Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2023 - FASS 200 B200

STT-Writing Right: Strategies for Effective Revision (1)

Writing Right

Class Number: 4710

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Jun 19, 2023: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    15 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Provides an opportunity for students to undertake a close revision of a previously written paper in order to learn how to improve the clarity, economy, and flow of their writing. Activities are designed to teach students how to revise their work more effectively. The writing and revision strategies worked on in this course are applicable across all disciplines.

COURSE DETAILS:

Students struggle with their writing in two ways: first, they have received feedback on their writing in the past that is unclear, unhelpful, and hurtful. This feedback has been damaging to their sense of who they are as a writer. When students get stressed or overwhelmed by writing assignments, the negative feedback often creeps into their mind, and often leads to feelings of the fear of more failure or an inability to get started. Second, students often feel that there is an unwritten code or set of rules around academic writing that “other people” seem to understand, but despite working hard, the student never seems to master. Through the activities online and in class you will have a better understanding of who you are as a writer, and what the often, unwritten expectations are for writing strong academic papers. Anyone who engages fully in the process of writing will become a better writer.
 
Writing is an active process, and there are different ways that you can engage in critically reflecting on your writing. You will explore a variety of writing strategies and engage in them with an open mind, some of which will work better for you than others.
 
This is a skill-building class which means that you will have many little assignments to submit. This is an opportunity to assess how well you are acquiring the skills, and to give you lots of feedback and encouragement. The course is laid out so that your skills build on each other. As a result, it is really important for you to submit assignments in on-time. You should be expected to spend about 6-7 hours a week on the course materials.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Through a series of low stakes writing activities, gain an awareness of how past writing experiences have shaped your understanding of who you are as a writer.
  • Understand that strong writing comes through focused revisions.
  • Revise your own work using a variety of strategies to improve clarity, economy and style.
  • Learn how to thoughtfully critique the work of peers.
  • Incorporate revision suggestions of peers into your work.

FASS 200 B200 runs for 5 weeks (May 8-June 9). The first session is 1 hour, the rest of 4 sessions are 2 hours each in person+1 hr asynchronous online work. Enrollment in both B200 and B201 is required. This is a 1 credit course.

Grading

  • Draft submissions, Peer Revision, Participation, and Reflection Journal 100%

NOTES:

FASS 200 B200 is delivered as a blended course, in-person, with an added online component. It is designed to improve your skills for future success and work in this class is expected to be of high quality. A competency-based grading system will be used to assess your academic performance and active participation in all learning activities. That means only a P (pass) or F (fail) will appear on your transcript. There is no numerical equivalent for the final grade, and it does not affect either your grade point average or cumulative grade point average.

  • P (pass) means that you have demonstrated your competency in relation to the learning objectives, met all the criteria for the course, and demonstrated the skills you have acquired.
  • F (fail) means that you do not receive credit for the course.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students must have access to the internet as well as a computer/other device that permits streaming video, word processing (specifically Word and not Google Docs), and teleconferencing with Zoom. If possible, Post-it notes, multi-colored pens, highlighters, and index cards are useful to have on hand.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.