Syllabus

LA 190: Writing and the Arts

 

Instructor: Dr. Joshua Butts

Course: LA190 Writing and the Arts

Location: Loann Crane Center for Design 304

Office Hours: By appointment.

Email: jbutts@ccad.edu

 

Course Description: Writing and the Arts is a class that will hone your critical thinking and writing skills, while taking its matter from things that pertain directly to your course of study here at CCAD. By engaging in the arguments and issues pertinent to your artistic and professional lives, you will gain a more complex understanding of your work here, while a developing a practiced set of writing and communication skills relevant to diverse situations.

 

Texts:

Hacker, Diana. Rules for Writers. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2003.

McClatchy, J.D., Ed. Poets on Painters: Essays on the Art of Painting by Twentieth-Century

Poets. Berkeley: U. of California Press, 1989.

Michael Bierut, William Drenttel and Steven Heller, Eds. Looking Closer Five: Critical Writing

on Graphic Design. New York: Allworth Press, 2006.

 

Supplemental materials will be distributed as handouts, and at the following link: http://thepicnictablefall2009.blogspot.com/.

 

 

Requirements:

The Writing Portfolio:

            4 Formal Essays (3-5 pages)             80%

Quizzes, Informal Writing:                         10%

General Participation (including

a conference):                                                10%

 

 

The Portfolio (80%):

The Portfolio will represent the bulk of your efforts and, consequentially, the bulk of your grade. 

All formal essays should be double-spaced in black 12 pt. Times New Roman. They should also be stapled. The first three formal essays will be revised extensively, not only to improve your grade, but to meet a basic requirement of the class: revision.

 

All good writing is a result of a writing process. The first three essays will require prewriting, peer review, a first draft (to receive a tentative grade), and a final draft. Your first drafts will

receive tentative grades—B-range, C-range, D-range, etc.  This grade represents where the unrevised essay stands in its early incarnation. When revising each essay consider carefully my comments; then, if you like, schedule an appointment with myself, or the Writing Center (sfix@ccad.edu). You are required to meet with me at least once, preferably in the first ten weeks.

 

At the end of the term, you will turn in a folder that includes your three revised essays, as well as the first drafts of those essays (with my comments). The final draft of the fourth essay will also be included. The fourth essay will be an opportunity to show what you have learned in the process of revising the first three essays. The Portfolio will be assessed in terms of the four individual essays, but also as a whole (in terms of your overall progress as a writer). 

Quizzes, Informal Writing (10%):

We will often have reading quizzes at the beginning of class sessions. Quizzes and informal writing (in-class and out-of-class) will be assessed on a check (1), check minus (1/2), zero (0) basis.  (I may request that out-of-class items sometimes be typed.)

 

Participation, Peer Review (10%): You will receive credit for general class participation. This means being attentive and participating in class discussion. Each essay will be read and commented on by a group of your peers. You will receive participation credit for bringing your essay to class (with appropriate copies) and for providing feedback to your peers.  If you show up late to this class on these days, you will not receive credit.

 

Attendance Policy:  It is CCAD policy that if you miss three classes, then you fail that particular class.  I’m inclined to be slightly more lenient: if you miss four classes, then, you fail this class. I don’t want, nor require, excuse slips, or prior notification for absences.  It is simple: don’t miss four classes. Also, don’t be chronically late, or continued tardiness will be considered an absence.

 

ADA Statement: If you have a documented cognitive, physical, or psychological disability, which includes learning disabilities (LD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), depression, anxiety, or mobility, as described by Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is recommended that you contact Disability Services at 614-222-3292.  Disability Services will assist you in arranging appropriate accommodations with the instructor.

 

Course Schedule: The course will be organized in terms of four units.  Our smaller assignments will pertain to that unit’s particular formal essay. We will go over the first unit’s schedule and essay topic in our second class session.