Crafton Hills College; SPRING 2016
Professor: Ryan Murphy
E-mail: rmurphy@sbccd.cc.ca.us Blog: craftonmurphy.wordpress.com
SYLLABUS
ENGLISH 010: Preparation for College English
Section 25—TR 11:00-12:50; E 104
Required Texts / Materials
Real Writing with Readings: Paragraphs and Essays, Anker and Aitken (7th ed.)
Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer
A college-ruled, spiral bound notebook
Course Goals and Objectives (Student Learning Outcomes): Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students will be
able to: 1. Identify the topic thesis, details, transitions, and organizational patterns within essays, two to three-page articles,
and textbook chapters; 2. Vary reading speeds and methods according to the type of material and purpose for reading; 3. Read,
discuss, and write an accurate summary of a passage from a text; 4. Identify, correct, and apply rules of grammar through
analysis of their own writing; 5. Identify the structural and major rhetorical patterns in expository prose readings; 6. Generate
ideas about which to write, using a variety of heuristic methods; 7. Write an essay consisting of introduction, body,
conclusion, with a clear statement of thesis; 8. Write an essay of three or more pages without gross problems with unity,
clarity, development, organization, or coherence; 9. Organize paragraphs into a logical sequence, developing the central idea
of the essay to a logical conclusion; 10. Use sentences of varying structure and type in order to emphasize meaning,
relationship, and importance of ideas; 11. Find books, articles, periodicals, and newspapers related to particular subjects; 12.
Begin integrating the ideas of others through paraphrase, summary, and quotation into a paper that expresses his or her own
voice, position, or analysis; Revise, proofread, and edit essays so they exhibit no gross errors in English grammar, usage, or
punctuation; 13. Begin analyzing and evaluating a piece of writing for its rhetorical and technical merit, with consideration of
the principles of unity, coherence, tone, persona, purpose, methods, and the effects on a target audience; 14. Write an in-class
essay of at least 350 words that is unified, coherent, and relatively free from distracting sentence-writing errors; 15. Assess
credibility of sources and incorporate sources into a paper and document those sources according to MLA or APA style.
Assignments/Requirements (1000 total points):
Six Formal Essays including all drafts and prewrites (600)
Class Participation, including In-Class Essays and all Journal Assignments (200)
Miscellaneous Homework (100)
Final Exam (100)
Grade Distribution: Standard A-F scale. Neither “minus” nor “plus” grades will be given.
Attendance: Attendance is critical, especially in a class devoted to lecture, collective discussion and workshop. More than 3
uncleared absences will result in a significant point reduction (equivalent to your participation grade). There is no make-up
work for missed in-class assignments and no late papers and/or drafts will be accepted for credit. Students who decide
to drop the class must officially do so. Students who miss more than 6 classes should not expect to pass. That said, I
understand the difficulties many community college students face, and I am willing to work with students who are having
trouble attending class for legitimate reasons. However, I must be made aware of difficulties! You have my e-mail address.
Use it!
Classroom Mechanics and Disclaimers: Students are expected to read all materials given, come to class prepared, complete
assignments and offer authentic questions and analysis during class discussions. We will explore various issues in an open (yet
respectful) manner. Having an open mind is necessary, respect for others’ viewpoints is assumed and immature behavior
and/or disruptions will not be tolerated. It is my hope to foster a classroom environment in which students feel comfortable,
and I encourage all questions and comments. I ask that students remain tolerant even in the face of absolute ignorance. There
is no misunderstanding we cannot overcome. Cell Phones: No.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism will not be tolerated. A first infraction will result in a zero for the assignment. The penalty for a
second offense will be far more severe. Please consult the Crafton Hills Catalog for a detailed description of the school’s
plagiarism policy.
Disability Programs and Services: If you have a disability documented by a physician or other appropriate professionals and
wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact the Disabled Student Services at (909) 389-3325. The staff there
will review your concerns and make the necessary accommodations.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
T 1/19
Initial Role and Waitlist / Syllabus
H: Journal
R 1/21
Introductions / Freewriting
H: Books
T 1/26
Introduction to Rhetoric / Apples to Apples / Response
R 1/28
Conflict / Narration Notes / Essay #1 Assigned / Earl Journal
H: Prewriting, Reading
T 2/2
Skittles / Description Notes / Sensory Details Activity
H: Prewriting, Reading
R 2/4
Earl Journal / Narration Activity / Prewriting Groups
T 2/9
Fire Escape / Writing about Visual Images
H: First Draft
R 2/11
The Revision Process / Draft Workshop / MLA Format
H: Final Draft
T 2/16
Exemplification Notes / Prewriting / Essay #2 Assigned
H: Prewriting, Reading
R 2/18
Individual Meetings / Grammar Review
H: Workbook
T 2/23
Grammar Review
H: Workbook, Final Draft
R 2/25
Draft Workshop
T 3/1
Warehouse Store / Division and Classification Notes / D&C Activity
H: Reading
R 3/3
Line in the Sand / Definition Notes / Essay #3 Assigned
H: Prewriting , Reading
T 3/8
Individual Meetings / Introduction to Research / The Wikilink Game
H: Workbook
R 3/10
Introduction to Into the Wild / In-Class Essay #1
H: Reading, First Draft
T 3/22
“Society” Response / Draft Workshop
H: Final Draft
R 3/25
Lock and Key / Process Analysis Notes / Earl Journal
H: Reading
T 3/29
“Far Behind” Response / Cause and Effect Notes / Essay #4 Assigned
H: Prewriting, Reading
R 3/31
Individual Meetings / In-Class Essay #2
T 4/5
Michael: Then and Now / Comparison and Contrast Notes / “Hood”
H: Reading
R 4/7
Draft Workshop / Grammar Review
H: Final Draft
R 4/14
Into the Wild Final Discussion and Text
T 4/19
Essay # 5 Assigned / Watch Penn’s Into the Wild
R 4/21
Finish and Discuss Penn’s Into the Wild
H: First Draft
T 4/26
Draft Workshop / Grammar Review
H: Final Draft
R 4/28
Argumentation and Persuasion / Essay # 6 Assigned
H: Reading
T 5/3
Select Topics / In-Class Essay #3
H: Prewriting
R 5/5
Topic Groups I / Logical Fallacies / Research Models
T 5/10
Advanced Research Workshop / The Wikipedia Game II
R 5/12
Practice Final Exam: Combined Strategies Groups
T 5/17
Practice Final Exam / MLA Format Check
H: First Draft
R 5/19
Topic Groups II/ Draft Workshop
H: Final Draft
T 5/24
Final Exam
Note: This schedule is TENTATIVE, which means it can (and probably will) change. Do not rely solely on this calendar for things like due dates and in-class essay
dates, especially as the semester wears on. If we need extra time on a topic, we will spend it; if we finish early, we’ll move on. Each semester is unique. Realize,
furthermore, that you will receive detailed handouts for certain assignments: formal essays, group presentations, important blog posts, among others.