A 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.

The recent killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis in concert with other pertinent social and political realities, including the upcoming 2020 U.S. Presidential election and the Covid-19 pandemic, has culminated in an extraordinary time of public protest. As public performances, these protests utilize various language, props, settings, and behavior. How do these protests function? What are their effects? In this course, we will emphasize writing that develops through conversation with writers, activists, and fellow students in order to hone our critical thinking, achieve greater ownership of what we read and watch, formulate productive questions and arguments, and write in a clear and engaging manner. Students will also learn about different kinds of research projects, evaluate sources, and access various online campus resources. The semester will culminate with a research project and presentation. Book List: Bogad, L.M. Tactical Performance (2016) Gasaway Hill, Mary Lynne. The Language of Protest: Acts of Performance, Identity, and Legitimacy (2018) Graff and Birkenstein.They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing Williams, Booth, and Colomb. The Craft of Research. Various other short essays and articles.

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 Not in the Pre-Collegiate Program

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills