Amy Lawlor
office: 8210
phone: (650) 358-6889 x 9480
office hours: by appointment
email: amysusan@sbcglobal.net
English 110 AC: Composition, Literature and Critical Thinking
Summer: 2004
Class meetings: AC M,T,W,TH 10:30-12:35
room: 8218 and computer lab 2117
Prerequisite: English 100 or 105 with a grade of "C" or better
Course description:
The study of Literature is really a study of the human condition. It is through literature that we can inhabit other worlds, other lives and time periods as well as learn more about ourselves and our own lives by our reactions to literature. This course is an introduction to the study of short and long fiction, poetry, drama and the literary essay. In addition the course will offer an introduction to major schools of literary criticism. The coursework will consist of: class and small group work and discussion, essays, quizzes, and literary analysis focusing on critical thinking.
Required materials:
An Introduction to Literature, 12th ed. Sylvan Barnet, et al.
Ceremony, Leslie Marmon Silko
Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad (the Norton critical edition)
A 3.5" floppy disc
Course requirements:
four essays, three of which will be out of class.. 60%
final . . . 10%
quizzes . 10%
reading log journal . .15%
class participation/homework .. 5%
(these are rough percentages and may shift somewhat)
Format for essays:
All essays and drafts must be:
* typed
* double spaced
* 12 pt. Font
* 1 margins
* note: there should only be ONE regular double space between paragraphs
Papers that do not follow the proper format run the risk of not being accepted
Peer Editing:
Peer editing will take place on the day your rough draft is due. It is mandatory; if you are absent the day of peer editing your final essay grade will be dropped one full letter grade. In order to get credit for peer editing you must have a full length draft. For peer editing to be successful each student must come prepared with a full draft; not being prepared will affect your grade.
Late Work:
I do not accept late work: assignments, essays, homework etc. However, because life intercedes with schoolwork occasionally, each student is allowed two late tickets. Twice during the summer I will accept late work, up to one week lateother than that no late work will be accepted so use them wisely. Please note: you cannot pass the class if you miss one of the required papers.
Important note:
Save all copies of your essays on disk and in hard copy form. Never throw out any graded work until after you know your grade for the semester.
Attendance:
Being present in class and prepared is essential to success; summer sessions are very intense because of the short term and we will be moving through material quickly. Your participation and group work cannot be made up in the event of an absence. Roll will be taken at each meeting and the Skyline College attendance policy will be enforceda student who misses 3 classes can be dropped.
If you are absent, you are responsible for finding out what you missed; you are still responsible for the work due the day you return to class. I highly recommend getting the phone number from two students in class to call if you need to get assignments.
Grading:
All final draft essays will be graded as well as your homework, short writing assignments, various exercises, quizzes, the midterm and the final, but take note that other things are considered in computing your final grade as well:
attendance
participation in class discussions and small group work
being an active learner
· did you seek help from me or from a tutor to improve your writing?
· did you substantially revise your rough drafts?
· did you come to class prepared?
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a serious violation of college rules and regulations and will lead to disciplinary action that could include: probation, suspension, or expulsion from the college. Plagiarism is stealing or passing off the ideas or words of anothers as ones own; this includes using existing material or ideas without crediting the source. Be aware that using information from the web without proper citation is plagiarism. Please see me if you need any clarification about this. Assignments that are found to be plagiarized will not receive any credit; you cannot pass the class without receiving credit for all essays.
Additional things Im sure you already know:
· No electronic devices in class: cell phones, mp3 players, cd players, etc. I dont want to see them on your desk or in your ear and I absolutely should never hear them. If your phone rings in class you will lose ten points for the semester (equal to a quiz or two reading journals) or you will can bring donuts for the entire class as an apology for the disruption.
· Be on time to class: arriving late and/or leaving early is distracting to the entire class.
· Be polite and listen when someone is talking in class; do not carry on conversations with your neighbor when someone else in class is talking.
[Writing] is a lot like inflating a blimp with a bicycle pump. Anybody can do it. All it takes is time.
-Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Helpful information:
A writing class takes a lot of time and patience. Learning to write is not something one can learn by memorizing a set of formulas or rules, it takes practice and more practice and some guidance. I also strongly encourage students to meet with me in my office hours throughout the coursedont wait until the end of the semester!
My Web Page:
I have a web page set up for the class where you will find class information and my contact information as well. Check it out.
you are here!
I look forward to a good summer with you all.