Instructor: Dawn Moncrief
Office: JO 4.118
Phone: 972-883-2038
Office Hours: Mon. 11:00–12:00 and by appt.
Email: (preferable)
Required Text
The Aims of Argument:A Rhetoric and Reader, by Carolyn E. Channell and Timothy W. Crusius
Recommended Text
The New Century Handbook, by Christine A. Hult and Thomas N. Huckin
The purpose of this course is to study the art of using language effectively and persuasively. We will accomplish this goal by studying and practicing techniques for critically analyzing written, graphic and oral material, and for formulating and articulating points of view to achieve specific aims.
You will learn to read "texts" critically according to key components in argumentative discourse (claims, grounds, warrants, explicit and implicit assumptions, fallacies, etc.). Several methods will be used to help you learn: reading essays, class discussions, peer moderations, and using an online learning record, to name a few. We will have four major projects. Three of these projects will be based on issues and controversies raised in the various texts to be read during the semester. The fourth major project will be to complete an online learning record. These assignments will give you extensive practice in reading critically and writing according to the rhetorical conventions of an argumentative essay.
Attendance
You should attend every class. Much of the work is done in class, and group participation depends on attendance. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to see me about any work you might have missed. A warning–much of the in-class work cannot be made up. If you have 3 or more unexcused absences, your final grade will be lowered or you could be asked to drop the class. Chronic tardiness is also not tolerated. Your full attention is needed in class, so turn off pagers and cell phones and do not work on assignments from other classes. Come to class on time, prepared, and ready to work.
Office Hours
I have regularly scheduled office hours every week, and you can arrange to see me at other times that are convenient to us both. This time belongs to you just as much as the time I give you in class. Don't hesitate to take advantage of the help I am ready to offer.
You must complete all assigned work to earn credit for this course and include it in your learning record.
Your Learning Record will provide a much richer and clearer picture of your learning, but we do need to provide the University with a grade. What do grades represent in this class?
| A | Represents outstanding participation in all course activities; all assigned work completed, with very high quality in all work produced for the course. Evidence of significant development across the five dimensions of learning and five course strands. |
| B | Represents excellent participation in all course activities; all assigned work completed, with consistently high quality in course work. Evidence of marked development across the five dimensions of learning. |
| C | Represents good participation in all course activities; all assigned work completed, with generally good quality overall in course work. Evidence of some development across the five dimensions of learning. |
| D | Represents uneven participation in course activities; some gaps in assigned work completed, with inconsistent quality in course work. Evidence of development across the five dimensions of learning is partial or unclear. |
| F | Represents minimal participation in course activities; serious gaps in assigned work completed, or very low quality in course work. Evidence of development is not available. |
I will honor all reasonable grade claims supported by the observations and evidence provided in the Learning Record.
Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's work as your own, whether you mean to or not. Copying or paraphrasing passages from another writer's work without acknowledging that you've done so is plagiarism. Allowing another writer to write any part of your essay is plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense. Plagiarism is easy to avoid. Simply acknowledge the source of any words, phrases or ideas that you use. If you're not sure how to quote or paraphrase a source or if you need help with the format of endnotes or bibliographies, check with me. While you can (and in fact should) seek the help and advice of friends, classmates, and tutors, be sure that your written work is completely your own.
Second Essay Assignment: You will use methods of inquiry to discover a position on a topic chosen by the class. Based upon readings from Aims and research, you will write an essay that not only convinces your audience to accept your argument but also persuades them to act on your argument. You must also use visual rhetoric to support your argument. First draft due Mar. 6. Second- Mar. 20. Final – Mar. 27.
Third Essay Assignment: You will use methods of inquiry to discover the positions of several sides an issue currently in the news. This will be a group paper. Each group will lead a class discussion. For this discussion, each group must provide at least one article for your topic and one article against your topic to the class during the class time prior to your group's scheduled discussion date. Based upon assigned readings and research, you will write an essay that resolves a conflict by addressing the needs of each side. You must also use visual rhetoric to support your argument. First draft due Apr. 12. Second – Apr. 17. Final – Apr. 26.
Learning Record Online: This is an online resource for managing and documenting the work and learning you do in this class. Various assignments will be due throughout the semester, and all observations, drafts and essays must be included in the record on the date due. (See syllabus for specific dates). Parts A.1 and A.2 are due on Jan. 23. Parts B.1 and C.1 are due Feb. 18. Parts B.2 and C.2 are due May 2.
All assignments are due the first class period after they are assigned unless otherwise noted, and all drafts and final essays must be placed in your online learning record on the date due. Please come prepared to discuss reading assignments in class the day they are due. Minimum work required to be placed in the LRO – 2 observations per week, 2 following throughs per paper, all rough drafts, final drafts, parts A.1, A.2, B.1, B.2, C.1, C.2.
Week One
Jan. 11: Introduction to class. Assignment: Read Aims, Chap. 1-2. Send me an email by Friday Jan. 18.
Jan. 14: Introduction to computers and the Learning Record Online (LRO). Assignment: Read Aims, Chap. 3-4 (26-47) and Chap. 14 (543-553). Complete Parts A.1 and A.2 in your LRO by Jan. 23.
Jan. 16: Reading and analyzing an argument/The news and ethics. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Read Aims, Chap. 4 (48-68). Do Following Through on p. 51 using Fuller article p. 546.
Jan. 18: Email me by today. Arguing to Inquire: summary vs. analysis/The news and ethics. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Read Aims, Chap. 5 (69-83) and Chap. 14 (554-560). Do Following Through on p. 81.
Jan. 21: MLK Holiday – No Class
Jan. 23: Part A.1 and A.2 of LRO due today. Arguing to Convince/The news and ethics. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Read Aims, Chap. 5 (83-106). Do FT p. 84.
Jan. 25: Developing a thesis and using evidence. In-class writing. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Read Aims, Chap. 8 and p. 567. Do FT p. 90 & 92.
Jan. 28: What is visual rhetoric? In-class writing. Assignment: Bring your draft on disk and paper.
Jan. 30: First draft of Essay 1 due. Peer reviews. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Bring to class an ad or editorial cartoon. Read Aims, Chap. 14 (561-566 and 568-584).
Feb. 1: The news and ethics. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Find or create a piece of visual rhetoric that you can include in your essay.
Feb. 4: In-class writing. Bring your draft on disk and paper. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO.
Feb. 6: Second draft of Essay 1 due. Teacher conferences. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Read Aims, Chap. 9 and Appendix A.
Feb. 8: Teacher Conferences. Assignment: Bring draft to class on disk and paper.
Feb. 11: In-class writing. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO.
Feb. 13: Final draft of Essay 1 due. What are Part B.1 (Analysis) and Part C.1 (Evaluation) of your LRO. In-class writing. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO.
Feb. 15: Analysis and Evaluation cont. Vote on next chapter topic. Assignment: Complete parts B.1 and C.1.
Feb. 18: Analysis and Evaluation due. What are moderation readings? Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO.
Feb. 20: Moderation readings. Assignment: Read Aims, Chap. 6 (107-134). Do FT pp. 127, 129.
Feb. 22: Arguing to persuade. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Read Aims, Chap. 6 (134-145) and Chap. ? (?).
Feb. 25: Drafting a persuasive essay/Class discussion. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Read Aims, Chap. ? (?).
Feb. 27: Evaluating sources/ Class discussion. Assignment: Read Aims, Chap. ? (?). Do FT p. 136.
Mar. 1: Audience/ Class discussion. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Do FT p. 137, 139.
Mar. 4: In-class writing. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Bring your draft on disk and paper.
Mar. 6: First draft of Essay 2 due. Peer review. Assignment: Read Aims, Chap. ? (?). Do FT p. 140.
Mar. 8: Class discussion. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Do FT p. 141.
Mar. 18: In-class writing. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Bring your draft on disk and paper.
Mar. 20: Second draft of Essay 2 due. Teacher conferences. Assignment:
Mar. 22: Teacher conferences. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO.
Mar. 25: In-class writing. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO.
Mar. 27: Final draft of Essay 2 due. Assignment: Read Aims, Chap. 7 (146-171). Do FT p. 165, p.170 part 1, p.171 part1.
Mar. 29: Arguing to negotiate/mediate. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Read Aims, Chap. 7 (171-190). Do FT p.181 (both) and p. 184 part 1 (at bottom).
Apr. 1: Arguing to negotiate/mediate. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO.
Apr. 3: Group research. Assignment: Answer questions on p. 166 using at least two sources for your essay. Read for group discussion.
Apr. 5: Group discussion. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Read for group discussions.
Apr. 8: Group discussion. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Bring your draft on disk and paper.
Apr. 10: In-class writing.
Apr. 12: First draft of Essay 3 due. Peer review. Assignment: Read for group discussion.
Apr. 15: Group discussion. In-class writing. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Bring your draft on disk and paper.
Apr. 17: Second draft of Essay 3 due. Teacher conferences. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO.
Apr. 19: Teacher conferences. Read for group discussion.
Apr. 22: Group discussion. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO. Read for group discussion.
Apr. 24: Group discussion. In-class writing. Assignment: Complete an observation in your LRO.
Apr. 26: Final draft of Essay 3 due. What are Part B.2 (Analysis) and Part C.2 (Evaluation) of your LRO. In-class writing.
Apr. 29: Analysis and Evaluation cont. Assignment: Complete parts B.2 and C.2 in your LRO.
May. 2: Moderation readings.