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ENGLISH 110AG/AL COURSE SYLLABUS
SPRING 2009
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English 110AG/AL - Composition, Literature, and Critical Thinking (3 units)
Class Meeting Days/Times/Room: Section AG (CRN #38474): T-Th 9:35-10:50, Room 8224
Class Meeting Days/Times/Room: Section AG (CRN #30314): T-Th 11:10-12:25, Room 8224
Professor: Nina L. Floro
Office Location: Bldg. 8, Rm. 8210
Office Phone: (650) 738-4414
Web Address: http://www.smccd.edu/accounts/floro/
E-mail floro@smccd.edu
Office hours:
NOTE: Students who make appointments in advance will receive priority. Also, additional office hours may be made by arrangement.
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English 100/105 with a C or better is required for enrollment in English 110.
English 110 is a 3 unit UC/CSU (A2, A3, C2 at CSU) transferable course that also satisfies the Associate Degree English requirement. The course will focus on reading literature and writing compositions that reflect your own ideas and critical analysis about the literature that you read. This course will provide you with opportunities to develop reading, writing, and analytical skills through the careful study of a variety of short stories, poems, a novel, and plays. Students will employ methods of literary analysis in their writing as well as develop critical thinking, reading, and writing skills about both the literature and criticism they read.
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At the end of the semester, students will be able to:
- Write coherent, well organized, and analytical essays appropriate to the second semester transfer level based on the study of various literary genres. Essays should employ advanced critical thinking strategies as well as conventions of scholarly discourse.
- Analyze, interpret, evaluate, and distinguish between various literary genres and their elements.
- Utilize literary critical theories and more advanced research to illuminate various literary works.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of their own competencies as they continue to perceive themselves as accomplished writers, thinkers and literary scholars engaged in academic discourse in cross-disciplinary contexts.
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Group work, discussion, lecture/demonstration, informal presentations, and individual activities will all be combined as methods of instruction used in this course. Students will be expected to work regularly in small groups, as a class, individually, and with the teacher in order to develop the skills necessary for writing effective analytical/critical compositions. Additionally, students will be required to use on and off-campus resources (libraries, writing labs, tutors, etc.) to enhance their writing skills and learning experiences.
Sequence of Lessons:
Class lectures, demonstrations, assignments, and activities are designed to build the skills necessary to move towards subsequent units of the course. Although revisions to the schedule may be made because of class needs, below you will find a tentative sequence of units that will be covered during the semester.
- Unit #1: Elements of Short Fiction
- Unit #2: Introduction to Literary Critical Theory (Essay #1)
- Unit #3: The Novel (Essay #2)
- Unit #4: Historical and Cultural Contexts in Literature (Visual Project)
- Unit #5: Poetry (Essay #3)
- Unit #6: Drama (Essay #4--Research Paper)
- Essays will be a way for you to explore, interpret, and discuss issues and themes from the literature that we read. This "formal" type of writing will allow you to look at an author's work in depth and to form and support a thesis that you have about a work. You must write 4 "formal" essays, each ranging from 4 to 8 typed pages. Essays not submitted WILL RESULT in a "D" or "F" semester grade. Specific due dates, essay topics, criteria, and other essay assignment information will be distributed approximately 1-2 weeks prior to the final draft due date of each assignment.
You will always be required to type a complete first draft of every essay. On first draft due dates, you will receive feedback and suggestions from your classmates on your essay drafts, and you will then find ways to revise your essays. Students who are absent and/or who have no essay on first draft due dates will receive a 0 (no credit) for the day and must seek feedback and suggestions on their drafts from others outside of class. First drafts WILL NOT be accepted via e-mail or fax. You must be present and must participate in the feeback session in order to receive points on first draft due dates.
Final draft packets are normally due within 5-7 days after the first draft due date. Complete essay packets (with feedback sheets, first drafts, and final drafts) must ALWAYS be submitted. Essay final draft packets without a complete first draft will receive a 20 point deduction. Final drafts WILL NOT be accepted via e-mail or fax. In order to be considered "on time," a final draft packet must be submitted prior to roll call on the day it is due. An essay received after roll call will immediately receive a 3-point deduction and will continue to receive a 3-point deduction for EACH ADDITIONAL day late. Students will be allowed to use one "late pass" that will entitle them to turn in a late final draft packet up to one week late without penalty. This "late pass" can only be used as long as the original essay is submitted within 7 days of the original due date. A late pass cannot be used for any other assignments or for Essay #4 (the last formal essay of the semester).
- A total of 2 exams (1 midterm and 1 final) will be given. Each exam will require you to demonstrate your knowledge of the literature, concepts, and terminology we have covered in class. No make-up exams will be given unless arranged with the instructor at least 3 days prior to the scheduled exam date.
- Reading journals will allow you to explore issues and ideas that you have encountered in the literature that you read. Beginning Week 2, you must complete one reading journal each week. Please refer to your Reading Journal Guidelines handout for specific instructions on how to write a journal entry, and check your weekly assignment schedule for journal folder due dates. Late journal folders will receive a 2 point deduction for each day late. Each untyped journal will receive a 1-point deduction. Reading journals WILL NOT be accepted via e-mail or fax unless arranged in advance.
- Quizzes, exercises, and other homework will be given regularly and will cover reading assignments, class discussions, and lectures. Pop quizzes will normally be given within the first 10 minutes of class and are designed to test your basic knowledge of the readings and ideas covered in class. No make-up pop quizzes will be given. Homework/exercises WILL NOT be accepted via e-mail or fax unless arranged in advance.
- A literary project/presentation will be a way for you to creatively interpret a particular work that we are reading.
- Participation credit will be given for attendance, punctuality, attitude, preparation, overall effort and thoughtfulness of work, discussion, group activities, and feedback groups.
NOTE: Expect to spend an average of 1-2 hours per day on English 110 assignments. Most of this will be in the form of reading, journal writing, and essay assignments.
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- "A" essay: Excellent. The essay engages the reader in a thoughtful, insightful, and sophisticated response to the assigned topic. A clear, meaningful central idea is present and supported by specific details, relevant examples, and thought provoking analysis. The ideas in the essay are well organized, coherent, and unified. There are no significant errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation, and the essay adheres to all the standards in writing, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, formatting, and documentation.
- "B" essay: Good. The essay fully addresses the assigned topic in an insightful and thoughtful manner. The central idea is supported with clear and relevant examples but may include some information that drifts off point or ideas that may not be fully developed. Competence in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and other written standards (as mentioned in "A" above) is demonstrated, but some errors are present enough to be noted.
- "C" essay: Acceptable. The essay addresses the assigned topic in a thoughtful but perhaps underdeveloped, disorganized, and/or incoherent manner. The central idea is apparent but may not be supported by sufficient details, examples, and/or explanations. Errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and/or other written standards occur frequently enough to distract the reader from essay's ideas.
- "D" essay: Unsatisfactory. The essay only minimally addresses the assigned topic and/or may seriously lack in sophistication, organization, and/or depth in its ideas. The central idea tends to be unfocused, incoherent, and/or may not be supported by detailed examples and developed explanations. Errors in grammar, spelling or punctuation are excessive and distract the reader from the writer's ideas.
- "F" essay: Not acceptable/failing. All in all, an essay at the "F" level reveals ideas that do not demonstrate a sophisticated, planned, logical level of thought and appears to be more like a draft or free-written journal that does not follow the conventions of acceptable, college essay standards. The "F" essay does not address the assigned topic, has no clear main idea and/or supporting ideas, and/or is seriously underdeveloped (far short of the required number of assigned pages), thus not meeting the minimum requirements.
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Your course grade will be based on the grades and/or credit you receive for the requirements listed above. Your grade will be averaged based on the following breakdown of percentages:
- Essays (Essays #1-3 for 100 pts. each.; Essay #4 for 200 points) = 60%
- Midterm exam (given between Weeks 9-11) = 10%
- Final Exam (see exam date below) = 10%
- Journals, quizzes, drafts, and other homework = 10%
- Literary Project/Presentation = 5%
- Participation/Preparation/Attendance = 5%
NOTE: All major writing assignments and exams must be satisfactorily completed with an average grade of "C" or better in order to receive a passing course grade of "C" or better. An incomplete essay or exam WILL result in a semester grade of "D" or "F." NO EXTRA CREDIT work is given during the semester, and no make-up work for missed/late assignments is allowed unless pre-arranged with the instructor.
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Regular attendance and being in class on time will be an extremely important factor in successful completion of English 110, as assignments, topics on reading and writing, reader response journals, new strategies for writing, and so forth will be discussed in class. Whenever you are absent, contact a classmate or me to acquire that day's topics and/or assignments. Also, arrange to photocopy a classmate's notes from that day. You must turn in your past due assignments on the day you return from an absence. No other late work will be accepted unless it is arranged with the instructor in advance.
Roll is taken at the beginning of every class meeting. If you are not present when roll is called, assume that you have been marked absent. If you arrive within 5 minutes after class begins, see me immediately after class ends to clear your absence and change it to a tardy. Every 4 tardies will count as 1 absence. Any student who misses more than 10 minutes of class for any reason (beginning or end) will receive an absence mark for the day. Students who have more than 4 absences and/or excessive tardies will have their participation grades lowered significantly and will be at serious risk of receiving poor overall semester grades.
NOTE: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DROPPING FROM ANY COURSE YOU NO LONGER WISH TO ATTEND. FAILURE TO DO SO BEFORE THE WITHDRAWAL DATE WILL RESULT IN AN "F" GRADE IN THIS COURSE .
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No plagiarism or cheating of any kind will be tolerated. Both are very serious offenses and may lead to an automatic "F" in the assignment. Plagiarism is the act of taking another person's work, writing, or ideas and using them as if they were your own. This material could be something that you have taken from another paper, book, article, magazine, the Internet, and so forth, or it could be material that someone else has written for you. Cheating on tests, homework, and other class assignments or activities is dishonest and improper conduct. Cheating is an act of deception and fraudulently obtaining of someone else's work, answers, etc.
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You will at all times be asked to show consideration and respect towards me and all the members of the class. This means that absolutely no offensive or disruptive behavior will be tolerated and that your full attention is given to whatever class activity is taking place. Once class begins, there will be no coming and going as you please. If you must leave early, be courteous enough to make arrangements with me beforehand. Cell phones, pagers, text messaging devices, and all other electronic devices that could be distracting or disruptive must be turned off prior to class and "invisible" during class. Having a peaceful and respectful classroom environment will give us a comfortable and safe place to learn and share new ideas.
Other Notes:
- To ensure the highest possibility of success in the class, it is highly recommended that students work closely with a teacher/tutor in the Writing/Reading Lab (located in the Learning Center).
- In coordination with the DSPS office, reasonable accommodations will be provided for eligible students with disabilities. If you do not yet have an accommodation letter, please contact the DSPS office at 650-738-4280.
- Because we are all human and circumstances/time elements are rarely constant, assignment/topic dates, requirements, and other course details are subject to change. Flexibility in meeting deadlines/requirements and understanding extenuating circumstances can be achieved through expressed verbal communication and discussion.
- February 2 : Last day to ADD a semester length course
- February 13-16: No classes--Presidents' Day Holiday
- February 17: Last to DROP a semester length course w/out it appearing on your record
- March 11: No classes--Faculty Flex Day
- April 6-12 : No classes--Spring Break
- April 30: Last day to WITHDRAW from a semester length course
- May 25: No classes--Memorial Day Holiday
FINAL EXAM DATES--CHECK FOR YOUR SECTION
- English 110--Section AG--Tuesday, May 26, 8:10 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.
- English 110--Section AL--Thursday, May 28, 11:10 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.
- June 11 : Final grades available on WebSmart
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