Spring 2022 Log into Canvas
This is a "real time" syllabus that will be updated weekly to 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. 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 for course content will be the Course Website, but it is linked to Canvas, which we will use for some things, such as discussion posts and 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 26, when we will discuss it. Check each class period to see what book(s) you need to bring.
JANUARY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Monday | Wednesday | Friday | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
24
Course Introduction: Why Write about Sports? First-Day Quiz Review Course Website (Syllabus, Course Notes)/Canvas site |
26Review
Course Website (Syllabus, Course Notes)/Canvas site TSGW - Ch 1: Composing Literacy |
28
TSGW - Ch 1: Composing Literacy |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
31 TSGW - Finish Ch 1 Ch 13 Cueing the Reader | 02FEBRUARY - See below |
04 FEBRUARY - See below | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FEBRUARY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monday | Wednesday | Friday | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
31 JANUARY - See above |
02 TSGW - Finish Ch 13 Cueing the Reader (For topic sentences & transitions, see "Children Need to Play, Not Compete" essay, p 198) Review First-Day Quiz |
04 Review TSGW, Chpts 1, 13 Introduction - Sports Poetry Analysis Essay: Choose ONE poem (below) to analyze--by Sat (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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
07 Sports Poetry Analysis Essay (see Course Notes) Discuss poems - SL Bring your cluster diagram (TSGW) to class for the poem you will write about Drafting strategies: Thesis statement, paragraphing (topic sentences), quotations, formatting Have draft for Wed's class (quotations - see Course Notes) | 09 SL - Sports
Poetry Analysis Essay (quotations - see Course Notes) Discuss poems - SL Bring the following to class for discussion: **Cluster diagram (TSGW) **Draft (Bring a hard copy or your laptop/tablet. Even if you bring your laptop, you might bring a hard copy too.) **Focus on introduction | 11
SL -
Sports Poetry Analysis Essay Discuss poems as needed - SL Bring the following to class: **Cluster diagram (TSGW) **Draft (Bring draft from Wed or revised draft. See Wed) **Focus on thesis statement & supporting points: examples/quotations--analysis RW - Ch 14 Coordination & Subordination (Preview this chapter/Concept: What is Coordination? Subordination?) 14 Final Thoughts - Sports Poetry Analysis Essay | **Bring draft/SL -------------------------- Introduction - Essay 1: Evaluation Essay (Movie Review) of movie The Grizzlies Taking notes for a movie Preview Course Notes for **PPt Slides **Audience Sheet **Residential School articles TSGW - Ch 8: Preview to get a sense of key ideas/strategies. Watch The Grizzlies by 2/22 (Access on Canvas) Take notes during and after watching the movie. Do not look up reviews of The Grizzlies online to avoid plagiarism 16 Essay 1 - Planning | See Course Notes: **Taking notes for a movie **PPt Slides **Audience Sheet **Residential School articles Have notes for key pts in TSGW, Ch 8 **Developing criteria, TSGW, Ch 8, pp 287, 316 TSGW - Invention Strategy--Scratch Outline, pp 422-23 TSGW - Ch 8, p 320 (Organizing an evaluation) Sports Poetry Analysis Essay Due: Turn in at the beginning of class 18
Essay
1 - Planning | Finish our ranking of criteria for reviewing a movie (from our class discussion Wed) Discuss these reviews--Have notes 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 RW - Ch 14 Coordination & Subordination Outside of Class **Once you screen the movie, begin working on your scratch outline and aud sheet. Draft plot summary 21
Essay 1 - Planning | Discuss these reviews--Have notes TSGW - Ch 8: Scott Pilgrim review, pp 292-97; Moana (Disney) review, pp 297-300. Also, pp 289-291; 300-301; 305-306 **Judgment, p 316 **Reasons, p 317 **Organization, p 320 RW, Ch 14 Outside of Class **Once you screen the movie, begin your scratch outline and audience sheet. Draft plot summary 23
Essay 1 - Planning |
Finish discussing features of sports movies Final Thoughts - sample movie reviews (TSGW, Ch 8) Begin discussion of The Grizzlies (Bring movie notes to class) **I will go around class and look at your movie notes **Bring drafts of your scratch outline & aud sheet in progress TSGW, Ch 8 as needed Outside of class For Friday, finish drafts of scratch outline & audience sheet 25
Essay 1 - Planning | Continue discussing The Grizzlies (Bring movie notes to class) **Bring drafts of your scratch outline & aud sheet TSGW, Ch 8 as needed Outside of class For Monday, you might begin drafting your review over the weekend: intro paragraph(s)/judgment. See TSGW for advice (sample reviews/p 322) 28 Essay 1 - Drafting in class: Bring your laptop
or tablet to class (No drafting on phones) |
Finish discussion of The Grizzlies: NA culture/issues Audience sheet & scratch outline drafts should be completed **I will check (not collect) scratch outlines + audience sheets (5pts - 2.5pts for each) ----------------------------------- 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 32: Commas (32a-e) 02MARCH - See below
| 04MARCH - See below
|
MARCH |
Monday |
Wednesday |
Friday |
28 FEBRUARY - See above
|
02
Essay 1 - Drafting in class: Bring your laptop or tablet to class | RW - Ch 32: Commas (32a-e/pp 268-69) ----------------------------------- You'll continue your draft in progress.You should have completed at least 1.5 pages of your draft. Work on pgs 1.5-3 of your review. Focus on reasons, conclusion Bring notes,scratch outline, audience sheet, TSGW (pp 315-22/sample reviews) As time allows **Review sample movie reviews - TSGW (focus on Moana review) **Discuss movie - characters 04
Essay 1: Peer Review--Must Attend In Person | Review Peer Review Policy (see syllabus) TSGW, pp 322-24(preview peer review questions) 1. Print copy of Audience Sheet 2. Print copy of completed draft: 3 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 07 Essay
1: Return Peer Review Docs | Discuss assessment with partner Revision/Editing Chart (Handout); TSGW, pp 324-27; 315-22 Formatting final copy of review - in class Revision **Audience Sheet (TSGW, p 315) Editing **RW - Chpts 14, 32 (a-e) As/If time allows **Finish discussing The Grizzlies (themes/characters) Outside Class TSGW - Scott Pilgrim revision notes: pp 327-28 (Writer at Work). What is your take-away from this? 09
Essay 1: Revision, Editing, Proofreading | Bring a copy of your draft formatted in columns. (see PPt slides) Also bring audience sheet draft. Do not revise and edit on your peer review drafts--but you can still bring these. Bring completed revision/editing chart & scratch outline As time allows **Briefly discuss "Birds of Prey" review (handout) Revision **Judgment/Intro (TSGW, p 316) **Reasons (TSGW, p 317) Editing **RW - Ch 15 Sentence Variety/Chpts 14, 32 Proofreading 11
Essay 1: Revision, Editing, Proofreading | Bring a copy of your draft formatted in columns. Also bring audience sheet draft. Do not revise and edit on your peer review drafts--but you can still bring these. Bring completed revision/editing chart & scratch outline As time allows **Briefly discuss "Birds of Prey" review (handout) **Movie: Final Thoughts Check format of final copy of review (see PPt slides) Revision **Plot Summary (TSGW: Sample Reviews) **Intro/Org (TSGW: Sample Reviews) Editing **RW - Ch 15 (Sentence Variety)/Chpts 14, 32 Proofreading Essay 1: Peer Review Materials Due: Essay Draft + Aud Sheet Draft + Partner's Responses (Notebook Paper). Paper clip these (do not staple) 14 Final Thoughts - Essay 1 (You might bring your aud
sht & review drafts) | Introduction - 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 **Finalize your choice of the ONE narrative you will write about--by Wednesday's class 16
Assign 1: Discuss SL
readings. See study questions on Course Notes page for Assign 1 | **You should have selected your narrative to write about Ch 11 (pp 420-21 cluster diagram). Bring cluster diagram of the narrative you are writing about to class in your notebook **Discussion of "In the Swim" & begin "Finding Myself" (Consider the first three pars.) Use your notes from the study questions TSGW, Ch 2 (pp 12; 15, 38-48) Essay 1 Due (either Wed or Friday): Scratch Outline (Handwritten OR Typed) + Revision/Editing Chart + Aud Sheet (Final Copy) + Essay (Final Copy Formatted in Columns). Paper clip these (do not staple) 18 Assign 1: Discuss SL
readings. See study questions on Course Notes page for Assign 1 | Discussion of narratives **Finish "Finding Myself" & begin "Four-Minute Mile" (For "Four-Minute Mile," watch the video of the actual race--see Course Notes)
TSGW, Ch 2 (pp 12; 15, 38-48) Begin drafting your essay; bring draft to class on Monday after break **Begin previewing/reading short stories for Essay 2--see 4/4. You should be reading stories and taking notes on all stories--have an organized system of taking notes for each story21 Spring Break
| 23
Spring Break |
25 Spring Break |
28 Assign 1: Drafting |
SL - Discussion: Finish "Four-Minute Mile"/Review of all three personal sports narratives. Discuss personal sporting experiences Bring laptop to class for drafting. Have planning work, e.g., completed cluster diagram, reading/discussion notes, Course Notes study questions, TSGW: Ch 2 Use of quotations (RW: 37e, pp 298-300; TSGW, pp 546-51) Formatting - essay will be pasted into body of an email/using an appropriate subject line, etc. RW - Ch 23: Pronoun Clarity **Begin previewing/reading short stories for Essay 2--see 4/4. You should be reading stories and taking notes on all stories--have an organized system of taking notes for each story 30 Assign 1: Drafting | Bring to class: A completed draft (in progress) of your essay Bring laptop to class and/or hard copy of your draft. Have planning work, e.g., completed cluster diagram, discussion notes, Course Notes study questions, TSGW: Ch 2 SL: Personal Sports Narratives **Final questions about narratives & personal sporting experiences **Thesis **Support **Organization **Use of quotations (RW: 37e, 298-300; TSGW, pp 546-51) **RW - Ch 23: Pronoun Clarity Formatting - email 01
April - Look below |
APRIL |
Monday |
Wednesday |
Friday |
28 March -
Look Above
| 30 March -
Look Above
|
01Assign 1: Peer Review In Class--Must Attend |
**Bring a hard, print copy of your draft. No electronic copies Revision, Editing, Formatting SL: Personal Sports Narratives **Final questions about narratives & personal sporting experiences Revision **Thesis **Support **Organization Editing **Use of quotations (RW: 37e, 298-300/TSGW, pp 546-51) **RW - Review of grammar concepts Formatting - email 04
Assign 1: Revision, Editing, Formatting | Bring all three books Bring a "clean" copy of your Assign 1 essay (You can also bring your peer review copy and sheet) SL: Personal Sports Narratives **Final questions about narratives & personal sporting experiences Revision **Thesis **Support **Organization Editing **Use of quotations (RW: 37e, 298-300) **RW - Review of grammar concepts Formatting - email ------------------------------------------ Introduction: Essay 2 - 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. "The 7-10 Split"--SL "56-0" (handout) "Raymond's Run"--SL "Tennis"--SL **Choose your story for Essay 2 by 4/8. 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. **Bring "56-0" along with SL to class during the next several weeks Planning: TSGW - Ch 10 Note key pages/strategies Formal Outline: RW pp 13-14; **TSGW, pp 424-25 06
Essay 2 - Planning | PPt Notes (Course Notes) Reading and Writing about Literature (Lecture). We will combine this lecture with preliminary discussion of the stories. SL/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) 08
Essay 2 - Planning | Story Choice assignment due: hand in at beginning of class (must be typed). Once you choose a story, you cannot change it Finish Reading and Writing about Literature (Lecture). We will combine this lecture with preliminary discussion of the stories. SL/TSGW, pp 391-95 Outside Class **Formal Outline: RW, pp 13-14; TSGW, pp 424-25/Thesis (Ch 10, TSGW) **Audience Sheet (Course Notes)/Also see "Notes on thesis statement," etc--Course Notes) Assign 1 Due via email by 5pm. Peer review docs will be turned in at the beginning of class 11
Essay 2: Planning
(Bring your laptop to class) | Quiz - short stories (all 4 are in play). Focused Freewriting, TSGW, p 428 Outside Class Continue 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) 13
Essay 2: Planning |
Bring Focused Freewriting with annotations to class Discussion of Short Stories Use reading notes + all stories (SL + handout) Be prepared to discuss stories/ask questions as a class We will discuss "The 7-10 Split" & "Raymond's Run" TSGW, Ch 10 Outside Class Continue working on formal sent outline + audience sheet. Audience sheet must be typed 15
Essay 2: Planning |
Discussion of Short Stories Use reading notes + all stories (SL + handout) Be prepared to discuss stories/ask questions as a class We will discuss "Raymond's Run" & "56-0" TSGW, Ch 10 Outside Class Continue working on formal sent outline + audience sheet. Audience sheet must be typed 18
Essay 2: Planning | Bring your formal sent outline and audience sheet to class--drafts in progress. I will check (not collect) these Discussion of Stories We will discuss "56-0" & "Tennis" Use reading notes + all stories (SL + handout) Be prepared to discuss stories/ask questions TSGW, Ch 10 Outside Class Continue working on formal outline and audience sheet. Audience sheet must be typed. You might begin drafting your essay--introduction (including thesis statement) as you complete your outline & aud sheet 20 Essay 2: Planning |
Bring your formal sent outline and audience sheet to class--drafts in progress. I will check (not collect) your audience sheet Discussion of Stories We will discuss "Tennis"/Review of all stories Use reading notes + all stories (SL + handout) Be prepared to discuss stories/ask questions TSGW, Ch 10 Outside Class Continue working on formal outline and audience sheet. Audience sheet must be typed. You might begin drafting your essay--introduction (including thesis statement) as you complete your outline & aud sheet 22
Drafting in class, 1-2 pgs: Bring your laptop |
**Finish discussion of "Tennis" Use reading notes + all stories (SL + handouts) Use completed drafts: audience sheet and formal sentence outline. (Keep revising these 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. 25
Essay 2: Drafting | Everyone should have at least 2 pages of the essay completed. Draft pages 2 & 3: Bring your laptop **Use completed drafts: audience sheet and formal sentence outline. (Revise these 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 27 Essay 2: Drafting |
Everyone should have at least 3 pages of the essay completed. Draft pages 3 & 4: Bring your laptop **Use completed drafts: audience sheet and formal sentence outline. (Revise these 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 29 Essay 2: Peer Review--Must Attend In
Person |
Review Peer Review Policy (see syllabus) Bring TSGW, pp 401-402 (preview peer review questions) Bring SL + "56-0" 1.) Copy of Audience Sheet (typed) 2.) Copy of completed draft, including quotations (typed): 3.5 full pages min - 4.5 pages max 3.) Copy of formal sentence outline (Print copy or photocopy if handwritten) Electronic or handwritten copies of your audience sheet and draft are NOT acceptable for peer review MAY |
Monday |
Wednesday |
Friday |
02
Essay 2: Return Peer Review Docs | Revision Chklist (handout) Revision (TSGW, Ch 10/Stories: SL + handouts) **Conclusion Editing **RW, Ch 8 (Active Verbs) **All concepts we've studied: Modification, Coord/Subord, Commas, Sent Variety, Active Verbs, Pronoun Clarity 04
Essay 2: Revision, Editing, Proofreading |
Use a "clean" 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 needed (SL + handouts) Revision (TSGW, Ch 10/Sample Essays/Stories: SL + handouts) **Conclusion (finish from Mon) **Intro Par/Thesis Editing RW, Ch 12/All concepts we've studied: Coord/Subord; Sent Variety, Commas, Pronoun Clarity 06 Essay 2: Revision, Editing, Proofreading |
Use your drafts from Friday (or updated drafts) 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 Essays/Stories: SL + handouts) **Audience Sheet, Q 1 (Profile), Q3 **Reasons (Support)/Quotations **Organization (Essay/Reasons) Editing RW, Ch 12/All concepts we've studied: Coord/Subord, Commas, Sent Variety, Pronoun Clarity Proofreading 09
Essay 2: Revision, Editing, Proofreading | Use your drafts from Monday of your audience sheet and literary analysis; do not use your peer review drafts Bring completed Revision Chklist, Formal Sent Outline Discuss stories if needed (SL + handouts) Revision (TSGW, Ch 10/Sample Stories) **Reasons (Support)/Quotations Editing **RW, Ch 8 (Active Verbs) **All concepts we've studied: Modification, Coord/Subord, Commas, Sent Variety, Pronoun Clarity, Run-on Sentences Proofreading Essay 2: Peer Review Materials Due: Essay Draft + Aud Sheet Draft + Formal Sent Outline Draft + Partner's Responses (Notebook Paper). Paper clip these (do not staple) 11 Reading and Writing Day - No Class |
13
Essay 2: Revision, Editing, Proofreading |
Revision (TSGW) **Audience Sheet, Q 2, 4 **Integrating Quotations Discuss/look at stories if needed (SL + handouts) Editing **All concepts we've studied (RW): Modification, Coord/Subord, Commas, Sent Variety, Active Verbs, Pronoun Clarity, Run-on Sentences Proofreading -------------------------------------- Final Class Meeting--5/16 Bring SL & RW
**Grammar
Competition for extra pts! Use RW
Essay 2 + Supporting Docs Due--see blue box below |
Finals Week: May 16-20
Office Hrs during Finals Week: See website
home page
Final Class Meeting: Mon, May 16, 8:45-10am, in our usual classroom
Essay 2 + Supporting Docs due Tues (May 17) 2-4 or Wed (May 18) 2-3
at my office: Final Essay + Revised Aud Sheet + Formal Sentence Outline +
Rev/Editing Checklist
Course Grades Available on AccessPoint: May
26 or 27
Because of the rise coronavirus
cases, 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
must contact the
Disability and Assistive Technology Center
to discuss accommodations in classes. Any exemptions from the mask
policy must be granted by the DATC. 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 First-Year 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 through class discussion and assignments 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.
RequirementsThroughout the semester you will be required to complete weekly 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. 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 reading 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.
During the semester, there will be weekly writing assignments, 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** | 20% |
Peer Review** | 10% |
Essay 1 - Movie Review: The Grizzlies | 25% |
Essay 2 - Literary Analysis | 30% |
Assign 1 - Personal Sports Narrative** | 15% |
**
Will be determined by point values (Approx Grades): 5pt Assignments: A/A-=5-4.5; B- =4; C- =3.5; D- =3; F=2.5-0 10pt Assignments: A/A- =10-9; B/B- =8.5-8; C/C- =7.5-7; D/D- =6.5-6; F=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 peer review points. If you do not have all of the required documents, properly prepared, you will lose some points for peer review.
For any special circumstances, please contact me ahead of time. It may not be possible to make up peer review.
AttendanceRegular attendance is your responsibility and is essential for success in the course. See Attendance in the online UWSP Course Catalog (UWSP Course Catalog pgs 25-26).
For our course, there are no excused or unexcused absences. The only relevant factor is your number of 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 are absent and have not exceeded your absence limit, 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 ahead of the due date if an assignment is due.
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, are a member of a university sporting team, or have an extraordinary situation, then we will adjust your absence limit. The attendance policy begins with the second class meeting.
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.
For an extended absence, do the following: Follow
the syllabus and keep up with readings/assignments; Stay in contact with me
for information/resources/help; Look into getting notes from classmates (I
can help with this); See me during office hours when you return to class.
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.