Monday, January 16, 2012

Spring 2012

Syllabus English 101 -Spring 2012
ESTRELLA MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

First Year Composition – 3 Credit Hours – English 101

Instructor: Mrs. Patricia Eaton

E-mail:  patricia.eaton@estrellamountain.edu

Blog:  http://www.eatonenglish101.blogspot.com/

You are expected to check the blog if you miss a class. All information about the class will be posted. Links to readings and activities will be provided.

Adjunct Office: 623- 935-8139 in Montezuma Hall 119 (You may phone the office and leave a message for me between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays. Papers may be left with Ms. Terri Propes or put into the night drop box after hours.)
Required Text:

Write Now by Daniel Anderson. You MUST have your own copy of the book and use the personal code for required on-line access. The book is available in the campus bookstore.

Note: This syllabus is subject to change based upon the progress of the class. Daily updates will be provided on the BLOG. If you miss a class, be sure to contact me by e-mail and ask for a copy of the daily information.

Office Hours: By appointment – my schedule is flexible.

Course Description

(Prerequisite: English placement test score of a grade of “C” or better in English 071.)

English 101 focuses on the development of writing skills through a process of thinking, researching, planning, writing, revising, editing, and reviewing expository essays. This course will require students to analyze and respond to text-based writing. Students will be responsible for writing a minimum of six critical essays to develop skills in textual analysis, written expression, and proper documentation. These essays will be word-processed and properly documented. In completing the required essays, students will demonstrate the ability to read difficult material with comprehension; to process information through quotation, summary, and paraphrase; and to integrate the ideas of others into their own sustained written examination of a subject.
Course Competencies


1. Analyze specific rhetorical contexts, including circumstance, purpose, topic, audience, and writer as well as the writing’s ethical, political, and cultural implications.

2. Organize writing to support a central idea through unity, coherence, and logical development appropriate to a specific writing context.

3. Use appropriate conventions in writing, including consistent voice, tone, diction, grammar, and mechanics.

4. Summarize, paraphrase and quote from sources to maintain academic integrity and to develop and support one’s own ideas.

5. Use feedback obtained from peer review, instructor comments and/or other resources to revise writing.

6. Assess one’s own writing strengths and identify strategies for improvement through instructor conference, portfolio review, written evaluation, and/or other methods.

7. Generate, format, and edit writing using appropriate technologies.

Abilities: Critical thinking and effective communication have been identified as essential to student success and will be integrated into this course. Critical thinking is defined as the ability to identify a problem, develop and implement strategies, evaluate information, reach conclusion, and respond to a problem. Effective communication is defined as the ability to respond to an audience, demonstrate clear sense of purpose, organize information, and deliver information using appropriate language.
Attendance Policy: Active participation is expected for successful completion in this course. In the event of an absence, students are expected to contact me by e-mail: Patricia.Eaton@estrellamountain.edu and go to www.eatonenglish101.blogspot.com for daily updates for the course.

Students are expected to complete any homework for the missed day by the next class period.

Important FYI:

Attendance policy (typically, students are allowed the number of unofficial absences according to the number of times a class meets per week; ex: TR, students are allowed two unofficial absences and may be dropped after that.)

2.3.2 Attendance

• Only persons who are registered for a class at any of the Maricopa Community Colleges may attend that class. Attendance requirements are determined by the course instructor. Students who do not meet the attendance requirement as determined by the course instructor may be withdrawn.

• Students who fail to attend the first scheduled class meeting, or to contact the instructor regarding absence before the first scheduled class meeting may, at the option of the instructor, be withdrawn.

• At the beginning of each course, each faculty member will provide students with written attendance requirements. It is the student's responsibility to consult with the instructor regarding official or unofficial absences. Absences begin to accumulate with the first scheduled class meeting.

• Students bear the responsibility of notifying the Admissions and Records Office/Office of Student Enrollment Services when they discontinue studies in a course or at the college.

Late Work: Make-ups of in-class writing assignments are at the instructor’s discretion. Students turning their work in after the due date may be penalized by having the grade lowered five points per day in fairness to those students who met the deadline.

Tape Recordings and/or Video Recordings: In order to tape any class session, a student must first seek permission from the instructor. In order to tape group discussions, permission must be given by the instructor and the students in the group.

Cell Phones: Cell phones must be turned off or placed on “vibrate” during class. At no time should a student be sending text messages, sending e-mails, listening to music, or carrying on conversations. In the event of an emergency call, please excuse yourself from the room, take care of the situation, and quietly return to class.

Student Disabilities: Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class must request accommodations from the Disability Resource Center (KOM B-125) at 623.935.8863 or 623.935.8928 VP or drc@estrellamountain.edu When you receive the authorization forms from the DRC, please provide them to the instructor right away.

Student Support Services: For writing assistance in the Learning Enhancement Center, students should contact Susan Malmo, Writing Center Coordinator, at 623-935-8419. The Writing Center is located on the first floor of Estrella Hall.

Learning Support Information-Hours of Operation

NASA Center & LEC / Writing Center

Monday – Thursday 7:30am - 8:00pm

Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm

Information Commons

Monday – Thursday 7:30am – 9:30pm

Friday 7:30am – 4:30pm

Saturday 8:00am – 3:00 pm
Grading Scale:

• Four-five documented essays of 3-5 pages will be written exploring various modes of discourse. Each counts as 100 points each. I use the EMCC Writing Rubric. You may reach the rubric on BlackBoard. I will also provide a paper copy with each written assignment.

• One PowerPoint oral presentation: 100 points

• Exam essay - the exam counts as a regular essay. Note that all students must attend class on the day of the exam. This is an EMCC policy.

• Class participation = 100 points

A= 90-100%

B=80-89%

C=70-79%

D=60-69%

F=0-59%

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the process of borrowing information from other sources or individuals without giving credit. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Essays will not be accepted unless accompanied by pre-writing exercises, notes, drafts, peer and self-editing marks, etc. This paper trail is proof of a student’s own work. Proof of plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment.

Classroom Misconduct: Students must read the “Code of Student Conduct” in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected within the academic setting.

2.3.11 Academic Misconduct

1. Definitions

A. Academic Misconduct - includes misconduct associated with the classroom, laboratory or clinical learning process. Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, excessive absences, use of abusive or profane language, and disruptive and/or threatening behavior.

B. Cheating - includes, but is not limited to, (a) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, assessment tests or examinations; (b) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the faculty member in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or (c) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the college faculty or staff.

C. Plagiarism - includes, but is not limited to, the use of paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials. Information gathered from the Internet and not properly identified is also considered plagiarism.

Final Thoughts: This course is designed to help you become a better writer, researcher, and reader. You will get out of the course what you put into it. You are expected to actively participate in readings, discussions, debates, and reports. Come to class prepared with readings and with required writings and notes. Conduct thorough research. At all times, give credit to the source of information by using proper documentation. Be on time. Be positive. Ask questions. Contribute your thoughts. Be tolerant of others and of ideas that differ from your own.

FYI: Exam schedule – please check the exam schedule at: www.estrellamountain.edu/academics/final-exam-schedule

Competencies Matrix: http://www.estrellamountain.edu/employees/committees/saac/gen-ed-abilities

Writing Rubric - Go to Blackboard. The link to the rubric is in the column on the left. Simply click to read.

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Getting to Know You

1.Take a slip of paper from the basket.
2.Think about it. How does the item listed relate to you.
3.When you introduce yourself to the class, give us your name and the name you go by.
4. Tell us about the item on the paper and how it relates to you.
5. If you can't think of anything, trade for a different slip.

This are the items:

Orange
Apple
 Peach
Test
 Dishes
Ugly
Home
Tree
Box
 Step
Bolt
Bicycle
Chair
Walk
Ice Cream
Wind
Swim
Lie
Rain
Fire
Flower
 Illness
Book
Money
Cake
Rug
Soap
Anchor
Song
Winter
Spring
Baby
Recipe
Shoe
Bag
Hand
Foot
 Lips

Homework

Assignment #1.

You will be writing a memoir as an introduction of yourself. The word "memoir" come from a French word. "Memoir is a genre of personal writing that focuses on an episode or a time frame within an individual's life. Memoirs strike a balance between documenting events and entertaining or instructing readers with larger lessons." (See p. 123 in Write Now.)

If you would like to look at a sample memoir, see pp. 124-125 in Write Now.

For example, if you think of Cheerios, your mind might shift to the Capital One credit card commercial where the baby throws Cheerios at the spokesperson. Then you might remember bags of the tasty treats in your little hands when as a child you went of a family trip and gobbled the little "Os" as the miles rolled by. Perhaps it was your favorite cereal and you ate it day after day after day. Perhaps you still do!

Think. Dream. Remember. Be the camera. Create the event. Share the story.

When writing memoir, please use first person.

Your memoir should be one or two pages in length. If you do not like the item you drew from the basket, pick another item from the list.

Bring a paper copy of the draft to class on Thursday.

Assignment #2
1. Conduct some research. Find the history of tattoos or piercings. Who were the earliest people to use the custom? Why was it done? At what age was it traditionally done? (Think of two other questions to explore.)

You may NOT use Wikipedia as your source. Find the information elsewhere!

Bring the information to class. Be sure you know the source of your article.

There will be a class discussion on Thursday be a class discussion on Thursday. You need the information to participate. Become the expert!









.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Final Grades

Final grades have been posted. Use the chart below to determine your final grade.

650-800 = A
485-649 = B
400-484 = C
300-399 = D
Below 299 = F

Thank you for a wonderful semester. Enjoy the holidays!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Exam

This is a reminder. The exam begins at 10:00 am on Thursday, December 15, 2011. We meet in our regular room. Laptops will be available. Be ready to compose the final copy of your essay. You MUST be physically present on the day of the exam in order to pass the course. Please bring a jump-drive so that you can print. The printer only works from the computer on the teacher's desk.

At 10:45, I will call those who still need to present the PowerPoints up to my desk to quietly present to me and to any others who may be finished with their exam.

Writers, you have until 11:45 to finish your work.

If you need another copy of the assignment, see me. I have a few extras.

Good luck!

Final grades will be posted on Friday afternoon. Check BlackBoard for messages.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Class Work

1. Continue with the presentations. You must take no longer than four or five minutes. Thank you!
2. Exam information

Homework
1. Organize for your exam. You may bring notes and the outline of a draft to class next Thursday.
2. Exam date: Thursday, December 15, 2011. We meet in our regular room. Laptops will be available for your use.

English 101 Exam – Fall 2011


Note: You must be present the day of the exam. You may NOT e-mail the paper to me and then skip the class. Our exam is Thursday, December 15, 2011, at 10:00-11:45 am. We will meet in our regular room.

Inscribing a Personal Artifact

Don't let the title of this exercise fool you. Inscribing a personal artifact is not like ordering an engraved name plate to put on your suitcase, nor is it like your parents writing your address on the inside of your underwear. This is an exercise in personal archaeology—an opportunity to describe a personal object and explain what it says about you.

The following tips will help you complete the assignment below:

• Focus on an overall insight or impression. In the drafting process, you will probably clarify what your object says about you. Focus your description of the object around that insight or impression. All the details you decide to include should be relevant to that focus.

• Organize the description logically. You can structure your writing in many ways. You might describe each detail and explain what it says about you. You might describe the object entirely and then explain what it says about you. The details you choose first depend on your purpose. If you want to recreate the experience of seeing the object, for instance, you might begin with its most obvious feature and proceed to its least obvious feature.

• Provide vivid descriptions and sensory details. If you have a digital camera, you might include a picture of the object. Either way, you have to create it for us using words. As you describe it, consider letting your attitude toward the object show through in your choice of words and details (e.g., "This baseball glove is triple stitched and made of genuine Black Angus leather. It is so soft and supple that it folds together as flat as a book.").

• Conduct research. Find and share the history of the object. For example, if your object is a ring. Find out information about the first rings in history. What did they symbolize? Are there any famous rings? How does your ring compare to the rings in history emotionally and physically? Why are rings important? Keep track of your sources.

Assignment

To help you write, try asking yourself these questions:

• Would people's opinions of you come from the object itself? For example, is it rare, valuable, or collectable?

• Would their opinions come from its condition? Perhaps it's old and worn?

• What would people think about the object's significance within the culture? Would it label you as a certain kind of person?

• Would the artifact only have meaning for other people if they knew more about your individual life?

• How do other similar artifacts found in history relate to you and your object?

During the revision process, work on connecting what the object is with what it tells others about you. Include the researched information about the other such objects.

Include a Works Cited page and in-text citations. Use MLA formatting.

When you are finished, this paper should be 3-5 pages long.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Tuesday

Class Work

1. Submit your essay.
2. Complete an evaluation of the course. (10 minutes)
3. Begin presentations - take notes.

Homework

The exam topic has been changed due to time concerns. See Thursday's blog for the update.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Thursday

Class Work

Today we are going to participate in the Honors Expo. Take an assignment sheet and head to the expo. See me at the end of class to submit your responses.

Homework

Finish your problem/solution argumentative essay. It is due on Tuesday. See the earlier blog posts for the guidelines.

Finish your PowerPoint. Be sure you save it on a jump-drive. Presentations begin on Tuesday.

Reminder: Our exam is Thursday, December 15th at 10:00 am. You must come to class to participate in the exam. You will not pass the class if you do not come to the exam. This is an EMCC policy.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Class Work

1. Turn in the critique.

2. Peer Editing of your essay

3. Peer Editing of the PowerPoint -
Here are the guidelines:

Slide #1: Title and Your Name

Slide #2: Identify the problem - make your claim

Slides 3, 4, 5: Explain the causes of the problem. This answers "because" and possibly gives evidence.

Slides 6, 7, 8: Explain the effects of the problem - This is more evidence.

Slides 9, 10, 11: Call to action - give the viewers concrete examples of what can be done and explain what difference their actions will make. (This section contains another claim, more reasons, and more evidence.

Slide 12: Works Cited page - This should look just like the Works Cited page in your essay.

Note: You MUST save your PowerPoint on a Jump-drive or burn it to a CD. This is the only way to move quickly from presentation to presentation.

A few more tips: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/10-tips-for-more-effective-powerpoint-presentations.html

http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/skills/presentations.aspx


4. Sign up for presentations. You MUST have your presentation saved on a jump-drive or burned to a CD. That is the only way to move quickly from one presentation to another.
5. Tips for presenting to a group - Let's create a list before looking at the recommendations from other sources.
http://speakingcenter.uncg.edu/resources/tipsheets/delivery/presentationdeliverytips.pdf


http://www.ehow.com/how-to_4845368_deliver-effective-speeches.html


Homework

1. Finish your essay. It is due next Tuesday.

2. Finish your PowerPoint. SAVE IT ON A JUMP DRIVE. The presentations will begin next Tuesday.

3. On Thursday we will be taking a field trip of sorts to view the Honors Projects. This is a class assignment. An assignment goes with it and will be graded. Report to class first.