Course Description:

In this four-day bootcamp, students will read and discuss examples of great writing, learn about the writing process, and apply it to create their own essay. Class meetings will utilize a Socratic format where the instructor facilitates a discussion using guided questions. This enables students to interact with each other, the instructor, and the content more actively than in a traditional lecture-style course.

Please note that this course will explore a variety of potentially difficult topics, ideas, and events from divergent perspectives. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to review the overview section below in order to determine if they want their child to analyze and discuss this content. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.

*****All learners will be required to have their cameras on for the duration of the live class meetings. This promotes an engaged learning environment for all students.*****

Assignments and Grading Policies:

Each class meeting will have an assigned reading of a professional example of a great essay alongside segments of a textbook on the writing process. Students are free to read more essays from the assigned text if they so choose, but the class discussion and written assignments will focus on the assigned reading. 

It is important that students do the assigned readings in order to get the most out of the bootcamp. Given the high level of these examples, I only expect that students have made a good faith effort to adopt best practices in their own work, not that they have always successfully done so. 

Additionally, students will have the opportunity to submit written work for feedback and grading. In order to obtain a grade or obtain a certificate, students must draft and revise a roughly 500-word essay along with a thesis statement and an outline and submit them before or after each class meeting. 

Given that this is a bootcamp, completion of the written assignments is very strongly encouraged even if a student doesn’t wish to receive a grade or a certificate. The use or aid of any AI tools or large language models is prohibited for written assignments in this bootcamp.

*****Readings and written assignments are placed on the date that they are due on the syllabus, not the date that they are assigned.*****