English 1100: Composition and Rhetoric

Abstract

COURSE DESCRIPTION: In 1967, as the civil rights and feminist movements continued to make waves, Gerry Goffin and Carole King co-wrote “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and Aretha Franklin turned their song it into a power ballad for the ages. While artists including Celine Dion and Adele have covered this anthem of female agency and self-acceptance, the chorus begs the question: who is the “you”? Why must the “natural woman” rely on another to “feel” authentic in her own womanhood? Although the lyrics imply that the “you” is an individual man, what happens when we read “you” as a collective pronoun? While the selected readings for this class will only scratch the surface in addressing these questions, we will engage with writers who consider how the notion of a “natural woman” is defined in relation to patriarchal order, science and medicine, the media and fashion industries, and other social norms.¶ The premise of this course is that critical thinking and careful reading are the bedrock of successful writing, and we will do plenty of writing. In discussions and assessments, you will examine texts as products of the writer’s decision-making process, and then be given ample practice in applying those techniques in your own work to create a distinctive verbal style, convey meaning, and project identity. By approaching writing as a process involving multiple stages, this challenging course will strengthen English language and grammar proficiency as it trains the student writer to present and develop a thesis-driven argument in a clear, logical, and convincing manner. While I look forward to the intellectual engagement and aesthetic pleasures literature affords, the primary goal of this course is to equip students with analytical tools, writing skills, and heightened self-awareness through humanistic inquiry that will serve you across disciplines and beyond.¶ GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:¶ The goal of this class is for students to develop proficiency in textual analysis and academic writing. Instruction simultaneously focuses on writing strategies, such as revision, summarizing, structuring, as well as the usage of academic English.¶ Upon successful completion of this course: 1. Students will be able to apply strategies for the developing and revising of their academic essays. a. create an outline or plan of ideas for an academic essay. b. show evidence of idea development through peer review and collaboration. c. demonstrate successful revision strategies.¶ 2. Students will be able to produce clear writing that employs appropriate conventions for academic discourse. a. produce clear and effective organization, paragraphs, and transitions. b. demonstrate mastery of syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. c. choose evidence and detail consistent with the purpose of the essay. d. follow MLA formatting instructions.