Office: SH 402D, Office Hours: R 12:15-1:50 and by appointment

Phone: 424-5076

Email: mdwiggins@mail.millikin.edu

Home Page: http://faculty.milikin.edu/~mdwiggins

John Dos Passos, Manhattan Transfer

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God

Course packet (You will be billed)

Course Objectives:

Welcome to CWRRII. Together I hope we can discover some pretty neat things about our culture by examining the writers and the issues between the years 1918--1945. Money was paramount in the texts and on minds of the people during this time period.

First and foremost, this is a research class. I hope we will discover some pretty neat things about how to research, about why research is important, and about how we can effectively contribute to the academic writing community. The semester’s primary focus will be an extensive research project. Peer evaluations and group work will be used extensively. Because writing cannot be separated from reading and thinking about text, those challenges will draw not only on your writing skills, but also on your critical thinking and reading abilities. The best way to develop and hone these skills is to read, write, and think together as an academic writing community. Therefore, in this course, you will engage in reading, writing, and thinking critically about various kinds of texts.

 Requirements:

• Written papers: We will write one extensive research paper this semester and present it. This paper is worth 150 points. All drafts and process sheets need to be turned in with the paper. The paper will be graded on focus, organization, development, style and awareness of audience, mechanics, and process. We will also write two short essays in response to our readings. These will be worth 50 points each. All papers are to be typed double-spaced and your name and section number placed in the upper left-hand corner. I generally do not accept late papers without prior approval or a really great excuse (death, hospital, and the likes).

• Oral presentation: There will also be a group presentation/annotated bibliography dealing with an author and his/her writings. This is worth 50 points. More about this later.
• 5 Literature response papers. The papers are one page, typed single space responses to the literature we read this semester. There are several dates from which you can choose. These are worth 10 points each for a total of 50 points.

• Daily assignments: We will have many reading assignments and some written assignments to go along with them. Also, expect pop quizzes during the semester. This is worth 40 points. It is in your best interest to do them. It also makes for lively class discussion if you are prepared.

• Class participation points will also be given. This is worth 10 points.

Attendance: Attendance is required. Students who miss more than 3 class periods will have their grade lowered one letter grade. Interaction among members of the class is vital to the learning experience; if you aren’t here, it can’t happen. If there is a problem please talk to me.

Plagiarism: My policy on plagiarism, presenting another person’s written work as your own, is simple--if you do it, you flunk the class. Please consult the handbook for the university’s policy. See me if you are unsure about what plagiarism is or if you need help correctly incorporating material into your paper.

Grading scale: As you can see, you can receive a total of 450 points. Grade will be assigned as followed:

360-400=A

320-459=B

280-319=C

240-279=D

Below 240=F  

Special needs: Students who have special needs and seek accommodations, please see me for information.

 Disclaimer: If necessary, the syllabus can change, so if you feel we are going too fast or too slow, tell me and we can change things.

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