Pierce College, Department of English English 101, Section 3126: College Reading and Composition I Summer 2017

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1 Pierce College, Department of English English 101, Section 3126: College Reading and Composition I Summer 2017 Instructor: Dr. Whitney Kosters Office Hours: M, T: 3:40pm-4:40pm or by appointment Class Information: JNPR 0803, 7:30-10:00pm whitneykosters@gmail.com Course Description and Objectives: In English 101, we will analyze the aesthetic, structural, and thematic elements of fiction and nonfiction. These texts will introduce you to different genres and criticisms of literature and enhance your writing and critical thinking/reading skills. English 101 SLOs and rubric Upon completion of English 101, students will be able to: 1. Analyze rhetorical and thematic elements of college-level fiction and non-fiction by composing critical analyses, including a research paper, with clear thesis statements and specific, relevant support. 2. Compose unified, coherent essays, including a research paper, with minimal errors in Standard English grammar, mechanics, and MLA format. Rubric for the Assessing SLOs in English 101 Score: 4 = A: CONTENT: The essay discusses only the assigned or selected topic or question, and is factually correct in terms of the reading(s) assigned as the basis for the essay. Documentation requirements, such as a works cited page, are correctly followed. ORGANIZATION: The essay (1) has a clear thesis statement that addresses the topic or question, (2) contains only relevant supporting points (a minimum of three) in a logical progression that are adequately developed, and (3) effective uses transitional words and phrases between and within paragraphs for coherence. In other words, the essay is developed, unified, and coherent. Required direct quotations are coherently woven into the discussion. SENTENCES: The essay contains no fragments, run-ons, and comma splices. The essay also demonstrates effective use of coordination, subordination, and parallelism. Sentences containing direct quotations are grammatically correct and syntactically sound. GRAMMAR & LANGUAGE: The essay contains no errors in grammar, punctuation, syntax, mechanics, and usage. LENGTH: The essay meets the stipulated length requirement and fulfills all other requirements given with the assignment. Score: 3 = B: CONTENT: The discussion is appropriate to the topic or question, but the essay may contain a small number of factual errors concerning the reading(s) assigned for the essay. The response to the documentation requirements may contain up to 2 errors only. ORGANIZATION: The thesis statement is clear and addresses the topic, but the body of the essay (supporting points) is weak because one or two paragraphs lack development, unity, or coherence. Required direct quotations are coherently woven into the discussion. SENTENCES: The essay contains minimal (1-2) errors in overall sentence structure (parallelism, fragments, run-ons, or comma splices), including those sentences with direct quotations. GRAMMAR & LANGAUGE: The essay contains minimal (1-2) errors in grammar or in spelling, usage, punctuation, and mechanics. LENGTH: The essay meets the stipulated length requirement and fulfills all other requirements given with the assignment. Score: 2 = C: CONTENT: The discussion is minimally appropriate to the topic or question, or the essay may contain factual errors concerning the reading(s) assigned for the essay, or the response to the documentation requirement is incomplete. ORGANIZATION: The thesis statement is unclear or vague, and the essay shows poor organization throughout the body because the middle paragraphs (1) lack adequate development or the required direct quotations are inappropriate, (2) digress or contains irrelevant details, or (3) do not contain transitional words or phrases for coherence, especially for the direct quotations. SENTENCES: The essay contains several sentence writing errors, such that clarity is impacted. GRAMMAR & LANGUAGE: The essay contains several errors in grammar or in punctuation, spelling, usage, and mechanics.

2 LENGTH: The essay does not meet the length requirement and fulfills only some of the other requirements given with the assignment. Score: 1 = D: CONTENT: The discussion is not appropriate to the topic or question, or the documentation requirement is missing. ORGANIZATION: The thesis statement is unclear or vague, the required direct quotations are missing, and the discussion throughout lacks development, unity, and coherence. SENTENCES: The essay contains numerous errors in parallelism, or numerous fragments, run-ons, and comma splices. Sentences with direct quotations are grammatically incorrect or syntactically bizarre. GRAMMAR & LANGAUGE: The essay contains numerous errors in grammar, mechanics, punctuation, usage, or spelling. LENGTH: The essay does not meet the length requirement, nor does the essay fulfill all other requirements given with the assignment. Score: 0 = F: No answer given. Required Texts: Richard Bullock, The Little Seagull Handbook. ISBN13: (In Pierce Bookstore) Anne Lamott, Shitty First Drafts Richard Connell, The Most Dangerous Game Gabriel Garcia Marquez, A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings George Orwell, Shooting an Elephant Theodore Roosevelt, True Americanism In addition to the texts listed above, I will hand out a couple of other texts throughout the semester. Although this is a writing course, the reading is equally important and must be completed on the assigned dates, as it will facilitate the development of your writing. If one of the reading assignments is posted online, you are expected either to print it out and bring the hardcopy with you or to have an electronic copy of it with you on hand. ALWAYS bring your text (book, electronic copy, or handout) to class. 1. Attendance: Attendance is an absolutely essential component in this type of workshop environment. Each unexcused absence will result in a 20-point loss up to a loss of 60 total points from your participation grade. 3 absences will warrant an automatic F for the course. If you anticipate an absence, please notify me ahead of time. Arriving 30 minutes late to class or leaving 30 minutes early will count as an absence. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to communicate with me regarding the work you missed. I will not volunteer this information. Tardies will also be recorded and may negatively affect your attendance and participation grade if you have more than Participation*: I cannot stress how important participation is in this course. Most of our class time will be dedicated to discussions, because I believe you cannot effectively inquire into new material and ideas if you do not thoroughly discuss them with others. Students learn much more when they speak up and articulate their thoughts, and it s always best when you are not limited to just one perspective on a topic (i.e., mine). Please understand that you will receive a participation grade based on your attitude, preparation for class, attention to class lectures, and, most importantly, your contributions to class discussions and activities, which includes group work, written work, revisions, and class activities that I may assign you to do during class time. Please consider that your contribution grade will be partially determined not only on how often you

3 speak, but on the quality of your comments. Although we may not all agree on every point, a respectful attitude is expected at all times. *Note that every time you text or sleep in class, 5 points will be deducted from your participation grade. 3. Writing Projects: 1 typed essay and a Multi-Genre Project that will be handed in, along with their respective drafts. Each assignment will be discussed in class. 4. Quizzes: Quizzes will be given on all assigned readings. Pop quizzes on material unrelated to the readings may also be given to ensure punctuation and attendance. All quizzes on the readings will be short and cover objective facts. Unfortunately, quizzes cannot be made up, no matter the circumstances. For this reason, I will drop your lowest quiz grade. 5. Exam: One in-class exam will be conducted on 6/ Presentation: In groups of 4-5, you will be assigned to present on one database. You will be responsible for demonstrating to the class how this database operates and some of the most effective ways to use it for the purposes of research. Course Rules: Please always print off your papers, staple them, and write your name on them before handing them in. I do not have a stapler. Grading Participation 140 points points A Exam 150 points points B Essay 1: Rhetorical Analysis 200 points points C Multi-Genre Project 350 points points D Presentation 100 points 600 or fewer points F Quizzes 60 points TOTAL 1000 points Late Work: I do not accept any late papers or assignments. If you have not handed an assignment in by the due date at the beginning of class, I will not take it, so please do not ask me. The most important part of this class will be the work handed in for grades. As you will notice from the grade breakdown, not handing in work will be extremely detrimental to the final grade. Of course, skipping work will not only negatively affect your final class grade, but will also inhibit your ability to learn how to write effectively. Plagiarism: According to the Pierce Library s web page, Plagiarism means using someone else s words or ideas without giving them credit. It is an act of academic dishonesty that can result in expulsion from college, whether you plagiarize intentionally or not. Deliberate plagiarism means presenting someone else's work as your own. Whether you buy a paper from the Internet, copy an encyclopedia article, or use your roommate's paper, you are plagiarizing. Accidental plagiarism happens when you fail to write complete, correct citations. You can prevent this by taking careful notes and understanding the rules for quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing sources. Please see me if you would like any clarification on what constitutes plagiarism. I do have software that is designed to detect it, so it s wise not to do it. If you have any concerns about the work in the class, please talk to me about it. I DO NOT TOLERATE ANY KIND OF CHEATING. Cheating will result in an F in the course and could result in expulsion from Pierce. Disabilities: If you are a student with a disability, please notify me as early as possible in the semester so that we can discuss your needs for academic accommodation. Extra Help: Feel free to drop in at any time during my office hours to discuss any aspects of the course and your writing. Also, the Writers Studio is a valuable free resource, which you should take advantage of throughout the semester. You can stop by at room 403 in the Library at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom. For more information, you can visit their web site at

4 *I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus throughout the semester when necessary. Make sure that you read through the entire syllabus! Your enrollment in this course constitutes your acceptance of it. Week Readings and Activities Assignments 1 6/12: Introduction to English 101; Syllabus 6/13: Read Shitty First Drafts ; QUIZ Read The Little Seagull, page 9 6/13: Bring in your pre-writing and/or brainstorming ideas Discuss Exam 2 6/19: Exam Read The Most Dangerous Game ; QUIZ 6/14: Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences. Read The Little Seagull, pages and Practice writing a thesis statement 6/15: Read A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings ; QUIZ Practice writing a thesis statement Working with the Rhetorical Triangle: ethos, pathos, logos, audience, purpose 6/20: Create ads/commercials employing the rhetorical triangle. 6/21: Read Shooting an Elephant ; QUIZ Read True Americanism ; QUIZ 6/22: Read Imagining the Ideal Body (handout); QUIZ Read Fleshy Thighs on Parade (handout); QUIZ Read The Little Seagull, page Discuss Rhetorical Analysis Essay

5 3 6/26: Review of Topic Sentences, Transitions, the Conclusion and Logical Fallacies. Working with citations. The importance of grammar. Read The Little Seagull, pages 14, /27: Writing Workshop 6/28: Peer Review Day: Revising and Editing Read The Little Seagull, pages Revisionary Activities: Hotspotting, Glossing, Etc. 6/29: Conferences 4 7/3: Discuss MultiGenre Project Begin working on presentations Audience Awareness Activity 6/28: 2 hardcopies of a complete, full first draft of the Rhetorical Analysis due 7/3: Final draft of the Rhetorical Analysis due, along with 1 signed first draft copy 7/4: No class (4 th of July) 7/5: Topics of Projects and Presentations 7/6: Peer Review Day 5 7/10: Writing Workshop 7/6: 2 hard copies of 2 genres due (4 copies total) 7/11: Conferences 7/12: Conferences 7/13: Multi-Genre Projects Due 7/13: Multi-Genre Project due, along with 2 signed first drafts