WR 430W Historical Issues in
Composition: Postmodern Rhetoric
Meeting
time: 1200-1350 TTh in HSS 336
Dr. Jason Waite
waitej(at)wou(dot)edu
HSS 302
503.838.9495
Office Hours: MW 12-2; T
10-11
Texts:
The readings for
this class will be from various academic books and journals, all available
online. See the reading list for
details.
Overview
In
his landmark essay, “Some Implications of ‘Process’ or ‘Intersubjectivity’:
Postmodern Rhetoric,” Barry Brummet says,
To all experiences people give meaning, a process which is inherently and
uniquely human. It is in this sense that people make their own reality, for we
give to experience its absolutely necessary component of meaning. (28)
Along
those lines, we will explore the ways in which rhetoric is implicated when
experience is “given meaning,” when some “meanings” have come to “mean more”
than others, and processes by which all of this meaning business plays out in
the world around us.
Attendance
If
you don’t show up to class regularly (i.e., pretty much every time we meet),
you won’t do well in this course. The
readings will often be hard to understand without the benefit of in-class
discussions. Bottom line: whether or
not you come to class is up to you. If
you choose not to come to class regularly, be prepared to face the consequences
(i.e., not learning a whole lot and getting a low grade). I do understand that things come up that are
beyond your control. If you have to miss class I would appreciate it if you let
me know in advance. I would be happy to
meet with you afterwards to talk about what you missed; there is a limit to
this, though. If I have to miss class
(don’t hold your breath), I will let you know (via email and a notice posted by
the classroom door) as soon as I can.
Academic Integrity
Student-teacher
relationships are built on trust. For example, students must trust that
teachers have made appropriate decisions about the structure and content of the
courses they teach, and teachers must trust that the assignments students turn
in are their own. Acts which violate this trust undermine the educational
process. The most relevant form of such
a violation for this course is plagiarism.
From WOU’s English Department website: Simply stated, plagiarism is "the taking
of others' thoughts or words without due acknowledgment."' This definition
applies to both printed, unpublished, and electronic
material. That is, you must acknowledge through appropriate forms of
documentation any
ideas or phrases presented by other people that you use to
support or frame your own ideas and written discussions. Also, you must not
submit work that has been written or revised, in part or in whole, by another
person. Make sure you always provide appropriate source documentation and ask
your instructor whenever you have even the smallest question or slightest doubt
about citing sources. It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes
plagiarism. Plagiarism is grounds for a no-grade (F) and referral to the
Student Conduct Committee.
For more information on
academic integrity, see http://www.wou.edu/las/humanities/plagiarism.php.
Disabilities
If you have special needs
please see Disability Services (http://www.wou.edu/student/disability/). I will do everything I can to accommodate
your needs, but they must be documented.
Assignments
Two Response Papers: In weeks three and seven (see specific dates below)
you will have the opportunity to formally discuss the readings we’ve done. Among many other things, you might consider
discussing the particular ideas (from the readings) that intrigue and/or
frustrate you the most; possible intersections of these ideas; social and/or
political ramifications of these ideas; and difficulties you’ve had in
understanding the readings, along with strategies for overcoming these
difficulties. The first response paper
should address in some detail each of the readings assigned up until the week
before the due date. The second response
paper should address all readings done after the ones covered in the first
paper up until the week before it is due.
The first response paper should be about 5-10 pages, and is a good
opportunity to discuss the intricacies of academic writing. For instance, you might use this paper to
discuss problems you have had in understanding the ideas presented in the
papers and strategies you’ve developed for solving these problems. The second response paper should represent a
developing ability to engage the readings (feel free to revisit the readings
covered in the first response paper.
Time permitting (first come,
first served), I would be happy to offer extra credit (e.g., an
B- would become an B) to anyone who volunteers to read his or her paper to the
class.
20% of Final Grade (10% each paper)
Midterm Exam: The midterm will be a take home, open book exam and will consist of
three questions. Everyone will have to
respond to the first question and then will choose two others from a list. Including all questions, the exam should be
about 10-15 pages.
35% of Final Grade
Final Exam: The final exam will follow the same form as
the midterm but will be longer (the final should be about 15-20 pages). The added length gives you an opportunity to
develop a more sophisticated argument.
45% of Final Grade
Note: The maximum page
lengths given above are not set in stone.
Longer pieces are always welcome.
Pieces that are shorter than the minimum mentioned above generally do
not present arguments that are developed well enough for this course. If you are having trouble developing your
argument(s), you should come see me as soon as possible.
Late Papers
Papers are due in class on
the date given in our schedule. Without
a written request (email preferred) for an extension that explains why you
can’t turn in the paper on the due date, I will not accept late papers. With the exception of extreme circumstances,
the request will not be considered unless
I receive it before 12:01am the day the paper is due. Please note (this is important), I do not
normally check email between 8pm and 8am.
That means that last-minute emails might not do the trick. Based upon the details in your request I
will decide whether or not to grant an extension. If you are sick, please don’t
go into too much detail (I’d rather not hear about vomiting, etc.), just say
that you are sick and that you would like an extension. Bottom
line: Without an approved request for an extension, submitted before the
deadline, you’re paper/exam will count as a zero if it’s late.
Schedule (subject to change)
Note: Please have readings
done on the day they are listed; journal entries for each reading are due when
readings are listed
September
28 Course intro
30 Read Brummett
October
5 Read Lyotard
7 Read Jameson
12 Read Derrida
14 Response Paper 1 Due
19 Read Bitzer and Vatz
21 Read Biesecker
26 Read Zappen
28 Response Paper 2 Due; Mid-Term Exam Distributed
November
2 Mid-Term Exam due; Final Exam Preview
4 Read McGee
11 Read Barthes
16 Read Foucault
18 Read Baudrillard
23 Response Paper 2 Due
25 Thanksgiving!
30 Review and Conferencing
December
2 Final Exam Distributed
Final exam due during finals
week