English 151—Preparation for College
Composition
Spring 2008
Instructor:
R. Rivera
Times:
MTWTH 2:40pm-3:50pm
Classroom:
Sequoia 11
Office
location: Cedar 3
Office
hours: MW 11:05am-1:35pm and by appointment
Office
phone: 588.5093
Email:
Texts and
Materials
Required:
Real Writing
with
The
A
manila folder (provided by me)
Recommended:
A
current college-level dictionary
Budget
approximately $5.00 for copy costs
Course
Description
The prerequisite for English 151 is
recommendation of the English Placement Examination or completion of English 250
with a grade of C or higher. This course does not meet the English composition
requirement for graduation, nor does it meet the English requirements for
college or university transfer.
Course
Objectives
The
emphasis of this course is on writing and reading. Through a variety of writing
and reading assignments, you will develop skills in clear thinking and active
reading. You will develop your writing skills by writing body paragraphs and essays
that require you to write in specific modes and formats.
Procedures
Come
to class prepared.
You
will be required to meet with me during the semester for individual conferences
to discuss your writing, your progress, and other related issues.
All
writing assignments submitted for evaluation must have a professional
appearance. You are required to type or word process your written assignments.
The format for paragraphs and essays includes one-inch margins on the sides,
top, and bottom. Your name, my name, English 151, and the date should be in the
upper left corner of the first page of your writing assignments. Double space
your work. There are two spaces after each period that ends a sentence. Title
your work, but do not attach title pages to any of your assignments. Use a
12-point font and either Times New Roman or Arial for your writing assignments.
Failure to follow the format for written assignments will affect your grade.
When
you submit writing assignments for evaluation, I will read and grade them with
a traditional letter grade. Once a grade has been assigned to your essay, you
will not have the opportunity to
revise it for a better grade. You will have the time and opportunity to revise
because each writing assignment will require you to do so. Do not take this
part of the writing process for granted. If you wish to discuss a graded
assignment with me, you must wait at least 24 hours before doing so, and you
must have your graded assignment with you, along with specific questions. In
addition, you must understand that when we discuss a graded assignment it is
not for the purpose of changing the grade. The purpose for such a discussion is
for further understanding and so that you do not repeat the same mistakes in
subsequent assignments.
Evaluation
You
will receive periodic evaluation concerning your progress in the course,
especially if it appears that you may be struggling with the content and
workload. I will hand out a mid-term report that tells you how you are doing up
to that point. If you are concerned with your progress or confused by what we
are working on, please consult with me at any time during the semester.
In
order to succeed in this course you must
·
complete all
required writing assignments, in- and out-of-class exercises and exams, and
peer responses that are substantial and helpful
·
attend and participate
·
show an ability and willingness to work with
others
Assignments
are weighted as follows:
·
2 grammar and sentence structure tests 10%
·
4 body paragraphs 20%
·
4 essays 35%
·
a research essay 15%
·
In-class activities 5%
·
2 peer responses 5%
·
a two-part final exam 10%
Please
understand that when you do not turn in an assignment, it has a negative effect
on your final grade and may prevent you from passing the course. Failure to turn in the research essay or to
take the final exam on the day it is scheduled will result in failing the
course, regardless of what your overall grade is. There are no extra
credit, do-over, or make-up assignments. In order to pass the course, you must
have an average of at least 70%. The final grading scale is as follows: 60-69%
= D, 70-79% = C, 80-89% = B, 90-100% = A. Assignments are not worth points in
which you simply add up the points. Your final grade for the course is based on
percentages and weights of individual assignments, and it is calculated just as
a grade point average is calculated. Consistent competent performance is
important to passing this course.
I
think that many students have good ideas. Since writing is really your thinking
that is put on paper, I will be reading about your ideas concerning specific
topics. When I evaluate your work, I am considering the meaningfulness of what
you are writing. That’s an important aspect of your body paragraphs and essays.
However, I must also consider the number of usage errors in a paper. A paper
that has good ideas and is well developed can lose its importance and the
reader can lose respect for what you have written when there are many usage
errors. Final drafts that have five or more errors in body paragraphs and ten
or more errors in essays will not receive more than a “C” grade, even if you
repeat the same error numerous times.
Attendance
Regular
attendance is required and essential for success in this course. Your work
schedule and personal life should not interfere with your ability to attend class
in a regular and timely fashion. There are no excused absences. When you have
accrued eight (8) absences, I will suggest that you drop the course. However, I
will not drop you from the course; that is your responsibility. You are also responsible
for making up work missed due to absence. When you are absent, it is your
responsibility to find out from a peer what you missed. I will not repeat
assignments and instructions I have already explained in class. Please do not
email me asking me to email an assignment to you, and do not email assignments
to me. The final exam will be given only on Monday, April 21, and it is
mandatory that you attend. If you fail to attend the final exam on the
scheduled date, you will fail the course, regardless of what your overall grade
is. Please consult the
Punctuality
Please
arrive for class on time. Arriving to class late is discourteous to both
students and instructors, and it disrupts the progress and flow of the class.
Please make sure there is not a scheduling conflict that interferes with this
course. I will keep track of late arrivals, leaving during class and returning,
and leaving early, and once I have noticed a pattern of arriving late, leaving
and returning during class, and leaving early, I will dismiss you from at least
one class meeting, and I will suggest that you drop the course if you cannot
adhere to the policy concerning punctuality.
Assignment
Deadlines
Failure
to turn in assigned work when it is due disrupts course planning and affects my
evaluation of your work. If you are unable to submit an assignment on time or
if you miss class on a day when your work is due, turn your work in at my
office or in my school mailbox in the
Office Hours
My
office hours are posted at the beginning of this syllabus and on my office window.
I will be in my office during these times, and if you find that we need to
discuss an assignment or anything related to the course, please feel free to
come by. An appointment is not necessary. If you find that you cannot attend my
posted office hours, we can schedule a time to meet that is convenient for both
of us. When you do come to see me during office hours, and so that we don't
waste each other's time, please be prepared with specific and clear questions,
comments, or other concerns you wish to discuss. With that in mind, think
carefully and clearly about what it is we need to work on. This is an effective and efficient way to conduct one-on-one
conferences and tutorials. If you would like to discuss a working draft with
me, please do not expect me to read the entire draft or to proofread your work
for you. Again, have specific and clear questions about your own work and what
it is you would like help with.
Americans
with Disabilities Act
If
you have a disability that affects you as a student in this class, notify me
and the Disabled Students Programs and Services Office in the
Visitors
Visitors
are not allowed in the classroom without my prior approval. If you have friends
or family who are waiting for you, they must wait for you outside of the
classroom.
Plagiarism
It
is academically dishonest, and often illegal, to present someone else's ideas,
thoughts, or writing as your own. You cannot use even short phrases or parts of
sentences obtained from other sources unless you properly document those
sources. We will discuss this issue in class to ensure greater understanding of
what constitutes plagiarism, why students do it, and how to avoid it.
You
will be held responsible for furnishing upon request all the sources and
preliminary work (notes, prewriting, first drafts, and written responses) that
you use in preparing written assignments. If you cannot produce these materials
upon request, the assignment will not be accepted or evaluated, and you will
receive a failing grade for that assignment.
And
Finally
My
expectation of you as students and writers is that you behave and work in a
manner that is mature, professional, and serious. If I have determined that you
are disruptive, rude, or threatening in class, I will discuss this behavior
with you. Continued disruptions such as constant talking, obvious and loud
yawning, and singing while in class create distractions for me and for students
and will not be tolerated. If I perceive that there are continued disruptions
or an attitude problem that interferes with my teaching and other students’
learning, I will dismiss you from class and tell you not to attend class for a
day or two. In the event that I am forced to dismiss you from class, those days
you miss will count as absences. Other disruptions are caused by those who have
cell phones, beepers, and other electronic devices. Make sure these items are
turned off and not in use in the classroom during class time. Furthermore, do
not take class time to apply makeup, comb your hair, or groom yourself in any
other fashion. Finally, it is your responsibility to have your textbooks in
class. Do not come into class thinking you will be working on assignments for
other classes. Please consult the college catalog or student handbook for
issues relating to student conduct and responsibilities if you do not
understand the policy concerning classroom behavior.
Course
Schedule
Please
remember that some of your work will be shared in a work group setting. I
expect you to treat each other's work with respect, yet exhibit an effort to
offer honest comments and suggestions that are useful to the discussions. Here
are the most important rules for this course: 1) show up on time, 2) pay
attention, 3) follow instructions, and 4) work hard. We will try to stay on the
following schedule although I may make changes as we go along. You will receive
plenty of notice concerning changes in due dates and assignments.
M Jan 7: Course introduction. Explain the
syllabus. Criteria for personal introductions.
T Jan 8: Collect signed agreements. Discuss
the syllabus. Personal introductions. Read Chs. 1, 20, 21, 22, 28, and 29.
W Jan 9: Discuss assigned reading.
TH Jan 10: Continue with assigned
reading.
M Jan 14: Continue with assigned
reading. Read Chs. 2, 3, 4, and 5.
T Jan 15: Sentence structure test.
Discuss assigned reading.
W Jan 16: Continue with assigned
reading.
TH Jan 17: Continue with assigned
reading. Read Chs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11.
M Jan 21: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
T Jan 22: Discuss assigned reading. Start
Essay 1—Narration/Description.
W Jan 23: The Writing Process. The “Do
Not List.”
TH Jan 24: Essay 1 first draft due.
Discuss peer responses: what they are and how to do them. Read Chs. 41, 42,
and 44.
M Jan 28: Discuss assigned reading. Read
Chs. 23, 24, and 25.
T Jan 29: Discuss assigned reading.
W Jan 30: Essay 1 final draft due. Continue
with assigned reading. Read
TH Jan 31: Subject-verb agreement and
pronoun test. Discuss assigned reading. Start Body Paragraph 1—Illustration.
Read Chs. 26, 27, and 43.
M Feb 4: Discuss assigned reading.
T Feb 5: Continue with assigned
reading. Odd Classified Advertisements. Read Chs. 30 and 31.
W Feb 6: Body Paragraph 1 due. Discuss
assigned reading. Read Chs. 12 and 45.
TH Feb 7: Discuss assigned reading.
Start Body Paragraph 2—Process Analysis.
M Feb 11: Continue with assigned
reading. Read Chs. 33, 34, and 36.
T Feb 12: Discuss assigned reading.
Read
W Feb 13: Discuss assigned reading.
Body Paragraph 2 due. Start Body Paragraph 3—Classification.
TH Feb 14: Continue with assigned
reading. Read Chs. 37 and 38.
M Feb 18: Washington’s Birthday
T Feb 19: Discuss assigned reading.
Read
W Feb 20: Body Paragraph 3 due.
Discuss assigned reading. Start Body Paragraph 4—Definition. Read Chs.
39 and 40.
TH Feb 21: Discuss assigned reading.
M Feb 25: Announce groups. Discuss
collaborative learning. Read
T Feb 26: Discuss
W Feb 27: Body Paragraph 4 due. Discuss
assigned reading. Start Essay 2— Comparison and Contrast.
TH Feb 28: Continue with assigned
reading. Mid-term reports.
M Mar 3: Essay 2 first draft due. Read
Chs. 16 and 49.
T Mar 4: Discuss assigned reading.
W Mar 5: Essay 2 due. Continue with
assigned reading. Start Essay 3—Cause and Effect.
TH Mar 6: Essay 3 prewriting due.
Continue with assigned reading.
M Mar 10: Essay 3 first draft due. Read
Chs. 17 and 50.
T Mar 11: Discuss assigned reading.
W Mar 12: Essay 3 due. Continue with
assigned reading. Start Essay 4— Argumentation.
TH Mar 13: Continue with assigned
reading.
M Mar 17: Essay 4 first draft due.
Read
T Mar 18: Discuss assigned reading.
W Mar 19: Essay 4 due. Headlines and
Newspaper Articles. Read
TH Mar 20: Discuss assigned reading.
Start the Research Essay.
M Mar 24: Continue with assigned
reading.
T Mar 25: Library Orientation.
W Mar 26: Discuss a works cited page.
TH Mar 27: Oral presentations. Friday, March 28: Last day to withdraw from
a full- term class.
M Mar 31: Discuss plagiarism: what it
is, why students do it, and how to avoid it.
T Apr 1: Research essay mandatory conferences:
show me your research: In my office.
W Apr 2: Research essay first drafts due. Research essay questions,
concerns, confusions,
specific problems.
TH Apr 3: Final Research Essay
questions. Introduction to The
M Apr 7: Research essay due. Discuss
assigned reading. Read Part 2 of The
Glass Castle, pgs
9-125.
T Apr 8: Discuss assigned reading.
W Apr 9: Continue with assigned
reading. Read Part 3 of The
TH Apr 10: Discuss assigned reading.
M Apr 14: Continue with assigned
reading. Read Parts 4 and 5 of The
T Apr 15: Discuss assigned reading.
W Apr 16: Continue with assigned reading. Discuss Final Exam: tips and
strategies.
TH Apr 17: Final Exam—Part 1.
M Apr 21: Final Exam—Part 2: 2:00pm-4:00pm.
Agreement
of Student Understanding
Please
read each item carefully and initial it. Print and sign your name in the
appropriate blank and write in the date that you signed this document.
I
have read the syllabus carefully, and I understand what is required for
successful completion of this course, including the attendance policy for all
scheduled class meetings. _______
I
understand that there are standards in this course and that I am responsible
for my own learning. _______
I
understand that I may consult with the instructor if I am unsure about my grade
and that at the mid-term the instructor will provide me with a mid-term report
that tells me what my grade is up to that point. _______
I
understand the due date policy, when an assignment is marked late, and that my
grade for a late assignment will be lowered by one full grade. _______
I
understand that the work in this course requires consistent classroom
attendance and active participation. _______
I
understand that there is no extra credit, do-overs, or make-up work. _______
I
understand that the instructor evaluates and grades my work based on how well I
have completed each assignment and that it meets the standard for this course.
I also understand that the instructor does not evaluate my work based on my
ethnicity, nationality, social or cultural background, or any other aspect of
my identity. _______
I
understand that the class will not be graded on a curve. _______
I
understand that the instructor has the right to dismiss me from class for
unacceptable behavior and/or an attitude that he feels is disruptive and a
distraction to his teaching and to the learning of my peers. _______
Please
print and sign your name
__________________________________________________
Date:
______________________