Outline of UNITS and Major Assignments

Spring 2024 ENG 1121

OUTLINE of UNIT assignments with goals

UNIT 1: Language and Literacy

key concepts: perception, creative adaptation, awareness

  1. A higher-level consciousness of how you previously, and currently, use language as a means of communication
  2. Awareness of with whom you are using language – “different kinds of English”; “discourse communities”
  3. Translating a self state or an external issue into linguistic communication

Weekly Assignments: Readings in writing theory, writing pedagogy, and discourse community; responses to writing prompts on a weekly basis that generate new pathways for language use and encourage vocabulary development; short quizzes and in-class activities that create dialogue and lay the basis for a safe community of writers and responders. Length range: various (app. 150–400 words each)

Capstone Assignment: “Locating YourSelf by Your Name” a 1,000-word paper which creates an awareness of discourse community and how we find ourselves centered in various linguistic locations. Due date: Feb 23.

UNIT 2: “In-Formation: research, sources, authenticity”

key concepts: opinion and taste, source analysis, going beyond to find truth, identity through text

  1. Students become fluent in the concept of the Discourse Community and understand and can articulate the concept to themselves, each other.
  2. Students gain Online research skills and an awareness of speaker and agenda
  3. Students become fluent in lateral reading and other COR (Civic Online Reasoning) skills

Weekly Assignments: Readings in writing theory and videos and reading on discourse community; responses to writing prompts on a weekly basis; small group activities in research that engage COR standards. Length range: various (app. 150–400 words each)

Capstone Assignment: “In-Formation: A Personal and Class Shelf Portrait” You will ultimately be using this document to teach other members of the class about your topic in UNIT 3.

Due Date: March 29

UNIT 3: “Self Sufficiency, Learning, Teaching”

key concepts: expertise, communication, questioning, outreach

  1. Students gain an appreciation of their own areas of expertise
  2. Students learn keywords and terms to express their own interests and areas of expertise
  3. Students teach each other, and appreciate the relevance of using multi-modal methods as they adapt to meet their audience

Weekly Assignments: Readings and lectures on data categorization, genre creation, and display; readings on hierarchical systems/libraries; responses to writing prompts on a weekly basis that will increase genre awareness; small group activities and collaborations; surveys. Note: there is more independent and interdependent student work in this Unit. “Lab” time may be given during class periods. Length range: various (app. 150–400 words each)

Capstone Assignment: “Melting the Iceberg.” Word count: there is no specific word count in regards to the actual components of this Capstone; students will fill out Surveys, make comments, and create an in-person Presentation.  Due dates variable (Weeks of April 8 through May 9)

UNIT 4: Final Portfolio and Reflection

watchwords: the journey, archetypes, pride in accomplishments

  1. Student looks back on their journey as a learner
  2. Student revises some of their major assignments, and shows their most professional effort of the year
  3. Student explains their challenges and how they faced them

Resource: Here is a video demonstrating what a Final Portfolio looks like; I made it a few years ago for 1101, but it should still be helpful — link here.

Capstone Assignment: The Journey: A “Final Reflection” of 1,000 words that is integrated into Final Portfolio due: May 9

Note: all of the the above, including due dates, is subject to revision