Writing 50—Writing and the Research Process:

Writing 50—Writing and the Research Process:
Work in the Twenty-first Century

Instructor: James H. Donelan
Tuesday, Thursday 11:00-12:50
HSSB 1237
Enroll Code: 45437
Email: donelan@humanitas.ucsb.edu
1310 Girvetz Hall
Office Hours: Tuesday 10:00-10:50, Wednesday 12:00-12:50 or by appointment.

Texts:
Xeroxed Reader at Graphikart in Isla Vista
Reich, The Work of Nations
Norton Connect.Net (a computer program and handbook)
Ruszkiewicz, Hairston, Seward, SF Writer
The books and program are available at the UCSB Bookstore.

Course Description: The course will explore writing and research methods in relation to the subject of work, allowing for approaches from a variety of disciplines and viewpoints. Students will research and write a series of exercises and a research paper concerning an aspect of this topic. In addition, students will use networked computers to conduct research, to exchange ideas, and to compose assignments.

Requirements: An interview report, a resume, a cover letter, and a bibliography, brief electronic discussion exercises, and an oral presentation, all leading to a 10-12 page paper. Please observe the following rules:

Do not alter the font size or line spacing in order to change the length of the paper.
Papers should be no longer or shorter than the length assigned and submitted on time.
Use twelve point type, in Times New Roman or CG Times.
Papers should be delivered electronically on the date due. Late papers will result in grade reductions.
Never submit a paper without proofreading it carefully.
Your classmates and your instructor depend on your presence in class and your full participation. Participation therefore counts for a substantial part of your grade. Do not miss class or fail to engage in electronic exchanges and discussions.
University regulations regarding plagiarism will be strictly enforced.
The DROP DEADLINE is FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 by 4:45PM.
Your final grade will be calculated as follows: Interview, 20%; Cover Letter, 10%; Résumé 10%; Completeness and Punctuality of Connect Assignments, 15%; Class Participation, 10%; Final Project, 35%.

How to Read the Syllabus

The homework and reading assignments on the syllabus describe what is due by the time you arrive in class. For instance, the syllabus for October 5 reads:

10/3
Reading: Russell, "Work" 15; O’ Brien, "Work and Personality" 19
Homework: Interview proposal.
In-class: Practice interview exercise. This means that on the night of October 2 or the morning of October 3, you should read the two reading assignments and write an interview proposal on Connect. All Connect.Net work must be completed by class time on the day it is due, unless otherwise noted. Home computer failure is not a valid excuse for missing an assignment; go to IC if you can’t use your home computer.

________________________________________________________________________

I: Personal Perspectives: The Work Interview

9/26
Handout: Baker, from Growing Up
In-class exercise: Writing sample on personal experience with work.

9/28
Reading: Percy, "To Be of Use" 5; Various authors, "Looking at Ourselves" 9
Homework: 250-word description of a career track.
In-class assignment: Introduction to interviewing techniques.

10/3
Class meets in IC, Phelps 1526. Bring your copy of Norton Connect.Net.
Reading: Russell, "Work" 15; O’ Brien, "Work and Personality" 19
Homework: Interview proposal.
In-class: Practice interview exercise.

10/5
Reading: Morrow, "What is the Point…" 23; Epstein, "Work and Its… " 27
Homework: Preliminary interview work; revised proposal.
In-class: Interview framework exercise.

10/10
Class meets in IC, Phelps 1526. Bring your copy of Norton Connect.Net.
Reading: Hochschild, "Family Values…" 31; Garson, "McDonalds…" 95
Homework: Draft of interview; Connect critique.
In-class: Editing an interview.

10/12
Interview due. Submit electronically by 8:00PM.

II: Career Opportunities: Applications and Resumes

10/12
Reading: Nations, Part I.
Homework: Job description analysis; Connect discussion.
In-class: Creating a cover letter according to job objectives and requirements.

10/17
Class meets in IC, Phelps 1526. Bring your copy of Norton Connect.Net.
Reading: Marx, "Alienated Labor" 123
Homework: Draft cover letter and résumé; Connect group critique.
In-class: Fine-tuning the cover letter.

10/19
Reading: Ehrenreich and Fuentes, "Life on the Global Assembly Line" 189
Homework: Revised cover letter, draft of resumé; Connect group critique.
In-class: Group review of applicants

10/24
Class meets in IC, Phelps 1526. Bring your copy of Norton Connect.Net.
Homework: Final draft of résumé and cover letter due. Bring hardcopy to class.
In-class: Developing a research plan.

III: Career Research

10/26
Library visit. Bring a notebook and pen!

10/31
Class meets in IC, Phelps 1526. Bring your copy of Norton Connect.Net.
Readings: Nations, Part III.
Homework: Working bibliography; Connect exchange and suggestion list.
In-class: Finding what you need; outlining.

11/2
Readings: Nations, continued.
Homework: Revised bibliography; Connect discussion of proposed topics.

11/7
Class meets in IC, Phelps 1526. Bring your copy of Norton Connect.Net.
Readings: Didion, "Trouble in Lakewood" 141
Homework: Prospectus.
In-class: Discussion: Evidence and Argument.

11/9
Readings: Didion, continued.
Homework: Preliminary outline and working thesis.

IV: Analysis and Critique of the Working World

11/14
Class meets in IC, Phelps 1526. Bring your copy of Norton Connect.Net.
Readings: Nations, "The New Community"
Homework: Progress report; Connect exchange and critique.

11/16
Readings: Rosie the Riveter (video)
Homework: Revised thesis and preliminary conclusion; Connect critique.

11/21
Class meets in IC, Phelps 1526. Bring your copy of Norton Connect.Net.
Readings: Faludi, "Backlash" 231
Homework: Surface, global, and local revision; continue working on rough draft.
In-class: On-screen editing.

11/23
Happy Thanksgiving!

11/28
Class meets in IC, Phelps 1526. Bring your copy of Norton Connect.Net.
Homework: Half of rough draft due. Connect draft evaluations.
In-class: Putting it all together—final workshop.

11/30
Homework: Full rough draft due
In-class: Oral Presentations.

12/5
Oral presentations. Final Class.

12/6
Final project due.