Updated Syllabus

COVID-19: Course Updates

Contact Information:

The best way to communicate with me is still via e-mail, but I realize that it isn’t a good replacement for in-person conversation. I am always happy to video chat with any of you all if needed. I am also going to share my phone number. As I said, e-mail is still the best way to communicate with me, but if there is something that is more easily communicated via text or phone call, that is fine. If you do call me,leave a message or text so I know who has calledsince I don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. My phone number is (540) 598-3223. 

Class Meetings + Attendance: 

Our class will still “meet” Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but instead of meeting at 10:00am-10:50am, your homework, discussion board posts, and discussion board responses are due at any time on the Monday, Wednesday, or Fridaythat that class meeting is scheduled for. In other words, if we are discussing a reading on Wednesday, you are not required to post your comment and response within the 10:00am-10:50am block. You just need to do so by the end of the day. I’m hoping that this will give everyone more flexibility. 

Since we aren’t meeting in person, your homework submissions and participation on the discussion board will count as attendance. 

Computer Access:

While everyone’s safety is important, one of the things that is frustrating about going virtual for the remainder of the term (other than that I’ll miss talking to you all in person!) is that it assumes everyone has easy access to a computer. If you do not have easy access to a computer and, therefore, participating on the discussion board regularly will be an issue for you, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can figure out a solution. 

Final Project Submission:

I realize that many of you have been working on projects that are meant to be experienced in-person. Unfortunately, given the circumstances, you will have to submit your projects to me via e-mail, but please know that I will not be evaluating how well your project can be translated virtually. We can communicate one on one about the best way to send me your project, but for those who are working on more physical things (ex. collages, journals, or posters), my advice, for now, would be to plan on taking photos of your project that you can send me. The final project is due April 24^thby 9:00am to my e-mail (yaa41@pitt.edu). 

Course Description

What do we take for granted about the function of particular forms of writing? Is a research articlemeant to deliver “legitimate” information? Is a profilemeant to sketch an image of an individual figure? Is poetrymeant to express emotions rather than forward an argument? Writers like Saidiya Hartman, June Jordan, and M. NourbeSe Philip have produced work that both articulates and troubles the boundaries of these questions. This course will focus on the ways in which Black essayists, poets, visual artists, musicians, filmmakers, and theorists of the late twentieth and twenty-first century radically collage compositional forms in order to imagine new forms of expression.  We will begin by looking at the formal collaging of Black artists working in the late twentieth century and trace these traditions to more recent work, such as Janelle Monáe’s “Dirty Computer” and Beyoncé’s “Lemonade.” While these texts may push against historical narratives in some moments, they are not ahistorical. We will contextualize our course texts by thinking through the stakes of Black artistic expression in the United States given the struggles for recognition and liberation that emerge from the violent upheavals of the transatlantic slave trade. We will also consider our expectations of how particular forms do and should work as one of “course texts.” Students will compose reading responses throughout the semester that give them opportunities to make arguments about our readings and to practice their own formal experimentation. With the additional support of group workshop, students will develop a final project over the course of the semester that will include an artist’s statement on their own formal style. 

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Required Course Materials

• All course texts will be made available on this site.
• A note-taking instrument. You may use your laptop or print out the readings before class, but you are required to bring the assigned reading to class with you on the day of discussion.

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Grades

You must complete all of the assignments to pass Seminar in Composition. Late work may result in a lowered final grade for the course. If you do need an extension at any time or for any reason, please speak with me as soon as possible. I will also adjust your final grade to reflect the quality of your participation in class discussion. Note that this course fulfills part of the University’s writing requirement, which you will continue by electing two writing-intensive courses (including one in your major). You must earn a final grade of C- or higher to satisfy the University requirement.

Here is how the University of Pittsburgh defines each grade:

                        A = superior attainment 

                        B = meritorious attainment 

                        C = adequate attainment

                        D = minimal attainment 

                        F = not passing  

This course is built around the goal of encouraging exploratory and experimental writing—even with the risk of “failure.” Assuming you have met the requirements of the course and been an active participant in class, you should not be concerned with your final grade. That being said, I understand that nervousness about grades is inevitable. Please do not hesitate to speak with me if you have any questions or concerns about your grade in the course.

Attendance

You are permitted two unexcused absences. If an emergency arises that will cause you to miss more than two classes, contact me as soon as possible to determine the best course of action. If you are absent, you are still responsible for completing the assigned homework. 

A Note on Participation

Participation can take different forms. Being an engaged and respectful listener is an important part of participation. Conversation will be a crucial part of our course and will require both sharing and listening. If you are comfortable doing so, I encourage you to participate in ways which you find more challenging.

Statement on Class Decorum 

I encourage an open classroom and the sharing of ideas in a safe, respectful environment. In order to facilitate this open exchange of ideas, as members of this class, we agree that we will not engage in derogatory language, writing, or expressions against race, ethnicity, religion, gender identification, sexuality, economic position, and political views. Any disagreement in class discussion should be respectfully expressed so that there can be an equal exchange of thoughts.

Content Warning and Class Climate

Our course readings and classroom discussions will often focus on mature, difficult, and potentially challenging topics. Readings and discussions might trigger strong feelings. Some of us will have emotional responses to the readings; some of us will have emotional responses to our peers’ understanding of the readings; all of us should feel responsible for creating a space that is both intellectually rigorous and respectful. Above all, be respectful (even when you strongly disagree) and be mindful of the ways that our identities position us in the classroom. 

I expect everyone to come to class prepared to discuss the readings in a mature and respectful way. If you are struggling with course materials, you can approach me ahead of time if you’d like more information about a topic or reading. If you think a particular reading or topic might be especially challenging or unsettling, you can arrive to class early and take a seat by the door so that you can easily exit the classroom as needed. If you are struggling to keep up with the work because of the course content, you should speak with me and/or seek help from the counseling center. 

Non-Discrimination Policy 

As an educational institution and as an employer, Pitt values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity. Accordingly, the University prohibits and will not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability or status as a veteran. For more info, visit http://cfo.pitt.edu/policies/documents/policy07-01-03web.pdf.

Technology Policy  

Cell phones are not permitted in class and will result in an absence if used during class time unless otherwise sanctioned. If you have an urgent situation, please step into the hall before taking a call or texting.

Office Hours

My office hours are by appointment in Cathedral of Learning 609M. I am always happy to meet, so please do not hesitate to e-mail me if you would like to schedule a time to chat.

The Writing Center

Located in 317B O’Hara Student Center, the Writing Center offers events, courses, and one-on-one tutorials for undergraduate students. Although consultants do not correct, edit, or proofread papers, they can teach you strategies for organizing, editing, and revising your writing. You can meet with a consultant once or regularly over the course of the semester. In some cases, your teacher may send you to the Writing Center for help on a particular problem; otherwise, you can seek assistance on your own. These services are free. You can browse the services they offer or make an appointment by visiting www.writingcenter.pitt.edu.

Composition Tutorial

If your in-class essay suggests that you would benefit from one-on-one tutoring, I may recommend that you enroll in Composition Tutorial. In this optional one-credit course, you’d meet weekly with a Writing Center consultant to get extra help with the assignments for Seminar in Composition. Once enrolled in Composition Tutorial, you will need to attend all sessions, bringing copies of your assignment prompts and your work-in-progress.  

Disability Resource Services 

If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt Union, 412-648-7890/412-383-7355 (TTY), as early as possible in the term. Disability Resources and Services will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.

Plagiarism

It is important that the work you submit is your own work, that you acknowledge your sources, whether quoted or paraphrased, and thank anyone who has helped you with your drafts. We’ll talk about responsible use of sources, but you should consult your handbook for guidelines on proper paraphrase, quotation, and citation. You can get additional help at the Writing Center, as well as at hackerhandbooks.com/pocket. The English Department defines plagiarism by a student as:

            *when a student presents as his/her own, for academic evaluation, the ideas,                      representations, or works of another person or persons without customary and proper acknowledgement of sources.

            *when a student submits work of another person in a manner which represents the work to be his/her own.

Instances of plagiarism will result in a loss of credit for the assignment and a report to the dean.

Severe cases may result in failure of Seminar in Composition. 

For the University’s full policy on Academic Integrity and the adjudication process for infringements, including plagiarism, go to http://www.pitt.edu/~provost/ai1.hdtml.

Sexual Misconduct, Required Reporting, and Title IX

The University is committed to combatting sexual misconduct. As a result, University faculty and staff members are required to report any instances of sexual misconduct, including harassment and sexual violence, to the University’s Title IX office so that the victim may be provided appropriate resources/support options. What this means is that as your instructor, I am required to report any incidents of sexual misconduct that are directly reported to me, or of which I am somehow made aware.

There are two important exceptions: a list of the designated University employees who, as counselors and medical professionals, do not have this reporting responsibility and can maintain confidentiality, can be found at http://www.titleix.pitt.edu/report/confidentiality. An important exemption to the reporting requirement exists for academic work. Disclosures about sexual misconduct that are shared as part of an academic project, classroom discussion, or course assignment are not required to be disclosed to the University’s Title IX office. If you are the victim of sexual misconduct, Pitt encourages you to reach out to these resources: *Title IX Office: 412-648-7860 *SHARE @ the University Counseling Center: 412-648-7930 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. MF) and 412-648-7856 (after business hours). If you have a safety concern, please contact the University of Pittsburgh Police, 412-624-2121. Other reporting information is available at http://titleix.pitt.edu/report-0. 

Email Communication Policy Statement 

Each student is issued a University e-mail address (username@pitt.edu) upon admittance. Students are expected to read e-mails sent to this account on a regular basis.  You may e-mail me at any time; however, keep in mind, for time sensitive matters, that my regular e-mail response hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. For the full E-mail Communication Policy, go to www.bc.pitt.edu/policies/policy/09/09-10-01.html