The Human Experience: Who Am I?

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The Human Experience Who Am I?

• HMXP 102
• Dr. Fike

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Professor Information

• Dr. Fike
• Office  Bancroft 258
• Office Hours  MTWR, 330-430 and by
  appointment
• Office Phone/Voicemail  803-323-4575
• Departmental Office  Bancroft 250, 803-323-2171
  (secretary Carol)
• E-mail  fikem_at_winthrop.edu
• Website  http//faculty.winthrop.edu/fikem

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Website

• http//faculty.winthrop.edu/fikem
• THERE IS NO WWW IN THIS URL.
• Get syllabus, calendar, and other documents from
  my website. See especially the links on the
  calendar of assignments.

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Course Description

• HMXP 102 is the second part of Winthrop
  Universitys General Education Core. 
• Through your reading, writing, and speaking, the
  course develops the skills that WRIT 101
  introduced and prepares you for the critical
  thinking that CRTW 201 requires. 
• Therefore, HMXP 102 is a hinge course.

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Exploration of the Self

• Along the way, we will examine the self in
  various contexts that structure the readings in
  our anthology
• Education
• Autonomy
• Community (Diversity and the Other, Alienation,
  The Social Self)
• Nature (Evolution, Ecology)
• The Sacred
• Our common book, Kelsey Timmermans Where Am I
  Eating?, touches on all of these contexts.

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Add Ons

• The anthology lacks anything about death,
  mysticism, and the afterlife. I have attempted to
  rectify this omission by including two films.

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I

• It will be essential to use the pronoun I in
  your papers.
• You should write about yourself in particular,
  not about the Self in general. In other words,
  it is not okay to write about the all persons or
  the individual in todays society.

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Discussion

• Since discussion will take up most of our time in
  class, you are expected to write your essays
  outside of class. 
• Discussion is a major requirement in HMXP 102.
  You must speak up every day. Twenty percent of
  your grade is for large-group discussion.

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Memorandum of Understanding

• Punctuality The class starts on time. Please be
  a few minutes early. If you happen to arrive
  late, speak to the professor after class so that
  he converts your absence to a tardy. Be sure to
  review the tardy and absence policies in the
  syllabus.
• Reading You are required to read, annotate, and
  bring to class the day's assigned materials, as
  indicated on the course calendar. For HMXP and
  CRTW All of the books required for this course
  are on reserve at the Dacus Library you can make
  a photocopy of the day's text(s) even if you do
  not yet own the book.
• Preparation I send students out of the room to
  get their materials if they do not bring them.
  Tardy and absence policies apply. (Ask me why I
  have this policy.)
• Electronic devices Turn off and put away all
  electronic devices.
• Eating and drinking You may consume clear water
  with no ice but nothing else. You may not eat in
  the classroom before or during class.
• Comprehension If you do not understand what the
  professor is saying, ask him a question about it.
• Conferences with the professor If you want your
  professor to read your paper, ask him to do so at
  your conference. Bring two word-processed copies.
  You need to express clearly the degree of
  assistance you seek. He will gladly let you know
  if you are on the right track. He will answer
  whatever questions you have.
• Nontraditional Students Please come see me this
  week.

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Further Guidelines

• The syllabus includes a detailed list of
  expectations. Please familiarize yourself with it.

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Preparation

• Spend two hours outside of class for every hour
  that you are in class.
• Do the math
• Regular semester 3 hours in class times 2
  equals 6 hours a week just on preparation.
• C Term 8 hours in class times 2 equals 16
  hours a week just on preparation.
• The reading will probably not take you all 6
  hours, so use the rest to work on your papers.

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Requirements

• Winthrop requires at least 3 papers, 4,500 words,
  and discussion. Here is how I have broken this
  down
• 60  Three 5-6 page papers (each paper is worth
  20)
• 20  Class participation (you are welcome to
  keep and submit an optional discussion log see
  instructions in the syllabus)
• 10  A final examination essay during the exam
  period
• 10  Class presence (attendance)

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Papers

• All papers must be based on the classical
  argument, which means that you must look at an
  issue from more than one side (you must include
  objections to arguments and replies to
  objections). 
• In other words, HMXP 102 picks up where WRIT 101
  leaves off.
• Note This is an important part of why HMXP is a
  hinge course. Argumentation anticipates what you
  will do in CRTW.

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More on Papers

• FOCUS Your papers MUST have a focused topic,
  which means a narrow illustration from personal
  experience.
• Focus is THE most important element of college
  writing.
• A paper without a focused topic is an automatic F.

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Four Fundamental Questions

• What do you believe, why do you believe it, what
  if you are wrong, and what have you learned about
  yourself as a result of exploring your belief in
  connection with a focused topic?  These are the
  main questions that will inform our discussions
  and your writing. 
• In other words, you are NOT here to stay in the
  same old intellectual groove. Challenge yourself
  to EXAMINE what you think and to consider
  alternatives. Might a new belief serve you
  better?
• Working with conclusions and alternatives is
  important preparation for CRTW 201 because they
  are two of the elements of critical thinking.
• Deep learning learning that helps you forge
  connections between class and life, as well as
  learning that transforms you in fundamental ways.

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My Role

• I will function as your facilitator, coach, and
  co-learner therefore, the success or failure of
  our class sessions is largely up to you. 
  Discussion is crucially important.
• It is inevitable that some of my own views and
  interests will filter into our discussions,
  however hard I try to remain neutral. But I try
  hard to conceal my own positions, and you do not
  have to agree with them anyway. You are missing
  the point if you think that your grade depends on
  agreeing with me on a matter of discussion.
• However, you DO have to be able to make arguments
  for what you believe.

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The Point Is

• My J-O-B is to get you to push yourself. That is
  what your parents WANT me to do! That is what you
  are PAYING me to do.
• Do not mistake constructive criticismalong with
  my attempts to get you to think more deeply, to
  read and write more effectively, and to
  participate actively in discussionfor ill will,
  hostility, or some kind of intellectual coercion.
  I am simply trying to help you become a better
  reader, thinker, and writer.

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More

• Finally, do not assume that you are required to
  do only what I tell you to do  active engagement
  calls for your own initiative and ingenuity.
• I expect revision to be part of your writing
  process for all three papers. Therefore, put
  your paper through multiple drafts BEFORE you
  submit it. Go to the Writing Center for help.
  Come see me at my office to talk about your work
  in progress my office hour is MTWR from
  330-430. (It is best to make an appointment.)

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The Next Part of This Slide Show

• I will now survey the most important points from
  the syllabus.

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Outcomes

• Engage in serious consideration of various ways
  of defining and understanding the self. (Note
  You do not get to talk about the Self in
  general and never learn anything about YOURself.
  This is a course about WHO YOU ARE as an
  individual human being.)
• Accomplish the above by reading thoroughly and
  critically and by making connections between the
  reading material and your understanding of
  yourself and others.
• Share your reactions and understanding with your
  classmates and learn to understand other
  perspectives.
• Learn to develop and communicate ideas by reading
  carefully, listening intensely, and writing and
  speaking clearly.
• You will understand that knowledge is a social
  construct and that thoughts are things.
• For additional outcomes, see the syllabus.

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Required Texts

• The Human Experience  Who Am I? (8th ed. or any
  edition with par. numbers)
• The Prentice Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and
  Usage (3rd custom ed. for WU or any edition with
  the new MLA format in it) or Rules for Writers
  (7th ed., customized for WU)
• The Common Book Kelsey Timmermans Where Am I
  Eating?.
• Note All of these books are on reserve at the
  library.

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Required Supplies

• A good dictionary (look up words that you do not
  understand)
• A spiral notebook (please bring this to class
  every day)
• A back-up disk or flash drive (e-mailing your
  work to yourself and saving it on the network are
  also good safeguards save early, save often
  things like "the computer 'ate' my paper, my
  hard drive froze, I couldnt print my paper,
  and my husband stepped on my computer are not
  valid excuses)
• A stapler (all work submitted in this class must
  be stapled)
• A Winthrop University e-mail address (I may
  e-mail reminders through the system, and you are
  welcome to use the list server as well 
  hmxp102_at_class.winthrop.edu at the plug in
  your section number).
• An account on turnitin.com
• NOTE There is no listserv in the summer.

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Course Listserv

• If you are not registered for the course by the
  day before the term begins, you must go to
  http//www.winthrop.edu/acc/default.asp?Pagepages
  /classlist.asp
• and add yourself to the listserv. Similarly, if
  you drop the course at some point, you must go to
  this website and remove your e-mail address.

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Grading Scale

• A, 95-100 A-, 90-94 B, 87-89 B, 83-86 B-,
  80-82 C, 77-79 C, 73-76 C-, 70-72 D, 67-69
  D, 63-66 D-, 60-62 F, 0-59.
• You need a C- to avoid having to retake HMXP 102.

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Summer OnlyOrder of Paper Assignments

• Week one Nothing due
• Week two Paper One
• Week three Paper Two
• Week four Paper Three
• Week five Final exam
• Note All paper submissions must be accompanied
  by a copy of the Paper Comment Sheet.
• (Summer 2010 4 papers, 1 revision, a cover
  letter, and a final examination)

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On Your Own

• Read the following
• Notes on Grading
• Rubrics
• Departmental Policies
• Course Policies

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Papers The Basic Requirements

• 5 full pages is the absolute minimum
• A focused topic in connection with a text
• A thesis (qualification, controversial idea about
  the focus, a reason why) Although . . . I will
  argue that . . . because. . . . All three parts
  must be about the focused topic.
• Classical argument, including multiple paragraphs
  for arguments, objections, and replies
• MLA format (signal phrases, parenthetical
  citation, works cited)
• Reflection on yourself in the conclusion.

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Three Key Policies

• Attendance
• Tardiness
• Format for Papers

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Attendance

• We will follow Winthrop's standard attendance
  policy "If a student's absences in a course
  total 25 percent or more of the class meetings
  for the course, the student will receive a grade
  of N, F, or U, whichever is appropriate"
  (Undergraduate Catalog).
• Regular semester There are 28 scheduled class
  meetings 7 25 therefore, a seventh absence
  means that you have failed the course.
• Summer There are 20 scheduled class meetings 5
  25 therefore, a 5th absence means that you
  have failed the course.

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Winthrop-Related Absences

• An important note for athletes  Your
  athletic-trip-related absences are still
  absences.  You do not get three "free" absences
  on top of your trip-related absences.  Like
  everyone else, you only get three "free"
  absences, so do not skip class just because you
  do not feel like coming.  Furthermore, if you
  have work due on a trip day, you must submit it
  before you leave.  By staying in this class, you
  agree to these terms.  If you insist that being
  an athlete entitles you to extra absences, expect
  me to phone the athletic department.  If you miss
  a presentation because of an athletic trip, you
  must still help the group prepare, and I will
  allow you to do a make-up assignment to cover the
  rest of your obligation.

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Tardiness

• Please remember that coming in late disrupts
  everyone and may even stop the class for a few
  moments.  Try to arrive at least a few minutes
  early and be ready to begin right at the start of
  the hour. Get out your book, notebook, and pen or
  pencil BEFORE the days activities begin.
   Arriving 10 or more minutes late (or leaving 10
  or more minutes early) will be considered a full
  absence.  I will count every three tardy arrivals
  (less than 10 minutes late) as a full absence. 
  Tardy-generated absences will count against the
  university's 25 attendance policy.  Finally, if
  you come in late, you must see me after class so
  that I change your absence mark to a tardy mark. 
  If you do not see me after class, your tardiness
  on a given day will count as an absence.

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Format for Papers

• Use Courier New, 12-point, which is what you are
  reading right now.
• I will not accept papers if they are not in the
  proper format.
• Format for Papers gives you a full description
  of the requirements.

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Assignments for the Next Two Class Sessions

• Before our next class, read the following three
  things they are linked to the calendar
• How To Write the College Essay
• Paper One Slide Show
• Guidelines for Papers and Suggested Paper
  Topics
• MLA, Greshki, Forbidden
• For our third class
• Reading Plato, "The Allegory of the Cave," 3-6.
• You must bring this text (your book or a
  photocopy of Plato). If you do not, I will make
  you go get it, and you will receive an absence
  for the day. The HMXP anthology is on reserve in
  the library, and Platos text is linked to the
  course calendar.

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Introductions

• Dr. Matthew Fike
• Degrees
• B.A., Hope College, 1982
• M.A., University of Michigan, 1985
• Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1988
• My interests
• Sailing
• Psychology and literature
• Exercise
• I have taught HMXP for many years. If you were
  taking the course from another instructor,
  chances are good that s/he would be using some of
  my slide shows.

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Introductions

• Regular semester Find a partner and exchange
  information (6 minutesthree minutes apiece).
  Introduce your partner to the rest of the class.
• OR
• June term Lets talk as a whole class, one
  person at a time. Introduce yourself and respond
  to classmates questions.

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Question

• What did you do in WRIT 101?
• Again, get with your partner and do some
  brainstorming (4 minutes).
• In particular, what did you read, and what kinds
  of papers did you write?
• How is HMXP 102 different?

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Distinction

• HMXP 102 is billed as a course with a
  significant writing component.
• You will get the most out of it, however, if you
  regard it as a freshman writing course or as a
  writing-intensive course.

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Implications of HMXP 102 as a Writing Course

• Prewriting and revision are very important.
• Conferences are important.
• Process writing is key.
• Do not start your papers at the last minute.
• See me as your coach the papers and the final
  exam are the bar my job is to get you in shape
  to clear it by the end of the semester.

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Note

• You do not know what you think about something
  until you write about it! Writing is a
  heuristic (a tool for discovery).
• Therefore, the notion that you can explore a text
  apart from writing about it is a half truth.

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Writing in Class

• Free-writing Write about your educationformal
  or informal. Set down anything that comes to
  mind. It does not have to be your WU education.
  It can be your high school education or any other
  experience that taught you things.
• After 5 minutes we will check in and get some
  feedback. What did you write? What questions do
  you have for each other?

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Next Step More Free-Writing

• What are your paradigms? In other words, what
  models for thinking do you embrace? What are
  your filters, barriers, lenses, or
  impediments?
• Write down as many as you can.

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Final Step

• What if those paradigms are actually impediments
  to accurately perceiving and critically thinking
  about yourself and the world?
• This is what Platos The Allegory of the Cave,
  your reading for next time, is about.
• Therefore, as you read this text, ask yourself if
  you might, in some way, be a cave dweller (a
  person who sees the world from a perspective that
  is limited, distorted, and fundamentally
  incorrect).

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Paper One Topics

• Topics
• http//faculty.winthrop.edu/fikem/Courses/GNED20
  102/GNED2010220Suggested20Paper20Topics.htm
• Paper One Slide Show
• http//faculty.winthrop.edu/fikem/Courses/GNED20
  102/GNED2010220Feedback20on20Paper20One.pps

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Our Four Questions in HMXP 102

• What do I believe?
• Why do I believe it?
• What if Im wrong?
• What have I learned about myself by thinking
  things through?
• For example, are you a cave dweller who needs to
  move up to the light? Are your beliefs holding
  you back?
• WHO ARE YOU in the context of formal and informal
  education?
• THINK ON THESE THINGS AS YOU READ PLATO FOR NEXT
  TIME.
• END