DePaul University
School for New Learning
College Writing on the Web
Syllabus for Spring 1998

INSTRUCTOR
Don Sorsa
1002 N Humphrey
Oak Park, IL 60302
(312) 362-5945 x3066#
email: dsorsa@condor.depaul.edu
Web site http://condor.depaul.edu/~dsorsa/

COMPETENCE
LL-4 Can read critically and write with clarity and facility.

SCHEDULE
Downtown
Tuesday, March 31 - 6:30-9:00 Mandatory first

TEXTBOOK
Keys for Writers by Ann Raimes is recommended
Other books are acceptable - ask me

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This section of College Writing is a special Internet-based course designed to help students strengthen their reading and writing skills and prepare them for the extensive writing required at SNL. As in all College Writing courses, students will critically read various academic and popular articles and use those sources for various assignments, including 3 multi-draft papers. However unlike other College Writing courses, the only mandatory class meeting will be the first week at the downtown campus. During this course, students and the instructor will exchange all papers and assignments via email.

PREREQUISITES
Students enrolled in this course must have completed Discovery Workshop and be admitted to the School for New Learning before the first class. Students should also have "strong" word processing skills; familiarity with email would be helpful but is not required. Since all papers and assignments will be exchanged electronically, students without Internet access at home or work must plan to use the computers at a DePaul campus at least twice a week for reading their email, submitting assignments, and receiving feedback and comments.

METHODS AND REQUIREMENTS
The following activities will comprise the main meal of this course: readings, guided research, and papers on different topics; electronic discussions based on papers written for this course; written responses to assigned articles; journals; guided peer reviews of works-in-progress by other students; grammar exercises and review;

EVALUATION
Students will be evaluated on their ability to consistently produce college level writing, specifically the three assigned papers. In addition, all journals and other assignments must be submitted according to the schedule.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Students who successfully complete this course will:

1. - write papers with standard written English grammar;
2. - be able to use the World Wide Web to conduct research;
3. - formulate and recognize effective thesis statements;
4. - effectively use transitional words and phrases;
5. - learn various strategies for idea generation and topic selection:
6. - effectively revise, rewrite, and proofread their own work;
7. - improve critical thinking and reading skills;
8. - become familiar with the MLA or APA documentation style.

LEARNING STRATEGIES
- asynchronous electronic discussions;
- individual research via the WWW;
- rewriting, revising, and proofreading three papers;
- grammar exercises and review;
- critically reading essays by professionals and students;
- journals;
- writing and more writing.