COURSE SYLLABUS: ENGLISH 1A
JENNI MCGUIRE-INSTRUCTOR
Contact Info: you can email me at
jemcguir@cabrillo.edu or jennifer.mcguire@sjcc.edu or jennimcg@yahoo.com
My office hour for Cabrillo is the hour before class, and individually arranged for
SJCC.
Course Introduction:
This class is focused on the personal voice and the development of formal writing
based in expository and argumentative essays, and research papers. This course will
focus on the assigned reading and media links. We will be looking at a variety of
material. Some of the material is potentially controversial, and I expect that we can
explore the writings with open minds and critical interpretations. Each section will
explore a different approach and purpose. Through each, we will discuss and write
papers about the issues and find how they pertain to our individual lives and the world
at large. During the process of readings, discussing, and writing, we will find the
connection between reading and writing, and communication.
Prerequisites (if any): placement and/or previous coursework in required class with a
"c" or better.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: English 1A emphasizes expository and argumentative writing.
This class emphasizes critical reading and thinking skills, development of style and
technique, essay development, and research techniques culminating in a final research
paper in a completed and conventional format. It will prepare you for upper level
courses and help to foster your communication skills. The culminating event in the
course will be an 8-10 page research paper.
COURSE CONTENT: Writing assignments will be practiced in all phases: organizing,
pre-writing, writing, editing, and revising. Five essays will be completed, including a
formal research paper, a combined required total of at least 8,000 words. The
minimum excludes the final exam, discussions, and quizzes.
COURSE POLICIES:
Attendance and Drop Policies: Although I can drop you, I highly recommend you
do it yourself, because I may not and then you would end up with an F for the class.
You can drop online or by completing the forms in the office of Admissions and
Records.
CLASS CODE OF CONDUCT:
You will be expected to read the readings in a timely manner. In order to fully
participate in the class, each person needs to keep up and do the work in the time
that is given. By being prepared and involved, it treats the other members in the
class with respect. Differences and concerns can be expressed in healthy and
thoughtful terms. By exploring the differences of viewpoints with civility we can
each develop understanding of other viewpoints, and grow as critical thinkers and
communicators.
CLASS PARTICIPATION: GUIDELINES AND WHAT IS EXPECTED
Essays and/or Assignments
The writing assignments will ask you to provide effective analysis and
argumentation based on material covered in class. Assignments will require you to
present evidence and recognize both sound reasoning. There will be five (5) formal
essays and a final research paper.
All essays must be in MLA format.
Essays : Essays will be graded on a 10 point scale. The Research Paper is worth 30.
Some essays have a one week limit, others require peer review work.
A: Excellent
Focus/thesis is clearly stated and controls the direction of the essay. Organization is
logical and each paragraph leads clearly to the next in supporting the thesis. The
points are supported through detail, analysis, and example. Writing techniques such
as comparison/contrast, extended example or definition, argument, etc, are used.
Opposition or counter arguments are acknowledged thoughtfully and help support
the thesis. Sentence structure shows complexity and variety. There are few, if any,
grammatical or spelling errors.
B: Very Good
Thesis is clear and well supported. There might be some minor lapses in expression
argumentation, or organization. Uses varied patterns of sentence structure, but some
may be ineffective.
C; Adequate
The paper is organized around a central idea, though may not be stated clearly.
Transitions may be weak, and may contain a fair number of grammatical and
spelling errors. Sentence structure may be choppy, simple, or inappropriate.
D: Poor
Central idea is treated superficially, or too general to give the paper a clear direction.
No transitions or other transitional problems. Errors in grammar and mechanics that
make it difficult to understand.
F: Failing
No main idea or thesis. Organization is random. Supporting details are not present
or do not connect to the main idea. Paper may be off topic, too brief, and too simple.
Major errors in diction, spelling, etc.
MISSED ASSIGNMENTS/MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS, EXAMS, ESSAYS:
Late work cannot be accepted for the class. There is an outline of the class readings
and essays and their due dates. You will have assignments due every week, and they
are due by the time stated on the syllabus. Any assignments that may get through
after the cutoff date will not be graded, and no credit will be given.
Make backups of your work, and use another computer if anything goes wrong with
yours. Many local libraries have internet access, including the school library. Let
me know if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding ability to turn things
in.
GRADING: The following grading scale will be applied –
90-100% =A
80-89% =B
70-79% =C
60-69% =D
under 60% =F
ASSIGNMENT POINT SCHEMA Assignments and Exams will be given points
according to the following scale
Essay #1- #5 – 50 total
Research paper- 30
Discussions/in class work/peer reviews and rough draft work: 20pts
Total = 100 pts
COMPLAINT/GRIEVANCE POLICIES AND STUDENT DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES:
For More information, see SJCC website or visit the main office.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY – PLAGIARISM:
Student academic dishonesty consists of the following:
1. Cheating. Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials,
information, or study aids in any academic exercise.
2. Fabrication. Intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any
information or citation in an academic exercise.
3. Facilitating Academic Dishonesty. Intentionally or knowingly helping or
attempting to help another student to violate any provision of this
code.
4. Plagiarism. Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another
person as one's own in any academic exercise.
Plagiarism, is use of another person’s words, ideas, or information. Rewriting,
paraphrasing, summarizing, putting a passage into one’s own words without
recognizing the original source are plagiarism: credit must be given to the
author or creator. The following are examples of plagiarism:
A. Copying and pasting text from CD ROMS.
B. Copying and pasting text from web sites.
C. Transcribing text from printed material, such as books, magazines,
encyclopedias or newspapers.
D. Modifying or scanning any text.
E. Replacing words in the text using a thesaurus.
F. Using copyrights, trademarks, patents, speeches, and artistic creations
without permission or acknowledgment.
G. Using photographs, images, video, or audio without permission or
acknowledgment.
H. Using another student’s work and claiming it as your own (even with
permission).
I. Translating texts from a foreign language does not constitute original work
and falls under the guidelines for quotations, summaries, and
paraphrasing.
It doesn't need to be on purpose, so be careful. Check the back of our book,
ask me, or check out a MLA website to make sure if you’re are quoting
or paraphrasing something correctly. If you turn in a paper that is
plagiarized, you could receive an F for the paper, or possibly an F for the
course. If the school wishes to pursue it further, you could be expelled.
Proceed with caution!
AVAILABLE SUPPORT SERVICES (TUTORS, WRITING LABS): Attendance in lab is
not required but is recommended for those who would like to further practice their
skills.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning
or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class,
are encouraged to contact Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) at.
They can assist with assessment, instructional programs, and support services.
They are in the Student Services Building on campus.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES and course goals:
Upon successful completion of the course, you will learn to write clear and logical
prose and to read college-level texts closely and effectively. Specific areas in
composition include:
A.
Organization of content and format
B.
Strong paragraphing
C.
Effective language and style appropriate for the topic of the essay
D.
Tight and logical claims and premises with adequate elaboration and support
E.
Research skills
F.
Revision of drafts (essay, paragraph, sentence levels)
G.
Communication
H.
Critical Thinking
I.
Global Awareness
J.
Personal Responsibility
Specific areas in reading include:
A.
Identifying main ideas and supporting ideas
B.
Read a wide range of academic writing and discuss critically
C.
Analyzing rhetorical modes or techniques
D.
Recognizing voice, tone, and point of view
E.
Building critical vocabulary
F.
Formulating critical evaluation
INSTRUCTOR'S DISCLAIMER: This syllabus is subject to change without prior notice.
I’ll let you know if there are any changes.