130: ATL American Radical Thought (Spring 2004) Instructor: Professor Ann Larabee Office: 274 Ernst Bessey Hall Office Hours: 10:30-12:30 M, W Phone: [phone], or leave voicemail at 517-355-7903 Email: [e-mail] Webpage: www.msu.edu/user/larabee Mailbox: 229 Bessey Hall Course Description: ATL 130, American Radical Thought, is a Tier 1 writing course, and is designed to prepare you for writing in academic, professional, and public life. "Everything's an argument,"as our writing handbook declares, and you will learn different forms of argument for different audiences and purposes. Since radicalism is essentially a forceful argument, this approach to writing is especially relevant. Our readings will explore the use of language to enforce institutional power, in the law, in government, and in business. And they will reveal how radical groups throughout U. S. history, from the anarchists of the nineteenth century to the anti-corporate movement of the twenty-first, have countered that power with their own language of rebellion and new community. TEXTS Andrea Lunsford and John Ruszkiewics, Everything's An Argument William Lutz, New Doublespeak Naomi Klein, No Logo Online texts: Edward Bellamy, Looking Backward, 2000-1887 http://eserver.org/fiction/bellamy/contents.html Martin Luther King, Jr., "Letter from the Birmingham Jail" http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/mlk/index.html Henry David Thoreau, "Civil Disobedience" http://eserver.org/thoreau/civil.html Mohandas Gandhi on nonviolence, http://www.mkgandhi.org/nonviolence/Gandhi'sstruggle.htm
Assignments: Portfolio 1 (30%): 2 essays, 1-2 page self-assessment, due at midterm Portfolio 2 (40%): 2 essays, 1-2 page self-assessment, due at semester's end Quizzes (10%): 5 quizzes on readings In-class essay (20%): written during finals period Portfolios Each portfolio will contain two essays, including any prewriting assignments, rough drafts, and final draft. Essays will range from 750 to 2000 words in length and will in some way address the readings. Essays can be revised as many times as you and I see fit, and will not be graded until you hand them in as a portfolio. They will be graded on understanding of audience, appropriate purpose, presentation and structure, inclusion of adequate evidence, and fluency. You will need to demonstrate certain skills for each paper, as explained in each assignment. First drafts will receive one of the following: 1) revision mandatory, 2) revision recommended, 3) revision not necessary. I will take hard work and overall improvement over the term into consideration when I grade portfolios. In addition, regular attendance and conscientious participation in group work, including peer editing, will win you a better grade. Although you can revise papers as many times as you like, due dates on first drafts are FIRM. Otherwise, your peer editing group will not be able to work effectively. ***Failure to produce first drafts on time will result in a C or below.*** Attendance: This class requires regular participation overall for success. More than 8 absences will result in a failing grade. Quizzes cannot be made up without a valid doctor's excuse. My Office: Please drop by my office sometime before or after class and introduce yourself! I am happy to talk over drafts and grades anytime.
Grades: Grading is on a point system. You can keep a tally of points earned. Portfolio one: 300 pts Portfolio two: 400 pts Quiz one: 20 pts. Quiz two: 20 pts Quiz three: 20 pts. Quiz four: 20 pts. Quiz five: 20 pts. Essay exam: 200 pts. TOTAL: _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __________ _________ __________
Calendar *** Calendar is subject to change, depending on class progress.**** Homework and reading assignments are due on date indicated. In-class assignments and quizzes cannot be made up without a doctor's excuse. August 26 Introduction to Course, Defining Radicalism, Avoiding Plagiarism 28 Meet in EBH 214 for orientation to computer lab Reading: EA, Part I. Introducing Argument. September 2 Topic: Radicalism and Nonviolence Reading: Thoreau, "Civil Disobedience" Handouts: ACT-UP's strategies for nonviolent protest, Rules for nonviolent protest from a 1960's antiwar demonstration QUIZ 1 4 Meet in Lab Topic: Radicalism and Nonviolence Reading: Gandhi, "Nonviolence" Internet Sources: Letters opposing war with Iraq in State News 9 Topic: Radicalism and Nonviolence Reading: King, "Letter from the Birmingham Jail," EA, Part II, Lines of Argument 11 Topic: Radicalism and Nonviolence Reading, Kelly, "Social Defence," nonviolence.org, "Overview of the Iraq Crisis" and articles relating to the Weapons of Mass Destruction Scandal 16 Film on the Patriot Act with discussion, Prewriting for first paper 18 EA, Chaps. 8 & 9, Structuring Arguments, Arguments of D...