REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS:

Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer

A variety of online readings

ESSENTIAL COURSE LINKS

Instructions for Using HyperNews

Our Course Schedule

Course Description and Objectives

English 305 is an intermediate course in expository writing available to students who have completed their lower division writing requirement (ENGL155 at CSUN, an equivalent course elsewhere, or by exemption). This course provides preparation for the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam (UDWPE) and satisfies the writing requirement in the Liberal Studies major. Students enrolled in English 305 should have developed sufficient writing and research skills to meet the demands of college level writing. This course provides the additional opportunity for students to review, reassess, and further develop their writing skills.

An important objective of the course is to give you guided practice in developing clear and coherent longer papers of various types, including those that narrate an autobiographical incident, report information, discuss issues, speculate about causes and effects, present arguments, solve problems, and interpret texts. As you work on these and other kinds of papers, you will develop several related areas:

1. your own "voice" in writing;
2. a repertoire of writing styles appropriate to your purpose, audience, and occasion for writing;
3. your ability to compose sentences and paragraphs in a variety of syntactic patterns and with sufficient specific details;
4. your skill in reading, analyzing, and assessing longer pieces of expository prose by professional writers and peers;
5. your sensitivity to the impact of language on differing readers and listeners;
6. your ability to use appropriate research methods and materials efficiently, clearly, and effectively for all disciplines;
7. your skill in writing prose that conforms to the features of standard written English.

Course Requirements

This is mostly a discussion based course, so our success depends upon your active participation. Be prepared and willing to discuss your interpretations of the readings. Where you have questions about the materials, be prepared to ask those questions. All opinions will be listened to and responded to with respect. Being a non-judgmental listener encourages more lively discussions.

During the course of the semester you will write 3 major essays of varying lengths. Two of these three essays will be compiled into a portfolio which will be turned in at the end of the semester. You will also be required to participate in peer workshops, to respond in writing to our readings, and to keep a journal.

Several of our class sessions will be conducted online via HyperNews. If you are not familiar with HyperNews, there are workshops available on campus.

Technical Requirements

Students will need to have access to the Internet. Your browser needs to be able to support javascript. Instructions will be provided for all computer activities. You may visit CSUN's Web Teach site for information on online courses and programs. CSUN also provides information on computer resources and availability.

Attendance and Late Work

You are expected to arrive in all discussion forums on-time and prepared! Prepared means having read the materials and having completed any homework. ALL absences affect your overall participation grade. If you miss more than three class sessions (including any online sessions) you will receive a 0 for the participation portion of your grade. Work will be downgraded one full grade for each class session it is late and no late work will be accepted after one week.

Grading

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

WPE Practices: 5%
Written homework (including HyperNews Forums): 15%
Journal Writings: 5%
Portfolio (compilation of 2 major--revised--essays & writing assessment): 45%
Attendance, Preparation & Discussion: 15%
Written Response and discussion of Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith 15%

All work must be completed in order to receive a passing grade!

I use +/- grading.

Good Luck!