Papers:
You will write four papers for this course. All papers are to
be 4-5 pages long, and completed individually, unless you are given specific
collaborative options.
Papers must be word-processed (not typed), and turned in:
For those of you brave enough to enter the world of HTML coding and the World-Wide Web, you also have the option to construct a website and "turn in" the URL. However, please note that due to administrative requirements, even this work will eventually need to be printed out in order to be included in the portfolio. NO class time will be spend on learning HTML, but I recommend that you pick it up on your own if possible; I will be happy to answer individual questions as time permits. Note: you will NOT receive "extra credit" for pursuing this option.
Journals:
There is currently a perceived division between the kind of writing that
happens "on paper" and that which is "only on screen." While many teachers
of writing, including myself, dispute the idea that "paper-writing" is
somehow inherently more valuable than "pixel-writing," your journal for this
class may give you an opportunity to explore this idea for yourself.
The "journal" will, in fact, be a class electronic discussion list. You will be expected to contribute to the list a minimum of twice a week, where a "contribution" is at least one full screen of writing engaging the assigned reading, the class discussions, and the other posts to the list. You are, of course, welcome to contribute to the list more often than twice a week, but your "grade" for the journal will be based on the quality of your posts, not their quantity.
You will certainly be encouraged to post ideas, portions, and drafts of your papers to the list for your classmates to respond to; at times, in fact, you may be assigned to do so. The journal is worth 15% of your final grade (150 points); since we meet for approximately 15 weeks (starting with the second week of class; you are not expected to post during the first week), assume that each week's worth of posts can earn you about 10 points. Do NOT think that, starting in November, you can post 800 messages and "make up" for missed posts. That will NOT impress me, and will NOT work!
I will occasionally participate on the list; however, most of my posts will be to each of you personally, offlist, as necessary. If you have questions about "how you're doing" on the list/journal, never hesitate to ask!