Key:
- An Introduction to Literature, Criticism, and Theory = B&R
- Tropic of Orange = Tropic
- The Elements of Academic Style = EAS
- Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace (11th edition) = Style (available in OAKS)
- Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms (online resource) = Oxford
- Additional Readings will be linked or noted as available in OAKS
Week 1: Aug 25 [in-person]_____________________
Class Topics:
- The Work of English: Why We Read, What Reading Does, Finding our Commitments
- Orientation to the MA in English: Curriculum, Program Pacing, Future Changes, Opportunities.
- Course Introduction: Syllabus, Policies, Assignments, etc.
Assignment Sheets:
- Connecting “why you’re here” to “where you’re going”: Introduction to the Professional Goals Reflection assignment.
Week 2: September 1 [online]__________________________
Class Topics:
- Reflecting on Reading, Reflecting on Tropic
Readings Due:
- Tropic, front matter and chapters 1 – 28 (through page 147).
- “How Reading Makes us More Human,” Karen Swallow Prior, The Atlantic
Assignments Due:
- OAKS Discussion Thread in Week 2 Forum, due Wednesday 9/1 by 6:00 PM.
- OAKS Discussion Thread in Week 2 Forum: Please comment on at least 3 of your peers’ posts by Friday 9/3 at 5:00 PM.
- OAKS Dropbox: Submit Professional Goals Reflection by Wednesday 9/1 at 6:00 PM.
Week 3: Sept. 8 [in person]____________________________
The Zoom link for today’s class was sent to CofC email addresses and is also available through the Zoom link (on the right of the main navigation bar) in OAKS.
Class Topics:
- From Personal Affinities to Theoretical Commitments
- Finding Angles of Theoretical Insight–applying theory to Tropic and other works.
Readings Due:
- Tropic, chapters 29 – 49 (page 149 – end)
- B&R: Chapters 1 – 10 (pages 1 – 87)
Assignment Sheets:
- Working with Theory assignment introduced
Week 4: Sept. 15 [online]______________________________
Class Topics:
- Theoretical Engagements, continued
Readings Due:
- B&R: Chapters 11 – 25 (pages 88 – 238).
- Style Lessons 1-2 (pages 1 – 26)
Assignments Due:
- OAKS Discussion Thread in Week 4 Forum (2 topics), Due Wednesday 9/15 by 6:00 PM
- OAKS Discussion Thread in Week 4 Forum: Please comment on at least 3 of your peers’ theory posts by Friday 9/3 at 5:00 PM.
Week 5: Sept. 22 [in person]___________________________
Class Topics:
- The End(s) of Theory
- Working with Theory assignment brainstorm and sharing
Readings Due:
- B&R: Chapters 26-38 (pages 239 – 365)
- Style, Lessons 3-4 (pages 28 – 65)
Assignment Sheet:
- Summary and Response Assignment introduced
Assignments Due:
- Working with Theory Assignment (WT) due Sunday 9/26 by midnight–post to course blog under the designated category.
Week 6: Sept. 29 [online]____________________
Class Topics:
- Engaging the Critical Conversation
Readings Due:
- “Creating a Research Space,” Swales (available in OAKS)
- “BEAM: A Rhetorical Vocabulary for Teaching Research-Based Writing,” Bizup (available in OAKS)
- The Elements of Academic Style, “The Uneven U,” Eric Hayot (pages 59-73).
- “We Are Not the World: Global Village, Universalism, and Karen Tei Yamashita’s Tropic of Orange (available in OAKS)
- “Belonging to the Network: Neoliberalism and Postmodernism in Tropic of Orange,” Robyn Blyn (available in OAKS)
- Style, Lessons 5-6 (pages 66 – 96)
Assignments Due:
- OAKS Discussion Thread in Week 6 Forum (2 topics), Due Wednesday 9/29 by midnight
- OAKS Discussion Thread in Week 6 Forum: Please comment on at least 3 of your peers’ rhetorical analysis posts by Friday 10/01 at 5:00 PM.
Week 7: Oct. 6 [in person]______________________
Class Topics:
- Engaging the Critical Conversation, Continued: The Moves Critics Make
Readings Due:
- EAS chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16 (pages 89 – 115 and pages 126 – 129)
- Style, Lessons 7-8 (pages 97 – 128)
Assignment Sheets:
- Introduce the Orchestrating the Critical Conversation (OCC) assignment
Assignments Due:
- S&R Assignment due Sunday 10/11 by midnight–post to course blog under the “Summary & Response” category
Week 8: October 13 [online]____________________
Class Topics:
- Expanding the Critical Conversation
Readings Due:
- Skim the additional articles on Tropic of Orange from those available under this week’s module in OAKS.
- EAS chapter 19 (pages 151-163)
- Style, Lesson 9 (pages 125 – 142)
Assignment Due:
- OAKS Discussion Thread in Week 6 Forum (2 topics), Due Wednesday 10/13 by 6:00 PM
- OAKS Discussion Thread in Week 6 Forum: Please comment on at least 3 of your peers’ posts by Friday 10/15 at 5:00 PM.
Week 9: Oct. 20 [in person]_____________________
Class Activities:
- Beyond the Tropics: Building an Independent Portfolio
- Research and Writing Portfolio assignment introduced
- Brainstorming ideas for our final projects
Readings Due:
- Style, Lesson 10 (pages 143 – 167)
- EAS chapters 25 (180-183), 26 (184-187), 27 (188-190), 28 (191-195), and 29 (196-202), and 30 (203-207)
Assignment Due:
- OCC Assignment due Sunday 10/24 by 5pm–post to course blog under the relevant category.
Individual Meetings:
We will also schedule individual meetings this week to discuss your progress in the course and (if relevant) course selection for next semester and other, more general advising issues.
Week 10: Oct. 27 [Online]_____________________________
Class Topics:
- This week is dedicated to your own independent research as you work towards your final portfolio.
Assignment Due:
- OAKS Discussion Thread in Week 10 Forum, Due Wednesday 10/27 by 6:00 PM (RWP Proposal & Bibliography with Annotations
- OAKS Discussion Thread in Week 10 Forum: Please comment on at least 3 of your peers’ posts by Friday 10/29 at 5:00 PM.
Week 11: Nov. 3 [in person]____________________
Class Topics:
- Collaboration and Peer Review
Assignment Due:
- Please post 1 piece of your RWP (WWT, S&R, or OCC) to the shared group folder in OAKS prior to class (continue to work annotations as needed)
- Introduce the MA and Professional Goals assignment
Week 12: Nov. 10 [online]_____________________
Class Topics:
- Collaboration and Peer Review
Assignent Due:
- Post a draft of a second key piece of your WRP to your group folder in OAKS; provide feedback as noted in the group instructions by Friday at 5:00 PM
Week 13: Nov. 17 [online]____________________
Class Topics:
- Collaboration and Peer Review
Class Topics:
- Post a draft of one of a third piece of your WRP to your group folder in OAKS. Provide feedback as noted in the instructions.
Week 14: December 1 [in Person]___________________
During this week, we will hold individual conferences on Final Portfolio Assignment and revision to any earlier assignments. We will also discuss the course, share the results of our final MA and Professional Goals project.
Complete final portfolio and other revisions due in OAKS or the course blog Sunday, Dec. 12 by midnight.