Sample FYW 150 Syllabus: Academic Writing Skills combining Literature and Other Texts
An example FYW 150 syllabus that emphasizes academic writing skills by combining literary and other types texts for exploration and class discussion.
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Sample FYW 150 Syllabus: Controversy Model (Multiple, Mixed Texts)
This syllabus explores multiple controversies in several different kinds of texts (journalism, fiction, Op-eds, research, and so on). The selected topics are ones that might be interesting and engaging to first year students on campus.
FYW150 Syllabus Template
New instructors can use this template (linked to as a google doc, with space-holders for your class and official policy language) as a starting point to build their FYW150 syllabi.
Sample FYW 150 Syllabus: Fiction Novel with Supplemental Readings
Here is an example syllabus that uses one fiction novel as a single core reading for FYW150, but supplements it with other shorter readings in other discourses and genres. The paper sequence is Reflective writing with description with a purpose Continue reading
Sample FYW 150 Syllabus: Discourse Model
Here is an example syllabus that studies language and discourse explicitly, asking students to treat discourse as the subject of their reading and analysis (in this case, the connection between discourse and identity, and new discourse innovation). The paper sequence Continue reading
Meme-making: An introduction to genre
This meme-making assignment is a great way to teach genre and encourage students to get creative to understand terms in a challenging reading. Before giving the assignment, students should have background knowledge in what “genre” means. See Dirk’s “Navigating Genre,” an accessible Continue reading
Prompt: Contribute to a scholarly discussion using primary (“field”) research
This formal paper prompt challenges FYW 150 students to do some primary (field) research on the topic of language innovation, and then position what they see “in the field” by connecting it essays and research from “language experts.” Here is Continue reading
Informal writing: Annotation exercise
The following writing exercise challenges students to find an example of experimental/innovative language use they are familiar with. This can be a poem or song lyric, anything. They then annotate it with commentary informed by class discussions and readings and Continue reading
“What is Literacy” by James Paul Gee: Helping students grasp “discourse”
This article is an introduction to the relationship between discourse, literacy, identity, and privilege. It’s useful for instructors to be familiar with as Gee’s discussion suggests why identifying and moving between “multiple discourses” is so prominent in our learning outcomes Continue reading
“Navigating Genres” by Kerry Dirk: The benefits of genre awareness
This accessible read introduces students to some sophisticated concepts around genre and genre analysis. The goal, as Kerry explains, is “to give [students] an awareness of how genres function by taking what is often quite theoretical in the field of Continue reading