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1. When & Where

• Spring 2004
• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11AM – 12:15PM
• Admin 403

2. Instructor

• Dennis G. Jerz
• St. Joseph Hall 403
• jerz@setonhiII.edu
• Phone: x1909 or 724.830.1909
  Cancellation line: 724.830.1000
• Office Hours
  • TBA
  • Also by appointment

3 Resident Teaching Assistant

• Michelle Farabaugh
• Brownlee 324
• far3800@acad.setonhiII.edu
• Phone: 724.830.1284

4 Course Description

Continues development of critical reading, writing, and thinking as tools for active learning; introduces college research skills. Continues university portfolio. 

5 Course Objectives

Students will cotinue to develop:

1. Skills for communication and interaction: the ability to gather, perceive, and evaluate knowledge, the means to express one’s thoughts and experiences, and the capacity to work successfully with others or alone.  Students will meet this objective through intensive practice in writing, by speaking in a variety of formats, including a formal speech, engaging in peer collaboration, small group activites, and student-led discussions.

2. Skills for critical and creative thinking: skills which emphasize judgment and decision-making and which encourage the development of imaginative resources.  Students will meet this objective by developing critical thinking skills through reading, class discussion, and repeated practice in writing on the topics of family and race & ethnicity, by completing writing assignments such as narrative and reflective writing, and a researched term paper.

3. Skills for historical and global awareness: skills which emphasize awareness and appreciation of other cultures, the development of both a historical and international perspective, and the ability to critically assess contemporary culture.  Students will meet this objective through readings, discussions and writing on the topics of family, race & ethnicity, as well as education, class and gender, under the course framework of Cultural Identities.

4. Skills for life commitment and flexibility: skills which foster the ability to live with creative confidence, to develop a strong belief system, to exercise responsible freedom, and to manage one’s personal and professional life effectively.  Students will meet this objective through discussions of relevant material connected to classroom discussions, and development of the university portfolio.

6 Course Format

Like the first part of the course, STW II involves lecture, class discussion, and various written, verbal, volunteer, and cultural opportunities, as noted below. Students collaborate in small groups to choose additional readings to build upon a core of readings selected by the instructor. Students collaborate with the instructor and each other to generate and develop their own research paper topics. Multiple revision of papers is necessary for academic achievement in this course. 

7 Course Requirements

Each student is required to complete the following:

7.1      Attendance and Participation

Students are expected to attend every class, complete the required assignments before every session, and participate in class discussion. Serious and thoughtful participation in class discussions is necessary for effective learning. One absence is permitted without penalty; each subsequent unexcused absence reduces the final grade by one third of a letter grade.

Absences may be excused, with prior negotiation initiated by the student with the instructor, for participation in intercollegiate sports, theater or music productions, conferences, or workshops; and the student is responsible for making up the material covered during the missed class including obtaining assignments or handouts (please request notes from a classmates; please do not ask the instructor to e-mail you a summary of what you missed).

At Seton Hill, instructors do not excuse absences for illness or personal circumstances – you should go directly to the vice-president for student affairs instead (see Seton Hill University Catalog, p. 28, Excused Absences).

7.2. Texts

• Colombo, G., Cullen, R., & Lisle, B. (2001).  Rereading America. (5^th ed.) Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• Hacker, D. (2003).  A Writer’s Reference. (5^th ed.)  Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• The Portfolio Handbook, Seton Hill University.

These books are the same as those required last term.

7.3. Assignments

There are two essays, from three to four pages each, that are revised until accepted (similar to the three you did last term); and a research paper of approximately ten pages that is also revised until accepted, an oral presentation of the research paper, and additional less formal writing assignments, all completed outside of the classroom.

The two formal essays are critical essays responding to readings from the assigned text. The research paper requires use of a minimum of five sources, including at least two recent journal articles (less than three years old), and one recent academic monograph (a single book-length study, not a collection of separate essays published in one binding; less than ten years old).

The portfolio requirements are completed according to a checklist of portfolio assignments, found in the Portfolio Handbook. You are responsible for the papers mentioned in the Portfolio Handbook even if you haven't completed the class activities intended to get you started on them.

All assignments will be given during class with ample opportunity for clarification.

7.4 Deadline Policy

I am simplifying and tightening up my late paper policy. This term, papers are either on time, delayed, or late.

On Time

Papers that are ready when I collect them at the beginning of class receive a 1/3 letter grade "Decorum Bonus." Minor annoyances such as loose pages, smudged printouts or crumpled corners may forfeit the bonus.

Delayed

If your submission is not ready when I collect the others, the assignment not only loses the decorum bonus, it provisionally drops one letter grade.

There are two ways you can lessen this penalty:

1. If you can get your completed printout to me before I go home for the day, I will probably waive the penalty (but I won't restore the bonus).
2. If you e-mail me the assignment to me by midnight, and submit a completed printout by the next working day, I will lessen the penalty to 1/3 of a letter grade (but again, no bonus, so that's still 2/3 of a letter grade less than what an on-time paper would have earned)

Late

If you can get your late paper to me within a week, I'll accept it without further penalty. After a week, late papers earn half credit; at the two-week mark, the assignment will be recorded as a zero.

(In the event of a severe illness or prolonged emergency, I will of course consider alternative arrangements.)

If you are absent from or very late to class (without an approved excuse) on a day when a major assignment is due, the assignment will be counted as late.

7.4. Visits and Out-of-class Resources

The class visits the Library and the Harlan Gallery each semester, and has the opportunity to fulfill the theater appreciation requirement of the Portfolio as a class.  The Writing Center is available at no additional cost to all students, and is an excellent resource to assist students in acquiring or refining skills in written expression. 

Students who would benefit from more intensive assistance than I can provide during an ordinary classroom session will be referred to the Writing Center. In some cases, I may simply suggest a visit to the writing center; in other cases, I may require it.

Students may make up an assignment with no diminution in grade only if the instructor is notified and the student has a legitimate excuse.  Consult the Seton Hill University Catalog (page 28, under the heading Excused Absences) a discussion of excuses that can be considered legitimate. Note also that at Seton Hill University, it is the vice president for academic affairs -- not the instructor -- that makes the decision whether to excuse an absence.

8 Grading

8.1 What Gets Graded Revision of Essay 1 or 2 20% Revision of Essay 3 30% Oral Research Presentation 10% Drafts & Informal Writing 15% Class Participation 15% Portfolio 10%   100%

8.2 What the Grades Mean A 93.0% to 100% A- 90.0% to 92.9% B+ 87.0% to 89.9% B 83.0% to 86.9% B- 80.0% to 82.9% C+ 77.0% to 79.9% C 73.0% to 76.9% C- 70.0% to 72.9% D+ 67.0% to 69.9% D 63.0% to 66.9% D- 60.0% to 62.9% F 59.9% to 0%

Seton Hill University has made a commitment to providing every student with the resources that he or she needs in order to succeed. A formal request for special accommodation must come from the administration. In a pinch I will do my best to accommodate you when asked, but a long-term strategy to help you succeed is not something that I am trained to provide.

University Disability Statement

Disability

If you have a disability that may require consideration by the instructor, you should contact the Coordinator of Disabled Student Services at 724-838-4295 or bassi@setonhill.edu.  It is recommended that this be accomplished by the second week of class.  It is not necessary to disclose to your instructor the nature of your disability.  If you need accommodations for successful participation in class activities prior to your appointment at the Disabled Students Services Office, you should offer information in writing which includes suggestions for assistance in participating in and completing class assignments.

Academic Dishonesty

Seton Hill University expects that all its students will practice academic honesty and ethical conduct. The University regards plagiarism, cheating on examinations, falsification of papers, non-sanctioned collaboration, and misuse or illegal use of library material, computer material, or any other material, published or unpublished, as violations of academic honesty.

8. Course Outline

Texts	STW (Tu & Th)
Purchase	No new books
Download
Library E-Reserve
Week 1	STW (Tu & Th)
12 Jan
13 Jan	Welcome Back; course overview; discussion on class activities Review: Precision and Focus Preview: "Family Story" assignment (Tell a family story in 3 minutes; time yourself carefully)
14 Jan
15 Jan	Discussion: Service Due "Ex 1: Reflection Paper -- Going Home Again" (500 well-chosen words) Begin: Family Story presentations
16 Jan
Week 2	STW (Tu & Th)
19 Jan	Take the Day On
20 Jan	Due "Ex 2: Reflection Paper -- Take the Day On" Preview "Ex 3: Section 1 Researched Response" Family Story presentations continue
21 Jan
22 Jan	Read: Introduction to Section 1; Visual Portfolio; preview section 1 "Harmony at Home: The Myth of the Model Family" Due: Ex 3 In class: Discuss introduction and visual portfolio; choose 3 Readings Family Story presentations conclude
23 Jan
Week 3	STW (Tu & Th)
26 Jan
27 Jan	Discussion, reading assignment 1, Section 1 Preview "Ex 4: Preliminary Thesis & Bibliography, Essay 1"
28 Jan
29 Jan	Discussion, reading assignment 2, Section 1 Due: Ex 4
30 Jan
Week 4	STW (Tu & Th)
02 Feb
03 Feb	Discussion, reading assignment 3, Section 1 Due: First Draft, Essay 1 Preview Ex 5
04 Feb
05 Feb	Read: Introduction to Section 5; Visual Portfolio; preview "Created Equal: The Myth of the Melting Pot" Due: Ex 5 In class: Discuss introduction and visual portfolio; choose 3 Readings
06 Feb
Week 5	STW (Tu & Th)
09 Feb
10 Feb	Discussion, reading assignment 1, Section 5
11 Feb
12 Feb	Discussion, reading assignment 2, Section 5
13 Feb	Recommended: As You Like It 10:30am
Week 6	STW (Tu & Th)
16 Feb
17 Feb	Due: Revision, Essay 1
18 Feb
19 Feb	Discussion, reading assignment 3, Section 5 Due: First Draft, Essay 2
20 Feb
Break	STW (Tu & Th)
23 Feb	Spring Break
24 Feb	Spring Break
25 Feb	Spring Break
26 Feb	Spring Break
27 Feb	Spring Break
Week 7	STW (Tu & Th)
01 Mar
02 Mar	Research Workshop Due "Ex 6: As You Like It Reflection Paper"
03 Mar
04 Mar	Research Workshop
05 Mar
Week 8	STW (Tu & Th)
08 Mar
09 Mar	Harlan Gallery Visit
10 Mar
11 Mar	Due "Ex 7: Harlan Gallery Reflection" Peer-Review Ex 7
12 Mar
Week 9	STW (Tu & Th)
15 Mar
16 Mar	Preview Ex 9 (designed by RTA) Oral Presentation Workshop
17 Mar
18 Mar	In-class: "Ex 8 Informal Oral Presentation" (4 minutes; on your term paper topic; include a one-page handout for the class and a properly-formatted list of works cited) (Grade will be assigned after you compile peer feedback and complete a reflection worksheet; TBA)
19 Mar
Week 10	STW (Tu & Th)
22 Mar
23 Mar	Peer-review Workshop Due: Term Paper (first draft; 2 copies)
24 Mar
25 Mar	RTA Leads Session Due: Ex 9
26 Mar
Week 11	STW (Tu & Th)
29 Mar
30 Mar	Formal Oral Presentations (Bring blank videotape; 8 minutes + 1p handout + 1p research documentation)
31 Mar
1 Apr	Formal Oral Presentations
2 Apr
Week 12	STW (Tu & Th)
5 Apr
6 Apr	Formal Oral Presentations
7 Apr	Easter Break
8 Apr	Easter Break
9 Apr	Easter Break
Week 12 (cont’d)	STW (Tu & Th)
12 Apr	Easter Break
13 Apr	Easter Break
14 Apr
15 Apr	No class (Consultations)
16 Apr
Week 13	STW (Tu & Th)
19 Apr	Due: By noon on Monday: Term Paper (final draft)
20 Apr	Discussion: Practical Tips for Surviving Freshman Year Preview "Ex 10: Surviving Your First Year at SHU" Discussion: Portfolio
21 Apr
22 Apr	Due: Selected Portfolio Assignments (TBA) Discussion: Reflection on Course Instructor/Course Evaluation
23 Apr
Week 14	STW (Tu & Th)
26 Apr
27 Apr	Discussion: Reflections on Thinking and Writing Flashback to August 2003  (Connections "Letter to Myself" and STW "Letter" exercise) Due: Portfolio
28 Apr
29 Apr	Due: "Ex 10" Course wrap-up
30 Apr
Finals	STW (Tu & Th)
3 May
4 May
5 May
6 May
7 May

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