WRTG F211X: Writing and the Humanities
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Spring 2024
Section 007 (CRN 34269): online via Canvas & WordPress
Hans Burger, MFA/MA. Email: hrburger@alaska.edu
Course Description
This course offers an introduction to the techniques of writing about the humanities. We will consider the practices and styles of three different literary genres, and you will write critical material according to the standards of academic literary criticism.
Prerequisite: WRTG F111X: Writing Across Contexts
Course Materials and Format
The lessons for this course are located in this WordPress page, which contains detailed information about the assignments. You will review the WordPress page and use it as a guide to create your assignments, which will then be submitted through the Canvas page. I will review your assignments and provide feedback and grading via Canvas. The class discussion board also appears on Canvas.
There is no textbook to be purchased for this class. All readings are taken from web sources. The relevant links will appear in lesson pages.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this class, you should be able to:
* Analyze the thematic and symbolic qualities of an artistic or literary text,
* Locate secondary critical sources via academic databases rather than Web searches,
* Describe the conventions of academic writing about the humanities, and
* Create an academic paper advancing your interpretive perspective.
This class should also prepare you to participate in intermediate and advanced literature courses at the University.
Assignments and Grading
Your final grade will be based on the following assignments.
Nine Discussion Posts (25 points each): The discussion posts offer an opportunity to swap thoughts and ideas about class material.
Nine informal writings (25 points each): These are brief low-pressure assignments to help develop ideas for your final paper.
Two papers (100 points each): These are the main work of the semester. After submitting your initial essay and receiving a grade, you have the option of revising for a higher grade if you wish.
Two research paper drafts (50 points each): These drafts toward your final research paper, to help sketch out thoughts, avoid deadline panic, and ensure you’re on the right track.
Final research paper (250 points): Your final paper, which should advance an argument about literature by drawing on critical research.
Please note: Your grade as estimated by Canvas is based only on what you have submitted and doesn’t account for missing or future assignments, which means it is not a guarantee of your final grade for the semester. If you’ve submitted one assignment and received 100%, but have no submission for the other assignments, Canvas will tell you that you have a 100% average, but you will obviously be failing.
C– (1.7) is the minimum acceptable grade that undergraduate students may receive for courses to count toward the major or minor degree requirements, or as a prerequisite for another course. A minimum grade of C (2.0), however, MAY be required by specific programs for prerequisite and/ or major / minor courses. Please consult specific program listings in the UAF Catalog.
C– (1.7) is the minimum acceptable grade required for all Core (X) Courses.
“D” (including D+ and D-) indicates a minimal level of acquired knowledge and minimal performance in completion of course requirements. This grade does not satisfy requirements for courses in the major, minor, Core, or graduate programs.
I don’t give grades of NB (or No Basis) or Incomplete unless you ask me for such a grade. Upon your request I will consider whether an NB or I is appropriate. If you stop participating in the course and fail to submit the majority of the coursework, I will default to giving you an F unless you specifically contact me to request otherwise.
Due dates will always be on a Thursday at 11:59 pm (that is, the end of the day).
1000 total points are possible. Your grade will be based on what percentage you achieve of those 1000 points.
A+ (970-1000 pts)
A (930-969 pts)
A- (900-929 pts)
B+ (870-899)
B (830-869)
B- (800-829)
C+ (770-799)
C (730-769)
C- (700-729)
D+ (670-699)
D (600-669)
F 59% and below
Late work
In general I don’t accept late assignments. If you have some emergency, please notify me and I can try to be flexible. Much of the work we do in class is relatively time-sensitive and so cannot be effectively done after the deadline.
Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty, or plagiarism, a serious violation of the school’s conduct code and the norms of academic behavior. All work which is turned in for this class should be your original work, created specifically for this class. If I discover you have taken another person’s work without proper attribution then I will give you a failing grade for that assignment and require you to re-do. If I then discover a second instance of plagiarism, you will automatically fail the class.
If you have questions about appropriate borrowing, please contact me; in this realm, unlike many other parts of life, it is better to ask for permission than forgiveness. You may also wish to review UAF’s Academic Misconduct Policy statement: uaf.edu/csrr/academic-integrity.
If you are wondering about due dates for withdrawal, final grades, etc. significant dates for this semester can be found here.
COVID-19 policies
The university’s statement on COVID-19: Students should keep up-to-date on the university’s policies, practices, and mandates related to COVID-19 by regularly checking this website: rb.gy/b3n9lc. Further, students are expected to adhere to the university’s policies, practices, and mandates and are subject to disciplinary actions if they do not comply.
Resources
- The Writing Center is helpful with any form of assistance for projects at any stage of development. Go to 801 Gruening Building. You can visit the Writing Center website at https://uaf.edu/writing-center.
- Rural Student Services is an academic advising department that supports students who have spent much of their lives in rural areas across Alaska. Rural Student Services provides tutoring in writing and other subjects. They’re located at 202 Brooks Building and online at uaf.edu/ruralss.
- Student Support Services offers academic advising, mentoring and tutoring to low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities. More information is available in their office at 512 Gruening Building or online at uaf.edu/sss.
- Disability Services assists students who might experience physical or emotional learning barriers. You can visit their office at 208 Whitaker Building or their website at uaf.edu/disability. I’ll work to ensure that all students have equal access and that accommodations are kept confidential.
Student Health and Counseling Center provides medical care and assessments. The Counseling Center in particular can assist with learning barriers such as relationship stress, anxiety or depression, alcohol or drug problems, and difficulty concentrating or lack of motivation. You can learn more about these services in their office at 203 Whitaker Building or at uaf.edu/chc.
Inclusion Statement
In this class we will strive to create a learning environment that welcomes all viewpoints. We will not discriminate in regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The Nanook Diversity and Action Center is an excellent resource on this subject, and their website is uaf.edu/ndac.
Likewise, sexual harassment is not acceptable in the university setting or in this class. That includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such conduct can interfere with an individual’s work or academic performance and create an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or academic environment. The Department of Equity and Compliance oversees matters of workplace and classroom inclusion at uaf.edu/equity.
Student protections statement: UAF embraces and grows a culture of respect, diversity, inclusion, and caring. Students at this university are protected against sexual harassment and discrimination (Title IX). Faculty members are designated as responsible employees which means they are required to report sexual misconduct. Graduate teaching assistants do not share the same reporting obligations. For more information on your rights as a student and the resources available to you to resolve problems, please go to the following site: https://catalog.uaf.edu/academics-regulations/students-rights-responsibilities/.
Disability services statement: I will work with the Office of Disability Services to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities.
Office Hours: While I completed my education at UAF and lived in Fairbanks for several years, I do not currently live in Fairbanks or have a physical office. Please contact me by email if you would like to arrange an individual conference via Zoom or phone.
List of assignments and due dates (details in Lesson pages).
Due dates will always be on a Thursday at 11:59 pm (that is, the end of the day).
Review syllabus and WordPress site and make introductory contact with instructor by 1/18.
Lesson one (due 1/25):
Submit: Discussion One
Informal Writing One
Lesson two (due 2/1):
Submit: Discussion Two
Informal Writing Two
Lesson three (due 2/8):
Submit: Informal Writing Three
Discussion Three
Lesson four (due 2/15):
Submit: Paper One
Lesson five (due 2/22):
Submit: Paper One Revision
Discussion Four
Lesson six (due 2/29):
Submit: Informal writing Four
Discussion Five
Lesson seven (due 3/7):
Submit: Informal writing Five
Discussion Six
Spring break 3/11-3/15: No Classes this week.
Lesson eight (due 3/21):
Submit: Paper Two
Discussion Seven
Lesson nine (due 3/28):
Submit: Informal Writing Six
Paper Two Revision
Lesson ten (due 4/4):
Submit: Informal Writing Seven
Research Paper Draft One
Lesson eleven (due 4/11):
Submit: Informal Writing Eight
Discussion Eight
Research Paper Draft Two
Lesson twelve (due 4/18):
Submit: Informal Writing Nine
Discussion Nine
Your research paper final draft is due the last day of instruction, 4/29.