Online Writing Center

I almost forgot. The Writing Center offers online consultations (for those of you having trouble making appointments this week). You need to allow at least 48 hours for a response (and, given how busy they are this week, it may take longer), but that is another way to make up for a missed review of your cover letter. Here's the link to the Writing Center website: www.yvcc.edu/owl. Once you're there, you'll click on "Online Consultations" and follow instructions/fill out required form and submit. You should submit your cover letter no later than Tuesday p.m. if you hope to get it back and get it revised by Friday when the portfolio is due. Hope this helps.

P.S. If you chose this option, you'll need to print out the e-mail response you receive from the Writing Center and turn it in.

Schedule for the Last Week of Classes

Hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday! Things are winding down quickly now! Here is the schedule for Week #11:

M (12/1) -- Reflective cover letter (typed draft) due for peer review (NOTE: Remember ALL portfolio items must go through a process of peer and/or teacher review to be accepted in portfolio; if you have missed a peer review, you need to schedule an appointment in the Writing Center to make it up!)

Tu (12/2) -- Lab day (Deccio 216)

W (12/3) -- Lab day (Deccio 206)

Th (12/4) -- Portfolio Peer Review (Bring typed drafts of all portfolio items for final editing)

F (12/5) -- Final portfolios due (no later than 1 p.m. in my office, Glenn 183)

Final portfolios will be available for pick-up by Friday, Dec. 12 (with final course grade) and/or you can choose to have your portfolio mailed to you (to receive comments and final course grade) by submitting a self-addressed manila envelope with sufficient postage.

Enjoy your Winter break and Christmas holiday! It's been a pleasure to work with you all this fall!

Career/Continuing Education Writes

If you are choosing the "Career" Option, you should have at least the following in the Appendix of your portfolio:
1. Job Application (completed) or Application letter to a job of interest
2. Cover letter (for resume)
3. Resume
4. Thank you letter(s) to individual(s) you interviewed or job shadowed

If you are choosing the "Continuing Education" Option, you should have at least the following in the Appendix of your portfolio:
1. College or Program Application (completed)
2. College Admission Essay or Scholarship Essay (also called personal statement)
3. CV (Vita)
4. Thank you letter(s) to individual(s) you interviewed or job shadowed

Your peer critique sheets are due when we next meet in class: Weds., Nov. 26, 2008.

Weeks #9 & 10 Schedule

Week #9
Monday (11/17) = Class (introduce short "Career/Continuing Education" pieces for portfolio Appendix)
Tuesday (11/18) = Lab (work on short pieces and/or revise Essay #3)
Wednesday (11/19) = Advising Day (no day classes)
Thursday or Friday (11/20 or 21) = Meet with peer group (group you selected in class) to review/edit short pieces (Reminder: Your short pieces will NOT receive teacher review, so this is the only feedback you will get unless you seek out other advice from Writing Center or friends/family)

Week #10
Mon. (11/24) & Tues. (11/25) = No class (Instructor at conference); use the time to revise essays for portfolio and/or complete revision activity. (Consider making a Writing Center appointment for additional feedback.)
Wednesday (11/26) = Class: submit peer review sheets; if needed, submit any late essays (LAST CHANCE!); review portfolio reqs. + cover letter pre-writing
Thursday & Friday (11/27 or 28) = Happy Thanksgiving! (Eat, relax, enjoy . . . but don't forget that your final portfolio is due in ONE week, so also do some drafting, revising, and editing.)

Week #8 Schedule

Monday -- Essay #3 Peer Review (bring 3 copies of typed essay to class)
Tuesday -- Veterans Day, college closed
Wednesday -- IN LAB (216): work on revising Essay #3 and/or cover letter (NOTE: do this week's Troubleshooting--one self-selected entry from Part III, Revising, and one self-selected entry from Part IV, Editing--in COVER LETTER, not in notebook!)
Thursday -- Essay #3/Cover Letter due; intro. to Final Portfolio
Friday -- Final Seminar; final notebooks due

Week #7 Overview

This week I'll finish up conferences with individuals, and we will work on Essay #3 (first draft due Monday, 11/10, for peer review). Our goals this week are to review source use, including citing and smoothly integrating evidence into your essay and to discuss organizational strategies (both for argument essays and for literature reviews). Our Tuesday lab day will be dedicated to Essay #3 research and pre-writing (include pre-writing/research notes in your notebooks).

Friday, our seminar topic is "The Working Poor," and you should have entries for each of the three assigned readings in your notebook. In addition, I'd like you to read Troubleshooting, Chs. 28 - 30 and write ONE entry reflecting those three chapters.

Week #6 Notebook Update

This week's Troubleshooting chapters (self-selected chapters from Part III, Revising, and Part IV, Editing) will be addressed in your cover letter, NOT your notebook. (Ignore what it what it says on Week #6 of the syllabus about including a notebook entry for each.)

Week #6 Schedule Changes

Hi all,

In order to provide some of you prompter feedback on your Essay #2 and in order to have time to discuss mid-term progress for those of you interested, I have decided to cancel a couple of days of each class in order to make time for student-teacher conferences (15 minutes time slots per person). These conferences are not required, but they are my attempt to touch base with those of you who have questions or concerns about your grades or who would like more one-to-one discussion on your essay. I will have slots available during class time and my office hours, and I will make extra time (outside of class time) available next week, if necessary, to meet the needs of all who want a conference.

Each class has different changes, so pay attention to the TIME as you read below:

8:30 a.m. class
Regular class/due dates this week (including Essay #2 & cover letter due Thursday and Seminar and Notebooks due on Friday)

Next week, class canceled M (11/3) & W (11/5) for conferences. I may also do some conference Tu (11/4) during our lab time.

10:30 a.m. class
Weds. (10/29)--Essay #2 due
Th & F (10/30 & 10/31)--class canceled for conferences.
Mon. (11/3)--Seminar #3 and Notebooks due


For those of you who sign up for conferences, please meet in my office (Glenn 183), and be prompt, as they will be scheduled back-to-back. I will have your essays ready for you during your conference appointment. Those of you who are not conferencing, I will return your essays in approximately a week with written comments as usual.

Week #5 Preview

This week, we'll be working on developing Essay #2 (due Monday, 10/27, for peer review) as well as continuing work on seminaring and notebooks. On Weds. and Thurs. this week, we'll do some work on MLA documentation, and to prepare for that work, I'd like you all to read p. 69 in TCWOW, "Children Left Behind." (That will also put you ahead on seminar prep, but I don't need your notebook entry by Weds.; I just need you to be familiar with the article for quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing, and citing practice.)

Monday, I also handed out information on how to write a "thank you" letter, something I encourage you to send to your interviewees (or those you job shadowed). You will need to include a typed copy of your thank you letter(s) in the appendix of your final portfolio; however, I'm happy to take a look at what you've done before that if you'd like advice on how to improve.

As I mentioned in class today, I'm not where I'd hoped to be on commenting on Essay #1 due to a funeral (and related activities) this past weekend. My goal is still to finish the essay grading by Friday, but the reality is, I may need another weekend to get them all done. I'll do my best . . .

Finally, here are the additions to your notebook for this week:

• From Troubleshooting, two entries, one "revision"-related (Ch. 8 or a chapter in Part III) and one "editing"-related (a chapter in Part IV).
• Essay #2 pre-writing (you choose the type of pre-writing and/or outlining you prefer)
• Entries for each reading (see list below) out of TCWOW (four total entries)

Week #4 Reminders

Well, for better or worse, I'm here all week and will continue to be here every day until my last conference at the end of the quarter. Therefore, I'll be reminding you of what you need to do in class each day, but I'll continue to post a few of the key due dates/reminders each week.

For this week:

1. I'll be collecting notebooks (or half the notebooks, anyway) on Friday. See the list (right side) for what I'll be expecting you to have completed by Oct. 17. Remember that you need to have entries for EACH assigned reading out of Ch. 1 of The Changing World of Work. (The assigned readings for each class are listed in a previous post--scroll down or look in "Archive"; the reading journal assignment is on p. 3 of syllabus, 3rd bullet point.) I decided NOT to add entries for this week's Troubleshooting readings (ch. 24 + a chapter of your choice from Part III) because you will be discussing your self-selected chapter in your cover letter, so you just need three entries from TS (Into./Ch. 1, Chs. 2 - 4, and Chs. 5 - 7) by Fridy.

2. Our first seminar is Friday. All individuals should have the four articles read and their journal entries complete. The group leading the discussion should be extra-prepared with additional questions and a plan for how they'd like the discussion to go and how to get the class involved. Seminaring counts for 10% of your course grade and is evaluated individually, whole class, and, on the week you lead the discussion, small group. If you're absent on a seminar day, you cannot make up those missed points.

3. A few of you missed or didn't have a draft for peer review. The only way to regain credit is to schedule an appointment in the Writing Center to have your essay reviewed before revising it for teacher review. Your Essay #1 is due THURSDAY for teacher review, and you should attach a cover letter and your peer review sheets (or Writing Center consultation slip) to your revised draft when you turn it in.

Also, just FYI, I posted the assignments for Essay #1 (profile essay), Essay #2 (career report--it will be handed out Thursday), and the Cover Letter (it will be handed out Tuesday) below in case you need an extra copy.

Week #3 Reminders

Okay, so I just got back, and I'm leaving again, but this will be the last trip for a little while.

Here's what you should be working on Thursday & Friday while I'm gone:

1. Seminar Groups: You should read the selections from your section and meet with your seminar group to discuss how you want to approach seminaring. (NOTE: Our first seminar will occur Friday, Oct. 17, and everyone should be prepared to discuss the readings from "Valuing Work" at that time.)

2. Readings/Assignment Notebook: This week, you should read and write one notebook entry on Chs. 5, 6, & 7 of Troubleshooting. Before Friday (10/17) of next week, you will need to complete entries for EACH assigned reading out of the first chapter ("Valuing Work") of The Changing World of Work. Instructions for these entries are on the syllabus (p. 3, 3rd bullet under "Assignment Notebook," but basically, you'll be writing a brief summary and then listing discussion ideas (in complete sentences), i.e. what you found surprising/interesting, what you found challenging, quotes of passages of interest. Finally, you will write a couple of good questions about the reading or the theme to bring to seminar.

NOTE: I'll begin collecting notebooks next Friday (10/17), so make sure you have all your entries caught up and also include your Essay #1 interview/job shadow notes and pre-writing.

3. Writing Center Visitation: I'd like you to learn where the Writing Center is, what it can do for you, and what its schedule is for this quarter. On Thursday or Friday, you should take a few minutes from what would normally be class time to stop by. (Be polite!) During your visit, you should log in and out, so there's a record of your visit, and ask any questions you may have, i.e. what sorts of resources are available for writers here? when are your open hours? how does one schedule an appointment, etc. On Monday (10/13), I'd like you to bring to class some piece of evidence that you visited the Writing Center, i.e. a writing handout, a brochure, or a schedule. If you want help with your essay #1, you could schedule an appointment to work with a writing consultant (on brainstorming, organizing, writing, revising--whatever you need help with). I'll give you bonus points if you are able to complete a consultation before we meet in class on Monday (10/13). Bring your consultation slip!

Reminder: If you cannot visit the Writing Center (or missed your Advising Center visit last week), you have the option of participating in one of the Information Literacy Workshops listed on the last page of the syllabus. There are only a few left . . .

4. Last, but not least, Essay #1: Essay #1 peer review is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 13. You should bring 3 copies of your TYPED essay for your peer group to comment on.

FOR TOMORROW (Tues., Oct. 7)

BRING the following to the computer lab (Deccio 216):

• Your interview or job shadow notes (for Essay #1 pre-writing)
• A disk or thumb drive (to save any writing you do in class)
• A copy of your "majors brochure" or program handout/checklist (from the Advising Center); if you did bonus work, bring that, too
  

The Changing World of Work books

I talked to the bookstore this afternoon, and apparently they only ordered 40 copies of the reading textbook instead of 50 as I'd requested. They are having 10 more FedExed here, and they should be in the book store by the end of the week. (He said to check on Friday.)

The Troubleshooting Guide is being used by several classes this quarter, but he said there are currently some in stock if you still haven't purchased that book yet.

SEMINAR GROUPS & READINGS

Beginning Week #4, we will be seminaring each FRIDAY. All students are required to have read the assigned articles (see below) before the Friday seminar and to have completed a notebook entry for EACH reading (see syllabus for directions). Notebooks will be collected on Fridays.

8:30 class:

Week #4: "Valuing Work" (Jacob, Kurtis, Cody K., Cody L., Taylor)

• "Second Grade Teacher" (p. 42+)
• "Work Makes Life Sweet" (p. 21+)
• "The Creative Class" (p. 30+)
• "Happiness at Work . . ." (p. 14+)

Week #5: "Work and Family Life" (Kathleen, Kendel, Kirsten, Megan, Lizbeth)

• "Children Left Behind" (p. 69+)
• "Doctor's Daughter" (p. 64+)
• "She Works, He Doesn't (p. 50+)
• "Legacy of Dreams" (p. 76+)

Week #6: "Working with Technology" (Jennifer, Cheryl, Celia, Janette, Kelly)

• "Getting Close to the Machine" (p. 87+)
• "Scripted Talk" (p. 105+)
• "The Next University Drive Thru . . ." (p. 131+)

Week #7: "The Working Poor" (Justine, Liisa, Hannah, Camille, Rick)

• "At the Edge of Poverty" (p. 142+)
• "Evaluation" (p. 152+)
• "In the Strawberry Fields" (p. 178+)

Week #8: "Working for Change" (Kristi, Maria, Tim, Kyler, Emily)

• "The Obliteration of Alientation" (p. 197+)
• "Made in the USA" (p. 202+)
• "Secondary Five" (p. 208+)
• "A Pioneer of Community Wealth" (p. 219+)

10:30 class:

Week #4: "Valuing Work" (David, Tyler, Jody, Stephanie, Kristine)

• "Value-Free" (p. 6+)
• "Happiness at Work . . ." (p. 14+)
• "The Creative Class" (p. 30+)
• "Second Grade Teacher" (p. 42+)

Week #5: "Work and Family Life" (Leanna, Brittany, Samantha, Brooke, Rubi)

• "Doctor's Daughter" (p. 64+)
• "Children Left Behind" (p. 69+)
• "She Works, He Doesn't (p. 50+)
• "Two Fathers . . ." (p. 59+)

Week #6: "Working with Technology" (Stephen, Ricardo, Greg, Carey, Ben)

• "Technology Versus African Americans" (p. 97+)
• "High-Tech Stress" (p. 113+)
• "Is Your Job Going Abroad" (p. 122+)
  

Week #7: "The Working Poor" (Molly, Gus, Kristina, Rachel, Cecile)

• "The Just-Add-Water Kennedys . . ." (p. 164+)
• "On the Front Lines . . ." (p. 171+)
• "In the Strawberry Fields" (p. 178+)
  

Week #8: "Working for Change" (Hannah, Rachel B., Aaron, Kayla, Matthew)

• "Made in the USA" (p. 202+)
• "Secondary Five" (p. 208+)
• "A Pioneer of Community Wealth" (p. 219+)
• "Work Rules" (p. 225+)
  
  

Week #2 Update

Hi all,

If you recall, I am leaving for a conference in Duluth, MN on Weds. While I am gone, here are the things I need you to complete (by Oct. 7, 2008!):

1. Complete your interview and/or job shadowing, and take notes to use in Essay #1 (and possibly Essay #2). You will need to complete this before we meet again on Tuesday (10/7). We will be back in the lab in Deccio next Tuesday. (Remember our lab day is canceled for 9/30/08.)

2. Read Ch. 2 - 4 of Troubleshooting and complete ONE notebook entry for the three chapters combined. (For your Troubleshooting entries, you should (1) discuss what you learned or what surprised you from the chapters, (2) discuss which strategies you found most helpful and why, and (3) discuss how you applied or will apply one or more of these strategies to your writing.)

3. Visit the Advising Center (Deccio 164) and pick up a "Majors Brochure" or "Program Worksheet" for your career of interest AND bring to class on 10/7/08. (Optional BONUS: Make an appt. to meet with a counselor/advisor to discuss your career and/or develop your Ed. Plan. You will need to bring evidence to class on 10/7/08 that you did this in order to receive bonus points.)

4. Possibly meet with your Seminar groups. (Definitely you'll need to meet by the end of Week #3.)

I'll be back on Sunday, but the English Dept. has a retreat on Monday, Oct. 6, so we do not have class again until Tuesday, Oct. 7. Please e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns.

Welcome to 101! (Week #1)

Hi all,

Since I'll be out of town quite a bit this quarter, I thought a blog space would be a good way to keep communication about class activities and due dates clear. I'll plan to post an update each week, and I encourage you to check the site weekly (and also check it on days you or I are not in class) to see if there are any updates, additions, or clarifications.

As you can see, the syllabus and course schedule are also posted on this site, so you have a way to access course information should you lose your copy during the quarter.

This week, I'd like you to check out the WOIS link listed under "Resources." The WOIS is a handy career tool that will provide you lots of helpful information about your career of interest and, for those of you who are undecided about your future careers, it has a variety of questionnaires to help you see what careers fit well with your personality, interests, and workplace values.

Outside of class this week, I'd like you to make a contact with a person or workplace in your field of interest that you can interview or job shadow during Week #2 or Week #3. You'll use what you learn from this meeting to develop your essay #1 (which I'll introduce to you by Friday) and possibly some information from this interview or job shadow can be used in your essay #2 as well. (NOTE: you also have the option of visit a four-year college campus if you don't want to explore your career(s) options.)