EngC 1011 University Writing and Critical Reading

Kevin L. Callahan

EngC Writing Instructor

call0031@tc.umn.edu

(612) 623-7685

Educational Goals:

1. One of the goals of this course is to assist students to create at least one "perfect academic writing sample" that could be attached to future job resumes. There will be several editing practice/peer review sessions and pregrading sessions scheduled on the major research paper to catch and correct any mechanical or stylistic problems.

2. Students should be able to compose a major research paper that "synthesizes" or thoughtfully combines a line or course of interdisciplinary study. Students should be able to fairly and adequately summarize, critically analyze assumptions and reasoning, and persuasively comment on ideas appearing in academic books and journal articles. Students should be able to clearly express an evaluative opinion and attempt to persuade an audience of their own imaginative proposition or thesis.

3. Students should be able to write using the component parts of an APA formatted paper including a Cover Sheet, Abstract, Body of the Text, References, and Appendix (e.g. Illustrations).

Instructions:

Research and write a 10 page major paper citing a minimum of 2 books and 2 academic journal articles (Those sources are in addition to the prior reading assignments in the class.) Six pages of the 10 page paper should be reserved for the text of the paper. Four pages are for the Cover Page (1 page), Abstract (1 page), References (1 page), and Appendix (1 page). The Appendix and References can be longer than 1 page. Illustrations in the Appendix should have a caption and a citation. In most cases the paper should consistently use the past tense to describe any previously published studies and can include direct quotations (citing to pages).

The paper should also refer to and incorporate in a "synthetic" way the ideas from at least two of the articles read earlier in the course i.e., Ronald Siegel's article on "Hallucinations," "Sheila and the Swastikas," or Michael Harner's article on hallucinogens, medieval witchcraft, and lycanthropy.

There will be 2 peer review sessions and two pregrading workshops on this major research paper over a period of two weeks to catch and correct all mechanical and stylistic problems. The workshops are scheduled in the same manner as if you were writing two separate three page papers.

Assigned: Tuesday, March 20.

Course points: 80 points

NOTE: Spring Break is during the week of March 26. No Classes.

First Draft Due of the Cover Sheet, References, and first 3 pages of the body of the text: Tuesday, April 3 (the Tuesday after Spring Break ends) with copies for the Editing Practice/Peer Review Workshop on that day.

Pregrading Draft Due: Thursday, April 5 with 1 copy for the Pregrading Workshop on that day.

Final Draft (of the first half) Due: Tuesday, April 10. The Final Draft of the Cover Sheet, References, and first 3 pages of the body of the text of the completed research paper.

First Draft Due of the last 3 pages of the body of the text, Abstract, and Appendix: Tuesday, April 10 with copies for the Editing Practice/Peer Review Workshop on that day.

Pregrading Draft Due: Thursday, April 12 with 1 copy for the Pregrading Workshop on that day.

Final Draft Due: Tuesday, April 17. The Final Draft of the completed research paper.

The Final Draft of the abstract, text, and references of the completed research paper must be posted on the class bulletin board. The cover sheet and appendix need not be posted.

NOTE: There is no class on Thursday, April 19th. The instructor will be at a conference.