Welcome to the course! Remember that all our course materials--the reading questions, paper assignments, and other announcements, will be found here, and not on Blackboard. I've also posted the syllabus below in case you lose your hard copy. Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns, or respond to this post with a comment below. Here's hoping we have a successful and safe semester together!
NOTE: The posts below this one are from Fall 2020, so you are not responsible for any of them, and they do not reflect the work you'll be doing this semester. So only read through them if you're interested.
English 1113 (Sections 20 & 22):
Freshman Composition
1 “Travel and Culture” (Fall 2021)
Professor: Dr.
Joshua Grasso
Office: HM
348
Dates: TR
TR
E-mail: jgrasso@ecok.edu
Office Hours: MWF 10-11 & 2-3; TR 2-3
COURSE BLOG: grassocomp1.blogspot.com
(instead of Blackboard)
“Travel is not a means of escaping the self; travel is a
means of revealing the self. Or, in the process of journeying the road less
traveled, the self is unraveled and thereby revealed.” –Alexandra Fuller
REQUIRED BOOKS (yes, we will read these, so you must own
them!)
- The
Best American Travel Writing 2020, ed. Robert MacFarlane
- Songs
For the
REQUIRED
- Attendance:
see below
- Reading
Questions: 25 pts.
- Writing
Workshops: 20 pts.
- Papers
1-2: 15 pts. each = 30 pts.
- Paper
3 (Abstract): 10 pts.
- Paper
4 (Final): 15 pts.
ATTENDANCE: Since this is a twice-a-week class, I usually
allow you TWO WEEKS of unexcused absences (4 days). Of course you can have
excused absences (team travel, sickness, etc.) which don’t count against you.
Otherwise, I hope to see you in class so you can contribute to our discussions,
and learn important material that is very difficult to communicate on-line. If
you miss more than 4 classes (unexcused), you will lose 10 pts from your
final grade. If something comes up and you need to miss class, or you think
you’re sick, etc., please tell me before hand and I can work with you. If you
just miss class without explanation, I have to assume the worst. So let me help
you!
READING QUESTIONS: Every
Tuesday (with some exceptions) you’ll have a reading due and a series of
questions for the reading due. You can find these readings on the blog a few
days before each class. These are ‘active reading’ questions, which aren’t just
yes/no, this/that questions; they ask you to make informed opinions based on
how you read/understand the essay. We will discuss these answers in class, so
by bringing them with you, you’ll always have something to say in the event you
get called on (or if you simply want to talk).
To get full credit
for each set of questions, all you need to do is give an honest answer that is
informed by the reading. Don’t guess, don’t make things up, and always write
more than a single sentence or two. In other words, “think on paper.” If you
give inadequate answers, skip a question, or don’t turn it in, you won’t get
credit for the assignment. Like your absences, if you miss more than TWO
responses, you’ll lose 10 points for your Responses grade (and an additional 10
points for each set of questions you miss). So be careful and let me know if
you have problems with the questions and/or the reading. I’m happy to help you
either by e-mail or in my office.
WRITING WORKSHOPS: These
are basically in-class writing responses that are geared to some element of
writing. Often, the responses will piggy-back off of our readings, and ask you
to consider new ideas that we haven’t discussed. You can only miss ONE Writing
Workshop without penalty. After that, you lose ten points. So again, let me
know if you need to miss class, and if you have an excused absence, you can
easily make up the writing.
PAPERS 1-2: These
are ‘conversation’ papers that are informed by three things: the readings, our
class discussions, and your own ideas/background. The goal of these papers is
to enter into a conversation between yourself and other voices in our society,
and learn how to respond to ideas that complement and run counter to your own.
I will give a detailed assignment sheet two weeks before each paper is due.
PAPERS 3-4: This is
a combined project where Paper #3 introduces the paper you will intend to
write/research for Paper #4. I’ll give you more information about this after
Fall Break. Paper #4 is basically a Final, and will be due during Finals Week.
LATE PAPERS: You can
turn in a paper up to 2 days late, losing a letter grade each day (so, if you
turn in a ‘C’ paper 2 days late, that would equal an ‘F’). In general, it’s
always better to turn in a rough paper on time, than get a more polished paper
to me late. If you’re having trouble with a paper, e-mail me before it’s due—I
can help or possibly given you an extension if you have a justifiable reason
(illness, etc).
THE FINE PRINT
- You must buy all the books for the course. Trying to use on-line
summaries will doom you to vague, uninformed responses. If the goal of any
class is to become more engaged with the material, reading the books is
essential. Read and enjoy the material. :)
- If you miss class, check the blog to see if there are any new
assignments or material. You can also e-mail me if the blog hasn’t been
updated to be sure.
- When you e-mail work to me, check the attachments carefully. If I
can’t open it (or it’s simply not attached) it doesn’t count. I will
contact you if this happens, but the clock is ticking...if you turn in an
e-mail without an attachment at
- If you have any kind of emergency, please contact me as
soon as possible. If I know you’re going through something difficult, I
can work with you and help you get the work. If you only tell me weeks or
months later, it’s too late.
- The COVID situation can change our class dynamic at any time. If
you’re confused by what’s going on or feel you can’t complete the work,
etc., please contact me first. Let’s talk through it to make sure it’s not
as bad (or as hard) as you think. I’m always available by e-mail and will
respond within an hour or two at most (unless you e-mail me at
- Academic Integrity link: https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/siteContent/administration/academic-affairs/documents/AcademicIntegrityPolicy.pdf
72-Hour Transition
Statement: Should on-campus instruction be suspended for any reason,
ECU’s face-to-face and blended courses will transition to online/virtual
delivery within 72 hours. Online courses will continue as
scheduled.
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR (subject to change)
AUGUST
T 17 Introduction
to the Course
R 19 Writing
Workshop #1
T 24 From BATW
2020: Brown, “If You Are Permanently Lost” (42-46)
R 26 Writing
Workshop #2
T 30 From BATW 2020:
Jones, “Such Perfection” (97-110)
SEPTEMBER
R 2 Writing
Workshop #3
T 7 From BATW
2020: Morris, “My Father’s Land” (186-200)
R 9 Paper #1
due by
T 14 From BATW 2020:
R 16 Writing
Workshop #4
T 21 Paper #1
Conferences (in my office, HM 348)
R 23 Paper #1
Conferences (in my office, HM 348)
T 28 From BATW
2020: Budd, “The Volunteer’s Dilemma” (49-60)
R 30 Writing
Workshop #5
OCTOBER
T 5 From BATW
2020: Powers, “Who Lives in
R 7 Writing
Workshop #6
T 12 Paper #2
due by
R 14 FALL BREAK
T 19 Writing
Workshop #7
R 21 From Songs
from the
T 26 From Songs
from the
R 28 Writing
Workshop #8
NOVEMBER
T 2 From Songs
from the
R 4 Writing
Workshop #9
T 9 From Songs
from the
R 11 Writing
Workshop #10
T 16 From Songs
from the
R 18 Paper #3
(Abstract) due in class
T 23 [extra class
if needed]
R 25 THANKSGIVING
BREAK
T 30 Discuss Paper
#4/Wrap-Up
DECEMBER
R 2 Optional
Conferences
Paper #4 due TBA
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