Spring 2021 Log into Canvas
This is a "real time" syllabus that will be regularly updated and reflect our progress throughout the semester. You can easily check it from a mobile device or from any computer.
The syllabus consists of the Reading Schedule and Course Policies. You are responsible for understanding and following the reading schedule and the course policies, which are in effect from the first day of class. Please read them carefully (and review them throughout the semester). Please see me if you have any questions.
Think of the syllabus as a flexible guide. It will structure our semester, but we will adjust it to fit our needs as the semester progresses. Not all assignments and quizzes are listed at the beginning of the semester; some will be added throughout the semester. It may also be necessary to finish some readings/writing assignments the following class period, in which case I will update the syllabus after each class. Again, be sure to check the syllabus regularly.
You do not need to print the syllabus, but if you decide to, be sure to check the online syllabus regularly for new information, added assignments, or reading schedule changes. The print icon above is for print copies.
Our main vehicle this semester will be the course website, but we will use Canvas for some things, such as discussion posts or for accessing video. We will not use the Canvas Gradebook; instead, the Grade Sheet on our Course Notes page (on the course website) will help you track assignments and grades.
We will use three texts for the course to help you learn about the writing process as well as writing about sports. These texts are not an unnecessary expense or burden but rather helpful resources we will use in class and you will use outside of class to help you become a more effective writer. You will use the grammar handbook, Rules for Writers, for this course, English 202, and other courses until you graduate. The following acronyms are used on the Reading Schedule.
TSGW=The St. Martin's Guide to Writing
SL=Sports in Literature
RW=Rules for Writers
Readings and assignments should be finished for the day assigned. For example, chapter 1 from TSGW should be read (completed) by January 29, when we will discuss it. Check each class period to see what book(s) you need to bring.
| JANUARY | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Wednesday | Friday |
| 25
Course Introduction: Why Write about Sports? Pre-semester quiz Review Course Website (Syllabus, Course Notes)/Canvas site | 27
Go over presemester quiz Review Course Website (Syllabus, Course Notes)/Canvas site |
29 TSGW - Ch 1: Composing Literacy Discuss Hank Aaron article (1/25 email) |
| FEBRUARY | ||
| Monday | Wednesday | Friday |
| 01
TSGW - Finish Ch 1 Introduce Sports Poetry Analysis: Choose ONE poem (below) to analyze (See Course Notes) SL--Sports poetry (Read these poems--"In the Pocket" (p 24); "The Sprinters" (p 121); "The Pitcher" (pp 19-20) Planning: See cluster diagram, TSGW, 420-21. Try this for the poem you wish to write about |
03 Sports Poetry Analysis (see Feb 1) (see
Course Notes) Discuss poems - SL Bring your cluster diagram (TSGW) to class--for the poem you will write about. (see Feb 1) Drafting strategies/Have draft for Friday's class |
05 TSGW - Ch 13 Cueing the Reader SL - Sports Poetry Analysis (see Course Notes) Bring the following to class for discussion: **Cluster diagram **Draft (Bring a hard copy or your laptop/tablet. Even if you bring your laptop, you might bring a hard copy too.) Focus on thesis statement, formatting, paragraphing (topic sentences) |
| 08 TSGW -Finish Ch 13 SL - Sports Poetry Analysis Bring the following to class: **Cluster diagram **Draft (Bring a hard copy or your laptop/tablet. Even if you bring your laptop, you might bring a hard copy too.) Focus on supporting points: examples/quotations--analysis RW - Ch 14 Coordination & Subordination: (Preview this chapter/Concept: What is Coordination? Subordination?) | 10 Final questions/review: Sports Poetry Analysis Final Thoughts Chpts 1 & 13 ---------------------------- Taking notes for a movie Essay 1 - Introduction: Evaluation Essay (Movie Review) of movie The Way Back PPt Notes--Course Notes (Discuss in class) Audience Sheet--Course Notes (Preview this) TSGW - Ch 8: Preview/skim to get a sense of key ideas/strtegies Watch The Way Back by 2/16 (Access on Canvas) Take notes during and after watching the movie. Do not look up reviews online to avoid plagiarism 12 Essay 1 - Planning |
Taking notes for a movie Developing criteria TSGW - Invention Strategy--Scratch Outline, pp 422-23 Audience Sheet--Course Notes TSGW - Ch 8, p 320 (Organizing an evaluation) Sports Poetry Analysis Due at the beginning of class--print copy (Only fully online students submit via Canvas before class begins.) |
| 15
Essay
1 - Planning Discuss these reviews TSGW - Ch 8: Scott Pilgrim review, pp 292-97; Moana (Disney) review, pp 297-300. Also, pp 289-291; 300-301; 305-306 Have notes on Ch 8 **Judgment, p 316 **Reasons, p 317 **Organization, p 320 Review Scratch Outline & Audience Sheet Outside of Class **Once you screen the movie, begin working on your scratch outline and aud sheet |
17
Essay 1 - Planning Discuss these reviews TSGW - Ch 8: Scott Pilgrim review, pp 292-97; Moana (Disney) review, pp 297-300. Also, pp 289-291; 300-301; 305-306 Begin discussion of The Way Back (Bring movie notes to class) **Judgment, p 316 **Reasons, p 317 **Organization, p 320 Outside of Class **Work on your scratch outline and audience sheet | 19
Essay 1 - Planning Discuss The Way Back (Bring movie notes to class) **Bring to your scratch outline (plot summary can be on a separate sheet) & aud sheet **I will go around class and look at your movie notes Review TSGW, Ch 8 as needed Outside of class For Monday, you might begin drafting your review over the weekend: intro paragraph. See TSGW for advice |
| 22 Essay 1 - Drafting in class: Bring your laptop to class **Audience sheet & scratch outline should be completed Work on drafting pgs 1-1.5 of your review. Focus on judgment, plot summary, and reasons Bring movie/class notes, scratch outline, audience sheet, TSGW (pp 315-22/sample reviews) RW - Ch 14 (Coordination and Subordination) |
24
Essay 1 - Drafting in class: Bring your laptop to class You'll continue your draft in progress. You should have completed at least 1.5 pages of your draft. Focus on judgment and reasons; conclusion **I will check scratch outlines + audience sheets Work on pgs 1.5-3 of your review. Focus on judgment and reasons; conclusion Bring notes, scratch outline, audience sheet, TSGW (pp 315-22/sample reviews) As time allows **RW - Ch 14 **Discuss movie |
26 Essay 1: Peer Review--Must Attend
In Person Review Peer Review Policy (see syllabus) TSGW, pp 322-24 (preview peer review questions) 1. Copy of Audience Sheet (typed) 2. Copy of completed draft, (typed): three pages minimum/3.5 max 3. Bring TSGW & RW Electronic or handwritten copies of your audience sheet or draft are NOT acceptable for peer review |
| MARCH | ||
| Monday | Wednesday | Friday |
| 01 Essay
1: Return Peer Review Materials
Discuss assessment with partner Revision/Editing Chart (Handout); TSGW, pp 324-27 Formatting final copy of review - in class |
03 Essay 1: Revision, Editing, Proofreading Bring a "clean" copies of your essay & aud sheet (do not revise and edit on your peer review drafts--but you can still bring these). Try formatting your draft in columns as we discussed in class on Monday and bring it to class Bring completed revision/editing chart & scratch outline Check format of final copy of review (see PPt slides) TSGW - Scott Pilgrim revision notes: pp 327-28 (Writer at Work). Ch 8/pp 324-327 (Improving the Draft)/315-22 Revision **Judgment (TSGW, p 316) Editing **RW - Ch 15 (Sentence Variety); Ch 8 (Active Verbs) |
05
Essay 1: Revision, Editing, Proofreading Bring drafts from Wed (3/3) or latest copies. Bring a copy of your draft formatted in columns Discuss sports poetry analysis essay Finish discussing The Way Back (themes/minor characters) Revision **Audience Sheet **Reasons (TSGW, p 317) Essay 1: Peer Review Materials Due: Essay Draft + Aud Sheet Draft + Partner's Responses (Notebook Paper). Paper clip these (do not staple) |
| 08 Final Thoughts - Essay 1: Evaluation (Movie
Review) (Bring all three books) Bring drafts from Fri (3/5) or latest copies. Bring a copy of your draft formatted in columns Briefly discuss "Birds of Prey" review (handout) Revision (TSGW, Ch 8) ** Plot Summary **Conclusion **Topic Sentences Editing **RW - Ch 8 (Active Verbs)/Chpts 14, 15 Proofreading ------------------------------------------ Assign 1: Personal Sports Narratives TSGW, Ch 2 (12; 15, 38-48). Note key pages/strategies Readings from SL: Preview these personal sports narratives. You will choose ONE of these for Assign 1. We begin looking at these in class 1. "Finding Myself" - 10; 2. "Four-Minute Mile" - 38 3. "In the Swim" - 56 |
10
Assign 1: Discuss SL
readings. See study questions on Course Notes page for Assign 1 **Discussion of "In the Swim" & "Finding Myself" TSGW, Ch 2 (pp 12; 15, 38-48); Ch 11 (pp 420-21 cluster diagram) **Finalize your choice of the ONE narrative you will write about--by Friday before class Essay 1 Due: Scratch Outline (Handwritten OR Typed) + Revision/Editing Chart + Aud Sheet (Final Copy) + Essay (Final Copy). Paper clip these (do not staple) | 12Assign 1: Discuss SL
readings. See study questions on Course Notes page for Assign 1 Discussion of narratives: **Finish "In the Swim"; "Finding Myself" (Consider the first three pars.) TSGW, Ch 2 (pp 12; 15, 38-48); Ch 11 (pp
420-21 cluster diagram). Bring cluster diagram of the
narrative you are writing about to class
in notebook **Begin previewing/reading short stories for Essay 2--see 3/29. You should be reading stories and taking notes on all stories--have an organized system of taking notes for each story
|
| 15 Assign 1: Drafting SL - Discussion: Finish "Finding Myself" (pp 14-16); "Four-Minute Mile"/Review of all three personal sports narratives. (For "Four-Minute Mile," watch the video of the actual race--see Course Notes) Begin drafting--bring laptop to class. As you draft, consult planning work, e.g., cluster diagram, discussion notes, Course Notes study questions, TSGW: Ch 2. **I'll come around to check cluster maps Use of quotations (RW: 37e, 298-300) Formatting - essay will be pasted into body of an email/using an appropriate subject line RW - Ch 23: Pronoun Clarity |
17 Assign 1: Drafting Continue drafting--bring laptop to class. As you draft, consult planning work, e.g., completed cluster diagram, discussion notes, Course Notes study questions, TSGW: Ch 2 Use of quotations (RW: 37e, 298-300) Formatting - essay will be pasted into body of an email/using an appropriate subject line RW - Ch 32: Commas (32a-e) **Begin previewing/reading short stories for Essay 2--see 3/29. You should be reading stories and taking notes on all stories--have an organized system of taking notes for each story |
19
Assign 1: Revision, Editing, Formatting Continuing drafting/review draft: bring laptop to class or hard copy of your draft. Consult planning work, e.g., completed cluster diagram, discussion notes, Course Notes study questions, TSGW: Ch 2 SL: Personal Sports Narratives **Final questions/thoughts about drafts Use of quotations (RW: 37e, 298-300) RW - Ch 32: Commas (32a-e) Formatting - email |
| 22 SPRING BREAK |
24 SPRING BREAK |
26 SPRING BREAK | 29
Review of Assign 1 Bring draft (print copy) to class along with laptop if desired Bring SL (review narratives), cluster map, notes -------------------------- Essay 2: Introduction - Literary Analysis about Sports Fiction Preview Course Notes: Essay 2 - All links You must read all stories, but you will choose ONE to write about. (You should have already previewed these and even read one or two). If you were absent on our last class meeting before break, then you do not have the two handouts "The 7-10 Split"--SL "Doe Season" (handout) "56 - 0" (handout) "Raymond's Run"--SL "Tennis"--SL **Choose your story for Essay 2 by 4/2. Once you choose a story, you cannot change it. You should be reading stories and taking notes on all stories--have an organized system of taking notes for each story Planning: TSGW - Ch 10. Note key pages/strategies Formal Outline: RW pp 13-14; TSGW, pp 424-25 |
31
Essay 2 - Planning PPt Notes (Course Notes) Reading and Writing about Literature (Lecture). We will combine this lecture with preliminary discussion of the stories. TSGW, pp 391-95 (thesis)/All of Ch 10 **Formal Outline: RW, pp 13-14; TSGW, pp 424-25 **Audience Sheet (Course Notes)/Also see "Notes on thesis statement," etc--Course Notes) Assign 1 Due TH (4/1) via email (not through Canvas) by 5pm. Essay should be in the body of the email as we discussed in class. Do not send as an attachment or Google Docs link |
02 April See Below |
| APRIL | ||
| Monday | Wednesday | Friday |
| 29March See Above | 31
March See Above |
02
Essay 2 - Planning (Bring your laptop to class) Story Choice Assignment Due (Must be typed) Finish Reading and Writing about Literature (Lecture). We will combine this lecture with preliminary discussion of the stories. TSGW, pp 391-95 (thesis)/All of Ch 10 Focused Freewriting, TSGW, p 428 **Formal Outline: RW, pp 13-14; TSGW, pp 424-25 **Audience Sheet (Course Notes)/Also see "Notes on thesis statement," etc--Course Notes) |
| 05
Essay 2: Planning Quiz - short stories (all 5 are in play). Fully online folks will take the quiz on Canvas after class--not during class. Directions on Canvas. Discuss sample Essays, TSGW, pp 382 & 386 Begin working on formal sent outline + audience sheet. Audience sheet must be typed. Work on these all of next week **Formal Outline: RW, pp 13-14; TSGW, pp 424-25 **Audience Sheet (Course Notes)/Also see "Notes on thesis statement," etc) TSGW, Ch 10 (Introduction, p 400; Thesis, pp 379-80; Well-Supported Argument, pp 380-81; Organization, pp 381-82) | 07
Essay 2: Planning Discuss sample Essays, TSGW, pp 382 & 386 Discussion of Short Stories Use reading notes + all stories (SL + handouts) Be prepared to discuss stories/ask questions as a class We will discuss "The 7-10 Split" & "Raymond's Run" Continue working on formal sent outline + audience sheet. Audience sheet must be typed. Work on these all of next week
| 09
Essay 2: Planning Bring your formal sent outline and audience sheet to class--drafts in progress. I will check these. Discussion of Stories Use reading notes + all stories (SL + handouts) Be prepared to discuss stories/ask questions Finish "Raymond's Run" & "The 7-10 Split." We will then begin discuss "Doe Season." If time allows, we'll begin "Tennis." Continue working on formal outline and audience sheet **You might begin drafting your essay--introduction (including thesis statement) |
| 12
Essay 2: Planning (Bring your formal sent outline to class--in progress) Discussion of Stories Use reading notes + all stories (SL + handouts) Be prepared to discuss stories/ask questions Continue with "Tennis." Then we will discuss "56-0." As time allows, go back to other stories (Answer the questions from Friday's class about "R's R" and "DS") Continue working on formal outline and audience sheet. **Ahead of Wed, you might begin drafting your essay--introduction (including thesis statement) |
14 Essay 2: Drafting Use reading notes + all stories (SL + handouts) Finish discussing stories--as needed Draft 1-2 pgs: Bring your laptop **Use Aud Sheet draft--in progress--and Formal Sentence Outline. (Revise your formal outline as you draft, like you did for your evaluation essay) **Use Aud Sheet draft--in progress--and completed Formal Sentence Outline. (Revise your formal outline as you draft, like you did for your evaluation essay) Resources for drafting TSGW, Ch 10 Thesis: pp 396-97 Support: pp 397-98 Sample Essays: pp 382 & 386) Consult Reading notes, PowerPt notes, Focused freewriting, Stories Integrating Quotations: See Power Pt notes (RW); also TSGW, pp 546-51 |
16
Essay 2: Drafting.
Everyone should have at least 2 pages of the draft
completed. Draft pages 3 & 4 **Use Aud Sheet draft--in progress--and completed Formal Sentence Outline. (Revise your formal outline as you draft, like you did for your evaluation essay) Resources for drafting TSGW, Ch 10 Thesis: pp 396-97 Support: pp 397-98 Sample Essays: pp 382 & 386) Consult Reading notes, PowerPt notes, Focused freewriting, Stories Integrating Quotations: See Power Pt notes (RW); also TSGW, pp 546-51 |
| 19 Essay 2: Peer Review--Must Attend Review Peer Review Policy (see syllabus) TSGW, pp 401-402 (preview peer review questions) 1. Copy of Audience Sheet (typed) 2. Copy of completed draft, including quotations (typed): 3.5 full pages min - 4.5 pages max Have your formal sent outline available in case your partner wants to see it. You can print an extra copy for your partner if you wish Electronic or handwritten copies of your audience sheet or draft are NOT acceptable for peer review |
21
Essay 2: Return Peer Review Docs to Partner **Fully online folks will return peer review docs 15mins before class begins Revision Chklist (handout) Revision (TSGW, Ch 10/Stories: SL + handouts) **Conclusion **Audience Sheet (Q1: profile your audience) Editing **RW, Ch 12 Modification |
23
Essay 2: Revision, Editing,
Proofreading Use a "new" draft of your audience sheet and literary analysis; do not use/write on your peer review drafts. If you bring a laptop, you might also bring a print copy of the essay for use in class Bring completed Revision Chklist, Formal Sent Outline, Audience Sheet. You might also bring peer review docs Discuss stories if/as time allows (SL + handouts) Revision (TSGW, Ch 10/Sample Essays) **Audience Sheet **Conclusion Editing RW, Ch 12/All concepts we've studied: Coord/Subord; Sent Variety, Commas, Active Verbs, Pronoun Clarity |
| 26
Essay 2: Revision,
Editing, Proofreading Use your drafts from Friday of your audience sheet and literary analysis; do not use your peer review drafts Bring completed Revision Chklist, Formal Sent Outline Discuss stories as time allows (SL + handouts) Revision (TSGW, Ch 10/Sample Stories) **Intro/Thesis **Reasons (Support)/Quotations **Organization (Essay/Reasons) Editing RW, Ch 12/All concepts we've studied: Coord/Subord, Commas, Sent Variety, Active Verbs, Pronoun Clarity Essay 2: Peer Review Materials Due: Essay Draft + Aud Sheet Draft + Partner's Responses (Notebook Paper). Paper clip these (do not staple) | 28
Essay 2: Revision, Editing, Proofreading Use your drafts from Monday of your audience sheet and literary analysis Bring completed Revision Chklist, Formal Sent Outline Revision (TSGW, Ch 10/Sample Stories) **Reasons (Support) Examples/Quotations--Analysis **Organization (Essay/Reasons) Editing RW, Ch 12/All concepts we've studied: Coord/Subord, Commas, Sent Variety, Active Verbs, Pronoun Clarity ------------------------------- Assign 2 - Introduction See PPt Slides (Course Notes) **Comic strips - definitions You should choose one strip to write about by Mon, 4/3 1. Take notes/invention docs - TSGW, Ch 11 2. Research - bkgrd info: creators/publication/strip's characters, situations, & issues 3. Quoting from strips? 4. Formatting: see PPt Notes (See Course Notes--Examples of text using headings) | 30
Essay 2: Revision, Editing, Proofreading Use your drafts from Monday of your audience sheet and literary analysis Bring completed Revision Chklist, Formal Sent Outline Revision (TSGW, Ch 10/Sample Stories) **Reasons (Support) Examples/Quotations--Analysis **Organization (Essay/Reasons) Editing RW, Ch 12/All concepts we've studied: Coord/Subord, Commas, Sent Variety, Active Verbs, Pronoun Clarity/Tense ------------------------------- Assign 2 - Introduction/Planning See PPt Slides (Course Notes) **Comic strips - definitions You should choose one strip to write about by Mon, 4/3 1. Take notes/invention docs - TSGW, Ch 11 2. Research - bkgrd info: creators/publication/strip's characters, situations, & issues 3. Quoting from strips? 4. Formatting: see PPt Notes (See Course Notes--Examples of text using headings) |
| MAY | ||
| Monday | Wednesday | Friday |
| 03
Essay 2: Loose threads from our short stories Discuss "R's R" & "The 7-10 Split" (SL + handouts) You can bring your essay draft, etc if you wish ------------------------------------ Assign 2 - Planning (Bring TSGW/RW) You should have choosen the strip you will write about Bring your laptop to class See PPt Slides (Course Notes) **Comic strips - definitions **Review formatting **Invention docs/Audience Assumptions Discuss sample strip - summary, analysis, evaluation Research on strip; notes on strip Begin drafting - Introduction, Summary (for Wed) |
05
Essay 2: Loose threads from our short stories Discuss "DS" & "56-0" (SL + handouts) You can bring your essay draft, etc if you wish -------------------------------- Assign 2 - Planning/Drafting (Bring TSGW/RW) Bring your laptop to class **Organization **Discuss Introduction & Summary sections Bring print copy of your draft to class Research on strip: character names? Citing sources: RW **Websites, parts of websites: pp 450-53 **Comic Strip: p 460 **Article from a database: pp 438-41 Quoting from comic strips? As you draft, consult planning work, e.g., research, invention docs, PPt notes (organization/formatting) Continue drafting - Analysis & Evaluation (for Friday) |
07
Due: Essay 2 docs: Final Essay + Revised Aud Sheet
+ Formal Sentence Outline + Revision Checklist Assign 2 - Planning/Drafting (Bring TSGW/RW) Research/Planning Docs Bring your laptop to class **Organization **Discuss Analysis & Evaluation sections Bring print copy of your draft to class with four sections Citing sources: RW **Websites, parts of websites: pp 450-53 **Comic Strip: p 460 **Article from a database: pp 438-41 Quoting from comic strips? As you draft, consult planning work, e.g., research, invention docs, PPt notes (organization/formatting) |
| 10
Assign 2 - Planning/Drafting
(Bring TSGW/RW) Research/Planning docs Bring your laptop to class **Evaluation section **Introduction section **Organization/Headings Bring print copy of your draft to class with five sections Citing sources: RW **Websites, parts of websites: pp 450-53 **Comic Strip: p 460 **Article from a database: pp 438-41 Quoting from comic strips? As you draft, consult planning work, e.g., research, invention docs, PPt notes (organization/formatting) | 12
Assign 2: Peer-Review--Must Attend (There is no makeup for this peer
review) Bring print version of draft. Minimum length: 1 1/2 pgs Electronic or handwritten copy of your draft is NOT acceptable for peer review If/As time allows, begin revision & editing Revision **Strip Summary **Introduction Editing: RW Proofreading: Essay formatting (TSGW, essay on p. 112)/print quality/spelling
|
14 Assign 2: Revision, Editing, Proofreading
Discuss article on youth sports (5/6 email) Bring "clean" copy of your draft, do not write on peer review copy. If you bring your laptop, bring a print copy too Revision (As time allows): **Analysis, Introduction **Research/Sources: Quoting from strips/other sources/parenthetical, in-text citations Editing: RW Proofreading: Essay formatting (TSGW, essay on p. 112)/print quality/spelling Final Class TH, May 20 |
Finals Week: May 17 - 21
Office Hrs during Finals Week: See website
home page
Final Class Meeting: May 20, TH, 11-12:10, in our usual classroom
Assign 2 +
Draft & Peer-Review Sheet | Due: May 20, during our final class meeting
Course Grades Available on AccessPoint: May 27/28
Because we are in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic, at
all UW-Stevens Point campus locations the wearing of face coverings is
mandatory in all buildings, including classrooms, laboratories, studios, and
other instructional spaces.
Any student with a condition that impacts his or her use of a face covering
should contact the
Disability and Assistive Technology Center
to discuss accommodations in classes. Please
note that unless everyone is wearing a face covering, in-person classes
cannot take place. This is university policy and not up to the discretion of
individual instructors. Failure to adhere to this requirement could result
in formal withdrawal from the course.
Learning Outcomes and Course Description/Objectives
The General Education Program Learning Outcomes for Written Communication (Foundational Skills and Dispositions Level) are as follows:
- Compose an articulate, thoughtful, grammatically correct, and logically organized piece of writing with properly documented and supported ideas, evidence, and information suitable to the topic, purpose, genre, and audience.
- Apply your understanding of elements that shape successful writing to critique and improve your own and others' writing through effective and useful feedback.
English 101
This section of Freshman English is a writing-intensive course that will focus on sports, mainly in the United States. Like all writing courses, this course is designed to give you experience writing for various purposes, for various audiences, and in different contexts. More than just a knowledge of "good grammar," effective writing requires a range of activities, from invention and planning to drafting and revising, that you will practice throughout the semester. All of our assignments, however, will examine ideas about the meaning of sport in our society and how sport shapes our culture and our sense of identity. No one can doubt the central role of sport in our society today, and even throughout the world, so it makes sense to explore why this is the case through reading, thinking, discussing, and writing. Why are we so interested in, obsessed with, and attracted to sport? The appeal of sport has to be more than its entertainment value. Of course, the most notable sports cliche that life is like a game (or is it a game?) underscores the significance of sports for us.
Through sports journalism, popular culture, and literary analysis, we will try to gain insights into these questions. You will find your own experience with sport--either as spectators, participants, or both--is a key source of your knowledge and understanding about it. In addition to thinking carefully about sport as a subject for writing, you will
- Understand how writing is a way of sharing information, expressing viewpoints, bringing about social change, and connecting people, all essential for an inclusive democracy
- Analyze the relationship between the writer and his and her audience as well as the contexts that shape the writing about sport as well as other types of writing
- Integrate reading, planning, drafting, peer review, editing, revision, and proofreading into the writing process with attention to grammatical correctness as a means of effective communication
- Express an understanding of the ways in which sport is a microcosm of society.
The St. Martin's Guide to Writing. Axelrod and Cooper. 12th ed., Bedford/St. Martin's P, 2019.
Sports in Literature. Bruce Emra. 2nd. ed., National Textbook Co., 2000.
Purchase at Bookstore
Rules for Writers at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Hacker and Sommers. 9th. ed., Bedford/St. Martin's P, 2019. **You will use this handbook for English 202 and throughout your university education.
RequirementsDuring the semester, you will complete weekly and longer-term writing assignments dealing with the topic of sports. Class discussions will be the most informative and helpful if the reading assignments have been carefully thought over and all students participate and share ideas. To prepare for class discussions, it will be helpful to take notes. Mark key passages or language that points to central concerns or ideas in the reading assignments. Write out key ideas and concepts along with your thoughts and questions that you have. Throughout the semester you will be required to complete planning assignments and rough drafts. Please be prepared to bring these to class to share with classmates so that we can discuss them and make suggestions for improving them.
During the semester, there will be weekly writing assignments, some quizzes (announced and possibly unannounced), peer review assignments, and several essays. The course grade will be determined mathematically using the percentages below. Please remember that your course grade will be based on the work that you submit, not simply the effort you make or my subjective opinion.
| Course Grade | % |
|---|---|
| Weekly Writing/Quizzes** | 15% |
| Peer Review** | 10% |
| Essay 1 - Movie Review: The Way Back | 25% |
| Essay 2 - Literary Analysis | 30% |
| Assign 1 - Personal Sports Narrative** | 10% |
| Assign 2 - Comic Strip: Girls & Sports** | 10% |
| ** Will be determined by point values: A=10; A- =9; B=8.5; C=7.5; D=6.5; F=5-0//5pts: A=5; B- =4; C- =3.5; D- = 3; F=2.5-0 | |
All work must be completed on time. It is your responsibility to keep copies of all of your planning work, assignments, and quizzes. Some assignments may be submitted via email, and email communication will be required throughout the semester.
Late Assignment Policy: Assignments due on a given day must be submitted at the beginning of the class period. An assignment that is finished but not printed out and ready to hand in is late. Late assignments will be accepted one day after the original due date
(not the next class), but will lose one letter grade or a minimum of one full
point. After that, they will not be accepted. (Assignments due on Friday that are late must be turned in by 5pm.
They will not be accepted on Monday.) Assignments due electronically must be received by the day and time specified. Late email assignments will be accepted 24hrs from the original due date. For any special circumstances, please contact me ahead of time. No incompletes will given in the course.
Essays submitted late will lose 1/3 of a letter grade each day they are late, including weekends (e.g., original grade B. Two days late, C+). For any special circumstances, please contact me ahead of time. It may not be possible to make up some quizzes or assignments.
Peer review: Peer review days are very important because you will receive specific, targeted feedback about your essays and, in turn, provide feedback for a writing partner. This process will help you become a more effective writer. Peer review days are mandatory. If you miss them, you will lose all peer review points. If you do not have all of the required documents, properly prepared, you will lose some points for peer review and your essay grade may be lowered too.
Depending on logistics, we may have to conduct peer review online, but the process will be the same.
For any special circumstances, please contact me ahead of time. It may not be possible to make up peer review.
AttendanceSince this is an in-person class, you need to attend class regularly.
Regular attendance is your responsibility and is essential for success in the course. As stated in the online UWSP Course Catalog (UWSP Course Catalog pgs 25-26), you cannot "cut" classes.
There are no excused or unexcused absences. You have personal days to use and manage as needed: For three-days-a-week classes: 5/For two-days-a-week classes: 3
If you miss a total of two weeks of class (six class meetings for classes meeting three times a week; four class meetings for classes meeting twice a week), you may fail the course. However, if you have to quarrantine, then we will adjust your absence limit.
Zooming into class (if an option) is not a substitue for being in class (in person). If you are not in class, you will be marked absent.
For any students who are fully online, you need to attend class
synchronously--in real time. Watching recordings (if available) is not a
substitute for real-time participation. The same attendance
requirements
for in-person students applies to you.
It may be possible to make up missed assignments/quizzes
with my approval; therefore, it is your responsibility to
contact me to determine work that needs to be completed and to follow up with all logistical requirements.
However, it may not be possible to make up some assignments
or quizzes.
If you are absent, you do not need to email me to explain your absence. If you would like to find out about missed information
or assignments, it is best to stop by during office hours or make an appointment to see me. You can
also email me, but I may not be able to respond before our next class meeting.
However, you should email about an absence if an assignment is due.
During class meetings, we will discuss and debate issues about writing and literature. It is fine to express your views passionately and debate others in class, but do so in a civil, constructive manner.
Please do not use phones and mobile devices during class, even if you believe you are doing so quietly. Not only is this rude, but also it distracts other students as well as your ablity to focus on and follow class instruction and discussion. It is English Department policy that students cannot and should not record class lectures and discussion without permission from the intstructor. Also, please get drinks of water or use the washroom before or after class, not during class, so that our classroom does not become a bus station. Please see me if you need special accomodations.
Plagiarism (from the Latin "to Kidnap")/CheatingYou will be expected to do your own work throughout the course. Intentionally or unintentionally passing off the ideas, words, or sentences of others (e.g., published authors, website authors, other students) as your own is plagiarism, which will result in failing the plagiarized assignment and possibly the course. Please review the University policy regarding plagiarism.
Anyone who is caught cheating during quizzes or exams (e.g., looking at someone else's paper or using a cell phone) will fail the quiz or exam and be reported to the Dean of Students Office. For quizzes and exams taken online, you are on your honor to follow established guidelines: No books, notes, printed or online materials, sharing information with others.