Thursday, July 19, 2012

New Syllabus for 2012-2013


Writing 1 Syllabus
Semester 1 (Fall, 2012)
Tammy Prichard (tamprichard@gmail.com)
Class Blogsite:  www.chatwriting1.blogspot.com

Resources:
·         Animal Farm (George Orwell)  (Note:  If you have a copy of this book, the supply fee will be reduced.)
·         A Christmas Carol  (Charles Dickens, Dover Publications) (Note:  the tutor will purchase this book)
·         various worksheets and handouts

Objectives:
Literature
            In his book, Animal Farm, George Orwell not only tells an engaging story, but he forces his readers to think critically about government systems, class, status, and hypocrisy.  While we read this book, we’ll discuss the historical context, the implied meanings and themes, and the many literary techniques that have caused this book to become a classic.  We’ll read the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, at the end of the term.

Writing
            The students will write 4 papers for this class.  We’ll focus on developing clear thesis statements, building strong sentences, selecting the best words, understanding organizational techniques, and revising and editing strategies.  For the first two papers, we’ll use a 2-step process (rough draft to final copy) because they will be shorter and less formal.  The final two papers will be longer and will follow a 3-step process (pre-writing to rough draft to final copy).

Grammar
            Many of the students have covered the basics of grammar.  As we write and put our grammar to use, we’ll discover what areas need to be reviewed and worked on.  The class will start with some basics and move into some areas that are more complex. I’ve left open space on the syllabus so that I can focus on specific areas that appear in their writing.


Initial Draft – Subject to change
Week
Literature
Writing
1                      
Introduction to Animal Farm

2                      
Preface & Introduction
Observation Rough Draft
3                      
Chapters I & II

4                      
Chapters III & IV
Observation Final Copy
5                      
Chapters V & VI
Personal History Rough Draft
6                      
Chapters VII & VIII

7                      
Chapters IX & X
Personal History Final Copy
8                      
Character Presentations
Biography Pre-Write
9                      
Final for Animal Farm
Biography Rough Draft
10                  
Christmas Carol Introduction

11                  
Stave One
Biography Final Copy
12                  
Stave Two
History  Pre-Write
13                  
Stave Three
History Rough Draft
14                  
Stave Four

15                  
Final Exam
History Final Copy









Writing 1 Syllabus
Semester 2
Tammy Prichard (tamprichard@gmail.com)

Resources:
·         The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  (Robert Louis Stevenson, Dover Publications)
·         The Gift of the Magi and Other Short Stories.  (O. Henry, Dover Publications)
·         Great Short Poems (Philip Smith, ed., Dover Publications)

Objectives:
Literature
            As we read Stevenson’s classic, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, we will specifically study the character development and themes of the book.  Not only is this book thought-provoking, it is well-crafted and artful.

Writing
            The students will write 3 papers for this class.  The essays for this semester will include some a journalistic-type paper and a literary analysis.  The first assignment will be a non-fiction, thesis-driven narrative essay.  The second paper will be an analytical response to our literature.  The third paper will require some research  for a news story.  All of these papers will follow the 3-step process (pre-writing to rough draft to final copy).  The final paper will be a re-write of any of the papers that they’ve written this year.  “There is no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting.” (Louis D. Brandeis)

Grammar
            We will continue to study grammar, paying special attention to building strong, clear, accurate sentences.  Again, the open spaces on the syllabus leave room to work on weak areas.



Initial Draft – Subject to change
Week
Literature
Writing
1                      
Introduction to The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

2                      
Jekyll/Hyde:  Ch. 1 - 2
Narrative Essay Pre-Write
3                      
Jekyll/Hyde:  Ch. 3 – 4
Narrative Essay Rough Draft
4                      
Jekyll/Hyde:  Ch. 5 – 6

5                      
Jekyll/Hyde:  Ch. 7 – 8
Narrative Essay Final Copy
6                      
Jekyll/Hyde:  Ch. 9 – 10
Theme & Character Pre-Write
7                      
Jekyll/Hyde:  Ch. 11 – 12
Theme & Character Rough Draft
8                      
Short Stories

9                      
Short Stories
Theme & Character Final Copy
10                  
Short Stories
News Story Pre-Write
11                  
Short Stories
News Story Rough Draft
12                  
American Poetry

13                  
American Poetry
News Story Final Copy
14                  
American Poetry &
Poetry Presentations
Re-Write
15                  
Poetry Presentations &
Final Exam


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