English 131-26

COURSE SYLLABUS

(Composition I)

Fall 2003 SEMESTER

Meeting Days/Times:

T Th 11:10AM-12:30PM

Classroom:

L-125 (computer-based)

Instructor:

Peter Kearly

Instructor’s Office:

A-208 (see attached map)

Instructor’s Office Hours

M-F: 1-3PM & By Appt.

Instructor’s Phone:

(313) 317-6682

Instructor’s E-mail:

pkearly@hfcc.net

Philosophy:

I do not believe that anyone is a "bad" writer. Each individual brings to writing her or his own abilities to think and to express. English 131 should facilitate such already learned abilities, nurture them and make possible their adaptation to the conventions of academic and professional language. Think of me, the instructor, as a coach, showing various moves that you can adopt to help you play the game of writing effectively. As with all games, to win means practice, practice, practice and teamwork.

Required Materials:

Blue or Black Pen

2 Blank 3.5-inch Floppy Disks, Pre-formatted for IBM

1 two-pocket folder to store handouts

1 manila folder to submit compositions/essays at the end of the semester

Required Texts:

Warner, J. Sterling & Hilliard, Judith. Visions Across the Americas. 5^th ed. Orlando,

FL: Harcourt College Publishers. 2004.

Hacker, Diana. A Pocket Style Manual. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s Press, 2000.

Course Description:

This is the first course of a two-semester sequence in college-level composition and reading. Students will read selected essays and stories and write several assignments. These reading and writing assignments are more advanced than those found in English 093 and emphasize further development of critical thinking skills.

Pre-Requirements:

Successful completion of ENG 093 or placement.

Measurable Objectives:

1. Show attempts to address diverse audiences who may have opposing views.

2. Present controlling ideas in clear thesis statements.

3. Create thoughtful and thematic introductions, bodies, and conclusions.

4. Contain clear topic sentences that are supported logically by observations, personal anecdote, details, examples, reasons, facts and data.

5. Demonstrate critical thinking skills such as the ability to quote, interpret, analyze, criticize, compare, argue, define, classify, summarize, and synthesize a diversity of readings and other concrete source material.

6. Write compositions that are relatively free of mechanical errors such as run-on sentences, fragments, subject-verb and pronoun agreement errors.

7. Document sources accurately.

8. Show some independent thinking that goes beyond the obvious.

9. Demonstrate the ability to revise confusing or incomplete reasoning.

10. Demonstrate the ability to learn to correct mechanical and stylistic mistakes.

11. Show proficiency in using word processing software.

12. Exchange reasonable and thoughtful dialogue with international students via Internet video conferencing.

Student Responsibilities:

1. You are required to attend all class meetings. If you cannot attend a class due to extenuating circumstances, you must notify me well in advance by telephone (313) 317-6682 or by email (pkearly@hfcc.net). Please see Attendance below.

2. Each student is expected to act professionally and be respectful of others, which means cell phones and pagers should be turned off (unless you receive permission from me to do otherwise).

3. You must submit assignments on time. I will NOT accept late assignments. If you do not submit an assignment when it is due, you will receive a zero on that assignment and miss both the opportunity to receive feedback from me as well as the opportunity to revise the assignment for a better grade.

4. You must record your own grades on assignments on the grade sheet attached to this syllabus. If you need another grade sheet, request one from me. You must learn to keep track of your own progress. You will review the grade sheet and your assignments with the instructor at the completion of the course to calculate your final grade.

5. Any dishonesty with homework or assignments will result in a grade of zero. The most egregious act of dishonesty is plagiarism. Plagiarism is the act of submitting work that is not the result of your own labor and thought, including quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing the work of others without citation, submitting work that has been written by or provided by a friend, family member, or anyone other than you. Remember, DO NOT copy or steal information! If I suspect plagiarism, I will require you to redo your assignment, or give you a failing grade (no exceptions).

Assignments:

· You must write two essays (each must be 4-5 pages long, typed in 12-point Times font, double spaced, with 1-inch top, bottom, left, and right margins, and no cover page; DO NOT try to cheat by using larger fonts or margins.)

· You must write ten compositions combining critical observations performed in the classroom with an assigned reading from the textbook, Visions Across the Americas.

· You must answer the ten questions on the UCompass Discussion Board (http://henryford.ucompass.com).

· You must write a weekly journal that reflects on dialogue between you and an international student via videoconferencing. Write in precise detail the specific ideas and issues discussed and what you’ve learned from the exchange; I award honest self-reflection.

· You must write a self-evaluation that explains the specific reading, writing, and critical thinking skills that you learned and areas that you think you need to improve.

· You must neatly organize all your work in a “Portfolio” or manila folder for your final grade and as proof of accomplishing the course objectives listed on the first page of this syllabus.

Revisions:

I allow no more than two revisions of all assignments until Thursday, December 4^th, absolutely no exceptions. To help you with revision, I will write detailed corrections and suggested changes on your papers. Do not simply make changes in commas and periods; you must make significant changes in agreement with the revision instructions I write on your papers for me to re-grade your work. Remember that the basic philosophy for this course is learning from mistakes, not just copying my editorial corrections. To earn credit for your changes, you must write what corrections you made and show that you understand why those corrections were needed on a separate sheet of paper attached to the back of your revised paper.

To earn the privilege to be able to revise your work for a better grade you must observe the following rules of conduct:

1) respect the authority and professional expertise of the instructor, especially with respect to grading (i.e., do not argue grades or treat grades as more important than the substance of the course),

2) respect the educational process by prioritizing learning and understanding the skills and ideas being taught so that the grade is a true reflection of not only your performance on class work but also of your growth as an educated individual,

3) treat attendance and deadlines for class the same as one would expect attendance and deadlines to be viewed for a professional job (i.e., do not “dump” work on the instructor the last minute and expect the work to be graded),

4) speak to and respond to the instructor and fellow students with the same respect and courtesy that you expect to receive from them,

5) understand that responsibilities outside of this class, including personal problems or a demanding school schedule with several other hard classes, does not serve as adequate excuse from meeting this course’s requirements (i.e., expect no special treatment or special favors).

Additional Resources:

Students may receive Writing Lab Referrals instructing them to work in the Learning Lab with writing tutors on particular reading and writing areas identified by the instructor. Students are required to meet with the tutor if so referred. Online tutoring with a Writing Lab tutor may be available.

To assist with understanding the assigned readings from the textbook, I will assign Reading Groups. Each group will have at least three members. Each member will be required to assist in answering one or two questions from the textbook on the assigned reading. Groups will share their answers to the class. Members should rotate who speaks for the group. I expect each member to share the work equally and not to put too much burden on any one member, nor to take credit for work that is not one’s own. Remember that classroom discussion is worth 100 points of your grade.

Name Phone Number e-mail

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is taken daily. Consistent and punctual class attendance is necessary to successfully complete this course. Do not arrive late or leave the class early. Remember that the instructor indicates the time to leave. The instructor will notify students if the class will be cancelled for any reason.

A student will be asked to drop the course if s/he receives six or more unexcused absences (each unexcused absence

subtracts 20 points from the 200 possible for the Attendance grade).

Students may meet with me in my office (A-208) to earn points against absences. Any conference or tutoring

will earn 20 points against unexcused absences.

Determination of Final Grade

The grade you receive on your report card is calculated by your point total divided by the total possible points for each individual student. Point totals may vary between students, depending on effort. Nonetheless, percentages align with the following grades: 90-100% (A), 80-89% (B), 70-79% (C), 60-69% (D), 50-59% (E). You will receive a grade sheet to help keep track of your own progress. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE GRADE SHEET. Failure to complete the Grade Sheet means that I will not grade your portfolio.

Portfolio Assignment Possible Points Sample of Your Points

1 Completed Grade Sheet Required Required

2 Two Essays (each worth 100 points) 160 200

3 Ten Compositions (each worth 40/40) 360 400

4 Ten UCompass Discussion Questions 100 100

5 Weekly Videoconferencing Journal 90 100

6 Classroom Discussion 90 100 (-10 for each day student fails

to participate)

7 Self-Evaluation Round Up Grade Extra-credit

(Not in Folder) Attendance 180 200 (-20 for each unexcused absence)

Total Points Earned 980 1100 Total Possible Points

Final Grade = 1070 ÷ 1200 = 89%= ”B” (Convincing Self Evaluation Rounds Up Grade to “A”)

· Grading: For each assignment and essay, points are taken off for specific skills you need to learn. See the “Guide for Revision” in the Course Materials on the UCompass website for this course (http://henryford.ucompass.com) for a list of these skills and the corresponding point values.

· Arguing grades will not be tolerated. If you feel your grade is not appropriate and that you have legitimate grounds for appealing for a grade change, you may meet with the Associate Dean of English to discuss your case.

Important Dates: Labor Day—College Closed September 1

Last day for 100% refund by 12:30PM September 4

Last day for no-record drop September 8

Last day for 50% refund September 11

Midterm Essay Due! October 17

Last day to drop classes in Registrar’s Office November 14

Thanksgiving Holiday—College Closed November 27-November 30

Final Essay Due! December 2

Final Revisions Due! December 4

Final Portfolio Due! December 11

Pick Up Portfolio in my office: December 15-December 19

Sequence of Instruction: The following schedule is tentative and may be subject to change.

Date Day Class Work

Aug 28 Thu Introduction, discussion of syllabus, and completion of personal survey. Go over how to log onto computers. Introduction to some of the features of the computer. Introduction to the UCompass website for this course. Answer UCompass Discussion question #1. Discuss how school writing differs from other forms of writing. Homework: Purchase Class Supplies. Read pages 1-31 in Chapter One of Visions. Prepare to discuss the chapter next class.

Sep 2 Tue Discuss Chapter One of Visions. Begin Composition #1: Describe language issues presented in the film, Combination Platter. Assign Writing Groups. Homework: Read Amy Tan’s “My Mother’s English” on pages 43-46 in Visions. Prepare to discuss next class.

Sep 4 Thu Writing Groups discuss Amy Tan’s “My Mother’s English” using the questions on page 46. Review how to write a summary without merely repeating the author. Practice different methods of summarizing sample texts. Homework: Composition #1: Write a one page summary of Amy Tan’s “My Mother’s English.”

Sep 9 Tue Composition #1 Due. Review methods for writing narration on pages 53-55. Begin Composition #2: Describe the narration of the events in the scene from The Joy Luck Club. Homework: Read Maxine Hong Kingston’s “Ghosts” on pages 56-59. Writing Groups prepare to discuss the essay next class.

Sep 11 Thu Writing Groups discuss Kingston’s narrative method using the questions on page

59. Practice different methods for writing narrative. Composition #2: write your own narrative of a significant event in your life or in the life of someone close to you.

Sep 16 Tue Composition #2 Due! Review methods for writing description on pages 104-107.

Begin Composition #3: Describe the main character in Lakota Woman. Homework: Read excerpt from N. Scott Momaday’s “The Way to Rainy Mountain” on pages 135-141. Writing Groups prepare to discuss the essay next class.

Sep 18 Thu Writing Groups discuss Momaday’s method of description using questions from pages 141-142. Practice different methods for writing description. Composition #3: write your own description of an important person or object in your life.

Sep 23 Tue Composition #3 Due! Review methods for writing illustration and example on pages 152-154. Begin Composition #4: Describe the examples of high school teenagers shown in a scene from Clueless. Homework: Read Mark Katz’s “Power Children” on pages 155-157. Writing Groups prepare to discuss the essay next class.

Sep 25 Thu Discuss Katz’s method of illustration and example using the questions on page 157-158. Practice different methods for writing illustration and example. Composition #4: write your own illustration or example of an interesting or annoying behavior.

Sep 30 Tue Composition #4 Due! Review methods for writing definition on pages 186-189. Describe the definition of “rules of engagement” given in the film, Rule of Engagement. Homework: Read Gary E. Norberg’s “Jingo Bells, Jingo Bells” on pages 204-206.

Oct 2 Thu Discuss Norberg’s method of definition using the questions on pages 207-208. Practice writing your own definition of a cliché, stereotype, or identity. Complete Composition #5: write a definition of a social or government rule, define a stereotype, or define your own identity.

Oct 7 Tue Composition #5 Due! Review methods of writing an essay on pages 18-25. Review essay structure and format. Construct an outline for your midterm essay. Homework: Select one previous composition to expand to 4-5 pages for your Midterm Essay.

Oct 9 Thu Practice methods for writing the different paragraphs that form an essay.

Oct 14 Tue Midterm Essay Due (Late essays will be penalized 50 points). Review methods for writing process analysis on pages 217-219. Describe the process analysis of Malcolm’s change from criminal to civil rights leader in the film, Malcolm X. Homework: Read Joyce M. Jarrett’s “Freedom” on pages 233-235.

Oct 16 Thu Discuss Jarrett’s method of process analysis using the questions on page 235-236. Composition #6: write a one-page analysis of a process such as making humor or creating sympathy.

Oct 21 Tue Composition #6 Due. Review methods for writing comparison/contrast on pages 224-227. Discuss similarities and differences between male and female social bonding and public displays of emotion. Homework: Read Michael Segell’s “The Politics of Greeting” on pages 277-279. Writing Groups prepare to discuss the essay next class.

Oct 23 Thu Discuss Segell’s method of comparison/contrast using the questions on pages 279-280. Composition #7: write a one-page comparison/contrast of two different or similar customs or attitudes.

Oct 28 Tue Composition #7 Due. Review methods of writing division/classification on pages 289-291. Divide and classify the methods of social protest from Do the Right Thing and Long Walk Home. Homework: Read Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “The Ways of Meeting Oppression” on pages 292-295. Writing Groups prepare to discuss the essay next class.

Oct 30 Thu Discuss King’s classifications of “Ways of Meeting Oppression” using the questions on page 295. Practice writing classifications of various problems or strategies. Composition #8: write a one-page division/classification of a problem or strategy.

Nov 4 Tue Composition #8 Due. Review methods for writing cause and effect on pages 330-332. Write cause-effect analysis of why women diet and get plastic surgery using the Lifetime television show, The Devil’s Diet. Homework: Read Karen Ray’s “The Naked Face” on pages 338-341. Writing Groups prepare to discuss the essay next class.

Nov 6 Thu Discuss Ray’s method of cause and effect using the questions on pages 341. Composition #9: write on the causes and effects of a social problem.

Nov 11 Tue Composition #9 Due. Review methods for writing argumentation on pages

407-412 & 454-457. Write your own argument criticizing the stereotypes either in Walt Disney’s Pocahontas or in Aladdin. Homework: Read Grace Sumabat Mateo’s “The Anima of Anime” on pages 428-432. Writing Groups prepare to discuss the essay next class.

Nov 13 Thu Discuss Mateo’s method of argumentation using the questions on pages

432. Composition #10: write an argument on an issue on which you feel strongly.

Nov 18 Tue Composition #10 Due! Review the tips for writing an expository essay on page 362.

Construct an outline for your final essay.

Nov 20 Thu UCompass Discussion Board Questions Due.

Nov 25 Tue Video-Conferencing Journal Due.

Nov 27 Thu Thanksgiving Holiday. No Class.

Dec 2 Tue Final Essay Due! (No Revisions of the Final Essay will be allowed so be sure to show the

instructor drafts and meet during office hours to insure a good grade)

Dec 4 Thu Last Day for all revisions. No more revisions of any assignments will be

accepted after today!

Dec 9 Tue Self Evaluation Due in class.