Writing 2LK—Academic Writing Linked to Art History 6B

Instructor: James H. Donelan
Meeting Times: Tuesday, Thursday 11:00-12:50, HSSB 1215
Lab Meetings: Class will meet in the Miramar Lab, 1526 Phelps Hall, on Thursdays.
Enroll Code: 57125
Email: donelan@writing.ucsb.edu Office: 1319 Girvetz Hall
Office Hours: Monday, 9:30-10:30, Tuesday 8:30-9:30, or by appointment.

Texts:
Hacker, A Writer’s Reference, 6th Edition (Hacker)
Arnold, Art History: A Very Short Introduction (AH)
Readings from Art History 6B
ConnectWeb, an online computer program (purchase through e-commerce after 1/11)
http://connectweb.com/ucsb.asp

Course Description: The course will explore the fundamental forms and styles of academic writing in essays related to the content of Art History 6B. Students will also improve their reading and critical thinking skills through class discussion and exercises.

Requirements: The course requires regular attendance, active participation in class discussion and activities, and timely completion of all assignments. Students must also complete all Art History 6B reading assignments for use in Writing 2LK.
You will write three in-class essays, a three-page paper, a five-page paper, and a seven-page paper. Your grade will be determined as follows:

1. First in-class essay—5%
2. Second in-class essay—10%
3. Third in-class essay—15%
4. First (three-page) paper—15%
5. Second (five-page) paper—20%
6. Third (seven-page) paper—25%
7. Participation and completion of homework assignments—10%

Course Outcomes:

Students who complete the course successfully should be able to:

• read, understand, and summarize academic texts, especially in art history
• write basic descriptive, comparative, and research essays
• take a large lecture class successfully
• conduct basic library research using electronic databases
• evaluate and document sources properly
• schedule research, writing, and editing time effectively
• plan and execute short writing projects with confidence
  

In addition, please observe the following rules:

• Papers should be posted online by noon on the date due or by class time the same day. Late papers will result in grade reductions.
• Attendance, participation in class discussion, and electronic exchanges are essential to the course and count for a substantial part of your grade.
• Plagiarism—the undocumented use of another’s writing or ideas—is a serious offense. University regulations will be strictly enforced.
• Chronic absenteeism or late assignments will result in failure of the course.
• Students with disabilities may contact me to discuss special accommodations.
• All assignments must be completed in order for you to receive a passing grade.
• Drop Deadline is Friday, January 12, 2007.

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Syllabus

I: Terms, Definitions, and Sentences: Description

1/9  
In-class: Writing sample and logistics; how to take a lecture class.

1/11
Reading: AH, Chapter 1; Hacker, C
Homework: One-paragraph definitions of "humanism" and "International Style."
In-class: Terms, periods, and styles.

1/16
Reading: AH, Chapter 2, Hacker, A
Homework: One-page description of an art work.
In-class: Comparing definitions; building better sentences.

1/18
Reading: AH, Chapter 3; Hacker, S
Homework: Rough draft of analysis.
In-class: Peer review; prose style and sentence combining.

1/19
Descriptive Analysis Due

II: Paragraph Development: Comparative Interpretations of Visual Art Works

1/23
Reading: AH, Chapter 4; Hacker, R
Homework: One-page essay on an artist-patron relationship and its effect on a work.
In-class: Difficult sentences; analytic reading and introduction to comparisons.

1/25
Reading: Hacker, MLA
Homework: Find and explain three comparative thesis sentences from the readings (one paragraph each).
In-class: First In-class Essay

1/30  
Homework: Prospectus and rough outline of comparative essay.
In-class: Working with outlines; commas.

2/1  
Homework: Three well-formed topic sentences, including a thesis statement.
In-class: Second In-class Essay; introduction to colons and semicolons.

2/6  
Homework: Introductory paragraph and full outline.
In-class: Working with thesis sentences.

2/8  
Homework: Midterm questions and study guide.
In-class: Midterm preparation.

2/13
Library visit. Class meets in the Arts Library.

2/15  
Homework: First half of rough draft.
In-class: Editing and revision.

2/20
Homework: Full draft of essay.
In-class: Final peer review; introduction to thematic essays.

2/22  
Homework: Prospectus of thematic essay.
In-class: Research and argument.

2/27  
Homework: Working bibliography.
In-class: Quotation embedding; citation methods.

3/1
Homework: Reading notes; outline.
In-class: Topic and thesis development with research.

3/6
Homework: Draft of introduction and full outline.
In-class: Third In-class Essay

3/8 Group Meetings.  

3/13
Homework: First draft of essay.
In-class: Peer review; oral presentations.

3/15
Final class.
Homework: Second draft of essay
In-class: Evaluation and discussion of W2LK.

3/16
Thematic essay due.