(This syllabus is a working draft, meaning that it and the schedule can be changed at any time.)
course description
The first year writing program at MSU prioritizes three learning goals: inquiry, discovery, and communication where we recognize writing as a recursive act that centralizes your experiences with writing. Yes, yours. For that reason, we will focus on your own writing experiences based upon the practices, values, and effects of your communities and cultures. We will learn how to think about the role of writing in the world and how it works to effect change through a multitude of rhetorical contexts.
This course also has a theme that will shape how we engage in these rhetorical contexts: (co)authorship and storytelling. We will approach this theme in various ways that include understanding writing as a communal, cultural act—one that recognizes storytelling as a vital human practice. At times, this theme will challenge notions you bring with you to class, which can feel both exciting and uncomfortable. We will focus and respect those feelings as we collectively work through them to express ourselves in writing.
This course also has a theme that will shape how we engage in these rhetorical contexts: (co)authorship and storytelling. We will approach this theme in various ways that include understanding writing as a communal, cultural act—one that recognizes storytelling as a vital human practice. At times, this theme will challenge notions you bring with you to class, which can feel both exciting and uncomfortable. We will focus and respect those feelings as we collectively work through them to express ourselves in writing.
course goals
This course follows the stipulated learning goals of the First Year Writing Program through the WRAC program at MSU. A description of those goals can be found here. However, I also have very particular goals for our class that are as follows:
- Becoming a community as a class
- Learning to listen to the stories of others
- Respecting each other’s differences and amazingness
- Committing to asking important questions and seeking rich responses to those questions
- Come to define writing as multimodal: video, texting, social media, essays, etc.
course materials
- The Truth About Stories by Thomas King
- A planner that covers the rest of the year
- Access to the Internet, your MSU email, our course website, and desire2learn (D2L)
Accessibility Note: If you have difficulty obtaining any of these things, please come talk with me either via email, after class, or during my office hours. I guarantee you that I have alternative options or that I can give you a copy of the book or a planner of your own.
policies
Attendance: I prioritize in-class learning, so I expect that you will attend every class as far as you are able. I am also human and understand that things come up that prevent you from attending. For that reason, I allow two absences without explanation. Any more than that, then I require that we meet to discuss your plans for being successful in the class as your final grade is determined by in-class participation.
Tardiness: Just as I know things come up that prevent you from attending class, I also understand that things come up that make you late. For that reason, I will allow two tardies. I do not, however, allow the class to be disrupted. We will often start working on things right as class begins, which means if you are not there, you will not get credit for that particular exercise, impacting your final grade on the related project and participation.
Class Participation: As I stated above, I grade largely on participation. While I don’t expect you to be a person who consistently speaks up in class, I do expect you to work with your classmates on several projects and to engage with the material in other ways. I want to see you engaged and excited about the work you are doing. If you are, I will notice.
Electronics: I will also notice if you are on your phone or on your computer. However, I do not ban digital technologies in class. If I see that you are using a phone or computer, I will expect that you are looking up material related to class and, from time-to-time you might check in with your friends, family, and loved ones as needed. Please do not make a habit out of directing your attention to social media, texting, or digital games though. I won’t stop you (unless I’m feeling extra cranky that day), but I will note it down and take points away from your participation grade.
Make-ups and Revisions: I allow you to turn in your major projects late. For every day late, you will lose 10% of your final grade on that project. I also allow you to revise any project at any time during the semester. Please speak with me about this policy if you choose to revise something. I will be excited and happy to work with you on a revision plan based upon my feedback.
Confidentiality: We will occasionally talk about serious topics in this class. We will also be writing about serious topics and very personal things at times. I will not rat on the things you disclose to anyone *unless* the incident falls under something to which I am mandatorily obligated to report. Those incidents are sexual violence and assault, child abuse, and/or self-inflicted harm. If you would like to discuss any of these things with me, though, I will be happy to listen and recommend the appropriate services to see that you receive assistance.
Drops and Adds: MSU says, “The last day to add this course is the end of the first week of classes. The last day to drop this course with a 100 percent refund and no grade reported is (9/26). The last day to drop this course with no refund and no grade reported is (10/19). You should immediately make a copy of your amended schedule to verify you have added or dropped this course.”
Disruptive Behavior: Okay, so here’s the deal. I really like it when my classes get excited about what we’re discussing and, at times, a little bit loud. That means we are learning and having fun. I do not like it when I have to play the disciplinarian role and scold a student(s) for disrupting my class. Important, formal MSU documents state that, "The student's behavior in the classroom shall be conducive to the teaching and learning process for all concerned." This means that I expect you to be there to learn, or at the very least, quietly play along.
I also expect you to act like you want to be there and be respectful to me and your fellow classmates. Important MSU document SRR states that, "The student and the faculty share the responsibility for maintaining professional relationships based on mutual trust and civility." And General Student Regulation 5.02 states: "No student shall . . . interfere with the functions and services of the University (for example, but not limited to, classes . . .) such that the function or service is obstructed or disrupted. Students whose conduct adversely affects the learning environment in this classroom may be subject to disciplinary action through the Student Judicial Affairs office.”
In other words, we are going to treat one another well or we will leave the classroom space. I want to see respectful engagement of one another’s ideas, cultural practices, religious beliefs, chosen identities and names, and interests.
Tardiness: Just as I know things come up that prevent you from attending class, I also understand that things come up that make you late. For that reason, I will allow two tardies. I do not, however, allow the class to be disrupted. We will often start working on things right as class begins, which means if you are not there, you will not get credit for that particular exercise, impacting your final grade on the related project and participation.
Class Participation: As I stated above, I grade largely on participation. While I don’t expect you to be a person who consistently speaks up in class, I do expect you to work with your classmates on several projects and to engage with the material in other ways. I want to see you engaged and excited about the work you are doing. If you are, I will notice.
Electronics: I will also notice if you are on your phone or on your computer. However, I do not ban digital technologies in class. If I see that you are using a phone or computer, I will expect that you are looking up material related to class and, from time-to-time you might check in with your friends, family, and loved ones as needed. Please do not make a habit out of directing your attention to social media, texting, or digital games though. I won’t stop you (unless I’m feeling extra cranky that day), but I will note it down and take points away from your participation grade.
Make-ups and Revisions: I allow you to turn in your major projects late. For every day late, you will lose 10% of your final grade on that project. I also allow you to revise any project at any time during the semester. Please speak with me about this policy if you choose to revise something. I will be excited and happy to work with you on a revision plan based upon my feedback.
Confidentiality: We will occasionally talk about serious topics in this class. We will also be writing about serious topics and very personal things at times. I will not rat on the things you disclose to anyone *unless* the incident falls under something to which I am mandatorily obligated to report. Those incidents are sexual violence and assault, child abuse, and/or self-inflicted harm. If you would like to discuss any of these things with me, though, I will be happy to listen and recommend the appropriate services to see that you receive assistance.
Drops and Adds: MSU says, “The last day to add this course is the end of the first week of classes. The last day to drop this course with a 100 percent refund and no grade reported is (9/26). The last day to drop this course with no refund and no grade reported is (10/19). You should immediately make a copy of your amended schedule to verify you have added or dropped this course.”
Disruptive Behavior: Okay, so here’s the deal. I really like it when my classes get excited about what we’re discussing and, at times, a little bit loud. That means we are learning and having fun. I do not like it when I have to play the disciplinarian role and scold a student(s) for disrupting my class. Important, formal MSU documents state that, "The student's behavior in the classroom shall be conducive to the teaching and learning process for all concerned." This means that I expect you to be there to learn, or at the very least, quietly play along.
I also expect you to act like you want to be there and be respectful to me and your fellow classmates. Important MSU document SRR states that, "The student and the faculty share the responsibility for maintaining professional relationships based on mutual trust and civility." And General Student Regulation 5.02 states: "No student shall . . . interfere with the functions and services of the University (for example, but not limited to, classes . . .) such that the function or service is obstructed or disrupted. Students whose conduct adversely affects the learning environment in this classroom may be subject to disciplinary action through the Student Judicial Affairs office.”
In other words, we are going to treat one another well or we will leave the classroom space. I want to see respectful engagement of one another’s ideas, cultural practices, religious beliefs, chosen identities and names, and interests.