Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2022 - ENGL 114W D100

Language and Purpose (3)

Class Number: 2242

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Mon, Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 18, 2022
    Thu, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students to the relationships between writing and purpose, between the features of texts and their meaning and effects. May focus on one or more literary or non-literary genres, including (but not limited to) essays, oratory, autobiography, poetry, and journalism. Includes attention to writing skills. Students with credit for ENGL 104W may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Short, Sharp, and Persuasive: The Essay as Creative Writing
 
“We are all Treaty people.” “How dare you!” “Among your characters you must always include The Starving African.” “A young healthy child well nursed is, at a year old, a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food.” Who said these things, and why? Who heard them? Did it make any difference?

The essay is one of the most common forms of creative writing. It harnesses the power of words to inform, to invite reflection, and to produce change. The essay writer consciously chooses a voice, images, and style to evoke the feeling of a particular place, to tackle a hard question, or to advocate for a political position. Often writing as if simply thinking aloud, the essayist in fact wants to take you along, to change how you think about something. In this course we will read essays that were communicated as speeches, as political pamphlets, as magazine or newspaper articles, in scholarly journals, or on social media. We will be paying careful attention to these essays’ original speakers and audiences. Many of the essays deal with topics important to readers here and now—climate change, identities, technologies, being Canadian, and being global. Above all, they ask what it is to be part of a community.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

In this course you will develop tools for reading, talking, and writing about some of the most famous and influential essays ever written, including some very recent ones. You will practise these critical skills by imitating and adapting an essay to a contemporary issue of importance to you. Tutorials will focus on discussion and on stages of the writing process—planning, writing, self-editing, peer-editing, and revising. You will create a portfolio of short written exercises in tutorials and will also submit two formal essay assignments. These reading, discussion, and writing activities will help you learn to read critically and for pleasure, and to strengthen your university-level writing skills.

Grading

  • lecture and tutorial preparation, participation, & peer editing 15%
  • tutorial writing portfolio, including drafts of essay sections 15%
  • first essay assignment: imitation & analysis (900 words) 15%
  • second essay: analysis (1500 words) 25%
  • mid-term test 10%
  • final exam 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Buzzard, et al. The Broadview Anthology of Expository Prose. 3rd ed. Broadview, 2017. (We will make extensive use of this textbook. It is available in print only, through the bookstore.)
ISBN: 9781554813469

Doug Babington, et al. The Broadview Pocket Guide to Writing. Rev. 4th Cdn. ed. 2017. (available in print or digital form)
ISBN: 9781554813360

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2022

Teaching at SFU in summer 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction.  Some courses may be offered through alternative methods (remote, online, blended), and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes. 

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote, online, or blended courses study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the summer 2022 term.