Assignments

Longer assignment descriptions will be made available on the website or via handouts, but this synopsis will give you a clear picture of the work you will do in the course.  Assignment point values are in parentheses.

Part One: Writing about Music.

1)     General readership review of one CD for amazon.com or another online source. (30)

2)     General readership review of a different, but perhaps related, CD for the Spectrum or another publication.  Develop your review beyond the issue of whether to buy the CD or not. (70)

3)     Academic review, applying criteria to one of the CDs you reviewed in the general readership reviews.  (100)

4)     Academic commentary: looking for a pattern in the music, or a music topic (i.e., file sharing, censorship, American Idol) of your choice.  You are welcome, even encouraged, to continue building on the review work you have done so far.  (200)

Part Two: Writing with Music.

1)     Write a proposal for a power point presentation, video, or website that will combine text, images, and music.  You will need to figure out which genres serve as guideposts for you on this project.  (50)

2)     Compose the project you have proposed. You will show the project to the whole class.  (150)

3)     Write an academic commentary, a proposal, an extenstive guide, or use another appropriate genre for expressing your views on "new literacy."   You should draw on your experience with the project you have been working on, readings we will discuss in class, and any additional research necessary to communicate effectively.  (200)

Part Three: Portfolios.

We will leave two weeks at the end of the semester for you to revise, edit, and proofread three of the assignments you have done during the semester.  You will also be asked to reflect on what you have gained from the course, and set some goals for yourself in English 120 and the second semester generally. (100 points for reflection, new grades for revisions) 

Class participation.

You will write a one-to-two page memo at the end of the semester, scoring yourself on these four components of class participation.  This memo will be an opportunity to make an argument that will really make a difference in your life!

Attendance = 25.  Subtract a point for every day you miss. Perfect attendance = perfect score.  If extenuating circumstances (health problems, family priorities, etc.) kept you away from classes, you can explain those situations here, but they will only be convincing if you have been talking with me throughout the semester about why you are missing class. 

Weblogging  = 25. You will be asked to make some regular contributions to the class weblog, and if you make all of those contributions, you should give yourself 18/25.  If you make additional contributions, add a point for each one.  If you do not make all the assigned contributions, take away one point from 18 for each one missed.  If computer access was a problem for you throughout the semester, you can explain how it affected your performance, and you can suggest a grade that seems appropriate to you.

In class participation = 25 (contributions to class discussion, to small group discussions, to peer reviews, etc.)  If you are uncomfortable speaking out in full-class discussion, make sure you contribute to small-group discussion, give good peer feedback, etc.  Make an argument for an appropriate score out of 25.

Work ethic = 25.  Students can work hard in this course in ways other than the three just listed.  If you did a lot of research for your papers, drafted extensively, sought additional help from the Center for Writers or SuperTutor, came to my office hours for additional help or just conversation, make an argument for a high score in "work ethic."  If you didn't do these "extra things," make an argument for an appropriate score out of 25. 

Grading Scale:

For the course

A=  901 — 1000

B= 801 — 900

C= 701— 800

D = 601— 700

F =  600 or below

For individual assignments, break the total score into tenths in order to figure out your grade.  E.g. A = 46-50, B = 41-45, C = 36-40, D = 31-35, etc.