syllabus

English 110: Composition & Reading

CRN 58966 | MW 3:55-5:15pm | Room ECC 02

http://english110spring2009.blogspot.com/

Michelle Detorie Office Hours M 5:30-6:30

Office: IDC 312 Cubicle A and by appointment

Mailbox IDC 317 (Debra Fondren)

CRITICAL DATES

Start Date: 26-JAN-09 End Date: 23-MAY-09 Last Date to add class: 08-FEB-09 Last Date to drop with a refund: 07-FEB-09

Last Date to drop without a "W": 08 FEB 2009 Last Date to drop with a "W": 27 MAR 2009 Census Date: 02/09/09 Final Exam: 05/18/09 2:00-4:00 pm

REQUIRED TEXTS

Faigley, Lester. The Brief Penguin Handbook.

Jacobus, Lee A. ed. World of Ideas

Book-length work tba

REQUIRED TEXTS FOR English 120

English 120: College Research Skills

A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF ENGLISH 120: COLLEGE RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 58967)

English 120 is a one-unit, credit/no-credit class designed to introduce you to the research skills needed for college courses. It is a co-requisite with English 110. The two courses are graded separately (that is, you can pass one and not other). English 120 is CSU and UC transferable. More about English 120 can be found in the first few pages of the English 120 handbook.

COURSE DESCRIPTION & GOALS:

English 110 is designed to help you develop your critical thinking skills so that you will become more active readers, more persuasive writers, and more informed (and useful) citizens. In this media and information-driven age, the ability to evaluate and synthesize facts and opinions is more important than ever.

The focus of the class is the development of strong reading, writing, and researching skills. Practice makes one become a stronger reader and writer, and you will a lot of opportunity to practice in this course. You will write long and short analytical essays, in-class timed essays, and a research paper.

This course will also help you to develop your own strategies and techniques for approaching every stage of the writing process, for both in-class and out-of-class essays.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR ENGLISH 110:

1. Analyze college-level texts by identifying and evaluating main ideas, audience, purpose, organization, strength of evidence, and rhetorical strategies.
2. Write coherent, thesis-driven academic prose that is grammatically and syntactically sound.
3. Gather, evaluate, and synthesize sources in a correctly documented research paper.
4. Apply knowledge of writing as a process that includes revision.

GRADING (subject to change)


Essay 1 (3-4 pages or 900-1200 words) 10%

Essay 2 (3-4 pages or 900-1200 words) 10%

Essay 3 (3-4 pages or 900-1200 words) 10%

Essay 4 (in-class , about 3 pages or 900 words) 10%

Essay 5 (short research, 5 pages or 1500 words) 5%

Essay 6 (7-8 pages or 2100-2400 words) 20%

Essay 7 (final exam, about 3 pages or 900 words each) 10%

Participation (includes attendance, quizzes, peer review) 15%

Homework (typed answers to questions) 10%

ASSIGNMENTS & REQUIREMENTS

1. Except for in-class writing, all work you turn in should be typed (double-spaced with one inch margins and standard 12-pt font) and stapled. Your pages should be numbered. Please proofread! You do not need a title page: just put your name, the course name, my name, and the date in the upper left corner, and center the title above your text. Final papers need a title, drafts do not. I will subtract points from your final grade if your essay does not conform to these format specifications. Also, be sure to keep an extra copy of all of your work: if for some reason I do not have your paper after you have turned it in, it is your responsibility to provide me with another copy. Descriptions of specific assignments will be handed out in class. LATE PAPER POLICY: I will accept one late paper, but you must turn it in before the next paper is due. A paper is considered late if it is not printed and stapled at the beginning of class on the day that it is due. Please note that late papers are always subject to grade reduction.

2. Attendance is required. Much of the coursework will be done in class and cannot be made up. Because of this, good attendance is essential. I will allow two unexcused absence. A third absence requires documentation: a doctor’s note or a letter from a funeral director in the case of a death in the family. Absences will lower your participation grade, and students with more than three absences will be dropped from the class. Frequent or excessive tardiness will also result in a lower attendance grade and may count as an absence. I won’t quantify or negotiate whether a late arrival is or isn’t an absence. I think everyone knows what qualifies as “frequent” or “excessive” tardiness. This is the protocol I appreciate for late arrivals: come into the class, say to the class “sorry I am late,” and take your seat.

3. Come to class prepared. Do the assigned reading and writing on time. Your class participation grade is a combination of attendance and a subjective measurement of how prepared you are and how eagerly you participate in conversation. I cannot discuss how you are doing for participation; you should have a pretty good idea just by reviewing your attendance record, how prepared you have been (instructors always know who has done the reading, and how much of it), and how much you have contributed. Note: I understand that some folks are shy. I won’t force anyone to talk. If this is an issue for you, please come see me during office hours so that your grade isn’t adversely affected.

4. A note about plagiarism: DO NOT DO IT! If you ever use another writer’s words or ideas, be sure to give him/her credit.

5. A note about DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services) Department: SBCC students with disabilities who are requesting accommodation should use the following SBCC procedure: contact the DSPS office in SS160 (x2364), submit documentation of your disability to the DSPS office, communicate with a DSPS specialist regarding options for services and accommodations, and reach written accommodation agreement not only with the DSPS specialist but also your instructor. SBCC requests you complete this process at least ten working days before your accommodation is needed, in order to allow DSPS staff and SBCC instructors time to provide your accommodation.

COURSE ETTIQUETTE: High standards of conduct and courtesy are expected (naturally)

1. Whoever has the floor should have your attention.
2. Don’t pack up early. It’s just plain rude.
3. Texting, web-surfing, and/or napping in class is also rude. If you do any of this during class, you will be counted as absent.
4. We will consider some fairly difficult and controversial material in the class, and I want to be sure that everyone feels free to express their opinions without fear of censure. Students and instructors are expected to be respectful of one another, to avoid inappropriate or abusive language, and to be kind and polite.
5. If you send an e-mail, be sure to include a greeting and closing, to use complete sentences, and correct grammar and spelling.
6. Please come to my office hours or make an appointment with me if you have questions or concerns about the class, a grade, or an assignment. I often prepare my materials in the moments before class, and therefore it is difficult for me to give you my undivided attention. Because class time is valuable, I cannot discuss issues related only to an individual student during class.
7. If you have a question that is not related to the current topic of discussion, consider bringing it to me in office hours or waiting for a more appropriate time to ask your question. If you are worried that you will forget your question, write it down.

OTHER THINGS

1. Since I often send updates via email, I expect you to check your sbcc pipeline e-mail daily. I will also be using pipeline to post a copy of this syllabus, copies of course assignments, and calendar updates.
2. If you wish to appeal a grade that you have received on a paper, you can return it to me along with a written statement detailing the nature of your grievance. You have one week from the day I return your paper to initiate an appeal.
3. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to consult with a classmate or the course website to check for missed work.

COURSE CALENDAR

*Be sure to read the introductory materials included with the readings in A World of Ideas

WEEK ONE

1/26 Introduction to the Course and Course Policies

HW: Read “Evaluating Ideas: An Introduction to Critical Reading” WI

Read “Critical Reading and Viewing” Ch. 6 PH

1/28 Diagnostic essay written in class

HW: Read “Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching” (Lao-tzu) WI

Write responses to “questions for critical reading” WI

WEEK TWO

2/2 Diagnostic essay returned

HW: Read “The Qualities of the Prince” (Machiavelli) WI

Write responses to “questions for critical reading” WI

2/4 Paper 1 Assigned

HW: Read “Planning and Drafting” Ch. 3 PH

Write one page freewrite about one of the paper topics

Create thesis & plan for peer review