Essays
You'll write and revise four essays in addition to several short non-revised homework assignments. Each student will also make one oral presentation. Readings will serve to get you thinking and provide models of good writing; they'll provide inspiration for your essays and discussion points for Essay 2. Here are the major writing assignments for the course.
Essay 1 (PDF)
It will grow out of your own memories connected with food. Essay 1 gives you practice in developing ideas based on your own experience and heightening your awareness of the audience(s) you write for.
This essay will be revised once and polished for the portfolio.
Essay 2 (PDF)
It will ask you to analyze and reflect on ideas from In Defense of Food and at least one additional reading, developing your own idea as you do so. Essay 2 gives you practice developing an argument and working with other writers' ideas. Please follow the directions for the proposal for Essay 2 (PDF).
This essay will be revised once or twice, as needed, and polished for the portfolio.
Essay 3 (PDF)
This is a research essay focusing on a topic of your choice from a list I will provide. It gives you the opportunity to develop your investigative and critical skills and your ability to organize a longer essay, along with practice using sources responsibly.
This essay will be revised once or twice, as needed, and polished for the portfolio.
Essay 4 (PDF)
It will be either a final reflection or a manifesto. Please complete the cover sheet for the revision of Essay 4 (PDF).
This essay will be revised once for the portfolio.
Note: To pass this class you must hand in ≥ 20 pages of revised writing, distributed across your four essays.
Homework
Homework will include some short (≈ 1 page) writing assignments:
- Responses to readings, based on prompts I will provide.
- A few reflections on your own experience with food.
- A vocabulary list, including etymologies and definitions.
We'll also do some writing in class to prepare for essays and check reading comprehension.
Here is a list of the homeworks due:
Homework 1 (PDF)
Homework 2 (PDF)
Homework 3 (PDF)
Homework 4 (PDF)
Homework 6 (PDF)
Homework 7 (PDF)
Homework 8 (PDF)
Homework 9 (PDF)
Homework 10 (PDF)
Homework 11 (PDF)
Homework 15 (PDF)
Homework 16 (PDF)
Homework 17 (PDF)
Homework 18 (PDF)
Homework 21 (PDF)
Homework 22 (PDF)
Homework 24-26 (PDF)
Portfolios
At our last class meeting I'll collect a portfolio (PDF) of all your written work for our class—so don't throw any of your drafts or homework away!
Oral Presentations
Oral presentations are a required part of all CI courses. In this class everyone will either give a 10-minute presentation on a food-related topic, or participate in a debate on the thesis of In Defense of Food.
Vocabulary Lists
I am asking you to keep a list of words that are new to you culled from our readings. You may include words that describe unfamiliar foods, kinds of hogs, etc.; but the most useful words to look up and learn are those that describe actions, moods, attitudes, characteristics of people-words you are likely to encounter again. Please follow the guidelines for the vocabulary list as described in this document (PDF).
Class Participation
Please note that class discussions are part of the oral work of a communications-intensive class. All students are expected to participate in class discussions. Discussion should demonstrate not just familiarity with assigned readings, but also critical thought.