Going to Class
TOPIC
SO FAR: We have looked at the use of comparisons in both daily life and in academic and work settings. We have also looked at the distinction between simple and complex comparisons. We talked about how comparisons can solve problems, illustrate values and beliefs, and create a space for critical thinking.
We have read and discussed essays, web sites, and information about different types of schools. We have discussed how different schools represent different ideas about the purpose of education. Not only do we have these new readings, but we have valuable information from the previous papers that can help build a more valuable claim. We have talked about how each assignment builds on the previous assignments. Thus, we've seen that it's valuable to re-read all of our materials for use in this topic.
NOW: This assignment emphasizes the use of comparison to identify differences and similarities in the kinds of education valued by three schools: Barnard College, Vassar College, and Macomb Community College. We can produce a rough comparison chart that helped identify differences in the websites that might indicate the audience they hope to attract, the values such schools and students hold, and our own understanding of education.
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READINGS
Types of Colleges
• The College Board: "Types of College: the basics"
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Core Curricula
• Barnard College: website
• Barnard's core curriculum (ending 2017)
• Barnard's new core curriculum
• Macomb Community College: website
• Vassar College: website
• Vassar's core curriculum
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Introductory Writing Classes
• Macomb Community College: Curriculum Warehouse entry for ENGL-1180.
• Barnard College, First-year Writing
• Freshman Writing Seminars: Vassar
• Description of Vassar writing course: Vassar composition course: at college web site or HERE
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Student Success
• Jon Marcus. "Colleges Help Drifting Students Map Path to Success."
• MCC students from an ENGL 1190 class produced a book of essays about the program described in the Jon Marcus essay (above). Read at least one of the essays from this collection. Note that the essays do not just report the claims of Marcus's essay. The essays judge, evaluate, and make a claim about it.
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ASSIGNMENT: implied audiences; implied values
After completing your TEQ Sheets and a careful, useful Purpose & Problem Statement, you will write a Prospectus. In a 500-750 word Prospectus (about 2-3 pages) to do the following:
Begin by discovering similarities in the websites for Macomb Community College, Vassar, and Barnard College. The comparison should identify the categories shared by the websites. What is similar in terms of what they present to students on their web sites? What are areas of similarity? Then, identify what is different about each website. What categories are present in one website and absent in the other? Students who have created a comparison chart will find this an easier task. Such charts could go into the document.
After discovering the similarities and differences of the three websites, take the next step by addressing the "So what?" What kind of student does each website appeal to? Use the term "implied audience." What does this implied audience believe about the purposes of education? How do the web sites speak to different concerns about education, training, critical thinking, skeptical citizenship, etc.? Conclude with a "boost" that discuses how the value system of each type of education fits your own values and needs. Explain why you would choose one or the other school.
Note 1: This assignment has a trap: you will be tempted to write about the schools, but your job is to write about the the implied audience for the websites. Don't get confused and mistake the websites for the schools. Again, your job is to write about the implied audience of the websites.
Note 2: In order to do write this document, you first need to read all the materials above. Then complete TEQ Sheets.
Then, you will need to complete a Purpose & Problem Statement and a Prospectus. These two steps will help you create your own claim about the issues we have been discussing.
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Deliverables:
A Comparison Chart for:
• Macomb core curriculum
• Barnard core curriculum
• Vassar core curriculum
TEQ Sheets for:
• Both entries about Vassar's introductory writing courses
• the John Marcus essay
• an essay selected from the student book
Purpose & Problem Statement
Prospectus
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Other requirements: see "other requirements at end of assignment 1.