Spring 2002

EWRT 002-66Z Critical Reading, Writing, andThinking

CLASSROOM: Distance Learning Class, requiresInternet access and email address

OFFICE: LCW102, Thursday 1:45-2:45

PHONE : 408-864-8999 ex 5620

EMAIL: lesliewallis@fhda.edu *** send me anemail as soon as you complete the orientation for this course, or ifyou want to add the course and plan to come to the on-campusorientation.

WALLIS LESLIE, INSTRUCTOR

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs andthen go on to calm everyone down and explain the advantages of yourposition, chances are you will have taken EWRT2. Daily we arebesieged by competing, conflicting claims for our attention, for ourmoney, and for our time. We can deal effectively with these noisy,urgent claims by developing the skills we learn in this course: howto sort out arguments, how to question propositions, how to examineand evaluate evidence, how to recognize errors in reasoning, how toassess the media's credibility, and, finally, how to put all ourdiscoveries into clear, cogent prose.

Success in this class is based upon satisfactory achievement inthe following areas:

ATTENDANCE: Attendance in a distance learning class ismeasured by regular and frequent participation in the emaildiscussion of the study questions as well as in participation in thesmall group special projects that you will encounter as you read thewritten course material on the Webct site and as you respond toinstructor comments. Students are responsible for responding to twoor more study questions per reading assignment as well as toresponding to two or more classmate responses. Since you are workingunder your own supervision, a disciplined, steady approach to thecourse work will reward your efforts. There is a time limit forcompleting the assignments to help you plan your schedule. Becausecoursework must begin immediately, even though the first weekregistration activities may delay your access to Webct, send an emailto me for the first two weeks' assignments.

PAPERS: Four 1000-1500 word essays (the equivalent of 4-6typed, double-spaced pages). Preceding the title will be a copy ofthe thesis in addition to wherever it appears in the body of thepaper. Papers will be submitted by the due date, copied and pastedinto the body of an email to the instructor (not as attachments orhtml). Be sure to keep a copy of your submitted work and to retainall returned work until after you have received your final grade.

CLASS PARTICIPATION: Active, informed, responsive, andready answers to questions and participation in group activities willearn top credit here.

QUIZZES: Spot quizzes--no make-ups.

TESTS: There will be a final exam consisting of shortanswer and essay questions covering class work and assigned reading.

GRADES: Grades are based on points. Points are earned forpapers (100 each), midterm (100), final (200), class participation(100), quizzes (10 each), and class projects (10-20 each). Points aresubtracted for late papers.

A.....90% of possible points

B.....80% of possible points

C.....70% of possible points

D.....60% of possible points

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Current Issues and Enduring Questions, 6th ed., Barnet andBedau

Corporate Media and the Threat to Democracy, Robert W.McChesney

White Noise, Don DeLillo

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