Instructor: Emily Olson

Office Hours: W 11:00-12:00 p.m. (And by appt.)

Office Number: Sierra Hall 194
Office Phone: TBD

Course Number: 13870

Room Number: Sierra Hall 234
Class Time: M/W 11 12:15
Email: emily.gahan.974@my.csun.edu

Course Materials:
The Postmortal by Drew Magary
New Voices (NV)
Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Writing By Elizabeth Losh, Jonathon Alexander, Kevin
Cannon, and Zander Cannon

Readings uploaded to Moodle (Check Weekly)

One Green Book (or similar thin notebook)
A working email/access to a computer.
Printer and Ink! (You are required to print out all readings and worksheet and bring them with
you to class).
Suggested: A three-ringed folder to store your syllabus, assignments, and work in.
Recommended Texts:
They Say/ I Say; The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (TSIS) 2nd Ed. Graff/Birkenstein.

How to Write Anything by John J. Ruszkiewicz

Some type of current MLA handbook is recommended. There are many to choose from. Select
whichever you are most comfortable using.
Introduction:
Welcome to Approaches to University Writing, Semester I! This course helps you acquire
writing and critical thinking skills so that you might do well in the intellectual environment of
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the university and beyond. To that end, we will read and think deeply about a range of texts from
across the disciplines. We will workshop essays and other kinds of writing that employ various
academic conventions. These activities along with student-instructor conferences, peer work, and
roundtable discussions will demonstrate the social nature of writing and signal our entry into
scholarly discourse.
Course Description
Expository prose writing with a focus on both content and form. Specific emphases shall include
the exercise of logical thought and clear expression, the development of effective organizational
strategies, and the appropriate gathering and utilization of evidence. Includes instruction on
diction, syntax, and grammar, as well as the elements of prose style. Students receive credit for
only one course chosen from AAS, CAS, CHS, ENGL, PAS , and QS 114A. Prerequisites: EPT
score of 142-150.
Student Learning Outcomes for GE
Students will:
1.
Analyze and compare perspective, meaning, and style in different texts, including those
that reflect multicultural images and voices;
2.
Construct a theme or thesis and organize and develop a substantial, balanced and
convincing defense of it in a voice, tone, language, and format (e.g., essay autobiography, report,
editorial, case study, inquiry, and research) appropriate to the purpose of the writing;
3.
Use logical support, including informed opinion and fact, as well as their interpretations, to
develop ideas, avoiding fallacies, biased language, and inappropriate tone;
4.
Demonstrate satisfactory competence in the conventions of Edited American English and
the elements of presentation (including layout, format, and printing);
5.
Select and incorporate ideas derived from a variety of sources, such as library electronic
and print resources, books, journals, the Internet, and interviews, and document them responsibly
and correctly;
6.
Apply a variety of strategies for planning, outlining, drafting, revising and editing written
work.
Course Objectives

Demonstrate competence in university writing

Demonstrate the ability to use rhetorical strategies that include the appeal to audience,
logic, and emotion

Understand writing as a recursive process and demonstrate its use through invention,
drafting and revision (creating, shaping, and completing)

Demonstrate the ability to use conventions of format, structure, style, and language
appropriate to the purpose of a written text

Demonstrate the ability to use library and online resources effectively and to document
their sources their sources.

Student Learning Outcomes

You will gain the ability to read critically

Youll read extensively from a variety of academic and non-academic texts, including anthology
essays, academic journal articles, autobiography, fiction, and news media. You will demonstrate
the capacity to read critically by responding to these texts during class discussions as well as
writing projects that include exercises, essays, and thematic projects.
You will gain the ability to write effectively

You will produce a range of writing that demonstrates proficiency with rhetorical strategies and
expository writing concepts. This writing will include autobiography, dialogues, epistles,
descriptive and argumentative essays, interactive Web reflections, thematic projects, and blogs.
You will gain knowledge of the cultural diversity of literatures

You will read an assorted body of literature produced by writers from across the globe. You will
discuss and write about these diverse experiences.

Our Method: The Progressions

A progression is a series of interconnected reading, writing, and thinking exercises that link to
class work. As each progression is completed, the combined drafting builds the foundation and
process of an essay. This movement grows out of the specific assignments and collaborative
nature of the progression and leads to essays that bear marks of distinction, direction, and
development. There are three progressions, each requiring three exercises and one essay. There is
also a fourth, informal, reflective essay. This fourth essay serves as your portfolios introduction.
The portfolio is a compendium of the semesters work.
Your Progressions handout (see below) explains each assignment in detail, but here they are in
brief:
A. Progression I: Reading and Responding to Texts
Exercise 1: Summary and Reconstruction
Exercise 2: Literacy Spiral
Exercise 3: Letter to Author
Essay 1 (plus drafts)
B. Progression II: Seeing and Hearing Texts
Exercise 1: The Word-Picture
Exercise 2: The Scene
Exercise 3: The Ethnography
Essay 2 (plus drafts)
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C. Progression III: Arguing through Texts

Exercise 1: Argument and Analysis
Exercise 2: The Dialogue
Exercise 3: Argumentative Proposal
Essay 3 (plus drafts)

Course Policies
Attendance:
The majority of this course is based on participation and peer review. Student input is valued. As
such, after three unexcused absences (without proper documentation) your grade will be
significantly lowered. I understand emergencies occur and that the flu is a sneaky devil. So, save
your two absences for when you really need them.
I mark every time you are late or leave early. Every time this occurs three times, it will count as
one absence.
Participation:
Participation is a huge part of your grade in this class. You cannot pass with higher than a C if
you do not participate. Class discussion and student interaction is vital for this course to be
successful. You all have intelligent and interesting ideas, you should share them! Participation
points can be earned through class discussions, peer review and workshops, in class activities,
homework assignments, and moodle postings.
Late Work
I do not accept late work unless we have discussed an extension prior to the due date. You must
submit your essay even if you miss class on its due date.

Classroom Conduct
You are all adults and I expect you to act accordingly. I am not here to govern over you. I view
the classroom as a space of freedom and equality, where each student is invited to share his or
her thoughts and ideas. I believe we are equals, where I will learn from you and I hope you will
learn something from me. This means that some of the topics might be sensitive and/or fragile.
Think before you speak and be courteous of what others say and believe. Just because someone
does not agree with you, does not make them wrong. I believe that through differences and
dialogue, we will grow.
In terms of technology, laptops, cellphones, mp3 players, and iPods must be turned off during
class sessions. If you take a call during class, or are caught texting, e-mailing, or listening to
music, you will be asked to leave and will be counted absent for that day.

There will be days where Laptops are required, which is the only time that you will be allowed to
use them in class. Please bring them on assigned days.

Plagiarism
A note on plagiarism, dont do it! The CSUN catalogue defines plagiarism as intentionally or
knowingly representing the words, ideas or works of another as ones own in any academic
exercise. Of course, I understand that plagiarism is a tricky subject and we will review what
constitutes as academic dishonesty. I urge you to note which ideas you glean from readings and
which ideas are your own. If you have a question about any of this, feel free to ask!
Revision Policy
If you receive your final graded essay back and you are not happy with your grade, you do have
the option of revising it for a maximum of 10 extra points. In order to receive these points, you
must adhere to all of the three points below, in addition to letting me know in advance that you
are going to revise the essay in person or via email:

1. Go to the LRC and meet with a writing tutor to discuss revisions (You must bring in the
LRC slip stapled to your paper).
2. Type a one page letter to me/ summary of how, why, and what you did to revise your
paper. This should be reflective and talk about the revisions process you went through.
3. Turn in a revised copy of the essay, the letter, and the LRC form with the original entire
graded, essay-packet (everything you turned in for the essay, including the grade sheets I
gave you!) from me within 2 weeks of the original, graded essay being returned to you.
Grading:
Grading Scale:
I use the +/- grading scale. There are a total of 100 points possible in this class (precluding extra
credit). Final grades are determined as follows:
A+: > 100
A: 94-100
A-: 90-93

B+: 87-89
B: 83-86
B-: 80-82

C+: 77-77
C: 73-76
C-: 70-72

Grading Breakdown:
Progression 1 150pts
Progression 2

150pts

Progression 3

150pts

D+: 67-69
D: 63-66
D-: 60-62

F < 60

Participation/
Moodle Posts

250pts

Portfolio

300pts
__

Total

1000pts

Handouts
You are required to print out and bring to class the weekly handouts and readings. These
materials will be available on our class Moodle site. You may print up to 20 pages per day for
free at the University Student Union.
Moodle Posts
You will be required to post in the appropriate moodle forums every week on the topic
displayed. Moodle posts are due by 12 PM on Fridays and you must respond to two of your peers
before our class meetings on Monday.
Portfolios
The Portfolios are an accumulation of the work that you have done this semester. As such, it is
vital that you keep all the assignments and feedback that you receive, you will need it for the
final portfolio. Because the portfolio is such an important method of self-evaluation and tracking
progress, you cannot pass this class without turning it in. You must turn in the portfolio or you
will not pass this class.
Instructor Contact
Moodle and e-mail will be used for all communication outside of class. You must have a CSUN
e-mail to send and receive class e-mails and sign in to Moodle. The best way to reach me outside
of class is via e-mail. I check my e-mail regularly, so you should receive a reply within 24-48
hours. Emails sent during the weekend will probably not be answered until Monday morning.
(Your professor needs a break too.) Also, I do not accept emails concerning essay questions 48
hours before the essay is due! Even if you do not hear back from me, it is still your
responsibility to complete any required work.
Helpful Tips

Bring a sense of humor to class, it will make learning more enjoyable.

Always take notes. You never know when something said in class might be useful or
important for the essays you will be writing.
Keep everything. Because prompts and drafts will be included in the portfolio, filing
them in a safe place is important.
Always check the class website. The class schedule and important updates will be found
there.
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Always check your CSUN email.

Get your classmates contact information. This will be helpful for when you miss class.
Come to class with an open mind.
Read instructions carefully because being able to follow instructions accordingly is a
necessary skill.
(Adapted from Professors Gamboa-Wongs advice.)

Helpful Resources

Learning Resource Center (LRC) Writing Lab: (Oviatt, 3rd floor, East Wing)
http://www.csun.edu/lrc/writing/writinglab.html

Purdue University Owl: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

Grammar Girl: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/

MLA Works Cited Help: www.noodletools.com and Purdue Owl (see above)

CSUN Calendar with Important Dates Noted: http://www.csun.edu/anr/soc/calendar.html

This syllabus is subject to change but with due notice.

Schedule is tentative! I will let you know of any changes that are made.
Class Schedule:
Week 1
8/25:

General Course Overview and Class Introductions

In Class Discussion Critical Reading Strategies
The Watcher at the Gate by Godwin
Shitty First Drafts by Anne Lamott

8/27:

The Writing Process and Annotation

Reading: Mother Tongue by Amy Tan

Progression I: Reading and Responding to Texts
Week 2
9/1:

Holiday No Class
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9/3:

The Writing Process and Summary

Due: Annotation
Reading: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sadaris
Week 3
9/8:

In class discussion & reading Indian Education by Sherman Alexi

Due: Summary
Reading: Selection from New Voices
9/10:

Paragraph Development Exercise

Due: Literacy Spiral

Reading: I Just Wanna Be Average by Mike Rose
Week 4
9/15:

Essay Components & Structure

Discuss literacy narratives

Due: Letter to Author

Reading: New Voices Selection
9/17:

Peer Review Strategies Workshop

Due: Literacy narrative outline

Reading: New Voices Selection
Week 5
9/22:

Peer Reviews

Due: Essay I Rough Draft

Reading: New Voices Selection
9/24:
Due: Essay I Final Draft
Progression II: Seeing and Hearing Texts
Week 6
9/29:

Class Discussion

10/1:

Visual Rhetoric and Workshop and Exercise 1

Due: Exercise 1 The Word-Picture

Week 7
10/6:

Intro to Ethnography
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Due: Exercise 2 The Scene

10/08:

Class Discussion

Due: Exercise 3 The Ethnography

Week 8
10/13:

Class Discussion

10/15:

Peer Review

Due: Essay Two Rough Draft

Week 9
10/20:

Conferencing

10/22:

Conferencing

Week 10
10/27:

Class Discussion

Due: Essay II, Final Draft

10/29:

Class Discussion

Reading:
Due: Exercise 1 Argument and Analysis
Progression III: Arguing Through Texts
Week 11
11/3:

Class Discussion

11/5:

Class Discussion

Due: Progression 3 Exercise 1

Week 12
11/10:

Holiday No Class

11/12:

Class Discussion

Due: Progression 3 Exercise 2

Week
11/17:

Class Discussion

11/19: Conferences
Due: Essay Three Rough Draft Due
Week 14
11/24: Class Discussion
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11/26: Reflective Letters

Due: Essay Three, Final Draft
Week 15
12/1:

Constructing the Portfolio

12/3

Portfolios

Week 16
12/8:

Portfolio Workshops

Due: Reflective Essays

12/10:

Portfolios DUE

Use this space to write down contact info for 3 classmates (names, emails, phone
numbers, etc).

1.

2.

3.

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