This section of English 281 will engage a variety of controversies which fall under the rubric of “the commons.” The definition of what is considered “common,” or “public property”—from open spaces to public domain art to water and air to the genome itself—is neither stable nor guaranteed. This course will explore the terrain of the “commons” debate and ask course participants to delineate and defend in writing a specific critical position.

Course readings will include selections from Garrett Hardin, David Bollier, Hardt & Negri, and Howard Rheingold (among others). Course work will consist of in-class discussion and presentations, a number of exploratory, responsive, and critical short papers, and a two-part longer paper of approximately ten pages. This is a computer integrated class, which means that class meetings will alternate between a computer integrated classroom and a traditional seminar room.

Prerequisites:

While 281 has no formal prerequisite, this is an intermediate writing course, and instructors expect entering students to know how to formulate claims, integrate evidence, demonstrate awareness of audience, and structure coherent sentences, paragraphs and essays. Thus we strongly encourage students to complete an introductory (100 level) writing course before enrolling in English 281.