Time Schedule:
Tasha M Buttler
B CUSP 134
Bothell Campus
Offers an interdisciplinary approach to composition, including generating a compelling topic; the articulation of a thesis; the development of supporting evidence; the ability to draw conclusions from the evidence, clear organization of the essay, correct mechanics; awareness of audience, and knowledge of resources for research. Prerequisite: may not be taken for credit if previously earned a minimum grade of 2.0 B CUSP 101, B CUSP 114, or ENGL 131. Offered: AWSp.
Class description
This is primarily a skills acquisition class designed to invigorate your reading skills and work on your ability to develop an argument that will explore and support your position on a particular subject of interest within the course theme. We use an interdisciplinary approach to composition wherein you will learn how to handle ideas from different academic disciplines, how to articulate an arguable thesis, develop supporting evidence out of diverse sources, offer analysis of that evidence, employ academic standards for organizing and citing your sources, and make clear to your reader the significance of the argument you have developed. To this end, we will be engaging regularly in seminar-style discussions of the reading material as well as the practical strategies for writing about the ideas we encounter.
We will use the text They Say, I Say and a variety of readings from Brazilian literature and political economics.
Student learning goals
Recognize your developing part in a civic community by entering into conversation through seminaring and writing.
Learn to identify an author’s main arguments and how those arguments are supported.
Develop your academic research skills in several disciplines by learning about how research is done in and across disciplines
Respond to another writer’s work with empathy, intellect, and conviction
Learn further how to listen to and invite competing interpretations
Identify and cultivate your own writing style by building on your own experience, voices, and projects
General method of instruction
I will facilitate and sometimes lead classroom discussions. We will do seminaring and peer review.
Recommended preparation
Willingness to question, to read closely, and to participate.
Class assignments and grading
Short papers, annotated bibliography, a research and an expository paper.
