1. Familiarize yourself with the course: Read the course description. Optional: Print a copy to bring to class.

Print and complete the course worksheet.

2. Prepare for the first essay: Read the summary assignment.

Download, print, and read "Doomsday Fears and Modern Life." I recommend you make margin annotations. Bring your printout to class on Thursday.

3. First blog post: If you are enrolled in the class, you should have purchased CompClass access (see the course description). Use your access code to log on to CompClass. Your blog has been automatically created.  At the top left under "Blogs," click on your name to access it.  I encourage you to upload a picture to help us create community as a class.  To add a photo, click on the "profile" link.

Note: if you are trying to add the class you will be allowed to type and print your blog entry and bring it to class to turn in. Once you add, you will need to purchase CompClass access right away.

Assignment: For your first blog post, choose one complex and perhaps confusing sentence from "Doomsday Fears." Quote the sentence and then analyze it in depth in your own words. Discuss its probable meaning and any questions that remain in your mind about it. If the sentence includes a historical reference, look it up (Wikipedia is all right for this purpose) and explain it. You do not need to understand everything about the sentence to write a good blog post, but you need to show thoughtful, careful attention to sentence structure, vocabulary, and the sentence's context. Feel free to discuss your reactions or questions about "Doomsday Fears" more generally once you have analyzed your sentence.

Class Introductions

Introduction to American Earth

Final Draft: Summary of "Doomsday Fears" (Recommended: look at the summary grade sheet to see how it will be evaluated.)

Answer the questions on the questionaire page in an email to amills@ccsf.edu. Important: I will be using your new CCSF gmail account address to contact you, and the college will use this address for correspondence. If you haven't already, set up your gmail account to forward to the account you check frequently or commit to checking your CCSF gmail frequently.

Read the foreword and introduction (xxi-xxxi) to American Earth

Introduction to Rhetoric

Grammar version: Summary of "Doomsday Fears." For review of correct MLA document format, see section 7 in Rules for Writers. (View it on CompClass if you haven't purchased a hard copy yet). For review of in-text citations, see 54b and 55a.

Read pages 3-29: Chapter One and the first half of Chapter Two of The Rhetoric of Argument. Stop right before the section "Building Arguments with Other Positions in Mind."

Print, read, and bring the "Claims, Reasons, and Warrants" handout.

Bring "Doomsday Fears" as well.

Introduction to Walden

Effective Annotation

Read section 46a on annotation in Rules for Writers.

Read and annotate for homework credit the bio of Thoreau (1-2) and the excerpt from Walden on pages 9-25.

Walden discussion

Rhetoric: Logos continued

1.Change your CompClass preferences so that you can get email from classmates. Log in and click on the Preferences button on the far left between the question mark and the house buttons. Click "System Settings." Under "Forwarding Mode," select "Forward my mail and keep as new." Save.

2. Read the second half of Chapter Two, pages 29-37 in Rhetoric.

3. Blog post: Respond to the Walden excerpt in any way you choose. Bear in mind the instructions for blogs: "Blogs will be graded on their thoughtfulness, adherence to the assignment, skillful citing of the readings, demonstrated understanding of the readings, cohesiveness, grammar, and style. I encourage you to use them as an opportunity to develop a critical voice that is both academic and authentic to you."

Thoreau

How to do error logs

How to fix word choice and preposition errors

Read and annotate "Huckleberries" by Thoreau, pages 26-36 in American Earth.

In a CompClass blog post, respond to "Huckleberries" and apply the ideas in the Rhetoric reading to it. Identify at least one key claim, its reasons, and its implicit or explicit warrants.  

Comment on three classmates' blog posts.

Ethos: authority and credibility

Error log workshop

"Song of the Redwood Tree"

Read 48-64 on ethos and pathos in Rhetoric.

Read and annotate "Song of the Redwood-Tree" by Walt Whitman in American Earth (65-70).

Start working on your error logs. See instructions below. Bring your grammar version with the error codes along with Rules for Writers to class.

Discussion of the reading

Introduction to definition arguments

Bring American Earth

Blog post: You can choose to write about Podhoretz or Thoreau. How does the writer attempt to gain our trust and establish his own credibility and that of the scientists he references? Does he succeed in gaining your trust? Which of the strategies mentioned in the Rhetoric reading does he employ? What is your impression of his writing style? Do you find it engaging? Quote at least twice.

First error log: You will do three error logs, which will be graded and count together as 12.5% of your semester grade.

Look at the grammar codes on the grammar version of the summary that you just got back. Download and fill out one error log worksheet on each of the numbers found on your paper. Your error logs must be typed.

**For each numbered error, look up the code in Rules for Writers. Write the number and the name of the error in the blank at the top of one error log page.

**Read the Rules for Writers section on the error and then explain what the error is and how to fix it in your own words at the top of the error log page. 

**Next, find all of the places in your essay where you see that grammar code. For each of those places, fill out one row in your error log. For each one, first copy the entire sentence with the error exactly as it was. Then, in the second column, write a corrected version that fixes the error without changing the meaning. In the third column, explain in your own words how you corrected the error and why the new version is better. Include any remaining questions you have about the error. If you disagree with the error code, explain why.

**Next, save your error log in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx format). Log in to CompClass and click on the "First Error Log" link under "Assignments." Upload your file and submit it. Please do not attempt to paste your error log into the message: it will not be readable.

**Essential: Bring your grammar version with codes to class and turn it in again. I can't grade your error log without the original grammar version.

Definition Analysis

Discussion of "The Ecology of Magic"

Print and read the Definition Analysis Essay assignment. Bring it to class.

Read and annotate for credit Chapter 6: Definition in Rhetoric.

Read and annotate "The Ecology of Magic" by David Abram (815-834). In your annotations, identify any elements of a definition essay as explained in Rhetoric.

Read and annotate the excerpt from A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold (266-294). In your annotations, identify any elements of a definition essay as explained in Rhetoric.

Blog post: Respond in any way you wish to A Sand County Almanac. Quote at least twice and write 200 words.

Discussion of "Everything is a Human Being"

Fallacies

Read and annotate "Everything is a Human Being" by Alice Walker (659-670). In your annotations, identify any elements of a definition essay as explained in Rhetoric.

Do the reading on fallacies in Rhetoric pages 65-71. Identify the fallacies you find confusing so we can go over them in class. There will be a fallacies quiz on Thursday, 9/20.

Choose and reread the excerpt you will analyze in your essay: Leopold, Walker, or Abrams. Reread the essay assignment and then read the definition analysis questions (if you were in class you got this as a handout) and begin to brainstorm and do prewriting.

Fallacies

Outline workshop

Definition analysis essay outline: Write an outline with topic sentences and supporting details in full sentences. You may want to download this outline worksheet and type directly into it. 

Blog post on fallacies: Using the reading you will write your essay on, identify and name examples of at least three different types of fallacies described in Rhetoric. You might describe fallacies in Leopold, Walker, or Abrams' logic, or you might apply the Rhetoric terms to their critiques of other people's logic. For example, you might observe that Leopold identifies a false cause fallacy in the arguments of some conservationists. Then you would quote from Leopold and explain what the logical problem is in your own words and why you classify it as false cause.

Strategies for in-class essays

Short quiz on fallacies

Read "Millions Join Earth Day Observances Across the Nation" (484-488) and come prepared to discuss it as a definition argument.

Comment on 3 classmates' blog posts. Can you add to their discussion of a particular statement that they have labeled a fallacy? Maybe you can give a different explanation of why it is a fallacy or attach a different label to it and explain why. Maybe you can defend it and explain why you don't consider it a fallacy.

Prepare for the quiz on fallacies

Meet in Cyberia (Arts Extension 265) for the Midterm In-Class Essay Exam

Read the three sample definition analysis essays that I emailed to you.

Prepare for the midterm in-class writing. Bring an outline of your three-paragraph analysis.

Work on your rough draft (due Thursday)

Meet in Cyberia (Arts Extension 265)

Proofreading workshop

1 printed copy of the final draft of the definition analysis essay (content version). Must be at least 6 pages.

Email yourself a copy of your essay or bring it on disk so you can work on proofreading it in class in preparation for the grammar version.

Meet in Cyberia on Tuesday for a proofreading workshop!

The research paper

Causal analysis

1 printed copy of the grammar version of the definition analysis paper.

Read the Research Paper instructions and start thinking about possible topics of interest

Read and annotate the Rhetoric chapter on causal analysis (179-209)

Blog post: Do a little research on topics that interest you, either on the web or in the library periodicals databases. Then write a blog post in which you explore at least three possible topics that interest you. Discuss why each topic interests you, what you found out about it so far. Describe and link to at least one reputable source for each possible topic.

Read and annotate the first two chapters of Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elizabeth Kolbert.

Read the two sample research papers sent to you on email.

Focused research topics

Causal analysis continued

Read 45-90 in Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elizabeth Kolbert

Blog post on Field Notes from a Catastrophe. Possible topics: What strategies for causal analysis does Kolbert use? Does she succeed in convincing you that greenhouse gas emissions are causing global warming, and that the effects she describes are due to global warming? What do you notice about Kolbert's style? How does she attempt to establish credibility? What subtle or overt attempts do you notice to affect our emotions? What aspects of the reading intrigue you and engage you?

Midterm grade reports distributed

Evaluation arguments

The presentations

Sign up for your presentation date

1. Print and read the "Focused Research Topics" handout. Bring it to class. Go through this Research 101 lesson and complete the Bedford tutorial "How do I refine my research question?"online.
2. Do some more research and investigation into your possible research topics. You may also want to look over your classmates' blog posts for more ideas. Refer back to the solutions paper instructions.
3. Blog post: research paper topic: Write a paragraph describing your topic and the material you will cover in your solutions paper. Make sure your topic is sufficiently narrow to cover in a 10-12 page paper. Make sure it is broad enough to have relevance and interest for your audience.
4. Read the Rhetoric chapter on evaluation arguments (229-257).

Comment on three of your classmates' blog posts. What is interesting to you about their topics? What questions would you encourage them to ask as they research? What will you hope to learn from their presentations?

Make a list of criteria by which you will evaluate your proposed solution in your reasearch paper.

Reading 93-132 in Field Notes from a Catastrophe

Blog post on your research paper sources: List and link to at least 5 sources you intend to use in your research paper, including 3 that come from print publications (but which you may have found through online databases). For each source, write a couple of sentences summarizing its content and relevance to your paper. Use the ideas about ethos from Rhetoric to explain why you think it is a credible source.

Annotate the Rhetoric chapter on proposal arguments (283-312)

Read 133-149 in Field Notes from a Catastrophe

Proposal arguments

Discussion of outlines

Outline of your research paper. Thesis, topic sentences, and supporting details should all be in full sentences. You need at least six body paragraphs for the outline. (Optional: If you want a template for an outline, download this outline worksheet. Add additional paragraphs as needed.)

Read 150-172 in Field Notes from a Catastrophe

Read 173-199 in Field Notes from a Catastrophe

Definition Analysis Paper error logs due: see Error logs instructions

Blog post on Field Notes from a Catastrophe

Research paper grammar version (1 copy)

Read the excerpt from Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place on pages 739-759 of the reader.

Discussion

Read the final exam topics

Read "Fecundity" on 531-549

Read the excerpt from Planet of Weeds on pages 874-897.

Blog post on Refuge, "Fecundity" or Planet of Weeds. You might choose to compare "Fecundity" and Planet of Weeds.

Choose an essay or essays of at least 10 pages total that we haven't read from American Earth, read it, and write a blog post on it in which you introduce us to its ideas and style and respond in whatever way you choose.

Consider your choice of text for the final exam

Research paper error logs due: see error logs instructions

Choose your text and the strategies you will focus on in the final exam.

Meet in Cyberia (Art Extension 265)

English 1C final exam

Bring any extra credit proof.

Final homework credit: Download and fill out the anonymous 1C Evaluation Form. You will turn it in (folded) and I will check off that you did it. I never read the evaluations until well after I have turned in the final grades.

Revise your outline and prepare for the final exam. You can bring the following:

• Readings
• Your outline (topic sentences, thesis, and quotations or other supporting details)
• Your notes (no 3 sentences in a row that end up in the essay)
• A print card and/or some change in order to print the exam at the end. 
• A dictionary (optional)
• Rules for Writers (optional)

Optional: If you would like to try to improve the grade on one of your essays from the semester, download and fill out a revision plan and bring it to the final exam in a folder with the graded essay and grade sheet with all my comments. I will look over your plan while you take the final and give it back to you. The revised essay must then be turned in to my office (Batmale 560) by 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 16. You can slip it under my door at any time before that. I will not receive it if it arrives after noon.

I will email final grades to everyone at the same time.

If you would like feedback on your final exam and/or revision and/or last error logs, I would be happy to give it. Turn in a self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage for me to mail the papers to you. Enclose a note to me explaining what kind of feedback would be useful to you. Otherwise, you can pick up your final exam and revision at the beginning of Spring semester.

Have a great break!