Engl 460 - Advanced Writing

Fall 2017

• Room: HU 416
• Day/Time: TR 4:25-5:40
  
• Professor: Byron Hawk
• Email: byron [dot] hawk [at] gmail [dot] com
• Office/hours: HUO 408, TR 3:00-4:20
• English office: HUO 114

Description

Objects can be aesthetic or practical means to an end, solitary or intimately connected to the world, personal or deeply debated aspects of public policy. Students will read both academic articles for more focused thinking about these aspects of objects and pieces written for general audiences as models for writing about them. Students will keep a research blog to gather materials for writing and try out initial ideas through weekly reading responses, write a mid-term essay aimed toward more general audiences, and develop a final mini-documentary based on their objects of choice that can be related to personal or professional interests.

Texts

• Fiona Candlin and Raiford Guins, eds. The Object Reader. New York: Routledge, 2009.

Goals

• Develop background theories on objects and materiality.
• Explore digital writing through blogging.
• Develop writing experience for broad audiences.
• Explore audio or video production.

Grades

I will use this basic grading scale: A (90-95), B+ (85-89), B (80-84), C+ (75-79), C (70-74). You should keep all assignments until after you receive your final grade for the semester in the event that there is any discrepancy. It is my policy to accept no late assignments. If you have to be absent on a day something is due, you can send a response to me over email *before class* for a time stamp, but bring a print copy to the next class. I will not print out papers. For digital projects, be sure to upload or post them before class.

Attendance

Because the course emphasizes in-class discussion and writing, attendance is extremely important. Consequently, it will count as a part of your participation grade. And in accordance with University policy, anyone who misses 25% of our scheduled class periods (7 of 28) will fail the course, and anyone who misses more than 10% (3 of 28) may receive a grade penalty. If you stop coming to class, it will be your responsibility to drop. Failure to do so will result in an "F."

Office Hours

I will have office hours on T and R 3:00 - 4:30 in HUO 408, essentially right before class. If you can't make these times, then ask me to schedule a time that is convenient for both of us. I check my e-mail several times daily, so this will be the best way to contact me in a hurry if you have a question or problem, especially about what is due the next day.

Accommodations

In keeping with the University of South Carolina's commitment to non-discrimination--based on age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation--and providing program accessibility for qualified students with disabilities, I am happy to provide reasonable accommodation through the Student Disability Resource Center. Students wishing to make such arrangements should contact their offices at LeConte Room 112A or 777-6142.