ENGLISH 1001 - PBworks



Syllabus English 1A

Summer 2013 Contra Costa College

Tues, Wed, Thurs 1:10-5:15 Instructor: Georgie Ziff

LA Room 202 Email: georgie.ziff@csueastbay.edu

Section 4845 – 4 units

All emails must contain class and name in the subject line to receive a response.

Prerequisite: “C” or better in English 142B or ESL 195, or

a passing COMPASS score

Course Description: English 1A focuses on composition that develops from examining and comparing writers’ ideas and techniques in classic and contemporary non-fiction from varied cultural perspectives. Through discussion, essay writing and research, the class will further develop the techniques taught in English 142B. Not repeatable.

Required Texts/Materials:

( Reading Critically, Writing Well, 9th edition by Alexrod, Cooper and Warriner - ISBN 978-0-312-67685-8

Here is a link to  for the textbook: Reading Critically, Writing Well, 9th edition. The book IS required for the course. An available copy will be placed in the campus library on reserve.

• “I’m a Stranger Here Myself” by Bill Bryson ISBN 9780767903820

• Rules for Writers, by Diana Hacker – Contra Costa College 7th edition

• A blank lined composition book for your Writing Journal

• a small stapler or paper clips to attach papers together

Email and Internet Requirements:

You will be using email, accessing websites for articles, interactive quizzes, writing exercises and other issues. You will be printing out documents, so you must have reliable and consistent access to a computer and a printer. Computer labs are available on campus for students.

Course Web pages:

The class syllabus, schedules, essay information and assignments will be posted on the class web page: You are responsible for keeping track of the schedule information. You will be downloading and printing out course materials and handouts, therefore you will need access to a reliable computer and printer. We will have regularly scheduled sessions in the Skill Center computer lab during which you will be able to access the website and work on your assignments and essays.

Grades and attendance are posted on , an online gradebook: – you may register for an account and monitor your own progress.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will communicate effectively in writing.

Students will be able to write a persuasive research paper that includes all the required elements.

Course Objective

At the completion of the course the student will be able to:

Demonstrate critical thinking skills in response to non-fiction readings:

1. Understand, analyze, and interpret expository texts, with an emphasis on argumentation.

2. Recognize authors’ theses, stated and implied, and examine techniques of presenting

3. Distinguish between premises, stated or implied, and evidence.

4. Examine forms of support, including comparison/contrast, definition, illustration, and cause/effect

5. Identify and explain the effectiveness of audience, purpose, and tone in expository writing

6. Draw and justify inferences about a text, the intention of the author, or the effect of the work based on its historical, moral, cultural, social, psychological or aesthetic content

7. Connect authors’ ideas to a broader context, including other writers’ ideas

8. Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity

Demonstrate composition skills, producing sustained essays of at least 750 words each:

1. Employ strategies of prewriting (idea generation, e.g. freewriting, clustering, brainstorming, and outlining) and revision (e.g. drafting, peer response)

2. Include a clear thesis

3. Organize ideas logically and effectively

4. Establish a clear purpose and tone; show awareness of audience

5. Employ features of argumentation, including various forms of support, e.g. comparison/contrast, definition, illustration, cause/effect

6. Show coherence and unity

7. Use effective language, including precise diction and varied sentences

8. Show grammatical correctness

9. Research and synthesize ideas from a variety of sources

10. Use MLA style to document sources (quotations and paraphrasing) with in-text citations and Works Cited page

Course Assignments:

Essays:

• There will be three out-of-class essays assigned this semester.

You will write multiple drafts of each essay. The drafts will be peer-reviewed in class. I also encourage you to take your work to the Skills Center and work with a tutor. You will prepare the final draft based on the feedback you receive and this draft will be graded. All previous drafts, exploratory notes and other feedback must be attached to the final draft during submission. In addition, there must be noticeable difference between the three drafts as a result of constant revision and editing.

Guidelines are on the class website and due dates are on the Schedule.

The three out-of-class essays will be:

1. Observation Essay – 7 pages, or 2,100 words

2. Nonfiction book essay (Bill Bryson) – 7 pages, or 2,100 words

3. Position Research Paper – 7 pages, or 2,100 words

• There will be two in-class essays – a midterm and a final - in response

to a writing prompt that requires you write a thesis-driven essay of 1800 words. These will either be handwritten or typed in the computer lab, depending on our schedule.

Essay Format Guidelines - MLA formatting

• typed

• double spaced

• one inch margins

• size 12 standard fonts

• your name in the upper left corner of your first page

• page numbers in the upper right corner.

Group Grammar/Writing Presentations

In small groups of 3 or 4 students, you will select and research a grammar/writing issue from a list of topics. You can use the Rules for Writers, my website, and the Skill Center for resources in preparing your presentation. Each group will then prepare and teach a 20 minute mini-lesson on the issue: the theory will be explained with the help of visuals (a poster, a video, or a powerpoint) and the class will be assigned to do an exercise/quiz or a game. Detailed instructions on group presentations are available through the link on your class webpage.

Individual Presentations

Each student will read one essay from Bill Bryson’s book out loud to the class and provide a written rhetorical analysis of the chosen selection. Details are available on the class web page.

Writing Journal

You must get a lined blank composition book to keep your writing journal. You will be doing freewriting and in response to prompts and in-class writing exercises. During the quarter, you will be responsible for keeping track of all your work, including homework, reading journals, and in-class work.

Homework is comprised of weekly summary responses to writing topics. Typed homework is due by the end of Thursday’s class, or by email no later than Friday 5 pm. Late work receives only partial credit. You are responsible for keeping all copies or emails to verify the homework was done. Homework returned to you hard copy will bear a green stamp verifying I received it. Details are on the class web page.

Grading in this course

* Three out-of-class essays are worth 50% of the grade.

* Two in-class essays are worth 30% - (15% each)

* Homework is worth 5%

* Class Presentation is worth 5%

* Journal is worth 5%

* Individual Presentation (Bryson) is worth 5%

Grading Policy

90% -100% = A 80% - 89% = B 70% - 79% = C

60% - 69% = D Below 60% = F

Attendance and Participation

Attendance is your job as a student; it is not my business about whether you attend class or not, as such, do not feel it is necessary to inform me about absences or tardy issues. You are expected to attend class – period. Consistent attendance is very important, as the work we do in class is directly related to your success in English 1A. As this class meets three days per week, a student who misses two of the classes, regardless of the reason, will have their grade reduced by one full grade. Missing three classes will result in being dropped from the class. In addition, as participation is required, the instructor reserves the right to drop a student who fails to submit any assignments and essays in a timely manner, i.e. more than a week late.

Computer Lab attendance is required and you must have your draft available either through , in your email, or on a flashdrive. We will be meeting at the regular class time the Skill Center Computer Lab room L-121 as indicated on the Schedule. You are responsible for keeping up with the due dates and schedule.

In-Class Etiquette

In this class, there will be a lot of discussion. We will all be attempting to answer questions, voice opinions, agree and/or disagree with each other, and present findings. None of this is possible unless we create a comfortable environment. To do this, a few rules apply:

1. Keep cell phones/beepers on vibrate or silent.

2. Do not text during class – you need to pay attention to the work.

3. Be on time!

4. Show respect for your classmates and their ideas. During discussions, many different opinions will be expressed. All are welcomed and none are to be ridiculed.

5. Use appropriate language during discussion.

6. Refrain from expressing disgruntlement during class either with the work or with your classmates. See me outside of class about any concerns.

Academic honesty and plagiarism policy

What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism, as defined in the Contra Costa College Catalog, consists of taking the words or specific substance of another, and either copying or paraphrasing the work without giving credit to the source. The following examples are some of the many forms plagiarism may take.

1. Submitting a term paper, examination or other work written by someone else. This is a flagrant instance of plagiarism.

2. Failure to give credit in a [citation] for ideas, statement of fact, or conclusions derived by another.

3. Failure to use quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, a sentence, or even part therof.

4. Close and extended paraphrasing of another.

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense with serious consequences.

How do you avoid plagiarism?

You must work independently on writing assignments. Unless specifically asked to work in a group with your peers, you are expected to be the sole author of everything you submit for credit.

Good writing often borrows from and builds on other good writing, but borrowing someone else’s work without showing you have done so is tantamount to stealing. Give credit to any source from which you borrow language OR ideas.

It is your responsibility to understand what plagiarism is so as never to be guilty of it, even by accident. When in doubt, ask your instructor. Play it safe.

What are the consequences of plagiarism?

At the least, you will receive a “0” for any assignment that contains plagiarism. If an act of plagiarism occurs, the student will be required to leave the class and meet with the Dean of Students, Vicky Ferguson and will not be allowed to return until approved by the dean. According to our catalog, “suspension, expulsion or dismissal from a course or from the College” are other possible consequences (19).

Grievance Policy

English Department Grievance Policy: All student grievances concerning grading or other areas are to be brought to the attention of the course instructor before any other action can be. If you cannot find a resolution to your grievance, then you and your instructor will meet with the chair of the composition program or the Dean of the Liberal Arts Department.

Disability Accommodations

If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, or if you would need assistance in the event of an emergency, please contact me as soon as possible.

Final notes:

This syllabus is subject to change as needed. I may also assign individualized homework to help you improve particular skills.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download