Course expectations

Annotation

The first essay assignment: How to write a summary

Introduction to Thomas Friedman

Discussion of Friedman's style and the first chapter

• Answer the questions on the questionnaire page in an email to amills@ccsf.edu. 
• Read the sections on annotation, "From Reading as a Writer to Writing as a Reader," pages 25-29 and 33-35 in From Inquiry to Academic Writing.
• Read and annotate for homework credit the first chapter of Hot, Flat, and Crowded (print out the PDF). Write at least one comment, question, or paraphrase per page.
• Print and read the summary assignment. This will be our first essay.
• Register for CompClass using the code that came with Rules for Writers (it will be there as long as you purchased the edition packaged with electronic CompClass access. If you didn't, you can buy CompClass access separately from the Ocean campus bookstore or else buy it online by clicking on the above link and then clicking on "Purchase"). Your blog will be created automatically. I encourage you to post a picture of yourself or otherwise personalize your blog.
• Blog post on the first chapter. So, what do you think? What are your first, off-the-cuff reactions to the ideas in the chapter and to Friedman as a writer? Next, choose one aspect of the chapter that seems important but that you don't fully understand. Discuss its possible meanings and Friedman's possible intentions. What clues to its meaning can you find in the rest of the chapter? If the point involves a reference or word you don't know, look it up (Wikipedia is all right for this purpose) and explain it. You may want to read these two sample blog posts. Minimum of 200 words and one quotation from the text. See the course description for more on how I grade blogs.

Peer review of rough drafts

Discussion of the second and third chapters

• Comment on three of your classmates' blogs.
• Reread the summary assignment and the grade sheet and then read pages 350-352 on summaries in Rules for Writers and pages 125-137 on summarizing in From Inquiry to Academic Writing. Optional Videos: Humor: how NOT to do a summary: watch this summary of the Star Wars plot by a woman who hasn't seen the films. Now, watch the “Summaries and paraphrasing” video on CompClass (under "Assignments").
• Chart: Reread the first chapter of Hot, Flat, and Crowded and your annotations . Make a chart (typed or handwritten) of key claims, examples, gist, and context like the chart on page 136 of From Inquiry to Academic Writing. I will check this chart off in class for homework credit.
• 3 copies of your Rough Draft of the summary essay. The rough draft should be typed and double spaced and at least two pages long. It is worth two homework credits.
• Read and annotate for credit the second and third chapters of Hot, Flat, and Crowded ("Dumb as We Wanna Be" and "The Re-Generation," pages 28-59).

This one time only, meet on the Ocean campus, Cloud Hall 260!

Grammar workshop

Discussion of the fourth chapter

The synthesis paper

Assignment of synthesis topics

3 copies of the Final Draft

Download, print, and read the next essay assignment: the synthesis paper.

Read and annotate the fourth chapter ("Today's Date: 1 E.C.E. Today's Weather: Hot, Flat, and Crowded" 63-84).

Blog post: Each of the five problems described here gets its own chapter later on, and you will choose one to focus on in your next paper. Which of the problems outlined interests you most? Why? What seems unclear from Friedman's description of the problem so far? What do you predict he will discuss in his longer chapter on the subject? How do you imagine another author might disagree with Friedman's description of the problem? Include and introduce at least one quotation or paraphrase with page number.

The research process: finding and citing credible sources

How to skim

Works cited pages

Grammar version (1 copy)

Read and annotate the chapter assigned to you in class, the one you will base your synthesis paper on. (If you missed class, email me for an assignment.)

Blog post: How could someone disagree with Friedman's perspective in this chapter? What might be alternate, slightly different ways to approach the same issue? Come up with as many as you can. What ideas are missing from your chapter?  You can bring in your own opinion and experiences as well. What do you disagree with or want to question? For example, in relation to the petropolitics chapter, some accuse him of being prejudiced against Islam. Or, in relation to the chapter on consumption, you might consider how his assessment of the rise of middle classes worldwide fits your experience of living or traveling in other countries. 

Read Chapter 6: "From Finding to Evaluating Sources" in Inquiry, pages 105-124.

Bring Rules for Writers to class!

Complete Library Workshop B either online or by attending a workshop in the Ocean campus library computer lab. If you already completed this workshop, just bring the proof of completion from a previous semester. (The library keeps records, so if you have lost the proof you can obtain another.) Some other classes may require this workshop, so to avoid having to do it again in the future, you can stop by the library and get the assignment checked and signed by a librarian. For homework credit for 1A, however, it will be enough to complete the printed worksheet on your own and bring it to class.

Optional: I will give extra credit for any one of Workshops A, C, G, W, D, and P. Read the descriptions of these and see if any might be useful for you as you do research for this paper and the next one. You'll need proof of completion signed by a librarian for extra credit.

You might want to start researching sources you could use in your synthesis paper. Remember that your source needs to be at least 10 pages.

How to structure a synthesis paper

Quiz on chapters 5-9

How to do error logs

Summary papers returned

Read  "Writing a Synthesis," pages 138-149 in From Inquiry to Academic Writing.

Comment on 3 of your classmates' blogs

Blog post: List (and if they are web sources, link to) three sources you are considering focusing on for the synthesis essay. For each source, write a one or two sentence summary ) of the main points and discuss why you think it might make a good contrast to the Friedman chapter. Do you have any concerns about using it? Which one or two sources are you currently planning to use? Do you have any questions about your choice of sources?

Skim or read chapters 5-9, pages 85-209 and prepare for the quiz on these chapters.

Meet at the Mission Campus in room 228 of the Valencia Building!

Midterm In-Class Essay: Write a draft of the introduction and two paragraphs of your synthesis essay in class. Your paragraphs should discuss both Friedman and another source and compare them on particular points laid out in the topic sentences.

Discussion of chapters 10 and 11 based on these discussion questions

Complete your first error logs (follow instructions carefully and submit by email.)

Print and annotate the additional source you are using in your synthesis essay.

Write an outline: thesis, topic sentences, and supporting details. Use full sentences. If you want a template, download this outline worksheet. Come prepared to write the in-class essay (see instructions on the left). Your outline should not be a complete draft, by which I mean it should not have more than two sentences in a row that also appear together in your in-class essay. The in-class writing is open-book, open-note.

Annotate Chapters 10 and 11 in Hot, Flat, and Crowded.

Remember we are meeting at the Mission campus on 9/28!

Peer review of rough drafts

Discussion of chapters 12-15

How to write introductions

3 copies of the rough draft of the synthesis paper (worth double homework credit)

Works cited page for your synthesis paper. See this works cited help page in addition to your handbook.

Read or skim chapters 12-15, pages 263-372. Annotate one of these chapters and come prepared to explain the main ideas when I call on you.

Read 201-207 on drafting introductions in Inquiry.

Grammar workshop

Introduction to the research paper: How to choose a focused research topic

3 copies of the synthesis paper final draft (content version)

Read or skim chapters 16-19, pages 373-474. Annotate one of these chapters and come prepared to explain the main ideas when I call on you.

Read and print out the research paper assignment sheet and the list of topic ideas. Start thinking about what topics you might choose.

Quiz on chapters 10-19 of Hot, Flat, and Crowded

How good was Hot, Flat, and Crowded? Friedman's style and credibility

Research workshop

Prepare for a quiz on chapters 10-19 of Hot, Flat, and Crowded.

Print, read and annotate this profile of Thomas Friedmanfrom the New Yorker. If the link doesn't work, search for it in the Gale database under the title "The Bright Side" and the author Ian Parker.

Blog post on Friedman. Now that you have finished the book and read the profile of Friedman, what is your personal response to the book and to Friedman's style and goals? What is your overall assessment of the book's strengths and weaknesses? Give the reasoning behind your opinions.

Synthesis paper grammar version (1 copy only)

Second blog post: Review the research paper assignment sheet and the list of topic ideas as well as the handout How to choose a focused research topic. 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.

Bring any extra credit you want to count toward your midterm grade: proof of sessions with writing or reading tutors or library workshop completion.

Research workshop

"The Story of Stuff"

Read or skim the sample research papers posted on the CompClass home page.

Go through this Research 101 lesson. Optional: complete the Bedford tutorial "How do I refine my research question?"online. See also the handout on focused research paper topics(given out in class).

First blog post: final research topic. Describe your topic and the material you will cover in your research paper. Make sure your topic is sufficiently narrow to cover in a 7-8 page paper. Make sure it is broad enough to have relevance and interest for your audience.

Read 167-178 on ethos and pathos and 186-189 on fallacies in Inquiry.

Watch "The Story of Stuff" with Annie Leonard online. Then print, read and annotate the script and footnotes for "The Story of Stuff.". In your annotations, try to mark elements of ethos and pathos as well as examples of logical fallacies.

Second blog post: How well did Annie Leonard draw you and and convince you in this video? What aspects of her style were most effective? How well did she establish credibility when citing sources and describing the sources in her footnotes? Use examples.

Ecotopia discussion

Read the beginning of Ecotopia through the May 15th journal entry, through the section "The Ecotopian Economy: Fruit of Crisis," (pages 1-59 in my edition). Annotate at least once every two pages or so in the non-italicized sections or else do at least a page of notes or response to the reading.

Read the New York Times article on Ecotopia: "The Novel That Predicted Portland"

4 pages of outline or brainstorm or notes toward your research paper. If you want a template for an outline, download this outline worksheet.

Comment on 3 research topic blogs blog posts. What interests you about people's topics? What questions could they explore? What resources or experiences can you relate to their topics?

Blog post on your research paper sources. List at least 5 sources and summarize each one. Explain why you think it is a credible source.

Ecotopia debate

Continue working on your research paper

Second error logs (follow instructions carefully and submit by email.) Bring the physical copy of the grammar version to turn in.

Finish Ecotopia. Annotate at least once every two pages or so in the non-italicized sections or else do at least a page of notes or response to the reading.

Ecotopia blog post: respond in any way you choose. Which parts of the Ecotopian way of life have we already adopted? Which seem possible? Desirable? Impossible? Undesirable? Explain your ideas and make one or two specific references to the text.

Presentations

Peer review of rough drafts

3 copies of rough draft of research paper (content version). Worth two homework credits. Must be at least 7 full pages in standard typed format for full credit.

Extra credit opportunity: visit the Green Festival on Saturday or Sunday November 12 or 13 and write a blog post about your experience and any connections to Friedman or Callenbach or class discussion. Show your student ID to get in free.

Presentations

The final exam topics

Grammar workshop

3 copies of final draft of research paper

Read the final exam topics and start thinking about what interests you.

Blog post: choose one of the following two topics.
1) Friedman and Callenbach present different visions of what makes a successful sustainable society. Compare the two and reflect on the essential points of agreement and disagreement in their philosophies.

2) Choose one sustainable aspect of Ecotopian society that seems practical and interesting to you and do some research on the library databases and on search engines to see if there are any similar modern-day proposals. If you do not find any, you could switch to another aspect of Ecotopia. In your blog post, link to two sources about the proposed real change, describe the proposal, and compare it to the Ecotopian version.

Presentations

Review of outlines

Grammar version of research paper

Outline or one page of prewriting about the final exam (see the final exam topics)

Comment on three of your classmates' last blog posts about Ecotopia.

Meet at the Mission Campus in room 228 of the Valencia Building!

Final Exam

Meet at the Mission Campus in room 228 of the Valencia Building!

1. Blog post on your classmates' presentations. Discuss the main ideas of one presentation and reflect on what was memorable, controversial, or striking to you.

2. Revise your outline and prepare for the exam (see the final exam topics). You can bring the following:

• Ecotopia and Hot, Flat, and Crowded
• Printed copies of any additional sources you plan to use
• 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 dictionary (optional)
• Rules for Writers (optional)

3. Final homework credit: Download and fill out the anonymous 1A evaluation form. You will turn it in (folded) and I will check off that you did it.

4. Bring any extra credit sheets.

5. Optional: If you would like to try to raise your grade on one of the papers, you can bring the new version to the final exam in a folder with the graded essay and grade sheet with all my comments. That goes for the synthesis and summary papers. If you are revising the research paper, of course, you will not get it back until the day of the final exam, so you will have extra time to revise it. I will give out my address so you can mail the revised version along with the grade sheet and comments to me so that it arrives by Tuesday, December 20th, the last day of the semester.

6. Optional: If you would like feedback on your final exam, 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 and final error logs with the grades on them at the beginning of Spring semester.

Have a great break!