Jan/Feb

March

April

May

• Hurston, Sweat (S) 
• Shelley, Frankenstein (F)
• Winkler & McCuen-Metherell, Writing the Research Paper (WRP)

• Hodges, et. al., Harbrace College Handbook

Purpose of Course:
This course will help you develop your writing skills, which, as we shall see, is intricately linked to the reading process, and will allow you to apply these skills to the critical and analytical discussion of texts, from a wide variety of perspectives.

Course Requirements:
Attendance/Participation. Because writing can be a troublesome task, it is useful to discuss it with other people who may be having similar problems or who may have helpful advice to share. Therefore, attendance is required. In addition to everyday attendance, it is especially necessary for you to be present for peer group discussion and to be an active participant.
Unexcused absences from peer group sessions will lower the grade of your final paper.  Because of the importance of regular attendance, excessive (more than six) unexcused class absences WILL result in a failing grade for the course. Excessive lates will also lower your grade. (See Official Policy )

Reading Assignments. It is important to be prepared for class discussions. For this reason, you must complete all reading assignments before class. You are expected to arrive prepared to provide thoughtful discussions of  the daily readings, responding to questions from the instructor or your classmates as they arise.  Classroom discussion will involve the open sharing of ideas and interpretations of the literature.  Because every person's opinion is valid, we will demonstrate civility and respect for each other, taking turns to provide our observations and not interrupting each other.  Only raised hands will be acknowledged.

• There are sets of questions listed on the web site as "Homework Questions."  Submission of responses to these questions is not required, but they will be used as the basis for classroom discussion.
• There will also be periodic quizzes based on these discussion questions. You will be able to use your responses to the questions, but not the text for these quizzes.

• Students are responsible for all assignments, even if they are absent.
• Failure to hand in an Initial Paper on time will result in the loss of a full letter grade on the Final Paper.
• For initial drafts of the critical response and research papers, papers are due at the beginning of class. Students who arrive more than five minutes late to class or who do not have a sufficient number of copies will be subjected to the full letter grade penalty.
• Late Final papers will lose 2/3 of a letter grade for each class day.
• Initial Papers that are less than half the required length will receive half-credit and will cause the loss of 2/3 of a letter grade on the final paper.
• Untyped papers will NOT be accepted.
• ** Plagiarism on any assignment will have dire consequences. **
• Please familiarize yourself with the policy  and let Dr. Mekler know if anything is unclear.
• In order to have your final research paper accepted, you must have submitted a complete library assignment for the same topic as your paper. If your topic changes following submission of your initial library assignment, a new assignment must be completed for your new topic.
• Please make sure you are aware of the final deadline for approval of final topics.

Grading:

Homework	5 %
Quizzes	5 %
In-Class Essays	10 %
Out-of-Class Essays	10%
Final Examination	20 %
MLA-style Research Paper: Library Exercise Library Assignment Library Paper Research Paper	50 % 5 10 10 25

Reading List (Subject to Subtle Revision):

Jan	26	Course Introduction
	28	Diagnostic/Review Test
	30	Discussion of Test and Critical Thinking / Writing WRP, Ch. 1, pp. 1-9
Feb	2	Zora Neale Hurston Literary Terms (See List )  Hurston, "Characteristics of Negro Expression," (S): 55-71
	4	Hurston, "Sweat," (S): 25-40
	5	Mitchell-Quarles Convocation
	6	Wall, Introduction, (S): 3-12 (Final sentence ends at the top of 13)  Last Day to drop without a "W" Grade
	9	** Literary Terms Quiz ** Hurston, "Gilded Six-Bits," (S): 133-46
	11	Wall, Introduction, (S): 13-19  100-Word Summary, Quote & Paraphrase from One (1) Assigned Story
	13	Discussion of Research Process WRP, Ch. 3, 19-33 Discussion of In-Class Essay / Critical Response Paper Quote Incorporation Exercise Read Sample Outline  and Paper  and Answer the Questions at the End.
	16	Discussion of MLA Style and Format WRP, Ch.4, 35-50 WRP, Ch.6f., 88-91 WRP, Ch. 7, 93-119 WRP, Ch. 9, esp. 9a to 9b-1, 9b-2g (p. 154), 9b-3, 9b-5 to 9b-6 See Outline Images  and Handouts Read Hints for Critical Discussion Paper  See Lecture Notes for Today
	18	** In-Class Essay **
	19	Frederick Douglass Convocation
	20	** In-Class Essay **
	23	Frankenstein, Editor’s Preface, vii-xii  F, Author’s Preface, (F): 5-6  F, 1831 Introduction, (F): 169-73
	25	F, Vol. I, (F): 7-58
	27	Critical Response Paper Due (500 word min.) See Assignment Peer Group Discussion (See Peer Editing Sheet )
March	2	Student Conferences:  NO CLASS (See Schedule)
	4	Student Conferences:  NO CLASS (See Schedule)
	6	Student Conferences:  NO CLASS (See Schedule)
	9	F, Vol. I, (F): 7-58 (cont.)
	11	F, Vol. II, (F): 59-101  Library Exercise Due
	12	Women's History Month Convocation
	13	F, Vol. II, (F): 59-101 (cont.)
	16	Library Assignment Discussion WRP, Chs. 5-6, 51-91 Bring this sheet with you  Research Paper Topics Due
	18	F, Vol. III, (F): 103-156
	20	Frankenstein Wrap-Up Revised Response Paper Due (500 word min.) Last Day to Submit Assignments or Excuses for Absences for First Part of Class
	23	** Spring Break **
	25	** Spring Break **
	27	** Spring Break **
	30	Final Frankenstein  Review
April	1	** In-Class Essay **
	2	Honors Convocation
	3	** In-Class Essay **
	6	Library Assignment Due Bring 3 copies of this sheet with you
	8	Lipking, (F): 313-31  Last Day to Drop Undergraduate Classes
	10	Lipking, cont. 100-Word Summary, Quote, & Paraphrase of Lipking's Essay, including MLA Citation, Due
	13	Veeder, (F): 271-73
	15	Mellor, (F): 274-86  100-Word Summary, Quote, & Paraphrase  From Veeder or Mellor, including MLA Citation, Due
	17	Discussion of Papers  Read Sample Paper  and answer questions at the end Library Paper Due (Assignment)
	20	Frankenstein Paper Due (See Topics) (800 word min. w/ MLA citation) Peer Group Discussion (See Editing Sheet )
	22	Discussion of Papers  Print out sample outline  and paper  and editing sheet  Bring essay and editing sheet with you to class ** Last Day to Hand in or change Research Paper Topics ** ** If your topic has not been ACCEPTED, you can NOT submit a research paper.**
	24	Discussion of Outlines for Sample Essay  and editing sheet  Please bring outline and editing sheet with you to class Final Frankenstein Paper Due (800 word min. w/ MLA citation)
	27	Student Conferences:  NO CLASS (See Schedule) Bring Research Materials (Books, Web Pages, Journal Articles) and  Typed Thesis Statement, Outline, & Bibliography to Dr. Mekler's Office ** Untyped Papers Will Not Be Accepted ** ** Failure to Submit an Outline Will Result in the Loss of a Full Letter Grade on the Final Paper **
	29	Student Conferences:  NO CLASS
May	1	Student Conferences:  NO CLASS
	4	Research Paper Due (Please bring Three Copies) Peer Group Discussion (See Editing Sheet )
	6	Research Paper Discussion
	8	Final Research Paper Discussion Sample Paper (Print out and answer the questions at the end). Bring essay and responses to class
	11	Final Research Paper Due Final Exam Review Last Day to Submit Assignments or Excuses for Absences for Second Part of Class Research Papers will NOT be accepted after this date unless you have a  Documented Excuse for an illness that causes you to miss class.