Writing in the Disciplines: Environmental Writing
Catalog Description
UWP 102G. Writing in the Disciplines: Environmental Writing (4)
Lecture/discussion—3 hours; extensive writing. Prerequisite: course 1 or English 3 or the equivalent and upper division standing. Open to students with upper division coursework with an environmental focus. Advanced instruction in writing and practice in effective styles of communication in the fields of environmental study, policy, or advocacy. GE credit: Wrt (cannot be used to satisfy a college or university composition requirement and GE writing experience simultaneously).—I, III. (I, III.)
Topical Outline
Practicing writing in a variety of formats and genres, including the personal essay, article proposals, grant proposals, newsletter or journal articles, reports, academic papers, and/or policy writing and review. Practicing conventions of style, discourse and documentation appropriate to the genres. Understanding the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing for style, conciseness, and correctness. Practice in managing and participating in collaborative writing projects. Analyzing rhetorical situations, formats, identifying purpose and audience, and adapting format, style, and diction to the needs of varied and multiple audiences. Strengthening analytical reading skills. Differentiating among various types of sources and learning how to synthesize them appropriately. Developing an effective style of oral communication appropriate to the discipline.
Reading
Bioregional essayists such as Freeman House and Gary Snyder; Environmental lawyers such as Holly Doremus; Relevant statutory or case law; Relevant scientific journal articles and reports; Environmental history or theory such as Garrett Hardin or Aldo Leopold.
Course Format and Requirements
UWP 102G is a four-unit course. Three hours per week is lecture/discussion. As with all upper division writing classes, an additional unit of credit is justified by the significant amount of work that students must do outside of class time to plan, draft, and revise the 6,000 or more words of required writing. In addition to this substantial written requirement, students will meet individually with the instructor for discussion and evaluation of their work. The estimated time of preparation of the writing assignments (research, consultation, drafting, revision) is thirty hours, an amount consistent with the Carnegie Rule guidelines.
Explanation of Potential Course Overlap
UWP 102G does not overlap with any other course. It is distinguished from UWP 102A (Writing in the Disciplines), from other 102's, from UWP 101(Advanced Composition), and from other advanced writing courses by its interdisciplinary focus on environmental writing. UWP 102G is distinguished from the companion courses by its emphasis on instruction in writing rather than on the subject matter of the companion courses.
General Education Justification
Grades will be based on the students' performance on writing assignments. The content of these assignments will derive from assigned readings discussed in class and more focused readings chosen by the student according to area of expertise. Assignments are developed and drafted outside of class; drafts will be exchanged for peer critique. Grading standards are consistent with those defined by the University Writing Program for all upper division writing courses. Written assignments comprise the course minimum of 6000 words; the number of assignments, assigned topics and weight of each assignment will vary according to the quarter and instructor. All assignments will be graded on content and style. Each assignment will be thoroughly introduced by the instructor, using models of successful work as appropriate. Students will receive frequent feedback on drafts of assignments, through instructor commentary, conferences, and peer response. Students will have frequent opportunity to revise drafts.