Advanced English Composition (The Big Ideas of Science Fiction)
Tentative Course Schedule Spring 2020
NOTE: This schedule may change as needed. Your presence in class ensures correct assignments
WEEK 1
HOMEWORK (DUE 3/11):
- Complete Syllabus Quiz in Ulearn; See Quizzes link
- Set Up Blog; email the Web address to your page (http://wordpress)
to Professor Harmon: kenny.harmon@jwu.edu by class time.
Mark; What is Argument? What is a Text?
Introduce Julie Heffernan, Michael Cheval, and Duy Huynh;
HOMEWORK (DUE 3/16):
- Choose 3 images (search terms: Michael Cheval, Absurdist paintings, absurdism and paintings, Surrealism and
paintings, julie heffernan, or duy huynh)
- Bring images to class (electronic version)
WEEK 2
M 3/16 Review Images (possibly analyze Heffernan image together); Choose ONE image for your
Essay Topic & Complete Invention Work:
Detailed as Possible; Post to Ulearn (Submit Essays < Invention Work>);
Must be a MIN. of 3 FULL pages.
HOMEWORK (DUE 3/18):
- Submit Invention Work to Ulearn: SUBMIT ESSAYS/ASSIGNMENTS > ESSAYS
- Read "The Change of Metamorphosis in Blue by Duy Huynh" by Cassidy Carr; use this as a
model for your own paper; pay attention to structure/organization and focus
W 3/18 Writing Sub-claims and Organizing Ideas, work with a partner(complete sub-claims as blog
posts); Freewrite for invention work is NOT an essay!!!!!!
HOMEWORK (DUE 3/23):
- Must upload to Ulearn as a MS Word document only by class time. ESSAYS/ASSIGNMENTS >
ESSAYS > VISUAL ANALYSIS, FIRST DRAFT
- If it is not submitted or is not a full draft, lose one letter grade on final
score for this assignment.
- Submit 1st draft of Visual Analysis to Smarthinking Tutor (VIA JWU LINK)
WEEK 3
M 3/23 First Draft of Visual Analysis Due; Why Peer Critique? Exchange Papers
Review film terms;
HOMEWORK (DUE 3/25):
- Complete Peer Critique of your partner's visual analysis and post to Ulearn: SUBMIT
ESSA YS/ASSIGNMENTS > PEER CRITIQUES
- Upload your draft to SmartThinking tutor via JWU Link
- Read "The Truth of Fact, The Truth of Feeling" by Ted Chiang, pp. 185-205
- Complete Reading Quiz in Blackboard
W 3/25 Peer Critique, Visual Analysis with partner; Revision Plan Due; Discuss What is Due with
Final Draft; Discuss Scene Analysis Assignment and watch short film clip/blog post
HOMEWORK (DUE 3/30):
- Read Chapter 3 of Short Guide to Writing About Film (See handouts link in Ulearn)
- Complete Quiz for Chapter 3 in Ulearn by class time
- Upload Smart Thinking report and revision plan as one MS Word file; Go to SUBMIT
- ESSAYS/ASSIGNMENTS <SMARTHINKING REPORTS & REVISION PLANS
- Revise draft of visual analysis essay
- Work on Revisions: See Revision Checklist
WEEK 4
M 3/30 Watch Episode of The Black Mirror; Live Blogging; Review film terms
HOMEWORK (DUE 4/1):
- Final Draft of Visual Analysis Assignment due with Reflection; Submit to Ulearn: SUBMIT
ESSAYS/ASSIGNMENTS>ESSAYS
- Read "The Truth of Fact, The Truth of Feeling" by Ted Chiang, 206-230
- Complete Reading Quiz in Blackboard
Respond to Gattaca film clip on blog
HOMEWORK (DUE 4/6):
- Read "The Life Cycle of Software Objects" by Ted Chiang, pp. 62-88
- Complete Reading Quiz in Blackboard
- Watch film for Scene Analysis Essay
- Complete Viewer Response for chosen Scene Analysis film; upload to Ulearn
- Complete Scene Analysis Invention Work Assignment and upload to Ulearn; min. 3 pages
WEEK 5
M 4/6 Scene Analysis Invention Work Due; Clip & Blog Post
HOMEWORK (DUE 4/8):
- Read "The Life Cycle of Software Objects" by Ted Chiang, pp. 89-top of 110.
- Complete Reading Quiz in Blackboard
- Watch When Humans Were Gods for class next time
- These models will help you understand how to focus and structure your own essay.
W 4/8 Organizing the Scene Analysis Essay (Via Discussion of Film Clip for Ex Machina);
Completed as Group Work; Novel Response Blog Post
HOMEWORK (DUE 4/13):
- Read "The Life Cycle of Software Objects" by Ted Chiang, pp. 110-133
- First Draft of Scene Analysis Due; Submit to Ulearn;
- Also submit copy of draft to SmartThinking Tutor via JWU Link
WEEK 6
M 4/13 1st Draft of Scene Analysis Due; Exchange for peer critique;
Blog Post: Best Definition of Science Fiction as relates to novel; Share with reading group;
form groups; share contact info
HOMEWORK (DUE 4/15):
- Complete Midterm Evaluation; Bring written comments to class
- Upload report and revision plan as one MS Word file; Go to SUBMIT ESSAYS/ASSIGNMENTS < SMARTHINKING REPORTS & REVISION PLANS
- Complete Peer Critique, Scene Analysis;
- Read "The Life Cycle of Software Objects" by Ted Chiang, pp.133-157 (up to section 9)
- Complete Reading Quiz in Blackboard
- Continue to work on Scene Analysis Essay
W 4/15 Discuss peer critique; Novel Response Blog Post; Explain How to Use
Google Docs; Set up Group Documents; Review Group Project Assignment
HOMEWORK (DUE 4/20):
- Read "The Life Cycle of Software Objects" by Ted Chiang, pp. 157 (beginning of section 9) - 172
- Complete quiz in Ulearn
- Continue to work on Scene Analysis Essay
- Work on Revisions: See Revision Checklist
F 4/17 LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM AN ACADEMIC COURSE
WEEK 7
M 4/20 Workday for Topic Proposal for Group Project; Novel Response Blog Post
HOMEWORK (DUE 4/22):
- work on topic proposal for group project
- Read "The Black Hole: A True Testament to Teamwork" by Cas Feder
W 4/22 Reading Discussion Group/Blog Entry; Discuss Portfolio
Work on Topic Proposal; Proposal due by 5 pm TODAY; Submit one copy for group to
Ulearn; SUBMIT ESSAYS/ASSIGNMENTS>ESSAYS
HOMEWORK (DUE 4/27):
- Polish Scene Analysis Essay
- Work on Revisions: See Revision Checklist
- Final Draft of Scene Analysis Due with Reflection
- Complete detailed lecture notes for each video and submit to Ulearn
(min. 600 words)
- Complete Understanding MLA Quiz in Ulearn
- Watch Video: Tips for Essay Exam Success
WEEK 8
Practice GWR; Class Meets at Computer Lab 435!!!!!
HOMEWORK (DUE 4/29):
- Watch Video: The Most Common MLA Citations & the Works Cited
- Watch Video: Most Common Citations & Works Cited Continued
- Complete detailed notes for both videos (min. of 600 words) and submit
to Ulearn
- Complete MLA QUIZ, Most Common Citations
- Topic Proposal Due (ONE PER GROUP)
- Begin Work on Annotated Bibliography
W 4/29 GWR EXAM; CLASS MEETS AT LIBRARY COMPUTER LAB!!!!
HOMEWORK (DUE 5/4):
- Complete Academic Voice & MLA Citation Quiz
- Open this page in one window while working on the quiz in another.
WEEK 9
Assignment; Create Outline for Draft; Review MLA in Class; Opportunity for Questions
HOMEWORK (DUE 5/6):
- Work on first draft of group project
W 5/6 Work on Group Project: Drafting
HOMEWORK (DUE 5/11):
- First complete draft of group project due; upload one copy to Ulearn for group
- As soon as 1st Draft is complete, Submit Group Project to Smarthinking Tutor (each member of your group)
- Upload Smarthinking report and revision plan before class time
(note: 24 hours before Smarthinking report received): Each group member uploads report and individual revision
plan to Smarthinking
- Go to: SUBMIT ESSAYS/ASSIGNMENTS <SMARTHINKING REPORTS & REVISION PLANS
WEEK 10
M 5/11 First Draft of Group Project/Research Assignment Due; Upload ONE copy for group to
Ulearn; Discuss Revision Plans; work on group project
HOMEWORK (DUE 5/13):
- Did you receive your SmartThinking report and create a revision plan? Did you upload these to Ulearn?
W 5/13 Bring SmartThinking Reports to Class; Share with group; develop group revision strategy
HOMEWORK (DUE 5/18):
- Make final corrections to group project; upload one copy of final draft for
group to Ulearn. Each student completes their own individual reflection;
follow instructions given in class
Work on Portfolio (due 5/20)
WEEK 11
M 5/18 Reading Day (no class meeting); Final Draft of Group Project/Research Assignment Due
w/Reflection; Submit your final draft to Blackboard; Submit only one copy of the essay for
your group; everyone does their own individual reflection as explained in class (be sure you
include the grades for your group members); the reflection is submitted to Blackboard in
the folder for the reflection only;
W 5/20 Portfolio Due
