Week/dates | Schedule |
Week 1 Tu 08/25
Th 08/27 |
In class: Introductions, icebreakers, syllabus, assignments, course overview. Homework for first class. Introducing key terms: rhetorical situation, argument, claims, evidence, appeals, strategies, qualifiers, rebuttals. Apply to short texts (Snape and Kristof). Quiz on key terms and pages 4-14 RWEA (Reading, Writing, and Evaluating Argument) Read pp. 4-14 of RWEA (Reading, Writing, and Evaluating Argument), and Snape and Kristof. Do homework exercises. Homework for 08/27. |
Week 2 Tu 09/01
Th 09/03 |
Applying concepts continued. Types of argument, claims, and evidence. Ethos & pathos.
Mapping moves, charting choices. Analyzing what texts “do” as well as “say.” How stories persuade.
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Week 3 Tu 09/08
Th 09/10 |
Positioning, performance, and persuasion. Mapping arguments about the 2020 protests. Groups present on one of the 4 texts
Discussing and analyzing Stevenson’s “We Need to Talk about an Injustice” Watch video of Stevenson’s talk. |
Week 4 Tu 09/15
Th 09/17 |
Writing about claims, evidence, and strategies.
Introductions and metadiscourse. Building body sections.
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Week 5 Tu 09/22
Th 09/24 |
Paper 1 draft due Drafting and peer review workshops
Conferences with instructor
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Week 6 Tu 09/29
Th 10/01 |
Conferences with instructor Revision plan |
Week 7 Tu 10/06
Th 10/08 |
Introduction to unit 2: word choice, metaphor, strategies, and appeals. Read RWEA pp. 39-46, 60-75 and short texts (Miller, Shieh, Crichton) Homework for 10/06: examine strategies and appeals in short texts. Evaluating arguments: assumptions, implications, strengths and weaknesses. Discuss Landrieu’s main claims; consider points of connection and contrast between Landrieu and the other short texts. Read RWEA pp. 76-94, and short texts (Kuznar, Landrieu). Homework for 10/08: examine assumptions, implications, strengths and weaknesses in short texts. |
Week 8 Tu 10/13
Th 10/15 |
Discussing and analyzing Hannah-Jones. Homework for 10/15: post analysis to Discussion board
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Week 9 Tu 10/20
Th 10/22 |
Analyzing Landrieu. Homework for 10/20: map out main claims in Landrieu, evidence, discuss two strategies.
Drafting. Examine sections of sample strategies papers. |
Week 10 Tu 10/27
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Paper 2 draft due Drafting and peer review workshops
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Week 11
Th 11/05 |
Paper 2 due. Brief reflection paper due
Unit 3: Entering the Conversation. We have recently experienced multiple crises, and many calls for change. What changes are needed? How should we understand the crises around us? |
Week 12 Tu 11/10
Th 11/12 |
Researching your issue, constructing the conversation, finding sources.
Building your argument, imagining your audience, dealing with opposing views, qualifying your claims. |
Week 13
Th 11/19 |
Paper 3 draft due
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Week 14 Tu 11/24 Th 11/26 |
Thanksgiving break. |
Week 15 Tu 12/01
Th 12/03 |
Reflection and revision plan due
Workshopping final paper and group presentations
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Week 16 Tu 12/08
Th 12/10 |
Group presentations
Group presentations |