Instructor: Amy Lawlor
Office: 8210 Phone: (650) 358-6889 x9480
email: amysusan@sbcglobal.net
Office hours: Tuesday 11-12 a.m. and by appointment
Course Description
English 165 AA: Critical Thinking and Composition
3 Units
Room 7312
M, W, F 8:10 - 9:00 a.m.
WRITING PREREQUISITE: English 100 or 105 with a grade of C or better.
Course Classification: Credit course applicable to the Associate Degree and Transfer: UC; CSU (A3).
Required Texts & Misc.:
· Reading Our Histories, Understanding Our Culture, Kathleen McCormick
· Lies My Teacher Told Me, James Loewen
· Amazing Grace, Jonathan Kozol
Course Requirements:
A) class participation and attendance
B) four out of class essays
C) various short writing assignments, exercises, homework and quizzes
D) a midterm and a final exam given on the last day of class
You will also be expected to participate in:
· research
· class discussions
· small group work/activities
· peer editing
Course Objectives:
This course is designed to help students: think and read critically, evaluate arguments and persuasive techniques, analyze texts and write college level expository prose through the careful examination of texts, class discussions, small group work and practice! In this course we will identify and distinguish between fact and opinion; assertion, inference and assumption; cause and effect. By the end of the course students should feel comfortable evaluating sources for use in writing tasks and analyzing those readings to support and help create carefully crafted, intelligent written assignments. In addition, this course will help students build an awareness of the vast and diverse sources of information and research available for college study.
Weekly Requirements:
A course schedule* will be made available to you soon. Weekly schedules will vary slightly but will consist of: class discussions, small group work, homework (including readings, a reading log journal, and various grammar exercises) and 4 essays spaced out throughout the semester. Keeping up with the reading is essential. In the course schedule I will have a reading schedule, I recommend that you keep AHEAD of the reading schedule.
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.
Essays
We will be doing a lot of writing this semester (we are after all studying advanced composition) and the bulk of your grade will be based on your essays. Essays must be turned in on time and must include your peer editing sheet and rough draft. Points will be taken off for not turning all items in.
Format for Essays
All drafts of essays (final and rough) must be typed, double spaced, 1” margins, ss between paragraphs. Please do not include your name on the essay, instead write your student id number and date on the essay (no cover sheets or folders please).
ex:
123-45-6789
Jan. 24, 2003
Essay 1 final draft
Revisions
In an effort to continually develop as writers, we will be revising first (rough) drafts of essays and written work as we go along throughout the semester.
Try again.
Fail again.
Fail better.
-Samuel Beckett
Peer Editing
Generally peer editing will be scheduled one week to two classes before the final essay is due, there may be exceptions however so pay attention to due dates for both rough and final drafts. Peer editing is mandatory; if you are absent for peer editing your final essay grade will be dropped one full letter grade. If you are in class but do not have a good-faith draft your final essay grade will be dropped 1/2 grade. Consider your draft as part one of a two part essay. Please come prepared.
Late Work
I do not accept late work: assignments, essays, homework etc. However, because “life” intercedes with school work occasionally each student is allowed two late tickets. Twice during the semester I will accept late work—other than that no late work will be accepted so use them wisely. Please note: you cannot pass the class if you do not turn in all of the essays.
Attendance and Lateness
Note: Attendance is essential to success in this class; we will be moving through material quickly and your participation in group work and peer editing cannot be made up in the event of an absence. Roll will be taken at each class meeting and the Skyline College attendance policy--a student who misses two weeks’ worth of class can be dropped--will be observed. If you are late and roll has been taken you will get half an absence for the day. Please come to class prepared and on time!
If you are absent, get in touch with a classmate to find out what was covered. You are responsible for any work due after an absence. If you miss class YOU are responsible for finding out what you missed.
Grading
All final draft essays will be graded as will your reading log, various exercises, quizzes, midterm and the final, although the bulk of your grade will be based on your essays, take note that other things are considered in computing your final grade for the class as well:
attendance
participation in class discussions and small group work
Were you an active learner?
Did you seek help either from me or the tutoring center?
Did you attempt to substantially revise any low grade papers?
Did you come to class prepared for class discussions?
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 another as one’s own; this includes using existing material or ideas without crediting the source.
Things-I-Shouldn’t-Have-to-Say-in-a-College-Class:
a) cell phones, pagers, etc. should never be used in class and should never ring. If a cell phone/pager rings, beeps, buzzes or otherwise makes noise you will get one warning. After that any further violations of this rule will result in five points off your final grade.
b) You should arrive to class on time.
c) When others are talking you should listen respectfully and pay attention; you might learn something.
[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. The following information you may find useful in your journey to become more skilled writers.
English 853: An open-entry, self-paced course with variable units in the brand new Writing and Reading Lab in Bldg. 5. This course is designed for students to work with Skyline English instructors and tutors on writing assignments for any class and to strengthen writing and computer skills at the same time. This class is strongly advised for students who may need extra help with their writing.
The Writing and Reading Lab: building 5, first floor. The Writing and Reading Lab offers workshops and tutoring throughout the semester. You can schedule appointments in advance which is advised since during peak times the tutors are often busy.
I also strongly encourage students to meet with me in my office hours throughout the semester—don’t wait until the last few weeks 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. But, you obviously know that since you are here...
I look forward to a good semester with you all
Finally, one just has to shut up, sit down, and write.
-Natalie Goldberg