English 104: Composing Research

Researching on the Margins Section 112, MWF 8am, RB 114; Section 113, MWF 11am, RB 106 Instructor: Jeremy Carnes Office: RB 265 Office Hours: M: 9-10 am and W: 9-11am, or by apt. Course Content and Format: In her book Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom bell hooks states that certainly many white male students have brought to my classroom an insistence on the authority of experience, one that enables them to feel that anything they have to say is worth hearing, that their ideas and experience should be the central focus of the classroom (81). However, what would happen if we approached our class by trying to look through the eyes of some of the marginalized groups for whom hooks speaks? If we are not a part of those groups, we may not understand everything that comes our way with this approach, because, if we have not been marginalized, we cannot fully understand marginalization. However, it seems that if we were to place ourselves in anothers shoes, a world of possibilities could open up for connection between different groups, connections which transgress the boundaries of race, culture, or lifestyle. In this class we will be taking a multiwriting approach to this information. What this means is that we are not focusing solely on research-based essays and journal articles to support them. Rather, we are opening ourselves in our research to the world at large and admitting that we can learn from more than just academic articles. We can learn from different genres such as music, movies, television, literature, newspapers, and even the internet (though we still have to be careful there!). Through this multiwriting experience, I hope we can journey together into the realm of something that we might not understand, or at least a context that we might not understand, and then push on those ambiguities in our understanding to learn about the world around us, different cultures, races, or lifestyles, and even a little about ourselves. Course Description and Goals: You can find the course description and goals online at: http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/English/ForCurrentStudents/WritingProgram/C ourses/104.aspx Required Texts and Materials: The Research Writer: Curiosity, Discovery, Dialogue (Van Rys, Meyer, Sebranek) MAUS Vols. 1 and 2 Printed copies of all supplemental readings (with annotations) Laptop Computer Wordpress Account Ballpoint Online, V.2: http://goo.gl/nMnnb1 o This is a PDF that you will need to download and save to your computer for reference throughout the duration of the course. Pen/Pencil and Notebook Binder/Folder to Organize class papers, readings, and research material A positive attitude and willingness to participate 1 Office Phone: 5-0033 E-mail: jmcarnes@bsu.edu

Assignments and Assessment: Major Assignments These are just snippets of information for the assignments. I will provide more detailed assignment sheets as the semester progresses and we near each assignment. Project #1: Group Portfolio For this project you will form groups of three during the second week of classes. As a group you will begin to research one of the marginalized groups we have or will discuss in our class. You will then need to work together to narrow down to a specific topic about that group (i.e. African Americans: Ku Klux Klan activity in the 70s as it relates to the African American Community). Once you have your topic you will each, separately, write a minimum of 3 multi-genre pieces (we will talk a lot about multi-genre in the first few weeks). One piece you write must be based on some sort of primary research you will do for this project. After you have separately composed your pieces, you must meet with your group and find a way to tie your pieces together, whether by writing more multi-genre pieces, adding in multi-genre research, or even writing some connecting academic writing. Project #2: Annotated Bibliography and Multi-Genre Research Proposal For the first part of this project, you will need to research your specific topic and come up with at least ten (10) credible sources, two (2) of which must be library articles and eight (8) of which must be of a different genre. There must be at least five (5) different types of genres. You will need to write a minimum of 100 words explaining the source and providing reasons why it would fit into your project. For the second part, you must write a 250-word proposal providing your research question and the way you will approach researching it. Finally, you must include at least two (2) multi-genre pieces you have written that could possibly be included in your final project. Project #3: Analytical paper You will be required to write an eight to twelve (8-12) page minimum analytical paper on your research question. This paper will be our only project that is not multi-genre, though you can use some of your multi-genre research. You will need at least five (5) library articles as support to write this paper. Project #4: Personal Multi-genre Portfolio/Final Project Plan For this project, you will need to compile all of your multi-genre sources (or the necessary sections of your sources), not including library articles, and your own multi-genre writing. You should have at least 8 multi-genre sources prior to starting this project. By the end of the project, you will need at least fifteen (15) multi-genre sources (again, not including the library articles). Finally, you will need to write a minimum 5-page reflection on how these sources will work together to make your argument in your final project. Final Project This project will be a compilation of all the work you have done so far, pulling relevant material from your sources and your personal writing in order to make your argument for your research question. You will need to work in your analytical essay, 5-7 multi-genre pieces you have written, and at least 10 sources. You will have to think about connecting the dots where your audience might need it, where you might include your analytical essay or possibly expanding on your analytical essay to include arguments based off your multi-genre sources. You can gather 2

your argument in any way that you see fit, but the choice must make rhetorical sense. We will look at some examples throughout the semester. Recurring Assignments Blog: For this course, you will be required to make a Wordpress account. Wordpress is a blogging site that allows you to customize your blog pages and post your blog privately or publicly. Much of our less formal writing (which will lead up to the formal projects) will take place on your blog. Once your blog has been created, you must email me your username and I will link your blog to the class website (also on Wordpress, see above). The blog you create does not have to be public, but it must be accessible by everyone in our class. Certain days you will be required to post on a variety of topics and in a variety of styles. Included in this assignment, you must comment on another students blog at least two (2) times a week (once for each class). You must vary whose blog you are commenting on. Try to comment on everyones blog at least once. All blog posts must be at least 150 words unless otherwise noted. Comments do not have to be a certain length, but they must have some substance to them. Readings: There will be a fair amount of reading in this course. It is an English course after all. You are expected to complete the days reading BEFORE coming to class. I will most always have some sort of way to make sure that you have done the reading (quizzes, impromptu blog posts, Q and A sessions, etc.). Without doing the reading, you cannot participate, and your participation grade will suffer. You also need to make sure you print the readings and bring your own copy to class. Participation: Come to class, do the readings, and be prepared to talk about your experiences with what we are discussing that day in class. If you can manage this, you will be fine in participation. Grading: Assignment Major Project 1: Major Project 2: Major Project 3: Major Project 4: Attendance and Participation Blog Final Project Product: TOTAL Course Policies: Late Assignments: Any assignment turned in late for any reason will automatically be lowered one full letter grade, and will continue to lower each day that I do not receive the assignment. Attendance: You are required to come to class. I will be taking attendance. You will be given three (3) non-penalized absences. Any absence after three will result in a final grade penalization of 5%. It is important to note that I am also grading on participation, which you cannot do if you are not here. So, your grade will actually suffer more than it may seem here. For every two (2) classes that you are tardy (fifteen minutes late) you will lose one absence. If you are more than 15 3 Percentage 10 15 15 15 10 10 25 100

minutes late, you will be counted absent. If you miss the class more than nine (9) times this semester, you will automatically fail the course (BSU Departmental Policy) I will consider official documentation (university field trip form, doctors note) depending on how well you are keeping up with assignments but all absences count toward the 9 maximum allowed absences. Classroom Expectations: Your behavior in class will count toward your participation grade. You can and will lose points for any of the following activities: arriving late (see above), leaving early (some policy as being tardy, see above), refusing to participate, being disruptive, being disrespectful to your classmates or to me, using any electronic device that is not approved for the class activities, or eating during class (please do so before or after class). If you have any doubt about whether or not an activity is appropriate, dont do it. Laptops: You will need to bring laptops to class, but you will only have them open to use when I have given permission. During that time, you should be focused on the task at hand. At all other times, laptops should be closed and placed in your backpacks. You will need to take notes by hand as this is not an approved activity for laptops. Academic Integrity: Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. This includes using someone elses ideas or words as your own on any assignment, or recycling one of your own assignments from a past course without my expressed permission plagiarism. Plagiarism is a violation of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities as defined in the student handbook (www.bsu.edu/sa/dean/stucode/) and will be treated as such. Consequences could result in a failure from the course or even removal from the university. If you are concerned about inadvertently violating this policy, please see me before completing the assignment. Special Needs: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me or come to my office hours as soon as possible. Contacting Me: If you need to contact me for any reason, the best way will be through email. Please be respectful when you email me. I am not your best friend. I am your instructor. I will check my email multiple times during the day, but that will significantly decrease on the weekends and in the evenings. Finally, if you need to talk to me face to face, the other way I can make myself available is through Skype (jamcarnes). Research and Writing Resources: Bracken Library: Get Familiar with the library facilities and the website at www.bsu.edu/libraries. Our librarians are able and willing to help you. Contact them by online chat, email, phone, or in person. You can even make an appointment to get individual help with your projects. The Writing Center: The Writing Center in RB 291 offers one-on-one conferences to improve your writing. The Writing Center is open 10 a.m. 8 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m. 2 p.m., Friday. Make appointments online through www.ballstate.mywconline.com Purdue OWL: The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a great source to work on documentation for papers. They offer many different style types, and examples of things like academic papers and annotated bibliographies. Visit them at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ 4

Tentative Course Schedule of Reading and Assignments: * RW = The Research Writer * See class website for blog assignments and other assignments as noted * See class website to download readings ALL PORTIONS OF THIS CALENDAR ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE Week One Introducing Multi-genre Research Writing 1.7 Introductions Make Wordpress Accounts 1.9 MAUS Vol. 1; Chapters 1 and 2 (5-40) Blog 1.11 RW: 14-19; 29-37; 40- 42 Week Two 1.14 1.16 1.18

MAUS Vol. 1; Chapters 3 and 4 (pgs. 41-94) Blog RW: 105-115; 119-123; 128-131 MAUS Vol. 1; Chapters 5 and 6 (pgs. 95 end) Blog

Week Three 1.21 MLKJ Day! No Classes! 1.23 MAUS Vol. 2; Chapters 1 and 2 (9-74) Blog 1.25 MAUS Vol. 2; Chapter 3 (75-100); RW 267-275; 278-280 Blog Week Four 1.28 1.30 2.1 MAUS Vol. 2; Chapters 4 and 5 (101-end) Blog RW: 276-277 Peer Review Day Bring a complete draft of Project 1

Week Five 2.4 2.6 2.8

Project 1 Due! Begin watching Everythings Illuminated Everythings Illuminated Blog Finish Everythings Illuminated; RW: 4-13; 20-26; 43-44

Week Six 2.11

RW: 50-57; 75-83; 92-101 5

2.13 2.15

Blog Selection from The Diary of Anne Frank and Holocaust Art/Photography Blog RW: 135-140; 147-148; 151-153

Week Seven 2.18 Selection of Holocaust Poetry and Letters Blog 2.20 Library Day: Meet by the spiral staircase Blog 2.22 Peer-editing day Bring in Rough Draft of Project 2

Week Eight 2.25 Project 2 Due! 2.27 Shitty First Drafts Anne Lamot In-Class Blog 3.1 RW: 61-73 Week Nine SPRING BREAK! March 4th 8th Week Ten 3.11 3.13 3.15

RW: 165-184 No Class; Online Assignment RW: 185-197 No Class; Online Assignment RW: 293-308 Blog

Week Eleven 3.18 Conferences Blog 3.20 Conferences 3.22 Peer Review Day Bring a complete draft of Project 3 Week Twelve 3.25 Project 3 Due! 3.27 Recissitive Toni Morrison Blog 3.29 Music: Jazz Week Thirteen 4.1 Selection of African American Art and Photography Blog 4.3 Selection of African American Poetry Blog 6

4.5

Music: Blues

Week Fourteen 4.8 Selection of African American Essays Blog 4.10 Battle Royal Ralph Ellison Blog 4.12 Peer Editing Day! Bring a draft of project 4 to class Week Fifteen 4.15 Project 4 Due! 4.17 RW: 203-217 4.19 RW: 218-236 Week Sixteen 4.22 Hairspray 4.24 Hairspray Blog 4.26 Music: Rock n Roll Blog Week Seventeen 5.? Final Exam Day Final Projects Due! Short Presentations