Sarah Hochstetler

~WRIT 2 (Spring 07): Syllabus~

Home | Research | Curriculum Vitae

WRIT 2: Academic Writing

University of California, Santa Barbara

E-mail address: teachlit_00@yahoo.com | Office: South Hall 5432-D

Office hours: By Appointment | Mailbox: South Hall 1519

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for academic writing across the disciplines. Students in Writing 2 will be reading excerpts on Science, Social Science and Humanities from the required text Writing about the World as well as practicing composition skills via the A Writer's Reference handbook. They will practice several methods of independent and collaborative writing in and out of class, including journaling and essay writing in a variety of formats. This will prepare students for the varied approaches to writing in a university setting.

Required Texts and Materials

Writing about the World , Eds. McLeod, Jarvis, Spear (available at campus bookstore)

A Writer's Reference , Diana Hacker, 5 th edition (available at campus bookstore)

2 Pocket folder (used to turn in portfolio assignments)

Internet & E-mail account (active and accessible)

College Dictionary & Mini-stapler (optional but recommended)

Guidelines for Paper Submission

•  Typed, double spaced, twelve-point font, in Times New Roman.

•  Page numbers in the upper right-hand corner.

•  Use the default margins in Microsoft Word: (top and bottom = 1"; left and right = 1.25").

•  Do not alter the font size, line spacing or margin widths to change the length of the paper.

•  Always staple papers prior to submission.

•  Include rough drafts and peer reviews with each final portfolio.

•  Always proofread and edit before handing in work.

•  Students must be present in class to turn in assignments.

•  All work must be submitted on time - late work will not be accepted.

Assignments

All major essays will be accompanied by a prompt detailing the writing assignment's expectations and a grading rubric. Unless otherwise noted, all assignments will follow the format noted above. Heading will be in the upper left-hand corner of the first page and will include: student name, course title, instructor's name and date. Please do not include a cover page. Writing assignments--especially essays--that deviate from the specified format will result in a loss of points or may be considered incomplete. Late work is not accepted under any circumstances.

Grading

•  Group Presentation 10%

•  Unit I: Writing in the Sciences 25%

•  Unit II: Writing in the Social Sciences 25%

•  Unit III: Writing in the Humanities 25%

•  Participation 15%

TOTAL 100%

Important Information

E-Mail: Please check your email daily for class bulletins such as assignment or lecture information. When sending assignments via email, please identify yourself with a signature.

Attendance: This is a workshop setting rather than a lecture; therefore, your attendance is mandatory. You are expected to come to class on time and prepared for the day. Coming to class late is disruptive and will affect your participation grade. Your overall grade may be lowered if you are marked absent for two or more class sessions. Even if you are unable to attend, you are responsible for all readings, assignments and/or work done in class.

Revision Policy: Because revision is such an integral part of the writing process, and because no piece of writing is ever “finished,” you have the opportunity to revise the essays in Units I and II. Unfortunately, time does not allow for revision of the final Unit III essay. To take advantage of this opportunity, please arrange a conference with me to discuss your revision strategy within one week. (Please Note: Revision not taken seriously will not raise your grade and may, in fact, lower the original grade. I retain the option of denying the revision opportunity.)

Office Hours: My office hours are after class and by appointment. I am happy to discuss questions regarding the course during office hours, by appointment or via e-mail. However, grades will not be discussed via email.

Plagiarism: Do not plagiarize. Plagiarism may result in immediate failure on the assignment as well as disciplinary action by the University. Refer to Hacker's text or to any number of the academic websites devoted to the topic for correct citation techniques.

Students with Special Needs: If you are a student with a disability and would like to discuss special accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible after the first class meeting. If you need additional assistance with writing, please see CLAS at www.clas.ucsb.edu . CLAS helps students increase mastery of course material through tutoring and academic skills development.

A Final Note

Back to WRIT 2...