Instructor: Amy Lawlor
Office: 8210
Phone: (650) 358-6889 ext. 9480
email: amysusan@sbcglobal.net
Office hours: by appointment
Course Description
English 100 AA: Composition
meeting times: MTWTH 8:10-10:15 p.m.
room 8116
3 units
Required Texts:
Mirror on America, 2nd ed. Joan Mims and Elizabeth M. Nollen
Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser
Savage Inequalities, Jonathan Kozol
Course Requirements:
A) 4 out of class essays (65%)*
B) quizzes and homework (10%)*
C) midterm (10%)*
D) final exam (10%)*
E) class participation and attendance (5%)*
*note these are rough estimates of your final grade and are subject to change
You will also be expected to participate in:
· class discussions
· small group work/activities
· peer editing
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.
*subject to change
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
Revisions
Because writing is a process and successful writing depends on writers going back and revising their work, you will revise each essay based on peer editing comments before turning in the final draft. You will have a chance to revise one of your first essays toward the end of the semester; final grade for the essay is an average of the two. Note: a revision requires substantial changes and additions, not just superficial grammatical changes. All changes on the new version must be underlined or highlighted.
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 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. Late essays will not receive written comments. Please note: you cannot pass the class if you miss one of the required papers.
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 enforced—a 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?
Please note: All essays must receive a grade in order to pass the class
Important note:
Save all copies of your essays on disk and in hard copy form. Always back up your work on floppy disk or in hard copy form as your work on it.
Never throw out any graded work until after you know your grade for the semester.
Additional things I’m sure you already know:
· No electronic devices in class: cell phones, mp3 players, CD players, etc. I don’t want to see them on your desk or in your ear and I absolutely should never hear them. If your phone rings, beeps, buzzes or makes any noise, you will have to bring donuts to the next class meeting as an apology to the class.
· 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.
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’s as one’s own; this includes using existing material or ideas without crediting the source. Please see me if you need any clarification about this.
[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:
You are here!
I look forward to a good semester with you all.