ENG 194 English Studies & the Environment
Spring 2014 Course Description & Syllabus

DAYS:  T 3:00-4:15; TH online
CREDITS:  3
LINE NUMBER: 25456
ROOM: COOR L1-18

Peter Goggin
OFFICE:  LL 308B
OFFICE HOURS: TBA (and by appointment)
PHONE EXTENSION: 965-7748
E-MAIL:  goggin1@asu.edu
COURSE CALENDAR: http://www.public.asu.edu/~petergo/courses/eng294/194assignments.html

TEXTBOOKS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will introduce students to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts on environmental issues, from Plato to Palin, Orr to Gore, Leopold to Le Guin, and more. Students will explore a range of perspectives on the environment and sustainability from areas of interest in English studies (literature, rhetoric, language & communication, pedagogy) examining not only the significance of English studies for research on the environment and sustainability, but the significance of the environment and sustainability in the study of English.

REQUIREMENTS:
BlackBoard discussion forum
Weekly short quiz
Midterm exam
Final exam
Critical analysis paper
Participation and attendance (see also Recommended Reading List and Video Punctuation)

ASSIGNMENT DEADLINES (tentative):
Feb. 4 paper topic proposal due (workshop)
Mar. 4 midterm exam
Apr. 8 draft of paper due (workshop)
Apr. 29 paper due
May. 6 final exam

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:
 Feb. 27 enrollement begins for Fall '14
 Mar. 9-16 Spring Break
 May 2. last day complete withdrawal

ONLINE CLASSES/BLACKBOARD DISCUSSION FORUM: This course will meet each online each week in lieu of one on-site class session. You will be required to logon to the course Discussion Board at http://myasucourses.asu.edu and participate in asynchronous online group discussions. Topics will be assigned after the Tuesday class session. Logins must be made between noon each Wednesday and noon each Friday to qualify for credit and must demonstrate a commitment equivalent to a full on-site class session. I recommend that you use the scheduled class time on Thursdays for this purpose. Assessment of online class participation will be based on the quality of responses and discussions as they relate to assigned readings, course projects, and to responses posted by other class members. Students are responsible for maintaining a high level of quality and participation for the online class sessions.

Why take a hybrid class?
--Hybrid classes offer greater flexibility and convenience by allowing students to complete part of the course work outside of the classroom.
--Students can interact more with their peers and instructor since there are multiple opportunities to do so in both a classroom and online environment.
--Hybrid classes provide opportunities for students to engage in active, participatory learning.
--Students have more time to engage and reflect on class work when it is presented online and reinforced in the classroom.
--Students can develop and enhance skills in time management, organization, and collaboration.
--Students can enhance computer literacy skills that will be valuable in future classes and the workplace.

Note: Initial forum discussions must be posted before midnight on Thursday to qualify for full credit. Initial posting after 10:00am on Friday will receive little to no credit depending on quality.

WEEKLY QUIZ: Each Tuesday there will be a brief 4-5 question quiz on the contents of assigned readings. Points for quizzes (up to 2 points per quiz) will contribute to the attendance/participation grade. Make sure to keep up with the readings and if you read ahead, make sure to review before class.

EXAMS: Midterm and final exams will consist of comprehensive essay questions that will require you to synthesize course content.

SEMESTER PAPER: Your paper will be a critical study/analysis of some environmental issue as it relates to an area in English studies. It could also be a critical study/analysis of an area of English studies as it relates to the environment. For the paper you will generate a topic question (thesis) and examine and synthesize relevant texts, scholarly and otherwise, to explore your topic in depth. You will draw on your sources in the paper to support your observations and claims. The paper will use MLA citation format. Length 8-10 pages (2,000-2,500 words).

PARTICIPATION & ATTENDANCE: Because so much of what is to be learned in this course occurs in class, regular attendance is expected. The course is so constructed that even a few absences will create serious problems. Be prepared each class to offer comments and pose questions on the assigned readings. As this course is based on group work and class participation, satisfactory attendance performance is required to receive a passing grade for the participation and attendance requirement. Performance/participation points will be awarded for each complete class attended and for quizzes. For each class you actively participate in you will earn up to (+) 2 points. If you come to class and do not participate you may earn as little as 0 points for that class (see "notes" below). If you miss a class you will receive 0 points for that class session. This includes both on-site and online classes.

You must attend a minimum of 26 classes this semester to qualify for passing credit. Five or more absences will result in a grade of E for the course. No "excuses" will be accepted. Each weekly online forum counts as a full class period. You must logon and participate for the equivalent of a regular in-class period between noon on Wednesday and noon on Friday to receive attendance credit for the forum.

Note:  "Attendance" means being present, on time, and prepared for the entire class period.
Note:  "Prepared" means having fulfilled all required reading & writing assignments for the class period, having all the required reading & writing texts and materials available to work with during the class period, and being ready to engage actively in group and class discussions and activities during the class period.

OTHER PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES:
Recommended reading list--Over the semester we will collaborate in building a list of reading resources relevant to English studies and the environment. If there is a publication you have read that is relevant to this course of study, write up a brief synopsis and explanation for why it is relevant (MLA format) and email it to me. I will add it to our list. Note: Listings must be submitted ready-to-post by April 22 to qualify for extra credit.

Video punctuation--Student working in pairs (or so) will search and identify a short YouTube video (up to 4 minutes and absolutely no more than 5 minutes in duration) that is relevant to the course content and send me the link via email at least a full day prior to each Tuesday's class meeting. The video should offer some sort of commentary (broadly defined) on some aspect of the environment that is of significance to English studies (or vice versa) and will be introduced by the students scheduled to present their video for that week. The videos will be presented at the end of the class session as a punctuation to bring the class to a close, and to generate potential discussion for the following online class session that week. Videos should be thought provoking but not distasteful, disrespectful, or offensive to other class members.

These participation opportunities are designed to be contributions to the course of learning and academic community, and will serve as collective resources for all class participants. They will not be assessed quantitatively, but may count toward an enhanced participation grade at the end of the semester.

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: In the past a number of students have voiced concerns and complaints about distracting behavior by fellow students that compromise learning. The class period is scheduled exclusively for work in this course and will include lectures, announcements, workshops, group discussions, and self directed study time. The following rules of etiquette must be followed to ensure that the learning goals and needs of all students in this course are respected. Disregard for these rules indicate a lack of preparedness to engage fully in a class period and may result in forfeiting credit for participation (see "Attendance" above).
--personal communication devices must be turned off before the class period, and remain off until the end of the class period.
--class time will not be used for personal e-mail, texting, social networking, Web surfing, semaphor, morris dancing, or other activities that are not specifically course related.
--class time is for scheduled work for this course only. Homework for this course and work for any other course must be done outside of the scheduled class periods.
--during announcements, lectures, and discussions  initiated by the instructor or by students that are directed to the whole class, students must give their attention to the speaker(s). This means that discussions must cease so that all students can participate fully.
--no audio or video recording of any course content without prior written approval of the instructor.

The bottom line: You are expected to be an active and constructive participant in this course not only for your own learning purposes, but also for contributing to the learning of your peers and to the academic community.

CONFERENCES: In addition to the class attendance requirement, I recommend that you meet with me outside of scheduled class time at least twice during the semester. This provides you an opportunity to discuss your progress in the course with me on a one-to-one basis. See me during class time to arrange appointments.

COURSE WORK: It is your responsibility to come to each class prepared to participate, and to share your ideas with others. This means you must work steadily both in class and on your own throughout the semester. Time management is an important aspect of academic study, and thus, an important concern for you in this course.

POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE CONTENT:
Some of the texts in this course may involve questions concerning political, religious, and cultural beliefs. It is also possible that we will encounter adult language, sexual content, references to violence, or other material that may be deemed offensive by some audiences. I am stating this up front so that you are aware of the possibility. Your continued enrollment in this course following the reading of the syllabus indicates that you are aware of this material and you have chosen to stay in the class and complete all of the coursework and required assignments.

GRADES:
 •  Midterm exam - 20%
 •  Final exam - 30 %
 •  Semester paper (including proposal and draft) - 30%
 •  Participation & attendance, quizzes, and forum - 20%

Final grades will be recorded using ASU's plus/minus system

INCOMPLETES: Please do not assume that an incomplete will be given upon request.  University and departmental policy on the handling of incompletes will be followed; only in the case of verified emergencies and illnesses will an incomplete be given.

PLAGIARISM: To plagiarize is to present as your own any work that is not exclusively your own. Information on academic integrity, appeals and procedures are available at the following website address: http://www.asu.edu/vpsa/studentlife/

THE PUBLIC NATURE OF WRITING AND DISCUSSION: Part of academic study is learning to appreciate the ideas and criticisms of others. Remember that you will often be expected to share your writing with others in print and through electronic media such as e-mail and the Blackboard discussion forums. Avoid writing about things that you may not be prepared to subject to public scrutiny or that you feel so strongly about that you are unwilling to listen to perspectives other than your own. This does not mean that you are not entitled to an opinion but that you adopt positions responsibly, contemplating the possible effects on others.

DISABILITY RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS: ASU complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).  If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for equal access to education at ASU, please contact Disability Resources for Students at 965-1234. Please feel free to discuss the special accommodations with all of your teachers.

TECHNOLOGY: There are bound to be technical glitches and frustrations during the semester and it is your responsibility to find ways to solve these to satisfy course requirements. Remember that there are usually multiple ways to solve and avoid technical problems by being creative, troubleshooting, and not giving in to frustration. The most effective way to learn about the technology is by talking to other users and taking an active role in problem solving. Keep in mind that text-based communication always occurs through technological media and that critical reflection on how we engage in these technologies is relevant to environmental concerns and this course of study.