Below is a schedule of reading assignments and portfolio due dates.  A detailed schedule for weekly reading and writing assignments (including assigned weeks for blog posts) can be found on Moodle.  Please check there regularly.

Weeks 1 and 2 (Aug 27, 29, Sept 3, 5)
Introductions and definitions
Forward & Intro, Best American Essays 2012
Lopate, “The Essay, An Exercise in Doubt”
Writer’s Autobiography: working draft due

Week 3 (Sept 10, 12)
Montaigne, selected essays
“Picturing the Personal Essay”

Week 4 (Sept 17, 19)
Macrorie, “The Poison Fish,” “Writing Freely,” “What is Good Writing?”
Edmundson, “Who Are You and What Are You Doing Here?” (Best American Essays 2012)
Revised autobiography due
Conferences

Week 5 (Sept 24, 26)
Kothari, “If You are What you Eat”
Sedaris, “SantaLand Diaries”
Final autobiography due with Portfolio 1

Week 6 (Oct 1, 3)
“Teen Study: Social Media is Positive Experience”
Audio Essay topics due

Week 7 (Oct 8, 10)
Audacity workshop
Emerson, “American Scholar”

FALL BREAK

Week 8 (Oct 17, 22, 24)
Gass, “Emerson and the Essay”
Anastas, “The Foul Reign of ‘Self-Reliance'” (Best American Essays 2012)
Podcast script due
Conferences

Week 9 (Oct 29, 31)
Branch, “Snowfall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek”
Carr, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”
Podcast draft due

Week 10 (Nov 5, 7)
Wilks, “Fitting the Pattern”
Final podcast due with Portfolio 2
Final essay topics due
InDesign workshop

Week 11 (Nov 12, 14)
Best American Essays 2012

Weeks 12-13 (Nov 19, 21, 26)
Best American Essays 2012
Final essay draft
Group Conferences

THANKSGIVING BREAK

Week 14 (Dec 3, 5)
Course wrap-up and final portfolios