Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - ENGL 114W D900

Language and Purpose (3)

Class Number: 4929

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

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:

In this course, we will explore the relationship between writing as a meaning-making process and social practices. We will draw from rhetorical and linguistic knowledge to explain how readers and writers of different genres interact with each other, establishing conventional ways of expressing ideas, attitudes, and intentions. We will also discuss how these conventions change through time and how new technologies such as AI have impacted them. Although this course will focus heavily on academic communications, some consideration will be given to writing in other contexts.

As this is a writing course, assignments will give you opportunities to apply course contents into your own writing and to reflect on your writing process, leading to self-assessing and revising your work multiple times throughout the semester.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  1. Describe the relationship between language and communication purposes
  2. Explain how writing conventions interact with social practices
  3. Discuss possible applications of rhetorical knowledge in today’s communication contexts
  4. Identify readers’ expectations in academic contexts
  5. Apply strategies to improve reading as a first step in your writing process
  6. Strategically select and organize appropriate sources to inform your writing
  7. Integrate published sources in an academic text adhering to the principles of academic integrity
  8. Apply genre-based principles into the different phases of the writing process.
  9. Assess the role of AI in today’s writing practices

Grading

  • In-class participation tasks 15%
  • Paper outline (600-850 words) 15%
  • Paper draft (1500-1750 words) 20%
  • Paper final version (1550-1750 words) 30%
  • Exam 10%
  • Tutorial attendace and participation 10%

NOTES:

ENGL114W explores the writing style of scientific and scholarly writing. It does not feature novels, plays, poems or other forms of literary work.

As this is a writing-intensive course, you must be prepared to devote considerable time to writing. This means that besides the 3 hours a week that you need to invest in attending lectures and tutorials, you will probabbly be working 5 to 6 additional hours to 
interact with course materials, complete assignments, and prepare for evaluations.

To support your learning, a weekly tutorial has been scheduled.  Attendance to these consultations will be mandatory and considered as part of your participation grade.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:


Selected materials that will be made available on Canvas. You will be expected to complete assigned readings every week before the lecture and be prepared to apply your understanding of those materials into in-class tasks and quizzes.

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.

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 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 term 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.