Improved Reading, Writing and Thinking Skills

Your reading and writing skills will improve much more than you might think possible, especially if you attend each class and do each assignment. Because the written word represents the thought process put to paper, the more thought you put into each assignment the more you will learn about reading and writing, yourself, your reading and writing abilities, and the topic you read and write about. Do the work and you'll be a better writer, a better reader, and a better thinker. With writing, we'll work at the essay, paragraph, and sentence levels during the drafting, revising, and editing stages. The improvement in your skills will be demonstrated in your ability to write, revise, and edit effective sentences, paragraphs, and essays while offering your peers help with their work. The harder you work the more you will learn.

Choices and Consequences

In this class you will not only learn how to read and write more effectively, but you will learn that the choices you make will result in certain consequences. One choice I expect you to make is to ask questions when you are unsure about anything taking place in the class--be it an assignment requirement, comments on your work, or anything you don't understand. However--and this is a big "however"--do not put off working on assignments because you are unsure about what to do and want me to clarify something for you. Usually what you think needs doing is on-track.

Another choice I suggest you make is to keep up with the work load and do all of your work on schedule. One consequence of this is a better grade than if you fall behind. Another consequence will be less stress with regard to this class. A consequence of not turning your work in on time is a lower grade. Those who do poorly in this class (and most other classes) are those who regularly miss class, those who do not prepare themselves for class, and those who fall behind in their work. Choosing to attend, prepare, and complete the assigned work--on time--results in improved reading, writing and thinking skills and a better grade than you would otherwise earn; it also makes for a more enjoyable experience.

The Ability to Work within Diverse Groups

In this class you will spend a number of sessions working in groups, reading and commenting upon your own and others' essays and projects at various stages of the writing process. In these groups you are to offer feedback to help group members improve the paper they have written. You will not only learn to recognize good writing and offer help and suggestions on how to improve your classmates' essays, but you will learn something about the people in your groups. This creates a community of writers in the classroom where you can learn that essays are to be read, not just stuffed away in a drawer or to be given to an instructor to be marked up with red ink (I use blue when I use paper). This is also done so you can learn that each member of this class can offer you something to enrich your life and your scholarly pursuits. The rule for responding to the work of others is to do so with respect. We are not looking at each other's writing in order to laugh or judge, but to help and learn.

Workshop Ground Rules

1. We will listen to and respect what others say.
2. We will offer and accept positive comment and criticism.
3. We will participate in group work and do our share.
4. We will use our experience to make ideas useful.
5. We will take risks.

Technological Literacy

Technoligically literate workers earn, on average, 15 percent more than their non-technologically literate counterparts. To be technologically literate means not only to have a working knowledge of computers and standard applications such as word processors, spread sheets, and the Internet, but you should also be able to find your way around new applications in a somewhat intuitive manner and to understand how materials you find online can be read. Further, we will likely end up exploring some of the social issues regarding technology in the process of using technology for learning. Several elements of this course are based on enhancing computer literary, an essential skill in school and work. There will be considerable opportunity to use the Internet for research and collaborative purposes. The sooner you learn to use a computer and other technology for writing and learning, and the sooner you understand the various ramifications of doing (or not doing) so, the better off you will be a as college student and citizen.

I reserve the right to change this syllabus to better meet the needs of the class.