Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2020 - ENGL 114W D900

Language and Purpose (3)

Class Number: 5339

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 18, 2020
    Tue, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Location: TBA

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:

Are You with Me Yet? Short, Sweet, and Persuasive
 
“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 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 critical tools for reading, talking, and writing about some of the most famous and influential essays ever written (as well as some very recent ones that may be remembered as influential in our own time). You will practise these skills by imitating and adapting parts of the essays you are reading. Tutorials will also focus on stages of the writing process—planning, writing, self-editing, peer-editing, and revising. You will create a portfolio of short writing exercises in tutorials and will also submit two formal essay assignments. Together, this reading, discussion, and writing will help you learn to read critically and to develop university-level writing skills.

Grading

  • lecture and tutorial participation & activities; peer editing 15%
  • tutorial writing portfolio, including drafts of essay sections 15%
  • first essay assignment: imitation & analysis (900 words) 15%
  • second essay: analysis (1600 words) 25%
  • mid-term test 10%
  • final exam 20%

NOTES:

Important Notes about Course Delivery for Summer 2020:
 1. All teaching at SFU in the summer term 2020 will be conducted through remote methods. Enrollment in this course acknowledges that remote 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. No exams will be conducted in-person.
2. Remote learning for this semester requires a computer or tablet, camera, and internet access. Headsets are advised but not necessary. Note that students have access to free Office 365 or Adobe Creative Cloud found here: Https://www.sfu.ca/itservices/remote-study-work-resources.html.
3. Since this is a “W” course, writing will be done on a weekly basis, whether a short reading or lecture response, a draft introduction, or a formal essay assignment. Certain aspects of the course will take place synchronously, or will be released on a timed basis. So please keep your scheduled tutorial slot free for an online meeting, and please plan to access and respond to lectures on a weekly basis.
 4. Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.
Please contact Prof. Betty Schellenberg (schellen@sfu.ca) if you have questions or concerns.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Important note about the course texts – in the current pandemic environment, you have 2 options:
 1. Readings from the required text, The Broadview Anthology of Expository Prose, will be available on the course Canvas site either in PDF or as links to the original magazine sources. The recommended text, The Broadview Pocket Guide to Writing, can be purchased in a PDF or e-reader version through the SFU Bookstore starting May 1st. OR
2. You may purchase the required text, or both texts, in print versions directly from the Broadview Press website in Ontario. Shipping is free. I recommend this option, since we will be using almost 300 pages of this text and it will be much easier for you to manage the online work of this remote course if you have a print version of the text that you can mark up as you listen to lectures. Here is the required text on the Broadview website: https://broadviewpress.com/product/the-broadview-anthology-of-expository-prose-canadian-third-edition/#tab-description

REQUIRED READING:

Buzzard, et al. The Broadview Anthology of Expository Prose. 3rd ed. Broadview, 2017. (The readings in this text will be supplemented by materials available on Canvas or on-line.)
ISBN: 9781554813469

RECOMMENDED READING:

Doug Babington, et al. The Broadview Pocket Guide to Writing. Rev. 4th Cdn. ed. 2017.
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 2020

Please note that all teaching at SFU in summer term 2020 will be conducted through remote methods. Enrollment in this course acknowledges that remote 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 believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.