Nature Writing
June 17th – July 24th,
2013
MW 11:10 - 12:40, Room 1
Shane Abrams
Course Texts
The vast majority of course texts
will be provided in handouts; a folder, binder, or other organizational system will
be necessary.
The
following blog will also serve as a resource for disseminating materials and
texts:
Course Description
The aim
of this course is to provide students a broader and more intimate relationship
with the natural environment while they simultaneously cultivate literacy
skills. By reading models of established nature writing and using frequent
opportunities to write, we will enhance our understanding of the natural world
and our interconnected role in it.
Learning Outcomes and
Essential Questions
During
this course, students will develop the ability to…
· critically read and discuss the
writing of established authors.
· identify and apply strategies and
techniques for writing about nature.
· describe and explore the role and
responsibilities of humans in the natural world.
· compose unique and relevant nature
writing in a variety of styles and media.
We will
aim to explore—perhaps even answer—some of the following questions:
· As simultaneous members of both
contemporary society and also the natural world, what role do we play as
‘nature writers’?
· How are the man-made world and the
natural world interconnected?
· Why do humans separate from the
natural world, and how do we re-establish connections?
· What techniques do strong nature
writers use to create their art?
Outcomes Assessment
The
following assignments will be used to assess students’ progress toward learning
outcomes: participation & attendance (graded daily); daily journal entries
(graded once per block); in-class and out-of-class assignments; nature
excursions; and final contributions to the Boulder Prep field guide.
Additionally, other artistic or academic assignments will be collected and
assessed when the instructor sees appropriate.
Classroom Policy –
Grading, Attendance, and Comportment
Grades for
Nature Writing will be calculated on a points-based scale; i.e., each
assignment, including long-term projects and daily participation grades, will
be valued at a certain number of points possible. Over the 6-week course,
points possible will amount to roughly 900-1100 points. At any time, a student
may request his or her grade, and I will do my best to provide a response in a
timely fashion.
Extra
credit will not be provided, barring
unforeseen, extenuating circumstances; therefore, students are expected to
complete each and every assignment to the best of their respective abilities.
Opportunity for success will not be withheld: each student will have the chance
to excel, in terms of grades and
personal growth. However, the burden lies upon the student to optimize these
opportunities.
Students
should attend all classes as possible. There will be only 12 sessions Nature
Writing; each absence is detrimental to learning potential. I will not deduct
points for absences, whether they are excused or unexcused. However, students
are always responsible for information, work, and cumulative assignments which
they miss when absent: missing multiple classes will unforgivingly hinder a
student’s academic success. If a student misses class, I advise visiting the
course blog – http://boulderprepnaturewriting.blogspot.com/— to see what she or
he missed and what she or he needs in order to catch up. If you know in advance
that you will miss a class, please consult with me beforehand.
Students are expected to arrive to
class on time.
This means that each student should be sitting at a desk with all necessary
materials, including any assigned reading for the class, ready to begin working
at 11:10. This does not mean walking from the Commons to the classroom at 11:10;
this does not mean arriving at 11:09 and leaving to use the bathroom until 11:15.
In regards to breaks: there will be
no out-of-class breaks. You should think of yourselves as adults during this
class: leave the classroom only when you must and only when it is appropriate. At the maximum, only one student should be
out of the classroom at any given time.
My
classroom is a place for personal growth, be it intellectual, emotional, or
otherwise. I expect all students to help me maintain an environment conducive
to such growth. All students are entitled to the right to improve and evolve,
and no person should infringe upon this right in any manner. My classroom will
be a safe and respectful environment for my students to exercise their right to
learn.
Course
Specific Grades:
Daily
participation – 10 pts. / day
Daily
journal entries – 120 pts.
Excursions
– 200 pts.
General
assignments – approx. 200 pts.
Final FG
contributions – 300 pts.
* see particular assignment sheets for specific breakdown and
expectations
Academic
Honesty
Plagiarism
and cheating, whether intentional or unintentional, shall not be tolerated. Every
student is expected to follow any and all codes of academic honesty endorsed by
Boulder Preparatory High School.
Electronic
Devices
In order
to facilitate the development of a respectful and focused classroom
environment, students are asked to refrain from the use of cell phones and
other unnecessary and/or distracting devices during class time. When you are in
class, regardless of the nature of the activity, your cell phone should be put
away, your music device shut off, and any other devices out of sight. Devices
that seem to be distracting any student will be impounded for the remainder of
the period.
Materials Needed
Please
bring these things to class every day:
Writing
materials (pen/pencil, paper)
Course
texts (handouts, assignments, etc.)
Writing journal
Binder,
folder, or other organizational system for hand-out readings
Dress comfortably for days on
which outings are planned (closed-toed shoes, appropriate clothes, etc.)
Approximate Schedule of
Study and Curriculum
This
schedule is a rough estimate and is subject to change.
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Week one (6/17 - 6/20) –
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Introduction
to Nature Writing
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Week two (6/24 - 6/27) –
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Use of
Language – Diction, Figurative Language, Imagery
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Week three (7/1 - 7/4) –
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Nonfiction
Nature Writing
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Week four (7/8 - 7/11) –
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Nature
Poetry
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Week five (7/15 - 7/18) –
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Humans
and the Environment
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Week six (7/22 - 7/25) –
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Final submission preparation
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Miscellaneous
I reserve
the right to amend or alter this syllabus; please note that any changes are
made in an effort to create the best possible academic environment. I will
notify students of any such changes as promptly as possible.
I
wholeheartedly welcome feedback. Please do not hesitate to provide response to
my teaching practices, assignments, etc.—but please provide this feedback while
class is not in session.
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[Please detach and return this section.]
I,
_______________________________, hereby acknowledge that I have received and
reviewed this
(print
name)
syllabus.
Any questions or concerns that have arisen have been addressed adequately.
I
recognize that I am a student: I am capable of anything I encounter in this
course, though it may be challenging—and it should be challenging. I will not
state that I “can’t” do something, but that I “can’t yet.” I will ask for help
when I need it, whether assistance is from Shane, from my peers, or from
another responsible individual.
I will
contribute to a classroom environment which is healthy, fun, welcoming,
intellectual, emotional, and safe, among other things.
I will
respect everyone’s educational opportunities; I will respect our building; I
will respect my peers’ and instructors’ belongings; I will respect everyone’s
right to make amends.
I will be
the best person—intellectually, socially, and otherwise—that I can be.
_____________________________________ __________________
(signature) (date)
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