WRT 205 Schedule, Spring 2004

Rebecca Moore Howard
Office: 237 HB Crouse
Office hours: Tuesdays 1:15-2:15; Thursdays 11:15-2:15; and by appointment
Telephone: 443-1620
E-mail: rehoward@syr.edu
Home page http://wrt-howard.syr.edu

Schedule of Assignments
WRT 205, Critical Inquiry and Research:
Engaging Presidential Politics
Unit 4: Taking a Stand
Spring 2004
Time: TTh 2:30-3:40
Place: 323 HB Crouse
Course website: http://wrt-howard.syr.edu/Syllabi/205S04/Syl205S04.html


In this unit, you will draw on peer-reviewed sources to develop your own argument about one issue that is being taken up by one or more of the Presidential candidates this year--or an issue that you believe they should be taking up.

  • What issue do you want to argue about, and why?
  • How are the candidates addressing (or avoiding) this issue?
  • What can you learn from experts on the topic?
  • What do you consider to be the plausible or stances that a well-informed, reasonable person might take on this issue?
  • What position do you take, and why?
  • Who would benefit if everyone agreed with you? How would they benefit? Who would suffer, and how?
    • An important note: Your fourth paper (which is due on May 6) will be an argument on a campaign issue. To complete this assignment successfully, you must do the assigned preliminary work, on schedule. Parts of this preliminary work are due at almost every class meeting for Unit 4. For each of these preliminary assignments that are not handed in on schedule and thoroughly prepared, your grade for the fourth paper will be lowered by one-third of a letter grade--from a "B-" to a "C+," for example. Talk to me about any problems this might raise for you.

    Thursday, April 8
    Begin Unit 4, "Taking a Stand"

    Preparation for class:
  • In Howard 17, study section 17a6.
    Bring to class:
    1. Howard 17
    2. A copy of your paper 3
    In class:
    1. Developing a frame of analysis
    2. Schedule small groups for April 13 & 20
    3. Schedule individual conferences for April 26-30

    • Tuesday, April 13

    Preparation for class:
  • Conduct background research for your issue, developing a frame of analysis for your argument. (Maintain records of sources consulted.) Write up your results in one or two paragraphs. Put your name and the date at the top of the page. (I'll ask you to hand this in.)
    Bring to class:
    1. A list of the sources you consulted for today's assignment
    2. 2 copies of your writing for today's assignment
    3. Howard 17
    In small groups:
  • Developing a frame of analysis Group meetings in 323 HBC:
    Please arrive ahead of your scheduled time, take a seat, and wait for your group session to begin. 2:30-2:45 Phil, Dale, & Brendon
    2:45-3:00 Ryan & Rachel
    3:00-3:15 Joe, Betsy, & Pat
    3:15-3:30 Gretchen & Chris
    3:30-3:45 Matt, Jon, Missy, Justine, Ashley, David, Ben, Mollie

    • Thursday, April 15: No class meeting today

    Tuesday, April 20

    Preparation for class:
    1. In Howard 19, study sections 19a2-6.
    2. In 1-2 sentences, write a preliminary thesis for your fourth paper. Then list the reasons (1-2 sentences each) you believe this thesis to be true. For each of your reasons, indicate the source of your evidence. Put your name and the date at the top of the page. (I'll ask you to hand this in.)
    Bring to class:
    1. Howard 19
    2. 4 copies of your writing for today's assignment
    In class:
    1. Preparation for the No Bull Diversity Summit (27 April, 7 p.m., 500 HL)
    2. Developing the argument

    Thursday, April 22

    Preparation for class:
    1. In Howard 19, study section 19b.
    2. Write a full draft of your fourth paper. Put your name and the date at the top of the first page. (I'll ask you to hand this in.)
    Before class:
  • Send me an electronic version of your draft.
    Bring to class:
    1. Howard 19
    2. Four copies of your writing for today's assignment
    In class:
    1. How to work with quotation, summary, and paraphrase
    2. Course evaluations

    • Tuesday, April 27: individual conferences

    Preparation for conference:
  • Revise your draft of paper #4
    Bring to conference:
  • Two copies of paper #4--one for you and one for me
    In conference:
  • Develop a final draft of paper #4

    • Thursday, May 6, 12:15 p.m.: Final research paper due

    Submit your paper both electronically (as an attached email) and in hard copy. If you have an electronic copy to me by May 4, I'll be able to send you my responses to the paper. If you wait until May 6, I'll only be able to give you a grade and not feedback.



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