Class:COM375
From UMassWiki
This Junior Writing class for students majoring in Communication began with gripes about writing.
The Junior Writing Class Requirements are somewhat vague, however the Guidelines for Deans suggest we consider that "writing is an instrument for thinking and learning, and also a means of communication." Near the end of this Spring 2006 course, some students reflected on how well the class accomplished these goals. Others offered advice to the freshpeople I'll be teaching in 2006-2007.
While continuing to negotiate whether or not "the rules" of writing matter and how much effort is actually necessary, students crafted mission statements about their envisioned lives as future professional workers. The twist to this piece was to also explore how working life might interact with personal life and how to manage the boundary between them. Is it possible to imagine An Integrated Life?
At this point in the class, students began selecting their own topics and assignments. Some continued the debate about the worthiness of writing while others critiqued a protest. Everyone wrote at least one "big paper".
Contents |
Class News
Helloooooooo! I've seen Joe, Jash, and Lawrence in the past few days. Hope everyone is doing as well as they are. :-) The freshpersons have read your blog and are taking the challenge in stride. steph (COM) 04:02, 22 September 2006 (EDT)
Curious about us?
The instructor occasionally brags and/or otherwise comments about students in the "Teaching" section of her weblog.
She even said, "Goodbye."
A rap battle was waged among several students and the instructor.
You can get a sense of the dynamics of this class in this index to student mission statements.
The instructor's teaching philosophy might have something to do this, or might not.
Some students have posted warnings.
Writing Assignments
- Assignment #1 What's Wrong with Writing (required)
- Assignment #2 Life & Work Mission Statements (required)
- Assignment #3 Student's Choice (required)
- Assignment #4 Rebutting "What's Wrong with Writing" (optional)
- Assignment #5 Students Choose Again (required unless you meet your page requirement without it. Get busy!)
- Assignment #6 What the _____?! (optional: regards Tent State University)
- Assignment #7 What did she say? (optional: regards the instructor's second response to the What's Wrong with Writing essays, Becoming Audience) There were no takers.
- Assignment #8 TSU-2 (optional) Combined with Assignment #6.
- Assignment #9 Persuasive Essays (optional: "Why I deserve an A")
- Assignment #10 Rebuttals-3 (optional: responses to What's Wrong with Writing 2) No takers; combined with Assignment #4.
- Assignment #11 Advising Freshman Writers (optional)
- Assignment #12 Resumes and Cover Letters (required unless you negotiate an exemption from the instructor.)
- Assignment #13 Unofficial Course Evaluations (optional)
The Boring Stuff
No more of this! steph (COM) 02:40, 24 May 2006 (EDT)
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