Cañada College Spring, 2009
English 110 AA: Composition, Literature & Critical Thinking
ClayCourse Record Number: 31132 TTh 8:10-9:25 Room: 13-114

3 units, Transfer: UC CSU
Prerequisite: English 100 (grade of “C” or better)

Instructor: David Clay email: clayd@smccd.edu web page: <http://smccd.net/accounts/clayd/>
telephone (650)306-3379
office hours: room 3-242, MW 10:30-11:30, TTh 1:00-2:00 & by arrangement

Course Description:
English 110 is a university transfer course in critical thinking and writing about literature. In this course students read and write about fiction, poetry, and drama. You will be evaluated at university standards, and will write at least 5 essays in addition to a mid-term and a final. 16 hours of individual work (hours by arrangement) is a course requirement.

Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to
write essays that critically analyze works of prose fiction, drama and poetry
interpret the themes and meanings of literary works
read and discuss works which use complex syntax and style
identify and discuss figurative language, imagery, tone, poetic techniques
demonstrate critical thinking and writing skills in analyzing literature
organize and cite sources using MLA style
read and evaluate works from various critical perspectives - i.e. feminist, political, multicultural, ethnic, activist...
develop and support individual points of view in their essays
read and discuss materials from various cultural sources.

Course Content:
reading fiction, poetry, and drama
instruction in basic requirements for writing about literature, including
conventions of scholarly writing
literary terminology appropriate to each genre
introduction to a variety of critical approaches to literature
introduction to research techniques for literary studies
discussion and evaluation of critical thinking
16 hours of work outside of class to be arranged with the instructor
16 hours of work outside of class to be arranged with the instructor

Course Activites:
large group discussions led by the instructor
small group discussions, collaborations
class presentations, videos, performances
brainstorming, prewriting, outlining, rough draft evaluations, final drafts, revisions of critical essays
in-class quizzes and examinations
16 hours “by arrangement” - out of class work
writing 8,000 to 10,000 words of expository prose, including exams, quizzes, and at least 5 critical essays

evaluation: Grades will be determined by the instructor’s evaluation of
mid-term and final examinations (25%)
essays (60%)
quizzes (5%)
class participation (5%)
hour by arrangement work (5%)
You must complete all major assignments to pass the course.

Policies:
Late Papers: Assignments are due on the dates shown on the assignment sheets. If special circumstances occur, please discuss the situation with me, but papers which are more than a few days late will be graded down.

Plagiarism: Don't even think about it. All writing must be your own work, and the development of your essays must be evident to me in the notes, outlines, and rough drafts that are turned in with essays. Any essay that does not have required developmental material attached will be handed back without a grade. You may not hand in essays that you have written for previous classes. If you plagiarize a paper or any part of a paper you may be dropped from the course or receive a grade of “F” for the course. In addition, you will be referred to the division dean for further discipline as appropriate.

Revisions: Editing and revision are a fundamental part of the writing process, and you are welcome to revise one or two of your papers after they have been graded. Please discuss this with me so that you know what I expect from you, and be sure to hand in the original paper along with the revision. In some cases I may require that you edit or revise a paper.

Attendance: If you miss more than 4 classes, you may be dropped from the course. Please be on time to class. If you are late more than once or twice I will count your tardies as partial absences. . Cell phones, and other electronic devices are great fun, but they are not appropriate for use in class. If you can't resist using your electronic toys in class I will ask you to leave, and I will consider you absent for that day.

Texts: .
Alexie, Sherman. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. PGW 0-8021-4167-6
Alexie, Sherman. Old Shirts and New Skins. PUP 0-935626-36-0
Beckett. Waiting for Godot. Grove 0-80213034-8
Collins. Sailing Alone Around the Room. Random House. 0-37575-519-5.
Hacker, Dianna. Rules for Writers. 9780312452766.
Hours by Arrangement folder -- in our college bookstore.
Any college dictionary.