2023 Fall
COLWRIT R4B 006 - SEM 006
Reading, Composition, and Research
The Pursuit of Happiness
John Levine
Class #:21188
Units: 4
Instruction Mode:
In-Person Instruction
Offered through
College Writing Programs
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
0
Enrolled: 17
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 17
Waitlist Max: 5
No Reserved Seats
Hours & Workload
1.5 hours of student-instructor coverage of course materials per week, 1.5 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week, and 9 hours of outside work hours per week.
Other classes by John Levine
Course Catalog Description
A lecture/seminar satisfying the second half of the Reading & Composition requirement, R4B offers structured and sustained practice in the processes used in reading, critical analysis, and writing. Students engage with thematically-related materials from a range of genres and media. In response, they craft short pieces leading to longer expository and/or argumentative essays. Students develop a research question, draft a research essay, gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources. Elements of the research process--a proposal, an annotated bibliography, an abstract, a works cited list, etc.--are submitted with the final report in a research portfolio. Students write a minimum of 32 pages of prose.
Class Description
How do we define happiness? How and where do we find it? Is it something to be pursued? This course will consider happiness in literature, on stage, and on the screen. Writing assignments —worked through multiple drafts—will analyze the happiness we encounter in and outside of the classroom. The culminating writing project will be a research paper and research portfolio in which you pursue your own questions about happiness.
AWE: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life (Dacher Keltner), How To Do Nothing (Jenny Odell), The Declaration of Independence, Films, journal articles TBD.
Class Notes
Enrollment is restricted to students who have satisfied the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement. This course satisfies the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement.
Rules & Requirements
Requisites
- Previously passed an R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Previously passed an articulated R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Score a 4 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Literature and Composition. Score a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Language and Composition. Score of 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English.
- Students must satisfy the ELWR in order to enroll in this class.
Repeat Rules
Course is not repeatable for credit.
Requirements class fulfills
Second half of the Reading and Composition Requirement
Reserved Seats
Current Enrollment
No Reserved Seats
Textbooks & Materials
See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials