ENGL 489: Advanced Composition
Jim Ridolfo, PhD
Office hours: T/R after class
McMicken 240 (next to Dept. of English mail room)
E-mail: Ridolfo@gmail.com
Advanced Composition is a workshop course ”intended to develop a flexible use of traditional and modern forms of discourse: critical, research, and stylistic skills.” You will work on a single research project for the duration of the quarter and develop this project using a wide variety of composing technologies. By the end of this class you will gain an understanding about how specific technologies may assist or hinder certain composing tasks. You will not only have a polished piece of writing suitable for a graduate school application or writing portfolio but you will also be able to articulate your writing process within the evolving context of rapidly changing composition technology.
Learning Goals
To achieve reflective awareness of your own writing process, particularly through the creating reflective videos and writing
To experience writing as an extended, iterative process over the course of ten weeks
To gain enhanced facility with multiple media and genres, we will focus on issues of style and delivery
To develop a greater awareness of audience especially as it changes when we compose in more public digital spaces
To increase familiarity key issues in composition and literacy studies through our readings
Required Course Materials
1) Regular computer and Internet access.
2) Your UC network login and e-mail address.
3) A research blog.
Course Requirements
The major project: 40%
The topic for the major project is up to you. You will have until the fourth class to decide on a research topic. Ideally, the topic will be of some utility for your own work and/or life but I will also provide some optional research trajectories and topics. At the end of the semester you will hand in a 4,000-word research project; however, the final format and medium will be entirely up to you. We will talk more about what this means in class.
Homework assignments: 20%
You are required to complete homework assignments throughout the semester. These include remix assignments (Comic Life, Prezi, Xtranormal), as well as reading/technology responses.
Class Presentations: 20%
You will present the status of your research to the class. At the end of the quarter I will average your presentations into a single grade.
Peer review and conferences: 10%
You will be prepared for in-class peer review and conferences with the instructor.
YouTube video log or writing blog: 10%
You will keep a weekly video/audio journal or a blog of your research progress.
Course Policies
Attendance
You are permitted two unexcused absences. If you are absent three times you will automatically lose two points off your final grade, as well as an additional two points for each additional unexcused absence. Seven or more unexcused absences will automatically result in a failing grade.
Tardiness
Excessive and/or disruptive tardiness will be treated as absences at the discretion of the instructor. Do not test this policy.
Late Work
You are permitted to turn in one assignment late. Any additional late work will be penalized at the discretion of the instructor.
Conferences and Office Hours
I am available during my regular office hours and by appointment. I encourage you to meet with me at least once during the quarter.
Academic Integrity Policy
The University Rules, including the Student Code of Conduct, and other documented policies of the department, college, and university related to academic integrity will be enforced. Any violation of these regulations, including acts of plagiarism or cheating, will be dealt with on an individual basis according to the severity of the misconduct.
Special Needs Policy
If you have any special needs related to your participation in this course, including identified visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical impairment, communication disorder, and/or specific learning disability that may influence your performance in this course, you should meet with the instructor to arrange for reasonable provisions to ensure an equitable opportunity to meet all the requirements of this course. At the discretion of the instructor, some accommodations may require prior approval by Disability Services.