The readings for this course are extremely important. I recommend that you plan ahead for heavy reading days.  You must keep up with the readings to do well in this class.  Come to class having read the assigned essay, story, poem, etc.  You will do better with the readings and with the class if you take some time to look up unfamiliar words or references, write out a short response to the reading, and jot down any questions you have about the readings.  Consider posting a question or two to the listserv or caucus to get your colleagues involved.

The abbreviations for the texts identified in the reading assigments below is as follows:

SG=Student's Guide to First Year Composition
WRV=Writing as Re-Vision
LBD=A Lesson Before Dying
HO=Class Handout

Readings for unit 1:

Date due, reading assignment, links to responses or resources.
(I have recommended additional readings. For unit 1, if you are writing your analysis on Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues," for example, you will definitely want to inform your reaidng by also reading his essay "The Uses of the Blues."  The recommended readings are designed to assist you with your writing assigments.)

January 16: SG Chapter 13, pages 333-350; HO "With Pens Drawn" (in class), Llosa.

January 21: WRV "Writing as Social Witness: Introduction," Alvarado, pages 453-456.

January 23: *Big reading day--Plan ahead!
WRV: "Sonny's Blues," Baldwin, 489-510 *Internet resources available;
"So Much Water So Close to Home," Carver, 518-530 *Internet resources available.
(recommended: "The Uses of the Blues," Baldwin, 511-517; ""Fires," Carver, 531-538)

January 26: WRV: "Storytelling," Silko, 422-424; "The Man from Mars," Atwood, 475-488.
(recommended: "Survival," Atwood, 465-474)

January 28: SG: Chapter 14, pages 351-384

February 6: *Begin Novel; you will be writing your essay at this time as well so plan ahead.
LBD: 1-80

February 9: LBD: 81-141

February 11: LBD: 141-186

February 16: LBD: 186-end.