ENGLISH 110AH COURSE SYLLABUS
Spring 2012

 

blue dotTextbooks and Materials

blue dotCourse Requirements

blue dotAttendance Policy

blue dotWriting Resources

blue dotCourse Description

blue dotInstructional Methods

blue dotPlagiarism

 blue dotMLA Works Cited Format/Standards

blue dotEligibility

blue dotEssay Grading Standards

blue dotBehavior Policy

blue dotTopic/Assignment Weekly Schedules
blue dotStudent Learning Outcomes blue dotSemester Grading Standards blue dotImportant Dates  



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English 110AH (CRN #30316) - Composition, Literature, and Critical Thinking (3 units)

Class Meeting Days/Times/Room: T/Th 11:10-12:25, Rm. 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.edumail

Office hours:

      • Unit #1: Elements of Short Fiction (Essay #1)
      • Unit #2: Literary Critical Theory
      • Unit #3: Novel (Essay #2/Research Paper)
      • Unit #4: Poetry (Essay #3)
      • Unit #5: Drama (Essay #4)


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Course Requirements:

  • Essays will be a way for you to explore, interpret, and discuss issues and themes from the literature that we read. This type of writing will allow you to look at literature in depth and to form and support a thesis that you have about the literature. You must write 4 formal essays, each ranging from a minimum of 4 to 8 typed pages. Essays not submitted WILL result in a D or F semester grade, no exceptions. Specific due dates, essay topics, criteria, and other essay assignment information will be distributed to students 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 (worth up to 20 points) for each essay. On first draft due dates, you will receive feedback from your classmates on your drafts, and you will then find ways to revise your essays. Students who are absent or who have no essay on first draft due dates will receive a 0 (no credit) for the draft on that day. These students must still write a first draft and seek feedback on these drafts outside of class. First drafts WILL NOT be accepted via e-mail or fax. Please remember, however, that you must ALWAYS write a first draft AND a final draft in order to complete the entire essay assignment for the possibility of full credit.

    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 for the possibility of full credit. Essay final draft packets without a complete first draft will receive a 20-point deduction from the final draft grade. Just like first drafts, 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 by the end of 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. A late pass cannot be used for Essay #4 (the last formal essay of the semester). Only Essays #1 and #2 may be revised for a higher grade. Essays that have lost points due to penalties will still have those penalty points deducted from a revised essay grade. Students wishing to rewrite their essays must arrange a one-on-one conference with me within a week of receiving their graded essay; otherwise, the rewrite option will be forfeited.

  • 2 exams (1 midterm and 1 final) will be given. Each exam will involve writing that requires you to demonstrate your ability to analyze and think critically about literature as well as to apply literary concepts we have covered in class. No make-up exams will be given unless arranged with me 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 of the semester, you must complete one reading journal each week. Please refer to the “Reading Journal Guidelines” handout for specific instructions on how to write a journal entry, and check your weekly assignment schedule for specific due dates for journal folders. Late journal folders will receive a 2-point deduction for each day late unless you use your late pass allowing for one extra week without penalty. 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 with me in advance.


  • Group work and participation credit will be given for class/group activities, peer feedback/draft sessions, in-class writing and exercises. 

  • 2 literary projects/presentations are required. These literary projects/presentations will require you to work collaboratively with other class members to creatively interpret particular works you have studied in class. You will work in a small group of 3-4 classmates to complete this task.

NOTE: Expect to spend an average of about 1-2 hours per day on English 110 assignments.  Most of this will be in the form of reading, journal writing, projects, and essay assignments.

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Grading Standards for Essays:

      • "A" essay: Excellent.  The essay engages the reader in a thoughtful, insightful, and sophisticated response to the assigned topic.  A clear, meaningful central idea (thesis) 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 (thesis) 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 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 (thesis) 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 (thesis) 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 essay'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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Semester Grades:

Your course grade will be based on the grades and/or credit you receive for the requirements listed above. Your grade will be determined based on the following percentage weights:


NOTE:  All major writing assignments, exams, and projects 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 will be assigned during the semester and no make-up work for missed/late assignments is allowed unless special arrangements are made in advance

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Attendance:

Regular attendance and being in class on time will be an extremely important factor in successful completion of English 110, as assignments, topics on writing, literature, critical theories, new strategies for writing, and so forth will be discussed in class. Whenever you are absent, contact a classmate or me to get an update on the assignments/topics for the day; also, arrange with a classmate to make copies of their notes for 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 in advance, so it’s best to touch base by phone or e-mail as soon as you know you are going to be absent.


Roll is taken at the beginning of every class.  If you are not present when roll is called, you will be marked absent; however, if you arrive within 10 minutes after class begins, see me immediately after class to clear your absence and change it to a tardy.  Every 4 tardies will count as 1 absence.  Any student missing more than 10 minutes of class for any reason will be marked absent for the day.  Students who have more than 4 absences (for T/Th classes) risk being dropped from the course.   Also, it is likely that students with excessive absences and tardies will notice a negative impact on their learning and their grades.


NOTE: You are responsible for withdrawing from any course you no longer wish to attend.   Failure to complete the withdrawal process by the last date to withdraw will result in an “F” grade in this course.


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Plagiarism/Cheating:

No plagiarism or cheating of any kind will be tolerated. Both are very serious offenses and will lead not only to an automatic "F" on the assignment but also to appropriate disciplinary action. All paraphrased information and quotations must be cited appropriately. Plagiarism is the act of taking another person's work, writing, and/or ideas and using them as if they were your own. This material could be something that you have copied directly or paraphrased (rephrased in your own wording) from another paper, book, article, magazine, television show, 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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Classroom Behavior:

You will at all times be asked to show appropriate behavior while a member of the class. Consideration and respect towards others in class will be expected. This means 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. Having a peaceful and respectful classroom environment will give us a comfortable and safe place to learn and share new ideas.

Technology Policy:

Cell phones, text messaging devices, pagers, and all other electronic devices must be turned off prior to class and “invisible” during class. Students wishing to use their laptops/electronic tablets to take notes must inform me in advance and sit in areas designated for laptop/tablet usage. Anyone found using electronic devices other than for class purposes will have their use privilege taken away. Students who use technology in a way that is inappropriate, distracting, or disruptive to the learning process will be disciplined accordingly.

Other Notes:

  • To ensure the highest possibility of success in the class, it is highly recommended that students work closely with a tutor/teacher in the Writing/Reading Lab (in the Learning Center) by enrolling in LSKL 853. This supplemental .5 unit (credit/non-credit) course will give you access to all kinds of tutoring and resources (not just for English) 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.

  • Smoking Policy: "Smoking is permitted only in designated areas in parking lots around campus. Designated areas are clearly marked and ashtrays are located nearby. The active participation and cooperation of all students, faculty, staff and guests in promoting a healthy and safe environment at Skyline College and guests are expected to observe the smoking policy. Tobacco-free resources are available in the Student Health Center, located in Building 2, room 2209, (650) 738-4270, and on the Skyline College website."

  • Please note that 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.

  • Plan Ahead – Pay Ahead—Starting with the Spring 2012 semester, students who do not pay their fees well before classes start will be dropped from their classes.  Check the Skyline College website for the drop date each semester.  The drop date for the spring semester is January 4.   A Fee Payment Plan is available, which allows you to pay your fees over a specific period of time and not be dropped from your classes.  Please go to the Financial Aid office in Building 2 for more information.

Important Dates to Remember:

        • January 17: Classes begin

        • January 30: Last day to ADD a semester-length course

        • January 30: Last day to DROP a semester length course w/eligibility for a partial refund

        • February 10: Last day to DROP a semester length course w/out a “W” on your transcript

        • February 10: Last day to change grade option (P/NP)

        • February 17-20: Presidents’ Day Holiday Break

        • March 2: Last Day to apply for a degree or certificate

        • March 9: No Classes – Faculty Professional Development (Flex) Day

        • April 2-8: Spring Break (no classes)

        • April 26: Last day to DROP a semester length course w/a “W” on your transcript

        • May 19-25: Final Examinations (See below for your specific exam day/time.)

        • May 24 (Thursday): Engl. 110AH Final Exam, 11:10 a.m.-1:40 p.m.