Cerritos College
FYE House A-Basic Skills Learning Community
Assistant Professor: Nishi Shah-Williams Office: SB-22
Class Time: T TH 9-10:45 Office Hours: T, TH 12:30-1:30
Location: BE-13 W 2-3
Phone: (562) 860-2451 X2831 and by appt.
E-mail: nwilliams@cerritos.edu
Website: http://www.cerritos.edu/nwilliams
Prerequisite:
Satisfactory completion of the English Placement Process or English 15 or ESL 200 with a grade of CREDIT, “C,” or higher.
Required Texts and Materials:
Downing, Skip. On Course. 4th ed. Houghton Mifflin, 1998. (Bring to class everyday)
Sayers, Kari. Views and Values. 3rd ed. Thomson Wadsworth. 2005. (Bring to class on days that journals
are due)
Two 8 ½ X 11 Blue Books (Freewrites, Final Exam) (Bring Freewrite blue book on days we do freewrites)
A spiral bound notebook with about 50 sheets of paper for your On Course Journal Log (Bring to class
everyday)
Plenty of lined paper (Bring to class everyday)
Stapler (Bring to class everyday)
Course Description:
English 20 is a course designed to prepare your reading and writing skills for English 52. In this course, you will be introduced to the writing process in order to help you develop your ideas into clear, correct, and effective writing. As a result, you will be required to read professional essays and respond to them in journals, write short essays, give and receive feedback, edit and revise writing, and expand on ideas. You will use a combination of informal writing, such as journals and freewrites as well as formal writing, such as essays. And finally, you will engage in all stages of the writing process including prewriting, drafting, and revising. The one unit lab that accompanies this class will be used for in-class writing.
This particular course is part of the First Year Experience House A - Basic Skills Learning Community. As a result, since you are also enrolled in Math 20, Counseling 1, Counseling 50, and Theatre 101, our class assignments will parallel those in the other classes you are enrolled in.
Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:
· Write standard American English
· Write varied sentences
· Understand the concept of prewriting strategies
· Develop paragraphs into essay structure
· Write coherent essays which contain a thesis statement
· Discuss college level reading material
· Write summaries, paraphrases, and critiques
· Write essays in different expository modes
Course Requirements:
Attendance. Attendance is mandatory in order to pass this class. Only four absences are allowed. There is a possibility that you may be dropped on the fifth absence depending on your attendance in your other classes. Keep in mind that if you are dropped from this class, or if you drop yourself, you will automatically be dropped from all of your FYE classes. Therefore, be sure to take attendance seriously. It is imperative that you use absences for emergencies and severe illness only. Furthermore, you must arrive to class on time. If you are more than 15 minutes late or if you leave before class ends, you will automatically receive either a half or a full absence. And finally, three tardies is equivalent to one absence. Any student who is not present when I take roll will be marked tardy. Also, keep in mind that if I ask you to leave class because you are either unprepared or disruptive, you will be marked absent as well.
Late Work. No late work will be accepted under any circumstances. If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, either have a friend drop it off to me in class or make sure it is in my box (Santa Barbara 22) by 11:00 a.m. Any work turned in after 11:00 a.m. will not be accepted.
Class Participation. Class Participation includes grammar workshops, group work, and verbal participation during reading discussions. Since true education occurs through the exchange of ideas and collaboration with others, you must be actively engaged during all class sessions by taking interest in the course material. This means coming to class prepared with the course books, having a positive attitude, active participation in group activities, and responding to reading assignments during class discussion. The following will result in the lowering of your class participation grade and/or dismissal from class with an absence:
Freewriting Logs. You will begin many class sessions freewriting for approximately ten to fifteen minutes on a topic of your choice. Freewriting allows you to engage freely in the writing process by expressing your thoughts without grammatical concern. Each freewrite should be approximately one full page in length and must be done in an 8 ½ X 11 blue book, which will be due on Tuesday, October 23.
Summary/Response Journals. You will be assigned readings from the course reader (Views and Values) on a weekly basis. After you complete the assigned reading, you must write one full page on it (longer than one page if you write big). Half or your page should be a summary of what you read in your own words. The other half should be a response. In your response, write about what you thought of the reading, how you can or cannot relate to it, whether you liked or disliked it, and any other opinions you have about it.
Each journal entry is worth 5 points. To receive full credit, you must write a full page minimum with half of it a summary and the other half a response and include the title of the essay as well as the author, and staple both responses together. Journals are always due at the beginning of class. No exceptions. Students who arrive to class late will not be able to turn in journals.
On Course Journal Logs. The On Course book has several journal entries which are designed to help you become a successful college student. These journal entries will also sometimes serve as the foundation for the essays you will be required to write in this class. The journal entries will always be written in class and will only be collected once on the last day of class. I will check to see that you have completed each entry and give you credit accordingly. I will also return your On Course Journal log back to you on the day of the Final Exam.
Essays. You will be required to complete six essays including the final exam. The final exam will be written in class, while the other five essays will be written out of class. All out of class essays will vary in length but must be typed in accurate MLA format using 12pt. Times Roman Font, double-spaced with one inch margins all around, and stapled together before coming to class. With the final draft, you must attach all prewriting and the peer response sheet. You will lose points off your essay grade if the prewriting and peer response sheets are not attached. Furthermore, you can also lose points for poor document appearance and incorrect MLA format. No late essays will be accepted under any circumstances.
Essays must be stapled in the following order from top to bottom:
1) Final Draft
2) Prewriting (brainstorm, cluster, outline, freewrite)
3) Peer Response sheet
(Note: Failure to turn in essays in this order will result in a loss of points.)
Peer Response Groups. Prior to the due date of the final draft, you will come to class with a typed rough draft and evaluate one another’s writing. Peer Response groups are important because they allow and teach you to respond to writing so that you are able to find strengths and weaknesses on your own and use this to revise your own writing. After the peer response sessions, you should review the comments made by your peers and revise based on these comments. To participate in peer response, you must have three typed and completed copies of your essay. The following will result in not being able to participate in peer response and will result in a loss of 10 percent off the final essay grade:
1) Not having a complete essay
2) Not having a typed essay
3) Not having 3 copies of your essay
4) Showing up late to class (after peer response has already started)
(Note: Failure to participate in peer response for any of the above reasons will result in ½ of an absence.)
Peer Response groups cannot be made up because they are done in class. In order to receive credit for participating in peer response, you must attach the peer response sheet to the final essay draft.
Extra Credit—Optional Revision. You have the option to revise one of the first four out of class essays for a higher grade. The purpose of the revision is to enhance the quality of your paper. When revising, make changes based on the feedback I have given to you on your essay as well as any other feedback you receive from a writing center tutor or anyone else. The new grade will depend on the quality of the revision, but keep in mind, a weak revision may result in no grade change. The revision must have the original draft with my comments in order to receive credit.
Evaluation:
Class Participation 40 points
Freewriting Logs 50 points (5 points each)
Reading Response Journals 145 points (5 points each)
On Course Journal Logs 150 points
Essay #1 100 points
Essay #2 100 points
Essay #3 100 points
Essay #4 100 points
Essay #5 100 points
Syllabus Quiz 15 points
Final Exam 100 points
Total Points 1000
1000-900 A 699-600 D
899-800 B 599 and below F
799-700 C
Final Thoughts:
Academic Dishonesty. Academic dishonesty consists of plagiarism and cheating. Plagiarism is either using outside sources for essays without giving credit to them or turning in an essay that was not written by you. Plagiarism will be reported and dealt with according to campus policy listed in the campus catalog.
Maturity and Discipline. Since we are in a college environment and we are all adults, I encourage you to speak freely in class during all discussions. However, make sure to exercise maturity and responsibility in your presentation of ideas. It is always appropriate to disagree, but always refrain from making any profane, racist, sexist, or derogatory comments that may offend another individual in class. On the same note, since we are all adults, I expect you to behave as adults. Discipline problems will not be tolerated. Any student who misbehaves will be asked to leave class.
Also, make sure not to do any of the following things:
1) Have any cell phones on or text message in class
2) Bring any guests to class without prior approval from me.
(Note: Any guest that I pre-approve must be at least eighteen years in age.)
If you take this class seriously, I will take you seriously. I encourage you to come and talk to me about your writing, any comments or questions you may have, or anything else. In addition to my office hours, I am always available for a few minutes before and after class and can be reached by email.
Also, keep everything that I return to you until you receive your final grade in the course.
And finally, please note that this syllabus is a contract between you and me. As a student in this class, you are agreeing to all of its terms.
Tentative Course Outline
(All assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class on the day they are due)
Aug. 14 Introduction to course and syllabus/ summary/response activity
Homework: Buy books and all course materials
Study for Syllabus Quiz
16 Syllabus Quiz/ Discussion on Prewriting Stategies/ On Course Ch. 1
Homework: Rawlings – “A Mother in Mannville” (5)
(Write one page summary/response)
Hughes – “Thank You M’am” (17)
(Write one page summary/response)
Week 2
21 Journals Due (Rawlings, Hughes)
Freewrite #1/ Discuss readings/ On Course Ch.1 cont.
23 Assign Essay #1/ Prewriting for Essay #1
Discussion on Introductions and Thesis Statements
On Course Ch.2
Homework: Heker – “The Stolen Party” (25)
(Write one page summary/response)
Saki – “The Open Window” (33)
(Write one page summary/response)
Week 3
28 Journals Due (Heker, Saki)
Freewrite #2/ Discuss readings/ On Course Ch.2 cont.
30 Discussion on Details, Examples, and Transitions
On Course Ch. 2 cont.
Homework: Anderson – “The Little Match Girl” (39)
(Write one page summary/response)
Jackson – “Charles” (45)
(Write one page summary/response)
Week 4
Sept. 4 Journals Due (Anderson, Jackson)
Freewrite #3/ Discuss readings/ Discussion on Conclusions
On Course Ch.2 cont.
Homework: Finish Essay #1
6 Rough Draft of Essay #1 Due (must be typed and completed and must have 3 copies)
Discussion on Revising and Editing/ On Course Ch.2 cont./ Peer Response Group
Homework: Mahfouz – “The Answer is No” (57
(Write one page summary/response))
Maidu Indians – “Butterfly Man” (63)
(Write one page summary/response)
Revise Essay #1
Week 5
11 Final Draft of Essay #1 Due (must be typed, attach prewriting and peer response
sheet)
Journals Due (Mahfouz, Maidu Indians)
Freewrite #4/ Discuss readings/ Assign Essay #2/ Prewriting for Essay #2
On Course Ch.3
13 Grammar Workshop/ On Course Ch. 3 cont.
Homework: Hai – “The Cock” (69)
(Write one page summary/response)
Sansom – “Difficulty with a Bouquet” (77)
(Write one page summary/response)
Week 6
18 Journals Due (Hai, Sansom)
Freewrite #5/ Discuss readings/ On Course Ch. 3 cont.
20 On Course Ch.3 cont.
Homework: Henry – “The Gift of the Magi” (83)
(Write one page summary/response)
Chekhov – “The Confession” (95)
(Write one page summary/response)
Week 7
25 Journals Due (Henry, Chekhov)
Freewrite #6/ Discuss readings/ On Course Ch.4
Homework: Finish Essay #1
27 Rough Draft of Essay #2 Due (must be typed and completed and must have 3 copies)
On Course Ch.4 cont. / Peer Response Group
Homework: Naoya – “Han’s Crime” (101)
(Write one page summary/response)
Caldwell – “Horse Thief” (113)
(Write one page summary/response)
Revise Essay #2
Week 8
Oct. 2 Final Draft of Essay #2 Due (must be typed, attach prewriting and peer response
sheet)
Journals Due (Naoya, Caldwell)
Freewrite #7/ Discuss readings/ Assign Essay #3/ Prewriting for Essay #3
On Course Ch.4 cont.
4 Grammar Workshop/ On Course Ch.5
Homework: Allende – “The Schoolteacher’s Guest” (123)
(Write one page summary/response)
Moravia – “The Secret” (133)
(Write one page summary/response)
Week 9
9 Journals Due (Allende, Moravia)
Freewrite #8/ Discuss readings/ On Course Ch.5 cont.
11 On Course Ch. 5 cont.
Homework: Fuentes – “A Letter to God” (145)
(Write one page summary/response)
Kantor – “A Man Who Had No Eyes” (151)
(Write one page summary/response)
Week 10
16 Journals Due (Fuentes, Kantor)
Freewrite #9/ Discuss readings/ On Course Ch. 6
Homework: Finish Essay #3
18 Rough Draft of Essay #3 Due (must be typed and completed and must have 3 copies)
On Course Ch.6 cont. / Peer Response Group
Homework: de Maupassant – “The Necklace” (157)
(Write one page summary/response)
Kleist – “The Beggarwoman of Locarno” (171)
(Write one page summary/response)
Revise Essay #3
Week 11
23 Final Draft of Essay #3 Due (must be typed, attach prewriting and peer response
sheet)
Journals Due (Naoya, Caldwell)
Freewrite #10/ Freewrites 1-10 Due in 8 ½ X 11 Blue book
Discuss readings/ Assign Essay #4/ Prewriting for Essay #3/ On Course Ch.6 cont.
25 Grammar Workshop/ On Course Ch.7
Homework: Hinchman – “Frigga’s Necklace” (177)
(Write one page summary/response)
Stamm – “Three Strong Women” (185)
(Write one page summary/response)
Week 12
30 Journals Due (Hinchman, Stamm)
Discuss readings/ On Course Ch.7 cont.
Nov. 1 Grammar Workshop/ On Course Ch.7 cont.
Homework: Jen – “A Boy with His Hat over His Crotch” (199)
(Write one page summary/response)
Rau – “By Any Other Name” (207)
(Write one page summary/response)
Week 13
6 Journals Due (Jen, Rau)
Discuss readings/ On Course Ch.7 cont.
8 On Course Ch.7 cont.
Homework: Angelou – “Mary” (217)
(Write one page summary/response)
Téllez – “Just Lather, That’s All” (229)
(Write on page summary/response)
Week 14
13 Journals Due (Angelou, Téllez)
Discuss readings/ On Course Ch.8
Homework: Finish Essay #4
15 Rough Draft of Essay #4 Due (must be typed and completed and must have 3 copies)
On Course Ch.8 cont. / Peer Response Group
Homework: Hemingway – “Old Man at the Bridge” (237)
(Write one page summary/response)
Buchwald – “Fresh Air Will Kill You” (245)
(Write one page summary/response)
Revise Essay #4
Week 15
20 Final Draft of Essay #4 Due (must be typed, attach prewriting and peer response
sheet)
Journals Due (Hemingway, Buchwald)
Discuss readings/ Assign Essay #5/ Prewriting for Essay #5
On Course Ch.8 cont.
22 THANKSGIVING DAY (No School)
Week 16
27 Grammar Workshop/ On Course Ch.8 cont.
29 On Course Ch.9
Homework: Vonnegut, Jr. – “Harrison Bergeron” (249)
(Write one page summary/response)
Week 17
Dec. 4 Journal Due (Vonnegut, Jr.)
Discuss reading/ On Course Ch. 9 cont.
Homework: Finish Essay #5
6 Rough Draft of Essay #4 Due (must be typed and completed and must have 3 copies)
On Course Ch.9 cont. / On Course Journal Logs Due in spiral notebook
Peer Response Group
Homework: Revise Essay #5
Final Exam: _______________________________
(Bring 8 ½ X 11 blue book and blue or black pen)
Final Draft of Essay #4 Due (must be typed, attach prewriting and peer response
sheet)