Syllabus

ENGLISH 1A: READING AND COMPOSITION

Instructor:  Erica Brenes

Instructor Email:  EBrenes@elcamino.edu

Class Time:  MW 10:15-12:20; Class Location: HUM 311

Office Hours: MW 3-4PM, TR 12:30-1PM; Office Location: HUM 321P

Course Description and Goals:

This course is designed to strengthen the students’ ability to read with understanding and discernment, to discuss assigned readings intelligently, and to write clearly. Emphasis will be on writing essays in which each paragraph relates to a controlling idea, has an introduction and a conclusion, and contains primary and secondary support. College-level reading material will be assigned to provide the stimulus for class discussion and writing assignments, including a required research paper.

Required Texts:

English 1A Reader. (READER)

Diaz, Junot. This is How You Lose Her. (This is How…)

Kelly, Joseph. Of Poetry and Protest. (TSR)

*Occasionally, readings will be scanned onto our course website: ECC1A@blogspot.com (BLOG)

Assignments:

Lead Reading and Discussion (10%): Come to class. Come prepared. Come ready to share. Your contribution is important. Doing well means holding yourself responsible for the reading; it also means doing it carefully: Annotate! Annotate! Annotate! Being Lead Reader adds another component to this assignment. On the two days you are assigned to be lead reader, you must prepare two discussion questions to pose to the class. These don’t get collected so they don’t have to be typed; instead, you will pose them orally to your classmates and you will ensure that they cannot be satisfied by a simple “yes” or “no.” Finally, on your assigned day, you must be present and prepared for me to call on your throughout our conversation.

Schedule

Quizzes & Quick Writes (10%): Almost every day, we will begin by either taking a quiz or writing a response in our notebooks about the day’s reading and our reactions to it. You will be held accountable for these replies, and missing the reading will result in a low grade. Please note that I will drop your two lowest scores, meaning you can have an unexpected absence, be bewildered by the assignment, or even have a bad, unprepared day, but only twice! Doing well requires coming to class on time, keeping up on what we’re learning, and practicing those skills at home. The more carefully and closely you read our assignments, the better you will do.

Grammar Diagnostic (Required): On week 1, I will require you do a relatively simple writing assignment as a way for us to diagnose where you may some lingering grammatical blind spots, so that we can customize my teaching and make sure you finish the semester ready for college writing. You cannot earn points on this assignment, but not completing the work will hurt your grade. (1-2 pages) Due: 02.21 ³

Essay 1, Summary Response (10%): The mission of our course is to master the research essay, and that begins here. You will read an article, you will summarize it, showing that you know how to interpret secondary sources and establish a supported opinion of it. (2-3 pgs) Beginner’s Draft, Due: 02.26, Final Draft with Charted Revisions, Due: 02.28 ^{1, 2, 3}  

Essay 2, Definition (15%): This essay is usually a student favorite. This thesis centered essay allows you to be creative, personal, and helps you practice finding and using support. It will require integrated sources, well thought out structure, varied syntax, transitions, and excellent execution and attention to detail. (2-3 pages) Formal Outline & Two Different Intro Paragraph Attempts, Due: 03.14, Final Draft Due: 03.19 ^1,2,3

This is How You Lose Her (15% Essay, 5% Packet): While reading Diaz’ novel, we will work from a packet I have created that will guide you through the text and help you practice close reading and responsive writing. When we finish the novel, the packet will be due and you will then be given an in-class writing assignment that evaluates your overall understanding of the text and the skills we learned as we read together; both the packet and your novel can be used on the essay, and you will be given two full class periods to compensate for how stressful on-demand writing can be; blue book needed. Packet Due/In-Class Essay Date: 04.16-18

Capstone Project: Argumentation & Research (20%): In this final, most challenging, most credit essay, you will be asked to construct a balanced and convincing argument using research to defend your stance on a controversial and relevant issue that is provable, contestable, specific, and worded in a crystal clear way. The subject of your paper must be inspired by our classroom text, The Seagull Reader; you will choose an essay that wasn’t assigned to you and derive a topic from the reading We will spend a lot of time working on this essay, exploring resources, and questioning how research can best be used to cultivate a meaningful piece of writing that is reliable and effective. Many different components are due throughout a number of weeks; to be successful, you must stay aware of all of these due dates. This paper is worth 1/5^th of the entire course; do not lose them because you were unorganized. (6-7 pgs)

Section I (Prospectus): 04.30,

Thesis and Annotated Bibliography Due in Office Conference: 5.07-09,

Matrix & Outline Due 05.16,

Beginner’s Draft Due 05.21,

Present Your Findings: 05.23,

Final Due, Turnitin.com 05.25 ^1,2,3

End of Term, Reflect and Revise (15%): When we come to our final weeks in class, you will find you have accrued many, many quick writes, personal writing assignments, and reflections. Hopefully, you will also discover that the way you write about the world around you has matured greatly and that you are excited to showcase that maturation We will be writing every day; as a result, I will ask you to keep a Dialectic Journal. As its name suggests, this is a casual writing notebook that is yours and yours alone. You share it with me and with others when you feel able to. None of it will be graded until 16^th week when you will be asked to select three entries, revise them, make them your best work yet, reflect on the process, and turn them in, bound together with a representative creative cover. You will turn them in at my office with a handshake and a proud smile. It is my favorite way to end our journey together, ready for a lifetime of writing and reading. (5-6 pgs) Due: 06.06

Classroom Policies:

·        Late Work: Each day a paper is late, 10% will be taken from its grade. Late work cannot be revised.

·        Office Hours: You are required to visit my office hours at least once during the semester.

·        Extra Credit: A total of 7.5% can be earned this semester. There are two opportunities outlined in 13^th week, and the third chance for extra credit involves attending and performing at the African American literature read in.

·        Work for Credit: You are enrolled in “College Level English;” that means all assignments for credit other than those in your “bluebook,” must be typed, stapled if necessary, and MLA formatted. Otherwise, I will not collect them.

·        Attendance: Students have 3 personal days for which they owe me no explanation, but on the 4^th absence, they will be put on warning and their participation grade will be negatively impacted. On the 5^th absence, they will be dropped from the course. Keep in mind: 3 tardies equal an absence, and leaving 30 minutes early or coming 30 minutes late also equals one absence.

·        Books: You are required to have the book that reading is assigned from every day. If we are reading from the website, then you must have the reading printed out or you may bring your digital reader or computer in. Note: Assigned reading is due before class. Having it read and understood before class begins is a requirement.

·        Communication: Without regularly accessing your email and checking your “reminders,” being prepared will be impossible. “Remind” is a text based service that allows us to communicate easily; to opt in, text @akgg2a to the number 81010 or to (740) 370-4361.

·        Student Resources: If you reach out and use a resource such as the Reading Success Center (East Library Basement E-36), The Writing Center (H122), or the LRC (West Wing, Library) for help on a paper, please show proof for extra credit on the assignment. See the website for more information regarding student resources.

·        Revision: You are invited to revise Essay #1 and Essay #2 as many times as you’d like, but you have to (a) seek outside assistance, (b) completed a revision chart, (c) have turned the original draft in on time, and (d) ask to revise the essay before you receive a grade on the following essay.

·        Plagiarism: On The website, you will find ECC’s detailed policy, but for now, do not be that student!

·        ALL OTHER CAMPUS POLICIES ARE WRITTEN IN DETAIL ON THE WEBSITE.

Agenda:

WEEK 1: Welcome, Bluebirds!

02.12: Happy 1^st Day of Class!

02.14: Before class, I expect you to:

1.      Make a plan to get your books. You are expected to have the 1A Course Reader in class on 02.21 with reading already completed. The Seagull Reader will be due on 02.28,

2.      Email me using whatever your preferred email is at EBrenes@elcamino.edu, introduce yourself, name a song you love listening to, and ask me a question about our upcoming semester together.

3.      Procure a notebook to collect and organize your quick writes in,

4.      Bring in a physical photo of yourself (Note: You will be giving me this photograph),

5.      Sign up for “Remind” by texting @akgg2a to the number 81010 or to (740) 370-4361,

6.      Access our class website: eccenglish1a.blogspot.com and make sure you understand its format.

WEEK 2: Define “College Level” Reading and Writing

02.19: Happy President’s Day! No Class. Just do your reading and work on your Grammar Diagnostic.

02.21: Diagnostic Due, Reader: Ch. 1 – Stop at “Strategies to Help…” (Please bring the reader to class.)

 

WEEK 3: Strategies for Writerly Success

02.26: Essay 1, Beginner’s Draft Due. Again, make sure you bring your course reader to class.

02.28: There’s a lot due. I don’t want you to forget anything:

·        Essay 1, Due with Charted Edits.

·        Bring both your course reader and TSR to class.

·        Read: TSR “Blaxicans” (pg 347),

·        Read: BLOG: “What’s in a Name?”

WEEK 4: Write What You Know & Write it Well

03.05: Read:

·        Reader: “Tools to Help: The Quote Sandwich” -  “More Tools,”

·        TSR: “No Name Woman” 238,

·        BLOG: “Only Daughter”

03.07: No Class. I have a teaching conference, but I would like you to listen to a podcast posted under our BLOG readings and email me your thoughts while I’m away just so we can stay in touch and you can practice your critical thinking skills.

WEEK 5: Mastering our Second Essay

03.12: Read:

·        Reader: “More Tools to Help” – Chapter III: Reading Skills

·        TSR: “I Want a Wife,”

·        BLOG: “The Myth of the Latin Woman”

03.14: Essay #2 Outline & Intro Paragraphs: Please follow the formal outline provided in the book and when writing your introduction paragraph, I want you to write two different attempts, trying on different styles, different strategies, and different voices. Play with vocabulary, attention getters, phrasing, etc.

WEEK 6: Becoming a More Thoughtful Reader

03.19: Essay #2: Final Draft Due, No Reading; instead take the time to write something you’re proud of and reflect on how it feels to not rush the writing process. In class, we will read an essay cold and hone in our reading. I will also want to check that you have the novel ready to go, so please bring that in as well.   

03.21: Read:

·        Reader: “Chapter III” – Stop at Chapter IV

·        This is How You Lose Her: “The Sun, The Moon, The Stars”

·        While reading the first chapter of Junot’s novel, practice the metacognitive reading T-chart from the text book. Make at least 5 entries and bring your notes to class for sharing.

·        NOTE: Don’t forget to bring your Diaz packet to class. J

WEEK 7: Learning to Love a Novel

·        Note: For the rest of the novel, I will no longer be providing words of the day. Instead, while you are reading, write down all new vocabulary you find in the back of our 1A reader and you can share the words with me!

03.26: This is How You Lose Her: “Nilda” & “Alma”

03.28: Draft 2 of Your Found Poem Due, This is How You Lose Her: “Otravida, Otravez”

WEEK 8: Discovering Meaning, Creating Meaning

04.02: This is How You Lose Her: “Flaca” & “The Pura Principle”

04.04: This is How You Lose Her: “Invierno” & “Miss Lora”

*I’m sending you a survey to see how I’m doing and how I could improve. Please complete it.*

ENJOY SPRING BREAK – Make Wise Choices

WEEK 9: Being Inspired Writers by Being Diligent Readers.

04.16: This is How You Lose Her: Finish Packet Due and In-Class Essay   

04.18: In-Class Essay Continued…

WEEK 10: Starting the Last Segment of Our Course: The Research Essay

04.23: TSR: “Mother’s Tongue” 394, BLOG: “No Speak English” (Bring Reader)

04.25: (NOTE: BIG READING DAY!):

·        Reader: “How to Argue” – Stop at “Logical Fallacies”

·        TSR: “Bad Boys” 296,

·        BLOG: “Price of Blackness,” “A Small Needful Fact”

WEEK 11: Getting Motivated to Write Your Best Paper Yet!

04.30: Read:

·        Reader: Logical Fallacies – Stop at Vocabulary

·        TSR: “Shooting an Elephant” 307, “Letter to President Pierce” 365

05.02: Turn in PART I of your final to Turnitin.com before class begins. Read:

·        TSR: “Learning to Read” 125, “Listening” 439

*Don’t forget to sign up for Week 13 1:1 conferences.*

WEEK 12: Research is Your Friend

05.07: No Reading Due. We’re going to visit the library and begin our research journey!

05.09: Still No Reading. We will instead continue to do research together. Bring your course reader!

Week 13: Conferencing and Growing Confident

05.14:Office Conferencing

05.16 - 05.18: Office Conferencing. Come prepared with an annotated bibliography. You will also be given a completely up-to-date progress report just in time for the “W” day on Friday.

WEEK 14: Argue With Passion

           NOTE: EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:

·        Option 1: Watch “13” and write a 1.5 page summary and response.

·        Option 2: Write and send a researched letter about the issue you’re researching to a public servant, e.g. Mayor, Council person, Governor, Congress person; I will provide the stamp. 

05.21: Final Essay, Outline Due, TSR:  TSR: “Letter From Birmingham” 219, “On The Death” 217

05.23: Rough Draft Due—That’s it. No reading. Just you and that awesome draft.

WEEK 15: Become Experts and Rely on the Process. Writing Something That Surprises You!

05.28: No Class- Happy Memorial Day

05.30: Present Your Essay

06.01: Final Draft Due on Turnitin.com by 5pm

WEEK 16: Finish Strong.

06.04: Work Day: Bring drafts, questions, computers, whatever you need to make the most of your time.

No Class on 06.06: Happy Summer, my bluebirds!

·        Come by my office between 10 – 12 on the 6^th or 12-3 on the 7^th and drop off your revision portfolios.

·        Thank you for a great semester.

NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the schedule if necessary.

Furthermore: Continuing on in this course after receiving the syllabus demonstrates your agreement to abide by its provisions. You are responsible for knowing and understanding the contents of this syllabus and following its policies.