WR 100: Technology and Nature in New England
Fall 2009
FH MWF 1-2 in GCB 203
H7 MWF 3-4 in CAS 324
I4 MWF 4-5 in CAS 323A
Instructor: R. S. Deese
Office: 301L in Writing Center
Contact: rsdeese@bu.edu
Office Hours: MWF 2pm-3pm in 301L
COURSE DESCRIPTION
WR 100 and WR 150 make up a two-semester sequence of writing courses required of most Boston University undergraduates. They are designed to help all students acquire skills and habits of mind essential both to their academic success and to their future personal, professional, and civic lives. WR 100 and WR 150 are taught as small, topic-based seminars. Different sections of these courses address a range of different topics. The specific topic of this section of WR 100 is Technology and Nature in New England. As this region is the birthplace of both American environmentalism and the first industrial revolution in the U.S., we will use local history and authors to explore the relationship between rapid technological innovation and our changing conceptions of nature. As we explore this question from the advent of the first Massachusetts mills and railroads to the current controversies over biotechnology and the Cape Wind Project, we will survey the thought, writing, and activism of a broad array of writers and scholars, from Emerson and Thoreau to Caroline Merchant and David E. Nye.
COURSE GOALS
Although they vary in topic, all sections of WR 100 and WR 150 have certain goals in common. All sections of WR 100 help students develop their abilities to:
• craft substantive, motivated, balanced academic arguments
• write clear, correct, coherent prose
• read with comprehension, critical discernment, and engagement
• plan, draft, and revise efficiently and effectively
• respond productively to the writing of others
• express themselves verbally and converse thoughtfully about complex ideas
All sections of WR 150 should help students continue developing these abilities while also introducing them to college-level research.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
As a writing seminar, WR 100 requires both a good deal of reading and writing and your active involvement in a variety of class activities.
Specific course requirements are:
• four papers
• interim and final portfolios
• miscellaneous homework exercises
• attendance and participation
• two conferences with instructor
COURSE MATERIALS
Readings:
Merchant, Carolyn. Ecological Revolutions: Nature, Gender, & Science in New England
Nye, David E. Technology Matters
Citation, Grammar, and Style:
Birkenstein, et al. They Say / I Say
Hacker, Diana. Rules for Writers
Williams, Joseph M. Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace
COURSE INFO & BLOG
Our class has a Course Info site that contains the syllabus, assignments, and other course-related materials. I have also set up a blog to share relevant media and post student feedback. You can log in to our course information and post your own feedback at:
http://technology-nature.blogspot.com/
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
You will be given five types of writing assignments in this course: in-class writing, homework exercises, drafts, final papers, and portfolios. Much of this work will not be graded, but that does not mean it is unimportant. Students who prepare diligently for class, participate actively, and take the homework exercises and drafts seriously generally learn more and write better final papers than those who do not.
In-Class Writing: You will regularly be asked to write during class. I recommend that you purchase a notebook to contain this work and that you bring this notebook with you to class each day. You may use a laptop as long as it does not disturb or distract other students in the class. Your in-class writing will not be graded.
Homework Exercises: You will periodically be assigned brief homework exercises that will help you work with the readings, generate ideas for your papers, or practice skills you will use when writing your papers. Your homework exercises will not receive grades, but your performance on these assignments may affect your participation adjustment (see below).
Drafts: In this class, we generally will use the term draft to refer to unfinished or preliminary versions of your four major papers. You will write at least one draft of paper 1 and at least two drafts of papers 2, 3, and 4. For papers 2, 3, and 4, one of your drafts will receive comments from me, either in written or verbal form; the other will receive feedback from your classmates. Drafts are required but do not receive grades. Remember, though, that you are more likely to receive useful feedback—and therefore write a better final paper—if you write a substantive draft. Your performance on your drafts may also affect your participation adjustment (see below).
Final Papers: Your final grade in the course will be determined primarily by the quality of your final papers. The final version of paper 1 will receive an individual grade. The final versions of papers 2-4 will be graded in the interim and final portfolios. The best way to produce strong final papers is to take your in-class writing, homework assignments, and drafts seriously.
Portfolios: Your interim and final portfolios will be collections of preliminary and finished writing accompanied by an introductory essay in which you assess your progress toward the course goals. Each of these portfolios will receive a grade that reflects both the quality of the final papers in the portfolio and the quality of the portfolio as a whole.
Format: All drafts and final papers must be typed or word-processed and adhere to Chicago format. Please include a word count (available as a function on most word processors) at the end of all written work.
Sharing of Student Writing: Experienced writers routinely share their work with others, because they understand that the best way to improve a piece of writing is to test it out with actual readers. In this class, you will learn how to respond productively to another’s writing and how to use feedback from readers to improve your own work. All students in the class will be required to share at least one draft of each paper. If you are concerned about sharing your writing, please talk with me about your concerns.
GRADING AND EVALUATION
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
Paper 1: 10%
Interim Portfolio: 35%
Final Portfolio: 55%
You must complete both the interim portfolio and final portfolio to pass the course. Your final grade may also be adjusted to reflect your attendance and participation as described below.
Late and Missed Assignments: Unless you make other arrangements with me in advance, graded assignments (final version of paper 1, interim portfolio, and final portfolio) will be penalized by one-third of a letter grade for each day they are late.
Homework exercises and drafts of your papers will not receive grades, but these must still be turned in on time. If you submit a homework exercise or draft late, I cannot promise to read it in time for my comments to be useful to you. If you do not turn in drafts, you are still responsible for turning in final versions of your papers when they are due. Please note too that we will regularly work with our homework exercises and drafts in class. If you are habitually late with your assignments, you will be unable to participate fully in the class.
Participation and Attendance: Since this course is a seminar, your regular attendance and participation are essential both to your own learning and to your classmates’ learning. Consequently, your final grade may be adjusted up or down by one-third of a letter grade to account for the quality of your participation and ungraded work over the course of the semester.
You may miss three classes without penalty. I ordinarily do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences, so please save your absences for when you need them. If you exceed the number of allowed absences, your course grade may be lowered as follows:
Number of absences Final grade penalty
4 5 1/3 of a letter
5 6 2/3 of a letter
6 7 full letter
7 8 1 1/3 letters
8 9 1 2/3 letters
9 10 F
If you have a special obligation that will require you to miss several classes (e.g., varsity athletics, religious observances), please talk with me at the beginning of the semester. Missed conference appointments will be counted as absences.
WRITING CENTER
The CAS Writing Program operates a Writing Center (730 Commonwealth Ave., Room 301) through which students enrolled in WR courses can receive one-on-one consultations about their writing with well-trained undergraduate and graduate-student tutors familiar with WR assignments. When you visit the Writing Center, you should expect to be actively involved in your session. Writing Center tutors will work with you at any stage in your writing process, but they will not edit or correct your paper for you. Rather, they will work with you to help you do your own best work. The Writing Center is a resource for all students. Whether you consider yourself to be a strong writer or a weak one, you can benefit from the Writing Center.
The Writing Center’s hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 7:30 pm and Friday 9:00 am to 5:15 pm. While the Writing Center accepts walk-in visits, you are strongly encouraged to make an appointment in advance. Because of the high demand for consultations, students are limited to one reservation per week. You may schedule a session online at:
http://www.bu.edu/cas/writing/tutoring.html
You may also schedule a session in person at the CAS Writing Center or by calling 617-358-1500. Cancellations must be made at least 12 hours in advance.
WR
The CAS Writing Program publishes an online journal of exemplary writing from WR courses. If you are interested in looking at samples of successful WR papers, or if you just want to read some good essays, I encourage you to visit the journal at:
http://www.bu.edu/cas/writing
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is the passing off of another’s words or ideas as your own, and it is a serious academic offense. Cases of plagiarism will be handled in accordance with the disciplinary procedures described in the College of Arts and Science Academic Conduct Code. All WR students are subject to the CAS code. If you would like a copy of the code, I will be happy to provide you with one. It can also be read online at:
http://www.bu.edu/cas/students/undergrad-resources/code
Penalties for plagiarism can range from failing an assignment or course to suspension or expulsion from the university. In this class, we will discuss conventions for using and citing sources in academic papers. If you have any questions about plagiarism, I invite you to speak with me.
RESOURCES
CAS Writing Program: Administers all WR courses and the CAS Writing Center. You may contact the CAS Writing Program if you have any concerns about your WR class.
730 Commonwealth Ave.
Room 301
617-358-1500
Educational Resource Center: Offers tutorial assistance to all undergraduate students in a range of subjects, including writing. You should use the Writing Program’s Writing Center for your WR classes, but you may wish to visit the ERC for tutorial assistance in other subjects.
George Sherman Union, 4th floor
Phone: 617-353-7077.
http://www.bu.edu/erc
Office of Disability Services: Responsible for assisting students with disabilities. If you have a disability, you are strongly encouraged to register with this office. You may be entitled to special accommodations in your courses, such as additional time on tests, staggered homework assignments, or note-taking assistance. This office will give you a letter outlining the accommodations to which you are entitled that you can share with your teachers. If you require accommodations in WR 100, you must present me with an official letter from Disability Services.
19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor
Phone: 617-353-3658
http://www.bu.edu/disability
Student Central: Web page that provides direct access to public and personal academic, financial and institutional data maintained in the University's central computer system.
http:// www.bu.edu/students
Student Health Services: Offers an array of health services to students, including wellness education and mental health services (behavioral medicine).
http://www.bu.edu/shs/
http://www.bu.edu/shs/wellness/index.shtml
http://www.bu.edu/shs/behavioral/index.shtml
WR100 Schedule of Readings and Assignments
W 09-02 Introduction; Impromptu Writing/Discussion/Peer Critique
Fr 09-04 Discuss Paper 1: Emerson & Nye on Technological Determinism Reading: “Can We Define Technology?” and “Does Technology Control Us?” Nye, 1-31. Emerson, “Ode, Inscribed to William H. Channing” (HANDOUT)
M 09-07 Holiday—No class
W 09-09 Last day to add or change writing seminars; Reading: John Winthrop “City Upon a Hill” excerpt from 1630 Sermon on the founding of Boston (HANDOUT)
Fr 09-11 Reading: They Say / I Say, 1-47 Nathaniel Hawthorne “The Celestial Railroad” (HANDOUT)
M 09-14 First Draft of Paper 1 Due
W 09-16 Impromptu Writing/Discussion/Peer Critique
Fr 09-18 Reading: FINISH They Say / I Say; “Work: More or Less, Better or Worse?” Nye, 109-134.
M 09-21 Final Version of Paper 1 Due; Discuss Paper 2: Measuring an Argument Against Your Own Experience
W 09-23 Impromptu Writing/Discussion/Peer Critique Thoreau, excerpt from Walden (HANDOUT)
Fr 09-25 Reading: “Sustainable Abundance or Ecological Crisis” Nye, 87-108; Edward Abbey “Down the River with Henry Thoreau” HANDOUT; Emerson “Nature” HANDOUT
M 09-28 Lecture and Discussion: Changing Visions of Technology & Nature, from the Puritans to Transcendentalism
W 09-30 Impromptu Writing/Discussion/Peer Critique
Fr 10-02 Reading: Merchant, 1-68; First Draft of Paper 2 Due
M 10-05 Lecture and Discussion: Critiques of the Enlightenment, from Romanticism to Postmodern “Critical Theory”
W 10-07 Last day to drop classes without a ‘W’ grade; Impromptu Writing/Discussion/Peer Critique
Fr 10-09 Reading: Krech, “The Ecological Indian” HANDOUT Merchant, 69-111;198-231
M 10-12 Holiday—No class
Tu 10-13 Substitute Monday schedule of classes; Impromptu Writing/Discussion/Peer Critique
W 10-14 Reading: Nye, “How Do Historians Understand Technology?” 49-66; Merchant, 232-270; Second Draft of Paper 2 Due; Discuss Paper 3: “Talking Back: Position Paper in Response to Merchant OR Nye”
Fr 10-16 Impromptu Writing/Discussion/Peer Critique
M 10-19 Lecture and Discussion: George Perkins Marsh
W 10-21 Impromptu Writing/Discussion/Peer Critique
Fr 10-23 Reading: Nye, “Cultural Uniformity or Diversity?” 67-86; First Draft of Paper 3 Due
M 10-26 Lecture and Discussion: John Muir vs. Gifford Pinchot
W 10-28 Impromptu Writing/Discussion/Peer Critique
Fr 10-30 Reading: Nye, 135-160; Second Draft of Paper 3 Due
M 11-02 Lecture and Discussion: Benton Mackaye
W 11-04 Impromptu Writing/Discussion/Peer Critique
Fr 11-06 Reading: Hacker, 346-410 (scan); Draft of Interim Portfolio Due for In-Class Workshop
M 11-09 Lecture and Discussion: Rachel Carson
W 11-11 Holiday—No class
Th 11-12 Last day to drop classes with a ‘W’ grade
Fr 11-13 Lecture and Discussion: Bill McKibben vs. Nordhaus & Shellenberger
M 11-16 Interim Portfolio Due (Includes FINAL DRAFTS of Papers 2 &3 along with one page self-assessment); Discuss Paper 4: “Three Sources, One Problem: Merchant, Nye, and Special Guest” (Special Guest List: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Edward Abbey, George Perkins Marsh, Benton Mackaye, Rachel Carson, Bill McKibben, Ted Nordhaus & Michael Shellenberger). Special Guest Reading selections will be made available by HANDOUT and through the course blog)
W 11-18 Lecture & Discussion: Tech & Nature in the 21st c.: Mass. Biotech Council and Cape Wind Project
Fr 11-20 Impromptu Writing/Discussion/Peer Critique
M 11-23 First Draft of Paper 4 Due
W 11-25 Fall recess
Fr 11-27 Fall recess
M 11-30 Portfolio Revision/Discussion/Peer Critique
W 12-02 Second Draft of Paper 4 Due
Fr 12-04 Portfolio Revision/Discussion/Peer Critique
M 12-07 Draft of Final Portfolio Due
W 12-09 Five Greatest Paragraphs posted online at http://technology-nature.blogspot.com/
Fr 12-11 Last class: Course Evaluations; Final Portfolio Due (Includes FINAL DRAFT OF PAPER 4, all collected writings from Fall Term, and 500-word self assessment)
