Division: Language Arts
Course name: English 101 College Reading and Composition I
Section:
3986 / Semester Fall 2016
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Instructor
Name: David Diaz School Website:
www.wlac.edu
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Class
Hours: W Address: 9000
Overland Ave., Culver City, CA 90230
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6:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Location:
GC 410
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Important
Dates:
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Drop a Class with
a refund/no fee owed
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Sept 9, 2016
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Drop a Class
without a "W"
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Sept 9, 2016
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Drop a Class with
a "W"
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Nov 18, 2016
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This semester,
you will work to develop your writing, reading, vocabulary and critical
thinking skills. You will also learn and
practice the fundamentals of grammar and mechanics. The goal is for you to be a better reader, critical
thinker and more confident writer by the end of this course. The skills you learn here will help you
succeed both in and out of class. However,
your education is YOUR responsibility. YOU
determine your level of success.
Successful college students are self-motivated. Successful college students understand the
importance of studying the material, coming to class prepared and practicing
skills learned. But we’re all in this
together, and I’m here to help.
This is a
college-level freshman composition course, which focuses on expository writing
and argumentation and requires the writing of a minimum of 6000 words in essays
and a research paper. Students study a variety of texts written at the college
level, including literature, that reflect current academic concerns relating to
issues of language, ethnicity, class, gender, identity, psychology, and
cultural studies. The course is intended for students who plan to transfer to a
four-year college or university.
They Say / I
say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing by Cathy Birkenstein
isbn: 9780393933611
Slaughterhouse-Five by
Kurt Vonnegut isbn: 978-0385333849
All other Readings/Articles will be posted on the class
blogspot:
english101wlac.blogspot.com
This is to save you
the hassle of buying (an) extra textbook(s), BUT means that you must print the
documents, or have/bring an e-reader. CELLPHONES ARE OK FOR A QUICK REFERENCE,
BUT YOU NEED TO HAVE EITHER A DEDICATED TABLET, OR PRINT UP SPECIFIED DOCUMENTS.
Dictionary
– Webster’s
New World College Dictionary
Writing
References- A Pocket Style
Manual by Diane Hacker isbn: 978-0312542542
MLA Handbook 8th Edition
- 8 ½ x 11 notebook paper (plenty)
- #2 pencils, blue or black pens, highlighters, and a stapler
- College Ruled Notebook
Upon completion of this course, students
will be able to:
1. Apply
critical reading strategies to college-level texts in order to understand the
writer’s
rhetorical intent and method of
organization: inductive or deductive.
2. Read and evaluate college-level material from a variety of sources, ideally representing
a
multicultural perspective.
3. Evaluate the validity and soundness of arguments, and distinguish fact
from opinion in reading,
class discussion, and writing.
4. Develop skills needed for close reading and effective writing, such as
attention to word choice and
word placement.
5. Write college-level essays that argue a position in response to readings.
6. Produce essays that demonstrate analysis, and that are organized, logical
and provocative.
7. Research and identify credible and relevant print and electronic sources to
summarize, quote and
paraphrase in essays without plagiarism.
8. Write essays that are evidence-based, using detailed and specific support
from credible sources.
9. Quote from a variety of sources that are formatted in different ways:
poetry, drama, short stories,
novels, non-fiction books, biographies,
articles, essays, journals, publications attributed to
organizations and corporations, and
publications with and without publication dates.
9. Practice proper attribution of all sources that are quoted and paraphrased
in essays.
10. Draft, write, revise and proofread an essay that supports a thesis and
counters a convincing
antithesis by citing facts, expert
opinions, relevant anecdotes, and descriptions of situations and
events.
11. Use appropriate MLA citations/works cited.
12. Demonstrate continued development in writing correct and sophisticated
college-level English
prose.
13. Demonstrate mastery of English grammar, syntax and spelling through writing
assignments.
14.Write six to seven full-length essays (4 to 6 pages in length) including an
in-class midterm and final
as well as a research essay of six to
eight pages.
Student Learning Outcomes
(SLO)
1.
Write effectively, using the conventions of standard English, with a clear
focus, using appropriate support/evidence and logical organization.
2. Collect and organize research data, using credible sources to write a convincing/persuasive
document.
3. Analyze, synthesize and evaluate information to assess the validity and
usefulness of an argument.
4. At the end of the course, the successful student will be able to argue a
point and support it in writing using extensive evidence from outside sources.
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Course Requirements and assignment guidelines
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Reading and Response
Journal
Almost
every day, we will start off by writing in journals. This will include free
writes, responses, brainstorms, and other forms of writing. This is designed to
get your thoughts on paper and get your minds running at the beginning of
class, as well as begin discussion of the day’s topic. You must write the date
on each journal entry.
Short Responses/Drafts
These
responses will be assigned as homework either as a reflection on an in class
reading, or as a pre-writing stage to your essay. THESE MUST BE TYPED, AND MUST
BE IN MLA FORMAT. These typed responses are to get you used to formatting, and
help you generate ideas with the luxury of a Backspace button.
Essays
Essays provide you the opportunity to practice
and demonstrate skills learned in class. The
majority of the class will consist of essay writing, revising, and critiquing.
There will be 3 essays: three out of class, and two in class. All essays must
follow MLA formatting, and all out of class essays must be typed. As prompts
are distributed, you will also receive a rubric with detailed explanation of
grading criteria.
Late Assignments
I
accept late work, but points will be deducted for each class period an
assignment is late. 1 class period late loses 5%, 2 class periods late loses
10%, and 3 or more class periods late will result in a 0 for the assignment.
2
College Related Learning Activities
West LA College
offers so many great learning opportunities for students. You will earn points for attending two of
those learning activities this semester.
You may attend a One College, One Book Event; a Learning Center
Workshop; go see the College Guest Speaker; interview a participant in the
Student Poster Showcase; or you may propose another college-wide learning event
that you want to attend. These events
are worth 25 points each, and you must provide evidence that you attended the entire
event.
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TRACK YOUR GRADES
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Email Assignment
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5%
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/50
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Essays 1-3
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30%
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/300
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Research Project
Section Drafts
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10%
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/100
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Final Research
Project
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20%
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/200
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Reading and
Response Journal
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10%
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/100
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Short Responses
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20%
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/200
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2 College Related
Learning Activities
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7.5%
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/50
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Total
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100%
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1000
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Attendance
Because
class discussions and group work are an integral part of this course,
attendance is mandatory. Up to 3
absences are allowed.
After that, you could be dropped.
Students are expected to attend every class meeting, to arrive on time
and stay throughout the class period. Because we only meet once a week, if you
miss two consecutive classes (two weeks), you WILL be dropped from the course.
3 tardies = 1 absence. Students may
be dropped from class for excessive tardiness, or for failure to attend class
the first day or during the entire first week of the class.
Preparedness
You are
expected to arrive on time. You will
come to each class session prepared. You
will have your books, binder, pens/pencils, any work that is due, and you will
be prepared to discuss all readings/assignments.
Cell Phones, iPods, etc.
Turn
them off and put them away when class begins!
Although it may not seem possible, you can survive without talking and
texting on your cell phone, or listening to your iPod, for a little over an
hour. Talking and texting on cell phones
not only distract you, but they are a distraction for me and your peers. Distractions interrupt/disrupt the class and
I will not tolerate interruptions. You will be asked to leave if this
occurs.
Contacting Me
E-mail is
the best and quickest way to contact me. If
you have a question or a problem that might be able to solve, do not let it
snowball. Contact me immediately. Students
are expected to ask questions and obtain help from instructor via email and/or
during office hours.
Academic Integrity (Plagiarism)
In
accordance with code 9803.28, academic
dishonesty is prohibited and will not be tolerated in this class. Violations of academic integrity include, but
are not limited to, the following actions: cheating on an exam, plagiarism,
working together on an assignment, paper or project when the instructor has
specifically stated students should not do so, submitting the same term paper
to more than one instructor, or allowing another individual to assume one’s
identity for the purpose of enhancing one’s grade. Academic dishonesty of any type, such as
cheating or knowingly furnishing false information, by a student provides
grounds for disciplinary action by the instructor or college. In written work,
no material may be copied from another without proper quotation marks,
footnotes, or appropriate documentation.
o
Plagiarism will result in
a zero for the assignment, possible dismissal from the class and disciplinary
action from the college. You will not
receive credit for any essay missing previous drafts, citations and/or a Works
Cited page.
Student Conduct
According to code 9803.15, disruption of
classes or college activities is prohibited and will not be tolerated. Refer to the catalog and the Standards of
Student Conduct in the Schedule of Classes for more information.
Recording Devices
State law
in California prohibits the use of any electronic listening or recording device
in a classroom without prior consent of the instructor and college administration. Any student who needs to use electronic aids
must secure the consent of the instructor. If the instructor agrees to the request,
a notice of consent must be forwarded to the Vice President of Academic Affairs
for approval (WLAC College Catalog).
As stated
earlier in this syllabus, if you are
having problems, don’t let them snowball. Come and talk with me and check out some of
the campus resources available to you.
Office of Disabled
Student Programs and Services (DSP&S)
Student
Services Building (SSB) 320| (310) 287-4450.
West Los
Angeles College recognizes and welcomes its responsibility to provide an equal
educational opportunity to all disabled individuals. The Office of Disabled
Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) has been established to provide
support services for all verified disabled students pursuing a college
education. DSP&S students may
qualify for: priority registration, registration assistance, special parking
permits, sign language interpreters and assistive technology (WLAC College
Catalog).
Instructional Support
(Tutoring) & Learning Skills Center
Heldman Learning Resources Center (HLRC) | (310) 287-4486
Improve
your reading, language, vocabulary, spelling, math fundamentals and chemistry
knowledge with convenient, self-paced computer-aided courses in the Learning
Skills Center. Increase your knowledge and learning success: sign up for
tutoring in various college subjects (WLAC College Catalog).
Library Services
Heldman Learning Resources Center (HLRC) | (310) 287-4269 & (310)
287-4486
The WLAC
Library provides instruction on how to use the online catalog, periodical and
research databases. In addition to a large collection of books, periodicals and
videos the WLAC Library has course textbooks which students may use while in
the Library. Web access is available in LIRL as well as meeting rooms. The
upper floors provide a beautiful view ideal for study (WLAC College Catalog).
English
101 Class Schedule (First 8 weeks) – Fall 2016 6:45 – 10:00 p.m.
NOTE: This
syllabus and class schedule is subject to change if circumstances warrant it
(e.g. student
performance, etc.). Expect revisions and divergences.
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Week 1:
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Introductions. Syllabus discussion. Ice
Breakers. Diagnostic essay.
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Journal. Joys/Annoyances and their details.
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“What
Makes a Good Paragraph/What makes a good essay”
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Explain E-Mail Assignment
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Read Curbed Article “Activists submit
signatures for ballot measure to stop Los Angeles development”. Short Response #1 due next class.
Week 2:
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Turn In Responses
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Journal
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MLA Fundamentals – Things you may know, and
those you may not
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Building a strong Outline
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Assign Essay #1 Details to consider for next
class
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Read They Say / I say chapter. Short Response
#2 Due Next week. Thesis Statement and outline due next class meeting.
Week 3:
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Turn in Responses.
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Read “How
to write with style” by Kurt Vonnegut in class
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Read They
Say / I say section
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Journal : Prewriting for Essay - Idea / Thesis
Development
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Work on Intro Paragraphs and Topic Sentences.
Explain a proper conclusion.
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Complete
Rough Draft to turn in next class meeting
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Week 4:
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Turn in Rough Draft
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In class conferences / Peer Discussions
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Journal
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Finish
Essay for next class considering peer / instructor comments
Week 5:
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Essay #1
Due
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Introduce class to Slaughterhouse-five.
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Discussion of themes and ideas to come - Journal
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They Say /
I say section
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Comparison Contrast guidelines
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Assign
Essay #2. Thesis Statement and outline due next class meeting. Read First
section of Slaughterhouse. Write Short
Response #3.
Week 6:
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Submit Thesis Statements/Outline and Short Response
#3
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Discuss major themes occurring at this point in
the story – Journal
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Work on Expanding Thesis into an intro, and
expanding topic sentences into functional paragraphs.
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They say /
I say
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Complete
Rough Draft for next class meeting. Read Next Section of Slaughterhouse.
Week 7
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Turn in Rough Draft
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Discuss last night’s readings: Journal Entry
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In class conferences / Peer Discussions
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Journal
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Finish
Essay for next class considering peer / instructor comments. Read Next Section
of Slaughterhouse
Week 8
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Essay #2
Due
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Discuss last night’s readings and more themes:
Journal Entry
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They Say /
I Say
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Writing a Persuasive Essay
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Assign
Essay #3. Thesis Statement and Outline due next class meeting. Read Next
Section of Slaughterhouse. Short
Response #4 due for next class.
***Following 8
weeks will be available by 4th week (depending on class progress)
Student Acknowledgment
(Please return this
sheet to the instructor)
“I ______________________________________, have completely
read this syllabus and understand and agree to the course requirements.”
Please indicate below, any special needs or circumstances
that may have some impact on your work in this class, and for which you may
require special accommodations, including but not limited to physical or mental
disabilities, inability to arrive in class on time or need to leave class
early, observance of religious holidays, ect.
Special needs or circumstances:
