Lara Croft: Feminist Icon or Cyberbimbo? 479-487 Jones Violent Media is Good 496-98 Assignment: Sign into WebBoard; Objective Summary - come to class on 1/13 with notes on Pope, et al. and your other reading choice Topic: Preparing for the Objective Summary Activity: Looking at a sample Objective Summary, brief discussion of Pope, et al.; exercise on drafting an objective summary of Pope. Class discussion: What are the elements of a good summary? Assignment: Post Objective Summary to your WebBoard folder and bring a hard copy to class on 1/15. Topic: Expanding on the Objective Summary Due: Objective summary Activity: Sharing summaries with partner and providing responses; Class discussion of readings. Any interest in pursuing any of the topics further? Assignment for 1/20: QAC Writing About Readings 111-115; EID Franke-Folstad, GI Joe 292-93 No class MLK s B-Day Topic: Preparing for the Evaluative Summary Activity: Opening shortwrite on response to Franke-Folstad. Discussion: Is her approach effective? What would be your response to Pope? Assignment: Evaluative Summary Topic: Working on the Evaluative Summary Activity: Class discussion of sample Evaluative Summary; Fill out graphic organizer on the essay you have chosen, identifying main focus, targeted reader, most valuable info & its purpose, kinds of evidence, why conclusion does/doesn t make sense. Assignment: Post Evaluative Summary to WebBoard and bring a hard copy to class on 1/25.
s: 1/25-2/5 Jan. 25 Topic: Introduction to Critical Analysis Due: Evaluative Summary Activity: Peer review of the Evaluative Summary. Introduction of endless revision policy. Hand out Critical Analysis assignment. Class discussion about critical reading skills. How does the Critical Analysis assignment relate to the Research Project? Assignment: Read Understanding Rhetorical Appeals in EID (p. 34). Jan. 27 Topic: Introduction to logos, pathos, and ethos Activity: Class discussion about ethos, logos, pathos. Read handout Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster in class. Students work in groups of 3 to analyze author identity, target audience, tone, sources, organization, and evaluate which rhetorical strategies might have been used. Assignment: Choose two essays from EID for your Critical Analysis and come to class with annotations. Possible pairings: Flat World, After All (p. 640) and Outsourcing the Friedman (p. 648); A Secret Society of the Starving (p. 273) and Distorted Images (p.281); Male Body Image (P. 284) and Cultural Differences (p. 293); Not Just for Bikers (P. 300) and Wearing their Beliefs (319); Doin Me (p. 376) and Who s the Man? (362); Lara Croft (p. 479) and Getting the Girl (p. 472); Violent Media (p. 497) and Impact of Interactive Violence (p. 499). Jan. 29 Topic: Applying Critical Analysis to reading assignments Activity: Class discuss of chosen topics. Group students by chosen topics. Students will work in groups to compose a one-sentence objective summary for each article along with a brief outline of author s main points. Discuss the similarities and differences between the two authors use of organization, voice, and argument. Which essay is more convincing and why? Assignment: Critical Analysis draft due on 2/1. Post to WebBoard and bring 2 hard copies to class on Monday for peer review workshop. Feb. 1 Topic: Peer Review Workshop Due: Critical Analysis rough draft. Activity: Discussion of peer review process. Students will exchange papers to complete instructor-provided peer review guidelines to get at least two sets of comments on Critical Analysis paper for each student. Assignment: Review comments from peers, work on revision, and bring draft to class on Wednesday. Feb. 3 Topic: Comments on Drafts, APA Activity: Provide class feedback on rough drafts; review common grammatical errors. Review APA guidelines. Share drafts and edit for correct APA format. Assignment: Work on Critical Analysis revision. Feb. 5 Class Canceled! Activity: Check WebBoard and complete posted revision assignment. Assignment: Post Critical Analysis to WebBoard and bring a hard copy to class on Monday 2/8.
s: 2/8-2/19 Feb. 8 Topic: Revision Due: Final Draft of Critical Analysis Activity: Free write on definition of revision. Group work on revision exercise and class discussion. Hand out Synthesis Assignment. How does the Synthesis assignment relate to the Research Project? Assignment: Read EID Evaluating Sources, 118-132. Feb. 10 Topic: Introduction to Research Techniques Activity: How to conduct research. Primary v. secondary sources. What is a credible source? In class research exercise. Assignment: Research possible articles for use as third article for the Synthesis assignment. Read QAC Writing Arguments, 84-93; EID Position Paper, 67-80. Feb. 12 Topic: How to Formulate a Thesis Activity: Read through scenario and formulate in the form of a thesis the argument you would make. Class discussion of what makes a good thesis. Free write three possible thesis statements for the Synthesis paper. Group work sharing thesis statements. Assignment: Choose the third article and write a draft thesis statement for Synthesis. Be prepared to present and defend your thesis to the class. Post thesis to WebBoard. Feb. 15 Topic: Defend your Thesis! Let s Talk Synthesis Activity: Presentation and defense of thesis to class. Class Discussion. What is synthesis? How do we draw our own conclusion out of competing sources? Review student sample of synthesis paper. Group work identifying tactics used in sample synthesis. Assignment: Bring electronic copy of working draft of synthesis to class on Wednesday. Feb. 17 Topic: Synthesis draft workshop Activities: Synthesis draft workshop Assignment: Finish draft for Friday. Post draft in WebBoard and bring 2 hard copies to class for peer review workshop on Friday. Feb. 19 Day s topic: Synthesis Peer Review Workshop Activities: Synthesis peer review workshop; Reflect on dynamics of group work. Due: Synthesis draft Assignment: Read QAC Writing with Others, 100-102; EID Research Proposal 98-107; Start thinking about topics for research.
Feb. 22 Day s topic: Synthesis Draft and Forming Research Groups Activities: Return drafts with comments. Discuss with class Instructor s observations about the drafts. Activity re: forming groups; discussion on what is a research question/ a research problem and common steps to take when researching; handout on suggested topics Assignment: Work on Synthesis Revision; Think about topics for Research Project Feb. 24 Day s topic: Choosing a topic for Research Project Activities: Groups Assigned. Handout on Proposal Assignment; Group discussion and preliminary decision about a topic; on-line search for possible sources; Exit Ticket 3 x 5 card w/ group rationale for choosing topic Assignment: Work on Synthesis revision CONFERENCE SIGN-UP Feb. 26 Day s topic: Preparing for conferences Due: Revised synthesis essay Activities: Group work on research proposals (each group will submit a collaboratively written proposal including material from preliminary sources); Assignment: Read Research Proposal, EID 98-107; bring electronic copy of working draft to class on Monday CONFERENCE SIGN-UP Mar. 1 Mon Day s topic: Research Proposal; Collaborating on your group project s research question and thesis Activities: Mini-lecture on how a good research question leads to a good thesis; quick-write on what each group member thinks is your project s research question and thesis; small-group work on sharing/ refining research question, thesis; writing a project introduction & overview Assignment: Coordinate on WebBoard to finish your proposal; Bring a copy of your proposal to your conference Mar. 3 NO CLASS! Day s topic: CONFERENCES Due: Group research proposal Assignment: Individual 3-page reports on 4-5 source scavenger hunt for March 15 (NOTE: make sure that no one in your group duplicates sources! Bring a folder with copies of your sources with notes!); read QAC Sources 345-358; Avoiding Plagiarism 359-365 Mar. 5 NO CLASS! Day s topic: CONFERENCES Due: Group research proposal Assignment: Individual 3-page reports on 4-5 source scavenger hunt for March 15 (NOTE: make sure that no one in your group duplicates sources! Bring a folder with copies of your sources with notes!); read QAC Sources 345-358; Avoiding Plagiarism 359-365
Mar. 8-12 Mar. 15 Ahhh.Spring Break!! Day s topic: Sharing and comparing sources Due: Individual 3-page reports on sources Activities: Class discussion of plagiarism; small-group work on sharing reports and evaluating sources, deciding what further research you need to do; handout on Webography Assignment; Closer what are three new things you learned about your research topic from the rest of your group, and what are two things you think your group still needs to work on? Assignment: Read EID Finding and Evaluating Research Sources 109-132 www.ablongman.com/envision/221 (samples); read, take notes, and bring a copy of one more source to class on March 17 (OR: bring notes from an interview) Mar. 17 Day s topic: Beginning your group s webography Due: Annotated copy of one more source (or interview notes) Activities: Creating a webography first steps Assignment: Read, take notes, and bring a copy of one more source to class on March 19 (OR: bring notes from an interview) Mar. 19 Day s topic: Deciding on criteria, choosing the best sources Due: Annotated copy of one more source (or interview notes) Activities: Opener quick write on what are your own 4 best sources, and why you say so; smallgroup work decide which criteria to use for your webography and share each group member s 4 best sources; each group member draft at least 1 source for the webography & share with group Assignment: Read QAC Research Question 337-338; Thesis 339-340; EID Dialogue of Sources 132-134; Note taking and Annotating and for March 24, bring 4-5 source annotations (APA reference in bold, plus a brief paragraph that includes summary of main argument; critical analysis of writer s stance/ credibility/ bias; and evaluation of relevance to the project for EACH source) Mar. 22 Day s topic: LIBRARY DAY meet in Founder s Library Lobby Activities: Learning about library resources for your project Mar. 24 Mar. 26 Day s topic: Constructing your group s webography Due: 4-5 source descriptions (for EACH group member!) Activities: Webography workshop posting intro/ overview, annotations, & images Assignment: Read EID Delivering Presentations 206-232; complete your group s webography (each group member should have a copy posted in their NIU web account) Day s topic: Preparing for Research Showcase Activities: Handout on showcase guidelines and presentation outline; small-group planning session on Research Showcase (Remember! Each group member is responsible for 3-5 minute part of the group s presentation!) Assignment: Go to Showcase Website for examples of student posters/ presentations (http://www.engl.niu.edu/showcase/ ); all groups must be ready to present on April 5 th. Members of each group will provide feedback to two other groups.
Students: Below is a detailed schedule for our next four weeks of class. Please note due dates and reading assignments. Mar. 29 WEEK 12 Day s topic: Troubleshooting the Webography Activities: Group work finalizing the webography and showcase presentations. Troubleshoot any technological problems with webography templates. Assignment: Work on showcase and finish webography Mar. 31 Apr. 2 Apr. 5 Mon Day s topic: Visual Aids Activities: Handouts on PowerPoint and Poster tips. Class discussion on effective use of visual aids. Group work on showcase presentations. Assignment: Finish webography Day s topic: Taking Stock Due: Webography Activity: Handout Progress Brief; Class discussion of tasks necessary to complete Group Research Project; Group work on presentations. Assignment: Complete progress brief for Apr. 5; read EID Organizing & Writing Research Arguments 139-175. WEEK 13 Day s topic: Moving from research to draft Due: Progress brief -- hand in hard copy and bring copies for group members Handout: Collaborative essay Activities: Share progress briefs; Source Connections activity; group work on showcase presentations. Assignment: Finish showcase presentations; work on draft of collaborative essay (due Apr. 12, ) Apr. 7 Day s topic: Research Showcase Due: Presenters materials (presentation outline, posters) Activities: Groups assigned to presenters must turn in response sheets to presenters. Assignment: Work on draft of collaborative essay (due Apr. 12, ) Apr. 9 Apr. 12 Day s topic: Research Showcase Due: Presenters materials (presentation outline, posters) Activities: Groups assigned to presenters must turn in response sheets to presenters. Assignment: Work on draft of collaborative essay (due Apr. 12, ); read EID Academic Conventions 180-205. CONFERENCE SIGN-UP WEEK 14 Day s topic: In-class work day Due: Draft of collaborative essay Handout: Checkpoints and guidelines for drafting workshop Activities: Small-group work on collaborative draft Assignment: Bring a hard copy of your draft to your conference and to class on 4/19, and post an electronic copy in your group s WebBoard folder CONFERENCE SIGN-UP
Apr. 14 Day s topic: CONFERENCES Due: Draft of collaborative essay Assignment: Work on collaborative essay (due Apr. 28, ) Apr. 16 Fri Apr. 19 Day s topic: CONFERENCES Due: Draft of collaborative essay Assignment: Work on collaborative essay (due Apr. 28, ) WEEK 15 Day s topic: Group workshop Due: Hard copy and electronic copy of your group s collaborative essay Activities: Workshop of another group s collaborative draft on WebBoard Assignment: Each group member must bring a hard copy of your group s collaborative draft for 4/21. Bring printouts of peer responses to your draft. Apr. 21 Day s topic: Revision plan Due: Workshop response printouts Handout: Revision checklist Activities: Small groups review comments on draft, go over checklist, compile revision plan (due at end of class) Assignment: Begin work on revisions of collaborative essay (due 4/26); bring electronic copy of working draft to class on Fri, 4/23. Apr. 23 Fri Day s topic: Revision In-class work day Due: Electronic copy of working draft Activities: Group work on collaborative essay. Assignment: Revised collaborative essay due on Wed, 4/28.
Apr. 26 Mon Apr. 28 Wed May 5 Wed Day s topic: Portfolio Handout: Portfolio guidelines Due: Last day to turn in late work! Activities: Review guidelines for the Portfolio and cover letter; troubleshoot issues with the Research project. Day s topic: Unfinished Business Due: Final Research Project Activities: Draft cover letter; Course Evaluations Assignment: Finish the Portfolio FINAL Activity: Timed writing assignment: A Memorable Communication Experience Due: Portfolio and class folder