ENGL 101B S22 Jafari

ENGL 101B S22 

Announcements

Your instructor uses the Announcements widget on the Course Home page during the term to communicate new or changing information regarding due dates, instructor absence, etc., as needed. You are expected to read the announcements on a regular basis.

To ensure you are viewing the complete list of announcements, you may need to click Show All Announcements.

Discussions

A General Discussion topic* has also been made available to allow students to communicate with peers in the course. Your instructor may drop in at this discussion topic.

Contact Us

*Discussion topics can be accessed by clicking Connect and then Discussions on the course navigation bar above.——————

Course Description

The systematic study of effective communication—the art of rhetoric—dates back at least to the epics of Homer and flourishes today in countless academic disciplines and fields of business. In fact, the historical “empire” of rhetoric    is so vast and enduring that it “digests regimes, religions, and civilizations” (Roland Barthes). This class seeks to introduce students to the essential concepts, frameworks, and controversies in the history and theory of rhetoric by analyzing key selections from foundational texts, both ancient and contemporary. In addition to demonstrating the relevance of rhetorical theory and criticism to a variety of social, intellectual, and cultural fields (law, politics, philosophy, literature, advertising, etc.), the class also explores emerging forms of rhetorical practice made possible  by new media technologies, such as propaganda, computational gaming, and information warfare. Students will    leave the class with a firm grasp of basic concepts of rhetorical theory, a sense of the history of rhetoric, and a    deeper appreciation for rhetoric as an inventive, critical, multimodal, and multidisciplinary enterprise—what Quintilian calls an “encompassing art” (ars circumcurrens).

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Define basic rhetorical concepts Describe the historical scope of rhetoric Read texts critically

• Analyze artifacts rhetorically

• Appreciate rhetoric as an inventive, critical, multimodal and richly interdisciplinary enterprise

Grade Breakdown

The following table represents the grade breakdown of this course.

Participation

It is critical that everyone participate and have a voice in our discussions -- to bring your own insights and experiences to the classroom; to amplify, disagree, nudge, cheer, and collaboratively learn with each other and the instructor; and to form your own classroom community for learning. I recognize that this can be difficult in an online course, and that each student has their own talents and capacities for contributing to the course. I recognize a range of ways that you can gain your participation grade in this course, including but not limited to:

• Attending the weekly synchronous class discussion;
• Talking and commenting in the synchronous class, or commenting in the chat window;
• Listening to your peers in synchronous class, engaging with them, including them;
• Participating in your breakout group: being the notetaker if you prefer not to talk, or presenting if you do; helping draw ideas from your groupmates; encouraging quieter students; facilitating discussion or disagreement;

• Writing a question or observation in the "General Discussion" forum, including something you'd like discussed in synchronous class, or emailing me privately if you prefer;
• Attending my office hours to talk with me or ask questions;
• Extending care to another student in need.

Your participation grade will be a collaboration between us. You will write a self-assessment at the term midpoint and revise it at the end of the course: a one-page reflection on the ways you have participated in the course, including efforts you made that are not reflected in the list above or that I may not have been aware of, and how you participation fits your strengths and your personal goals for the course. You will assign a participation grade to yourself. Full marks or no marks would require a significant explanation and are not expected. I will review your self-assessment and assign a participation grade from my standpoint, reserving the right to raise or lower your self-assigned grade - but will communicate that with you. If needed the conversation about your participation grade can continue to be negotiated.

Writing Prompts

Throughout the term, there will be writing prompts posted in the Discussion forum in Learn, a total of 5. You will read the prompt then start your own thread in response to the questions in that prompt. You will write 500-750 words reflecting on and answering the question. Then, read your classmates' writing and offer 150-200 word responses to three of them, using the reply function. Reflections and responses are due by the posted dates.

Peer Workshop

You will be assigned to peer workshop groups for the purpose of sharing a draft of your essay and giving/receiving constructive feedback.

Essay

Details will follow for your course essay. Ahead of the drafting of your essay you will be handing in a thesis statement (2%), outline (4%) and Quotation Practice (4%). Further information will be provided.

Take Home Exam

The final assignment for the course will be a take-home or open-book exam with essay-style answers covering material from the full course.

Your Instructor

I've been teaching in the Department of English Language and Literature since 2003. I began my research and teaching in social justice studies in the humanities and literature: postcolonial and transnational studies with an emphasis on gender and sexuality, and guided by critical race studies approaches. Caribbean literature and Canadian multiracial literature are areas of focus. I've gradually been moving towards social science approaches to research, including community- based research. I am pursuing qualitative data-gathering projects in collaboration with social services and nonprofit agencies and people with lived experiences of homelessness, substance use, sex work, transphobia, and racial oppression. These projects’ findings are used for education and advocacy by community partners and for academic publication (e.g. my work in progress on discourses of harm reduction, & advocacy and narrative change). These two fields cross over in my work exploring literatures and rhetorics of advocacy and activism.

Textbooks

Required

There is no textbook to purchase for this course. Most required readings are available for download, in PDF form, from the Course Schedule and the Content Modules. If you prefer hard copies, they can be purchased through the W Store listed below.

For textbook ordering information, please contact the W Store | Course Materials + Supplies.

For your convenience, you can compile a list of required and optional course materials including both print and digital formats, through UWaterloo BookLook using your Quest userID and password. If you are having difficulties ordering online and need support, please contact the Waterloo Store by email wstore@lists.uwaterloo.ca, by local phone +1 519-888-4673 or by toll-free at +1 866-330-7933. Please be aware that textbook orders CANNOT be taken over the phone.

Course Reserves

Course Reserves can be accessed using the Library Resources widget on the Course Home page.

Resources

Library COVID-19: Updates on library services and operations.

Course Policies

Late Weekly Reading Responses will not be counted toward your grade unless medical documentation is provided. In the case of late Essays, the instructor reserves the right to subtract 5% per day from the assignment grade