Writing 2: Academic Writing
Fall 2006

Instructor: James Donelan
Email:
donelan@writing.ucsb.edu
Office Phone: 893-8329; messages only, 893-2613
Office Location:
1523 South Hall
Office Hours:
Monday, 11-12 AM; Tuesday, 10-11AM

Class Meetings:
MW, 8-9:50, Mondays, HSSB 1236; Wednesdays, Phelps 1530
Lab Meetings: The first half of class will meet in Phelps 1530 on all Wednesdays after the first class meeting.

Texts:
ConnectWeb, a computer program, is available online via E-commerce for $20. Purchase of the program is mandatory.
Rosen, The Academic Writer's Handbook, ISBN: 0321338316
Hawking, A Briefer History of Time, ISBN: 0553804367

Woolf, Jacob’s Room, ISBN: 0140185704
A reader available at Graphikart in
Isla Vista

Texts are available in the UCen Bookstore. Some additional readings will be on reserve at Davidson Library. Copies of the course books will not be on reserve; please purchase them as soon as possible.

ConnectWeb Home Page: http://connectweb.com/ucsb.asp

Course Description:
The course will explore the fundamental forms and styles of academic writing across the disciplines through developments in a single historical period, the beginning of the twentieth century. Students will research and write a series of exercises and essays in three areas: natural science, social science, and the humanities.

Course Outcomes:
Students who complete the course successfully should be able to:

·        read, understand, and summarize academic texts in the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities

·        understand distinctions in methodology, rhetoric and argumentation among the disciplines and apply that understanding to analysis and critique

·        conduct basic library research using electronic databases

·        evaluate and document sources properly according to the individual disciplines

·        schedule research, writing, and editing time effectively

·        plan and execute short writing projects in the disciplines with confidence

·        participate in oral, written, and online exchanges among fellow students

Requirements:
The course requires regular attendance, active participation in class discussion and activities, and timely completion of all assignments, including short on-line assignments and preliminary drafts as well as the final draft of each assignment .All written assignments after the first week are due on-line through ConnectWeb. In addition, please note:


Syllabus

Please note: Full descriptions of all writing assignments are posted on ConnectWeb. Both the assignments and their deadlines may change—be sure to check the syllabus posted on ConnectWeb as the class progresses.


I. Science: Modern Physics

10/2
Introduction and Logistics: Academic Writing and the Modern World

10/4
Class meets in the lab, Phelps 1530.

Reading: Kuhn, “The Route to Normal Science” (Reader); Rosen, Part I Alternate reading for Kuhn .
Homework: 250 word (1 page) answer to the question, “What is a normal science?” Please have the assignment available as a Microsoft Word or html file, if possible.
In-class: Introduction to ConnectWeb; the scientific method; the writing process

10/9
Reading:
Rosen, Parts II and VI ; Kuhn, “Revolutions”; Hawking, Chapters 1-2
Homework:
250 word answer to the question “What is a scientific revolution?”
In-class: Writing in the disciplines; your strengths and weaknesses.


10/11
Class meets in the lab, Phelps 1530.

Reading: Rosen, Part VIII; Hawking, Chapters 3-5
Homework: Brief summary of Chapter 5 (250 words—details on ConnectWeb)
In-class: Effective summarizing; definitions; improving sentence style.


10/16
Reading:
Rosen, Part III; Hawking, Chapters 6-8
Homework: Scientific definitions.
In-class: Library visit

10/18
Class meets in the lab, Phelps 1530.
Reading: Rosen, Part V; Hawking, Chapters 9-12
Homework: Basic research.
In-class: Film, A Brief History of Time


10/23
Reading:
Rosen, Part IX; Feynman, “Quantum Behavior”
Homework: First draft of Scientific Review. 
In-class: Partner review; paragraph development.


10/25
Class meets in the lab, Phelps 1530.

Reading: Rosen, Part V
Homework: Second draft of Scientific Review—bring printout to class.
In-class: Proofreading strategies.

10/27 Scientific Review Final Draft due by 8:00PM.

II: Social Science: The Social Science of Modern War

10/30
Reading: Fussell, “On Modern War”; Keegan, “The Somme”—”The Battlefield” through “The Battle.”
Homework: Historical Argument.
In-class: What is modern about modern war?

11/1
Class meets in the lab, Phelps 1530.

Reading: Keegan, “The Somme”—”Infantry versus Machine-Gunners” to end.
Homework: Historical Evidence.
In-class: Critical reading exercise.

11/6

Reading: Sweeney, “Letter to Ivy Williams”; Horowitz, et. al. “Introduction,” “Signs and Symptons of PTSD.”
Homework: Prospectus for Social Science Essay. 
In-class: Group discussion.

11/8
Class meets in the lab, Phelps 1530.

Reading: Freud, “Introduction to Psycho-Analysis and the War Neuroses.
Homework: Social Science Research. 
In-class: Research colloquium.

11/13
Reading: Pitman, et al. “Psychophysiologic Responses to Combat Imagery.”
Homework: Outline and working thesis.
In-class: Outline development.

11/15
Class meets in the lab, Phelps 1530.

Reading: Review Rosen, Part V; Keegan, “The Abolition of Battle.”
Homework: First draft of social science essay—bring printout to class.
In-class: Partner critique.

11/20
Homework:
Second draft of social science essay
In-class: Peer review and final revisions; introduction to humanities section.

11/22 Social Science Essay Due by 12:00PM. Pre-Thanksgiving Conferences

III: Humanities: War Poetry and the Modern Novel

11/27

Reading: Poems by Auden and Stevens (reader)
Homework:
Poetry and experience
In-class: Discussion: the nature of poetry.

11/29
Class meets in the lab, Phelps 1530.
Reading: Woolf, Jacob’s Room, 1-37.
Homework:
Prospectus of humanities essay; humanities research
In-class: Poetry, meter, and interpretation.

12/4
Reading: Jacob’s Room, 37-98.

Homework: Outline and first two pages of humanities essay—bring printout to class.
In-class: Discussion of Jacob’s Room; the modern novel.

12/6
Class meets in the lab, Phelps 1530.

Reading: Rosen, Part IV; Jacob’s Room, 99-end.
Homework: Full draft of humanities essay.
In-class: Group discussion and review.
Last Day of Class

12/8 Final draft of humanities essay due.