English 234 Syllabus
There are four prime objectives to this course:
After a brief introduction to the elements of short fiction, we will be reading and discussing the stories in the order presented in “The Sequence of Assignments” (see page 3). You will write three papers, one of which can be a short story and may be critiqued in class. The first will be due in the seventh week, about February 21; the second in the thirteenth week, about April 4; and the third on the last day of class, May 16. These papers are to be typed and should abide by MLA conventions. Late papers will fall one grade for each class missed. Also, you will develop a Response Journal – a collection of one-page written responses to readings from the text.
|
3 five-page papers |
15% each = |
45% |
|
2 exams, including the final |
15% each = |
30% |
|
Response Journal – 21 pages |
|
15% |
|
Class Participation |
|
10% |
Total |
|
100% |
If you miss more than seven classes, you will likely be dropped. A Late paper will fall a full grade for each week late. You are welcome to rewrite any one essay that receives a “C” grade or less. And as for plagiarism, there will be none. For further discussion see "Academic Honesty" in the Cerritos College Catalogue.
Grading Criteria
A: An "A" paper commands attention because of the insightful development and mature style. It presents a cogent discussion of its subject using valid comparisons and balanced contrasts and employs well-chosen examples and persuasive reasoning. It shows that the writer can choose words aptly, use sophisticated sentences effectively, and observe the conventions of written English. It acknowledges outside sources in accord with the MLA format.
B: A "B" paper is clearly competent. It presents a thoughtful discussion of its subject, and it uses appropriate examples and sensible reasoning. The comparison/contrast may be well structured but weak, lacking validity or balance. A "B" paper typically has a less fluent and complex style than an "A" paper but does show that the writer can usually choose words accurately, vary sentences effectively, and observe the conventions of written English. It does not use outside sources, or it fails to abide by the MLA format.
C: A "C" paper is satisfactory, sometimes marginally so. It presents an adequate discussion of its subject and elaborates with sufficient examples and acceptable reasoning. Just as these examples and this reasoning will ordinarily be less developed than those in "B" papers, so will the "C" paper's style be less effective. The comparison/contrast may lack structure. Nevertheless, a "C" paper shows that its writer can usually choose words of sufficient precision, control sentences of reasonable variety, and observe the conventions of written English.
D: A "D" paper is unsatisfactory in one or more of the following ways. It may discuss its subject illogically; it may lack coherent structure or elaboration with examples; it may reflect an incomplete understanding of the subject. Its prose is usually characterized by at least one of the following: frequently imprecise word choice; little sentence variety; occasional major errors in grammar and usage, or frequent minor errors.
F: The qualitative "F" paper shows serious weaknesses, ordinarily of several kinds. It frequently presents a simplistic, inappropriate, or incoherent discussion of the topic, one that may suggest some significant misunderstanding of its subject. Its prose is usually characterized by at least one of the following: simplistic or inaccurate word choice, monotonous or fragmented sentence structure; many repeated errors in grammar and usage. The quantitative "F" fails to arrive on time.
Update: 12 January 2004