This document outlines the syllabus for an English course on conformity and rebellion taught by Matthew Nelson. The course will use texts like novels, comics, and films to explore these concepts. Students will complete informal reading responses, five essays including analyses and a research paper, and workshops providing feedback on peers' writing. Class discussions aim to improve academic writing skills. Participation, attendance, and submitting drafts are required. Respect, thoughtful feedback, and revision are emphasized.

1. Matthew C. Nelson OfficeHours: TR 9:30-10:30 & by appt. (at Brown & Brew)
Email: Matthew.Nelson@tufts.edu OfficeLocation: Basement EastHall
English 2: Conformity and Rebellion
Spring 2011
Course Goal:
"I have a high state of resentment for the conformity in this country. If you're not married and having children, it's
like your life is empty or you're a communist meanie."
Bill Maher
"Why do you have to be a nonconformist like everyone else?"
James Thurber
In this course, we will beexploringthe terms "conformity" and "rebellion." At firstglance,rebellion is
sexy. Rebellion suggests free love and the 1960's.Rebellion whisks us away to 18th century revolutions and
democratic idealism.Rebellion "sticks itto the man." Who wants to be square? It isn'thip.But, let's face it: what's
the "American Dream" if not an aspiration towards a white picket fence, 2.5 children,and a hefty 6-figuresalary?
How do we make sense of a culture preaching the value of an individualismthatappeals to unindividualized,
cookie-cutter aspirations? Whatarethe consequences of such aspirations and who is left out?
Because this is an exposition course,our discussions of the aforementioned topic will aim to increaseyour
competence as academic writers. Essay assignments will stress writingasa multi-staged process of imagination,
organization,communication,and revision. Wewill consider a variety of topics such as audience,voice,argument,
composition,style,and grammar. To hone your talents as critical writers,this class will also emphasizeyour skills
as critical readers. Accordingly,a substantial amountof class timewill bedevoted to constructively readingand
evaluatingthe work of your fellowstudents.
Texts:
1) Novella:Melville's Short Novels Norton Critical Edition
2) Comic Book: The Adventures of Unemployed Man
3) Film:The Incredibles (no need to purchase,but might consider renting/borrowing)
4) Handbook (Recommended, but optional): Rules for Writers, by Diana Hacker
5) Reader: To be posted on blackboard
6) Supplies: Printer paper and an ink cartridge(or a library copy/printingcard).This courserequires a substantial
amount of printing,so be ready. Free printingis availablein the English department if you provide the officestaff
with enough notice.
Expectations:
Participation: This is a discussion-centered course.As such,participation ismandatory.Firstand foremost, the
primary rulefor classparticipation and discussion is respect. Whilerespectobviously includesavoidingany formof
clearly insensitiveand/or offensivelanguage,I want to highlightthe subtler expectations that respect requires.
Respect includes thoughtfully and considerately weighing(perhaps summarizing) the major points made by
previous students before respondingor addingto classroomdiscussion.Respectalso requires offeringthoughtful
and constructivefeedback when discussingyour fellowstudents’ writingduringworkshops. Although it is clearly
disrespectful to provide non-constructive,excessively negativestatements about another student’s work,
remember that itis also disrespectful to omit any observations which might improve the quality of her or his draft.
Attendance: WhileI hope that you will attend every class,I understand that complicationsmay arise.As such,you
will beallowed two absences without penalty. Absences exceeding this limitwill countagainstyour final grade,
loweringit by one step (for example, from an A- to a B+). Attendance requires arrivingto classon time and alert
(coffee is not only welcome, but encouraged!). Tardiness will countas 1/3 of an absence. If you miss a class,
readingresponses may be turned in at the next class meeting without penalty, but essays arestill expected to be
turned in on time. As per department regulations, you must attend the first four class sessions in order to keep
your place in this class.

2. Additionally,itis crucial thatyou attend class on days when your own writingis scheduled to be workshopped. In
order to stress this importanceand valuethe time spent by your fellowstudents preparingto discussyour work,
missingoneof these days will countas two absences.
Informal Writing (Reading Responses): Whenever readings areassigned,you are required to submita short,one-
half to 1-page informal responseto the assigned reading.These readings mustbe typed and will be turned in at
the end of classevery day. My intention with these assignments is to develop your ability as critical readers and to
spark classroomdiscussion.As longas your paper demonstrates careful consideration of the material,you will
receive full credit(marked by a check or check +). In your responses,I encourage you to avoid summary and to
engage with questions prompted by the reading.You arefree to write about whatever aspectof the material
interests you the most. Successful responses mightattempt to challengeor supplement the author’s arguments, or
they might highlightcertain areas where the selected readingworks well or can be improved.
Formal Writing (Essays): You will write5 essays.All essays should betyped in MLA format, as outlined in your
handbook (pgs. 411-475).All papers must be turned in on time and atthe startof class.Essayssentby email will
not be accepted unless you are unableto attend class on thatday. In these cases,any essay not emailed before the
startof class will becounted as late. Late papers will havetheir grades significantly lowered.Also note that you will
be expected to turn in draft copies before every final draft.Drafts will notbe graded and are primarily used for
workshop. To respect the time your peers put into commenting on your paper, you are expected to provide a
complete and polished version of your paper before workshop. A lateor incomplete draft will also countagainst
the grade you receive on your final draft.Your final drafts should includerevisionsof your firstdraftbased on the
feedback provided by your peers. Computer problems are not a valid excusefor a late paper. Pleasebackup your
work!
Revisions: I will allowyou to revise one of your firstthree essays oncethey have been graded. This revision will be
due on the final day of instruction and must includea copy of the original paper,with my comments. The original
grade will beaveraged againstthe revised grade and your grade will notbe lowered by a revision.
Workshops: Workshops arean essential component of this course.Throughout the semester you will sign up for 3
workshop dates where the entire class will read and providefeedback on your writing.The day before your paper
is scheduled for workshop you will need to provide one printed copy to every student in the courseso that they
will havean opportunity to read and providecomments before the next classmeeting. Failureto provideenough
printed copies will becounted as an absenceand you will losethe opportunity to ha ve that draft reviewed. Before
a workshop, all students are expected to read and comment (in writing) on the paper that is scheduled to be
discussed.I will randomly collectand gradeyour comments throughout the semester in order to monitor your
improvement as readers.
Grades:
First Three Essays: 45%
Last Two Essays: 45%
Workshops, Informal Writing, and Participation: 10%

3. Initial Course Outline
1/20 Course Expectations.
1/25 Discuss closereadingstrategies.Read website: http://ozpk.tripod.com/APclose. Assign Essay 1.
1/27 Cisneros,"Woman HolleringCreek" and "Never Marry a Mexican" Close Reading 1 Due.
2/1 Melville,Benito Cereno. pgs. 34-103.Select and prepare cursory closereadings for three passages.
2/3 Benito Cereno (continued)
2/8 Emery, "The Topicality of Depravity in Benito Cereno" pgs. 303-313 and Rogin, "Mutiny and SlaveRevolt" pgs.
317-329.Close Reading 2 Due. Assign Essay 2
2/10: Emerson, "Self-Reliance"Close Reading 3 Due.
2/15: Marx, selections fromThe Communist Manifesto
2/17: Camus, "The Rebel" Essay 2 Rough Draft Due.
2/22: Workshop
2/24 No Class! Monday Schedule
3/1 Workshop Close Reading Final Draft Due
3/3 Workshop Assign Essay 3
3/8 Friere, "BankingConceptof Education"
3/10 Fish,"Buttons and Bows" Essay 2 Final Draft Due.
3/15 Fromm, "The Individual in the Chains of Illusion"
3/17 Gatto, "AgainstSchool"and Ofri,"SAT" Essay 3 Rough Draft Due.
3/22 Spring Break
3/24 Spring Break
3/29 Workshop Assign Essay 4.
3/31 Workshop
4/5 Library Day
4/7 Essays discussingSuperheroes Essay 3 Final Draft due.
4/12 Discuss TheIncredibles
4/14 The Adventures of Unemployed Man Essay 4 Rough Draft Due.
4/19 Workshop
4/21 Workshop
4/26 Workshop Assign Essay 5
4/28 Malcom Gladwell,"Small Change"
Essay 1: CloseReadingEssay
Essay 2: Benito Cereno or Woman Hollering Creek Analysis Paper
Essay 3: Op-Ed Analysis Paper
Essay 4: Research Paper
Essay 5: Reflection Essay