COURSE POLICY STATEMENT
Pop Culture Approach
English 106 First-Year Composition
44675 - ENGL 10600 - 409
Fall 2012
Instructor: Alexandra Hidalgo
Office: HEAV 208. Email: ahidalgo@purdue.edu
OFFICE HOURS: Monday 3:30-4:30
Course Website: http://english106fall2012.weebly.com/
Course Description
In this course you will be taught to think rhetorically when developing written and visual documents. You will learn to determine and fulfill the needs of your audience as you create different kinds of texts, as well as to show yourself to be a trustworthy source through your tone and the correct use of research.
We will explore the concept of digital cultural ecologies and the roles it plays in both our culture and pop culture in order to analyze and create multimodal rhetorical texts.
We will be working with the Cancer Culture Community program at Purdue throughout the semester.
Course Texts
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. Please purchase the Spectra 2008 edition.
compose design advocate by Anne Wysocki and Dennis Lynch
Composing Yourself: A Student Guide to Introductory Composition at Purdue by Samantha Blackmon, Laurie Pinkert and Linda Haynes
All texts are available at Von’s Book Shop at 315 West State Street.
As a class we will watch Pamela Tanner Boll and Nancy Kennedy 2008 documentary Who Does She Think She Is? and Jonathan Levine’s 2011 film 50/50. The screenings will take place on the evenings that are most convenient to the majority of the students. I will not take attendance at the screenings. If you cannot attend, you can watch the films on your own, but you must make sure to watch them, as they will be pivotal to our class discussion.
You will also print texts that I will email you or post on our course website.
Other Resources
Purdue Writing Lab (HEAV 226) http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
Digital Learning Collaboratory (Basement of Hicks) http://dlc.purdue.edu/index.cfm
Purdue Libraries: http://www.lib.purdue.edu/#catalogs
Computer Labs: http://www.itap.purdue.edu/tlt/lab/about.cfm
Course Assignments
Project 1 Analytical Paper (individual project) 20%
Project 2 Video (groups of 3-4 students) 20%
Project 3 Website (individual or in pairs) 20%
Portfolio 20%
Quizzes and In-Class Participation 15%
Attendance 5%
TOTAL: 100%
Tentative Class Schedule
ALL DUE DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Thursday, October 4 Project 1 draft due (bring an electronic copy)
Friday, October 5 Project 1 due
Tuesday, October 23 Project 2 draft due
Friday, October 26 Project 2 due
Thursday, November 15 Project 3 draft due
Tuesday, November 27 Project 3 due
Thursday, November 29 Portfolio due
I will use the scale below in determining the value of your three projects and your portfolio:
Grade
Percentage
Points (20%)
A 100 20
A- 93 18.6
B+ 89 17.8
B 86 17.2
B- 83 16.6
C+ 79 15.8
C 76 15.2
C- 73 14.6
D+ 69 13.8
D 66 13.2
F 0 0
Assignment Descriptions:
Project 1 Analytical Paper: For this project you will write an analytical paper related to Snow Crash. Although I will provide you with suggestions of ways in which to engage critically with the text, I am also open to your own ideas. Your essay will be 5-8 pages long (1,500-2,400 words). You will need at least three sources. One from the web, one from print or the library catalogue, and a third that can be whatever you wish as long as it’s credible.
Project 2 Video: This is a group project and it has three components: a 5-7 minute documentary video, a 5-8 page-long written analysis and your presentation of that analysis and the documentary. You will choose groups of 3-4 students to work with. You will be taught how to film and edit digital video and you will be made familiar with cinematic storytelling conventions. Each group will be matched up with a cancer patient/survivor through Cancer Culture Community and you will make your documentary about them. In order to help you make your documentary and write your analysis, you will research a meaningful topic in the patient’s life. You will need at least three sources. One from the web, one from print or the library catalogue, and a third that can be whatever you wish as long as it’s credible.
Project 3 Website: You can choose to do this project alone or with a partner. You will analyze the relationship between digital cultural ecologies and a person or work in a website you will create about them. You will be taught accessible website-making software, as well as online conventions and visual rhetoric. You will need at least three sources. One from the web, one from print or the library catalogue, and a third that can be whatever you wish as long as it’s credible. The text in your site should be 1,200-2,200 words.
Portfolio: Your portfolio is a way for you to reflect on what you have learned this semester. In a Powerpoint presentation, you will define and provide examples for one of the rhetorical concepts discussed throughout our course, as well as show how you applied the concept to at least two of your projects.
Quizzes: Your quizzes will be worth one point each. You will start the semester with 15 points. If you don’t miss any quizzes, you will have 15 points at the end. If you miss half a quiz, you’ll have 14.5 points and so on. I will quiz you pretty much every time we have a reading/movie assignment, and if you have done the assignment (and paid attention), you will be able to answer. The quizzes’ role is to give you an incentive to engage with the texts we discuss in class, since without understanding the assigned texts, you will not profit from this class.
Extra Credit: You will be able to earn three possible points of extra credit by attending three different events related to Cancer Culture Community.
Late Work
Workshop drafts must be ready on the day of the workshop to receive any credit. A letter grade will be deducted per each day that a project is late. Missed quizzes cannot be made up.
Attendance
Students will be expected to show up for every class and pay attention, but I realize that illnesses and other emergencies do come up. Therefore, you may miss four classes or conferences without penalty. After that, one percentage point will be deducted for every class session you miss. If you miss more than eight classes, whether your absences are excused or not, you will receive a failing grade. For extended absences due to medical or family emergencies, you should consult me upon return, if not sooner. A student who attends class but is not participating or paying attention may be counted as absent. Tardiness is inexcusable. Every tardy equals half an absence. The same applies for anyone who leaves class early. Bonus points will be awarded to students who miss fewer than their allotted four absences and who participate responsibly in class. You will receive one extra credit percentage point per each class you attend beyond your allotted four absences. For example, if you miss no classes and have no tardies, you will earn four percentage points.
Grief Absence Policy for Students
Purdue University recognizes that a time of bereavement is very difficult for a student. The University therefore provides the following rights to students facing the loss of a family member through the Grief Absence Policy for Students (GAPS). GAPS Policy: Students will be excused for funeral leave and given the opportunity to earn equivalent credit and to demonstrate evidence of meeting the learning outcomes for missed assignments or assessments in the event of the death of a member of the student’s family.
A student should contact the ODOS to request that a notice of his or her leave be sent to instructors. The student will provide documentation of the death or funeral service attended to the ODOS. Given proper documentation, the instructor will excuse the student from class and provide the opportunity to earn equivalent credit and to demonstrate evidence of meeting the learning outcomes for missed assignments or assessments. If the student is not satisfied with the implementation of this policy by a faculty member, he or she is encouraged to contact the Department Head and if necessary, the ODOS, for further review of his or her case. In a case where grades are negatively affected, the student may follow the established grade appeals process.
Notifications
I will use our course email list to notify you of important information between class meetings. Plan to check your Purdue email account at least once a day. Email is an effective and efficient way to reach me. I check my email daily. In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to change. Relevant changes to this course will be posted onto the course website or can be obtained by contacting me via email.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities must be registered with Adaptive Programs in the Office of the Dean of Students (http://www.purdue.edu/ODOS/adpro/Welcome.html) before classroom accommodations can be provided. If you are eligible for academic accommodations because you have a documented disability that will impact your work in this class, please schedule an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
Student Code of Conduct
Purdue University has adopted a Student Code of Conduct (http://www.purdue.edu/ODOS/osrr/conductcode.htm). All students must behave in a mature manner and respect others. You should avoid all disruptions to instruction. Cell phones and iPods must be turned off prior to class time. Do not work on reading or assignments for other classes or engage in other forms of reading and writing not related to the class. Do not distract others by talking or whispering. You should abstain from packing your things before class time is over. Students engaging in the forms of disruptive behavior described above may be counted as absent for the day.
Academic Dishonesty
Students who knowingly plagiarize will be reported to the Dean of Students. Plagiarism can result in failing the course. For a definition of plagiarism and an explanation of university policies see http://www.purdue.edu/ODOS/osrr/integrity.htm.
The Writing Lab
The Writing Lab offers consultations to graduate and undergraduate students at Purdue. You can visit the Lab for feedback on any aspect of writing, including getting started on an assignment, grammar, or developing an argument. Sessions are thirty minutes long, so come with some specific questions about your assignment. To make an appointment for a consultation, you call 765-494-3723 or stop by Heavilon 226. For more information about the Writing Lab, you can visit http://owl.english.purdue.edu/writinglab/.
Additional Information about Introductory Composition Requirements and Policies
Additional information is available in the ICaP Student Guide, which you can find online at http://www.sla.purdue.edu/academic/engl/ICaP/student_guide.html
Course Grade
I will use the scale below in determining your course grade.
Letter Grade Total Points
A+ 97-100
A 94-96
A- 90-93
B+ 87-89
B 84-86
B- 80-83
C+ 77-79
C 74-76
C- 70-73
D+ 67-69
D 65-66
F 0-64
Daily Class Assignments:
IMPORTANT: Our daily assignments and meeting locations may change throughout the semester. In order to be aware of the changes, please check the syllabus on our class website http://english106fall2012.weebly.com/ instead of this version.
WEEK 1:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: No conferences this week.
Tuesday, Aug. 21: No reading. Syllabus discussion and introductions.
Thursday, Aug. 23: compose design advocate, “Chapter 1: a rhetorical process for designing compositions,” p. 23-31. Introduction to key rhetorical concepts (ethos, pathos, logos, thesis, audience awareness).
Friday, Aug. 24: Discussion of “Literate Lives in the Information Age” by Gail E. Hawisher and Cynthia L. Selfe. Part 1. I will email you a pdf copy.
WEEK 2:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: General introductions.
Tuesday, Aug. 28: Discussion of “Literate Lives in the Information Age” by Gail E. Hawisher and Cynthia L. Selfe. Part 2.
Thursday, Aug. 30: Snow Crash, Chapters 1-15, p. 1-129.
Friday, Aug. 31: Understanding MLA. Please read the information on the following links:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/03/
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/
WEEK 3:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: LABOR DAY. No conferences this week.
Tuesday, Sept. 4: Snow Crash, Chapters 16-32, p. 129-249.
Thursday, Sept. 6: Read “Evaluating Sources” to “How do I evaluate web sources?” p. 184-191 (I will email you a pdf with this assignment). Learning to distinguish between credible and non-credible sources and websites.
Friday, Sept. 7: Snow Crash, Chapters 33-48, p. 249-354.
Project 1 assignment sheet discussed.
WEEK 4:
We will watch Who Does She Think She Is? this week on an evening to be determined.
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: Select a research topic related to Project 1 for the Library Scavenger Hunt and for your paper.
Tuesday, Sept. 11: compose design advocate, “analyzing essays” p. 427-429 and “The Plaintiff Speaks” 476-491.
Thursday, Sept. 13: Snow Crash, Chapters 49-70, p. 355-468.
Friday, Sept. 14: Library scavenger hunt. Please read the information on the following links:
http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/inst/welcomenewboilers.pdf
http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/inst/generaldbss.pdf
http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/inst/indexes.pdf
http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/inst/locatingarticles.pdf
PLEASE BRING YOUR LAPTOPS. We will meet at Hicks Undergraduate Library.
WEEK 5:
We will watch 50/50 this week on an evening to be determined.
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: Bring your three sources as well as your thesis statement for Project 1.
Tuesday, Sept. 18: Discussion of Who Does She Think She Is? part 1.
Project 2 assignment sheet discussed. You will choose your groups for Project 2.
Thursday, Sept. 20: No reading. We will watch and analyze previous documentary student work.
Friday, Sept. 21: Discussion of Who Does She Think She Is? part 2.
WEEK 6:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: Bring your paper’s outline for discussion.
Tuesday, Sept. 25: Discussion of 50/50 part 1.
Thursday, Sept. 27: Read information about storyboards here: http://accad.osu.edu/womenandtech/Storyboard%20Resource/
Groups will plan for their first meeting with documentary participants.
Friday, Sept. 28: iMovie Workshop. We will meet in Stanley Coulter 183.
Saturday, Sept. 29: From 2-5pm you will meet and interview your documentary participants.
WEEK 7:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: Groups bring their documentary questions, storyboards and the B-roll they plan to film. Each group member will bring two sources for Project 2’s paper.
Tuesday, Oct. 2: compose design advocate, “about oral modes of communication” 230-260.
Thursday, Oct. 4: FIRST DRAFT OF PROJECT 1 DUE. Draft workshop.
Friday, Oct. 5: FINAL DRAFT OF PROJECT 1 DUE.
Discussion of 50/50 part 2.
WEEK 8:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: OCTOBER BREAK. No conferences this week.
Tuesday, Oct. 9: NO CLASS OCTOBER BREAK
Thursday, Oct. 11: compose design advocate, “analyzing documentary photograph” 347-377.
Friday, Oct. 12: WORKSHOP OF DOCUMENTARY QUESTIONS AND STORYBOARDS.
Saturday, Oct. 13: From 2-5pm, you will film your documentary participants.
WEEK 9:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: Conferences this week will take place at the DLC. You are welcome to be there the whole time if you want my help as you work on your project.
Tuesday, Oct. 16: We will meet at the DLC. In-class film editing.
Thursday, Oct. 18: We will meet at the DLC. In-class film editing.
Friday, Oct. 19: We will meet at the DLC. In-class film editing.
Project 3 assignment sheet discussed. Students select their partners for Project 3.
WEEK 10:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: Partners or individuals discuss ideas for their website.
Tuesday, Oct. 23: PROJECT DRAFT 2 DUE. Video screenings and presentations.
Thursday, Oct. 25: Video screenings and presentations.
Friday, Oct. 26: FINAL VERSIONS OF PROJECT 2 DUE in mov format.
We will meet in PHYS 026. Photoshop Workshop.
Sunday, Oct. 28:
Extra Credit: “Creating Hope” community event where Project 2 will be screened. Attendance not mandatory. Jefferson High School, 5-8pm.
WEEK 11:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: Partners or individuals discuss their website’s aesthetics and architecture and bring their three sources.
Tuesday, Oct. 30: BRING YOUR LAPTOPS TO CLASS. We will analyze websites made by students in the past.
Thursday, Nov. 1: No reading. Weebly.com workshop and website mapping.
Friday, Nov. 2: compose design advocate, “about visual modes of communication” part 2, p. 285-312.
WEEK 12:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: Partners or individuals bring a website draft with text and images.
Tuesday, Nov. 6: compose design advocate, “about visual modes of communication” part 1, p. 263-284.
Thursday, Nov. 8: We will work on your websites in class.
Extra Credit: Attend Cancer Culture Community Event "How to Talk about what you don't want to talk about?" event from 5-7 pm in
the Rueff East Gallery in PAO Hall. You can also attend “An Evening with Will Reisner.” Fowler Hall, 7:30 pm. Attendance not mandatory.
Friday, Nov. 9: We will meet in PHYS 026 and work on your websites in class.
Extra Credit: Cancer Culture Community “Bringing it all Together: A Dramedy Workshop” with Will Reisner. Krannert Auditorium, 10:30am. Attendance not mandatory.
WEEK 13:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: Partners or individuals bring their final website draft.
Tuesday, Nov. 13: We will meet in PHYS 026 and work on your websites in class.
Thursday, Nov. 15: PROJECT 3 DRAFT DUE. WEBSITE WORKSHOP.
Friday, Nov. 16: Portfolio assignment discussed.
WEEK 14:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: NO CONFERENCES. THANKSGIVING BREAK
Tuesday, Nov. 20: Website presentations.
Thursday, Nov. 22: NO CLASS. THANKSGIVING BREAK.
Friday, Nov. 23: NO CLASS. THANKSGIVING BREAK.
WEEK 15:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: Bring your portfolio draft.
Tuesday, Nov. 27: Website presentations. PROJECT 3 DUE.
Thursday, Nov. 29: PORTFOLIO DUE. Portfolio Presentations.
Friday, Nov. 30: Portfolio Presentations.
WEEK 16:
Monday/Wednesday Conferences: No Conferences.
Tuesday, Dec. 4: Portfolio Presentations.
Thursday, Dec. 6: Portfolio Presentations.
Friday, Dec. 7: Portfolio Presentations.
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