Please note that these assignments are subject to change. You should make sure to check the class web site regularly. Please note that unless otherwise indicated, all reading assignments are in The Writer’s Presence.  For detailed explanations and course requirements, please consult the course overview.

Monday August 30 Introductions and explanations
HW: Read Lamott, (xerox) and write a brief response in which you comment on her writing: voice, tone, attitude.

Wednesday Sept 1 Discuss Lamott and
HW: Read Cooper, "A Clack…" (46) and write a one-page response in which you comment on voice, tone, attitude

Thursday Sept 2 Discuss Cooper // Structure
HW: Read Rich, "Split…" (136)
a) make note of places where you had questions, were confused, disagreed, agreed, etc
b) write a one-page description of a time you felt "split" (this writing will be shared)
for excerpts from these descriptions, click here

Monday Sept 6 – Labor Day – No Classes

Wednesday Sept 8 Discuss Rich // Share writing // Rich’s poetry

Thursday Sept 9 Discuss Rich
HW: a) Write one-two pages in which you imagine yourself as others who don’t know you might see you (this writing will not be shared)
b) Read Hurston, "How it feels…" (99). What unspoken and spoken assumptions is she challenging? Find specific examples

Monday Sept 13 Discuss Hurston
HW: Read Staples, "Just walk on by…" (182) and write a one-page response in which you comment on, among other things, who you think is the audience for this essay. What gives you this idea?

Wednesday Sept 15 Discuss Staples

Thursday Sept 16 Discuss Staples
HW: a) Write one-two pages in which you comment on "identity" and what sorts of connections/oppositions you notice among the readings you have done. This piece of writing could be more of a list, rather than a sustained series of thoughts. (This writing will be shared).

Monday Sept 20 Discuss writing // Explanation of essay #1
HW: Read and comment on sample drafts

Wednesday Sept 22 Practice workshop

Thursday Sept 23 Essay beginnings: Getting started

Monday Sept 27 First draft of essay # 1 DUE: Bring in copies
HW: read and comment on student drafts

Wednesday Sept 29 Practice workshop
HW: Editorial, "Soccer…" (xerox): what assumptions does this writer make in her essay? Does she explain the reasons for her assumptions?

Thursday Sept 30 Discuss editorial: counter-arguments

Monday October 4 Revision strategies
HW: Read Cofer, "Silent Dancing…" and answer reading questions 1 and 2

Wednesday October 6 Discuss Cofer and reading questions
HW: Write a one-page description of your own "family movie" (this may be something that is actually a family movie, or a memory that you narrate as if you are watching it on film. This writing will be shared)

Thursday October 7 Share "family movie" writing & respond // The House on Mango Street introduction/reading assignment
HW: Begin revising essay #1 (Due October 13)

Monday October 11 – Columbus Day – No Classes

Wednesday October 13 Research Paper Introduction  // revision of essay #1 due
HW: Read Kingsolver, "Stone Soup," and a) write a one-page response in which you discuss one aspect of Kingsolver’s essay (could be one particular phrase, one paragraph, one idea, one image...). b) answer reading question #3

Thursday October 14 Discuss Kingsolver and share writing
HW: Come to class with two possibilities for your research paper

Monday October 18 In-class brainstorming
HW: Using your class-generated list, come up with two or three starting "research questions"—things you think will be useful for you to research. Bring these to Ryan Library with you on Tuesday

Tuesday October 19 – Monday Schedule of Classes
Meet in the lobby of Ryan Library at 1:00

Wednesday October 20 Mango Street discussion questions/worksheets DUE: be prepared to discuss your answers in class
HW: Begin formulating your research paper topic and gathering your sources

Thursday October 21
Interdisciplinary Panel: The House on Mango Street, 12:00, Ryan Library Auditorium
HW: Read Rodriguez, "Toward an American…" and answer reading question #2

Monday October 25 Discuss Rodriguez // in-class writing
HW:  a) Ask three or four friends what their definition of "liberal arts" is, and write down their answers. Then look up a dictionary/encyclopedia definition of "liberal arts"—does it match what your friends say? How is it the same/different?
b) write a one-page overview of your research paper: what will your main idea be; what aspects of family history will you discuss; etc.

Wednesday October 27 Discuss "liberal arts" //Research paper topics
HW: Read Edmundson (xerox) and write a 1-2 page response in which, among other things, you agree or disagree with one of his assertions. Offer support for your ideas

Thursday October 28
HW: Preliminary works cited list (at least 5 sources, one of which must be an internet resource. No encyclopedias or dictionaries)

Monday November 1 Discuss Edmundson

Wednesday November 3 Discuss Edmundson
HW: Choose an idea or subject from one of your other classes (not your Humanities class) and write about that idea in such a way that it would be clear to someone who has no familiarity with that topic (ie, writing about something from your biology class, or economics class—like cell reproduction, or the concept of a "bear market") Due November 11

Thursday November 4 in-class troubleshooting: research papers

Monday November 8 First draft of research papers due – bring in copies
HW: read and comment on classmates’ drafts

Wednesday November 10 in-class workshop on research papers

Thursday November 11 Share writing (see homework assignment from November 3)
HW: Read Shorris (xerox) and write a response in which you discuss, among other things, you agree or disagree with one of his assertions

Monday November 15 Discuss Shorris

Wednesday November 17 Discuss Shorris
HW: Write 1-2 pages in which you imagine what Shorris and Edmundson might say to one another about their respective essays: where would they agree with one another, where would they disagree?

Thursday November 18 Share writing

Monday November 22 In-class writing: introductions for education essays

Wednesday November 24 Revision strategies for research paper--bring research papers to class!
HW: work on revision of research paper

Thursday November 25 – Thanksgiving – No Classes

Monday November 29 essay #2 draft DUE--bring in 3 copies
HW: finish revision of research paper

Wednesday December 1 In-class workshop
Revision of research paper due

Thursday December 2 In-class writing
HW: Read Jordan, "Nobody Mean More to me than you…" and answer reading question #2

Monday December 6 Discuss Jordan
HW: revise essay #2

Wednesday December 8 Revision of essay #2 due

Thursday December 9 – Last Day of Classes

Final Exam TBA