Syllabus
English 100 JH: Honors Composition
Amy Lawlor
office: 8210
phone (650) 358-6889 x 9480
office hours: M 9-10 and 6-7
email: amylaw@earthlink.net
Fall 2002 classroom: 5102
class meetings: M, 7-10 English office and mailboxes: 8112
3.0 Units
CSU, UC transfer (A2,3) IGETC (1A)
Prerequisites:
Writing: English 800 or 400 with a C or better or eligibility for English 100 on approved college placement tests. Recommended: Grade of B or better in English 800 or 400
Reading: Reading 802 with a C or better, or eligibility for reading 420 on approved college placement tests or successful completion of English 400. Recommended: Grade of B or better in Reading 802 and/or English 400.
Course Description:
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. This course will be conducted mostly in a seminar format. Students will write a minimum of 8,000 words. All students enrolled in the course will be expected to do honors level work.
Required Texts:
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All American Meal, Eric Schlosser
Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West, Dee Brown
3 full length texts to be chosen by the class (and purchased online or at your local bookstore)
Course requirements:
· four out of class essays
· mid term
· final exam
· collaborative web project
· research
· class presentations
· reading log
· homework, exercises, quizzes
· group work
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, presentations, 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. Because we only meet once a week, it is essential that you come to class prepared. 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.
Format for Essays
All drafts of essays (final and rough) must be typed, double spaced, 1" margins, no extra spaces between paragraphs Please include your student ID # on the front of your essay (no names) along with the assignment and date. No cover sheets please.
Example:
111-22-3333
Essay #1
Sept. 1, 2002
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.
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. 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; we will be moving through material quickly and 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. Each absence after the second will significantly lower your grade.
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?
Grade Assignments*
essay 1 10%
essay 2 10%
essay 3 15%
essay 4 15%
midterm 8.5%
final 8.5%
final project 10%
quizzes 10%
reading journal 10%
class participation 3%
*these are rough estimates and subject to change
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 English Computer Lab in Bldg. 2, room 2108. This course is designed for students to work with Skyline English instructors 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.
English Assistance Lab: building 5, first floor. The EAL 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. Check it out.
I look forward to a good semester with you all.