Syllabus

Welcome to Language & the Brain,

Course information

• Meetings: Tuesdays 1:45pm-4:44pm in TBD
• Professor: Katie Schuler
• Office Hours:

Course components

• Preparation: Before each class, you will prepare for our discussion by printing out the assigned readings, spending time reading and thinking about these works, and completing some thought and reflection exercises. See the Assignments page for more details.
• Seminar Discussions: During class, we will come together as a learning community to discuss the readings and exercises. We will share our questions and ideas, listen to those of others, and learn how to consider and discuss ideas as a scientific community.
• Writing Workshops: Often our classes will include a Writing Workshop, in which you will help one another develop as writers and thinkers. Sometimes we will write alongside one another, sometimes we will read each other's writing, and sometimes we will discuss and give feedback on each other's writing.

Course materials

In addition to this course website, we will use the following resources.

• Printer - You will be required to print readings and assignments each week and bring them to class. Printers are available at Penn Libraries for 7c per page, but many campus locations provide free printing.
• Email - We will use email to communicate with one another. You can find your classmates' email addresses in Canvas. We will consider these emails as letters to each other, and they will play an important part in our classroom community.
• Canvas - I will post course reserves, class email addresses, and final grades on Canvas; otherwise we will not use it. You'll submit your work by bringing physical copies to class, and we will communicate with each other by email.

Course policies

• Grading: Our classroom is a safe space to take risks, share ideas freely, and develop as a writer and scientific thinker. For these reasons, I will not grade individual assignments. Instead they will be considered as part of your Preparation & Participation grade (50%). At the end of each unit, you will submit a Unit Portfolio of the paper you have been developing in our Writing Workshop, including your reflections on your development as a thinker and writer (45%). Here again, I am considering your engagement in the workshop process and your development, not whether you have achieved any specific target. In lieu of a final paper, we will celebrate our time together over lunch, and you will submit a final reflection (5%). See the Assignments page for more details.
• Attendance: Our time together in the classroom is a very important part of the work we're doing together. For this reason, attendance is mandatory. If you need to miss class, you should let me know by email. Please know that missing more than two classes for any reason, excused or unexcused, will make it very difficult to get an A in the class. If you have competing commitments that would make it difficult for you to attend class, please consider whether this class fits in your schedule.
• Late Work: Most of our work together happens in class and is not possible to make up fully. If you do need to miss class occasionally, it's your responsibility to do the readings and submit any assignments to me by email. Please know that missing a workshop paper deadline means you will miss the opportunity to have your work discussed by the class. Missing a peer review letter would mean that you are unprepared to provide thoughtful feedback for your classmates.
• Academic Integrity
• Technology: Our classroom will be technology-free. All electronic devices, including phones, laptops, tablets, and watches must be silenced and out of sight during our time together. No exceptions. You will need to come to class prepared with printed readings, assignments, and something to write with. Using devices during class or arriving unprepared will affect your participation grade. I expect you to show care for the class community by being present and attentive during our time together.
• AI: AI can be a useful tool for clarifying your ideas and improving your writing. But developing your own voice and becoming a scientific thinker requires doing some of the thinking yourself. I hope you'll use this class as an opportunity to spend time with your own ideas, even when they are unfinished or difficult to put into words. I'm much more interested in hearing your unique voice than reading technically polished writing. Don't let AI have all your fun this semester. :)
• Communication: Outside of class, I will communicate with you by email. You are welcome to email me anytime, about anything you like. I would love to hear from you. I usually respond within 24 hours, or on Monday if I receive your message over the weekend. Please remember that our emails are letters to each other. Show care in your messages by beginning with a greeting and ending with a sign-off.

Student Support

• Learning Resources: Penn also has wonderful writing and library resources: Marks Family Writing Center
• Accessibility & Accommodations
• Heath resources