ENG 101-1007 Composition I
Spring Semester 2016
Instructor: Sara Netto
Class Meeting: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:30-3:45 PM
Location: Carson Campus, Reynolds Building, Room 114
Instructor email: sara.netto@wnc.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 4:00-5:00 PM and Thursdays from 1:30-2:00 PM
in BRIS 350H or by appointment.
Credits: 3
Academic Division: Liberal Arts
Prerequisites or Co-requisites: ENG 098, ENG 099 - ENG 098 with a grade of C- or better, or ENG 099
with a grade of C- or better, or appropriate score on WNC placement examination or equivalent
examination
Course Description
Study expository writing with special attention to the modes, arrangement and style. Students
learn to write essays which are unified, thorough, clear and convincing. They learn the research,
reasoning and organizational skills necessary for effective academic and research writing.
Course Objectives and Linkage to General Education
The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in the procedures and skills necessary to write
clear and effective college-level prose for the academic environment. The information in the
parentheses after a course objective refers to the specific general education (GE) learning
outcome that the objective meets. Objectives without this information are not linked to WNC’s
general education program.
Students who pass this course must demonstrate they can:
1. Approach writing as a process.
2. Present substantially error-free prose suitable in style and content to the purpose of the
document and the audience (GE 2).
3. Establish a thesis about a contemporary or enduring social issue and support the claim
with appropriate reasoning and evidence (GE 10).
4. Locate, evaluate, and correctly use information from multiple, appropriate resources to
complete an argumentative research paper (GE 4).
5. Write quality essays and assignments that demonstrate knowledge of either the Modern
Language Association [MLA] or the American Psychological Association’s [APA] style
manual (GE 2).
Grading Breakdown
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
Percent Range
94-100
90-93
86-89
83-85
80-82
76-79
73-75
70-72
60-69
0-59
Comments
Outstanding Work
Excellent Work
Very Good Work
Good Work
Decent Work
Above Average Work
Average Work
Below Average Work
Not Passing Work
Failing Work
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Required Texts
* Trimmer, Joseph F. The River Reader. 11th Edition. Wadsworth Publishing: 2013.
ISBN-13: 9781133310310
* Optional: Style or Writing Manual such as Rules for Writers or The Bedford Handbook—see
me for more information.
A Note about the Rigor of This Course
You will be tasked with a significant amount of reading and writing in this course, and it may
very well be more than you’ve done in high school classes or other college courses. Keep in mind
that for all college courses, you are supposed to dedicate double the amount of time you spend in
class for reading, completing assignments, and studying outside of class. This means that as a 3
unit/3 hour a week course, you should schedule in an average of 6 hours every week to complete
your readings, work on essays, do reading responses, and study the materials. If you put in effort,
come to every class, and turn in every assignment on time, I can almost guarantee you will pass
this course. Please come see me for help if you feel overwhelmed or are falling behind.
Grading Criteria
Participation/In Class Work
Reading Responses/HW
Essay 1
Essay 2
Essay 3
In Class Final Exam
15%
15%
15%
15%
30%
10%
Participation/In Class Work
To get full participation points, you must be present and actively complete any assigned activities.
These points may be earned by successfully participating in group activities and class discussions
as well as finishing short writing assignments and quizzes. If you are late, leave early, or are
absent, then you will miss some or all of the participation points for that day, and these points
cannot be made up.
A Note about Feedback on and Submitting Written Work
All writing assignments, including reading responses and essays, should be turned in at the
beginning of class typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman or similar black font, and in MLA
format. Email turn-ins should only be used for emergencies, and should not be your normal way
of turning in assignments. If you email an assignment on the due date, then you must turn in a
hard copy the next class, or you will not get credit for it. I will not mark every error that you
make in typed reading responses and essays, especially grammatical and mechanics errors. I will
give you feedback on major and repeated errors that you make, but you are expected to turn in
work that is revised and proofread to the best of your abilities. For more feedback, please come
see me during office hours or visit a tutor in the Academic Skills Center.
Reading Responses
Reading Responses are short writing assignments to check your engagement with the readings
that you must complete before each class, unless otherwise instructed. They help me to give you
more feedback on your writing throughout the course and see how well you have understood the
material. The instructions for these reading responses will be listed on the course schedule and/or
announced in class. Each response should be about 200-250 words long (approximately one-half
to two-thirds of a page typed and double-spaced). You are expected to engage with any questions
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posed and the readings in depth. These responses will be graded on a simple check-plus (100%),
check (80-90%), check-minus (60-75%) scale based on their critical thinking, development with
examples, and clarity of prose. You should use 1-3 well-chosen quotes to back up your thoughts
about the readings, and specific examples and explanations throughout. Turn these in at the
beginning of the class for full possible points. One reading response may be turned in late without
a penalty; after that, you will lose points for late reading responses. Each reading response will be
worth 1% of your total grade.
Essay 1 (Rhetorical Analysis) and Essay 2 (Argument)
These essays must be 3-5 pages long and in MLA format. You will get the instructions for these
essays closer to the due dates; assigned essay outlines will be included in the overall score. The
essays will require in depth reading, strong structure, and clear prose to earn a high grade; they
will be graded based on a rubric that I will familiarize with you ahead of the due date. You can
turn in ONE of these two essays up to ONE WEEK LATE with no penalty. After one week, I
will not accept your late essay. If you have already turned in Essay 1 late, then you need to turn
in Essay 2 on time. In my experience, more students struggle and fall behind in class when there
are too many opportunities to turn in late assignments. You will get the directions for the essays
several weeks before the due dates, and should not put off working on them until the last minute.
It is your responsibility to work on your essay as a process, so that you will have at least a draft to
turn in by the due date!
After these essays are returned to you, will have Three Weeks to rewrite and/or revise them for a
higher grade. You must make substantial revisions based on my feedback to earn a higher grade.
Any essay written off topic or that receives a non-passing grade should be revised.
Essay 3 (Argumentative Research Paper)
This essay is a 6-8-page long argumentative research paper; you will have some choice over your
topic, but there will be restrictions. You will have to present an original argument on an issue and
provide research from various scholarly sources to support it. Included in the worth of this
assignment are a proposal, an annotated bibliography, an outline, and a rough draft all of which
you will be given more instructions on later in the semester. This essay will be due close to the
end of the semester, and may NOT be turned in late. You will not be able to pass this course
without turning in this essays.
Final Exam
This exam will consist of a mixture of short responses and short essay questions to be completed
during one class period at the end of the semester. This will test your knowledge of the reading
materials and your writing abilities and will be graded on a rubric similar to your out-of-class
essay rubrics. This exam must be taken on the day it is given in class unless there are extreme
circumstances.
Expected Classroom Etiquette
For this course, and all other college courses, you are expected by your instructor and fellow
classmates to conduct yourself in a way that promotes and maintains a positive learning
environment. Behavior that disrupts the learning environment is not permitted. To this end, cell
phones and other electronic devices must be kept silent and out of sight during class. Also, no
eating is allowed in the classroom, and all drinks should be kept in closed containers.
Furthermore, always strive to be respectful, inclusive, and considerate of your instructor and
fellow classmates during class discussions by listening thoughtfully to others and only letting one
person speak at a time.
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Transfer Information
This course is designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or transfer to other schools within the
Nevada System of Higher Education, depending on the degree chosen and other courses
completed. It may transfer to colleges and universities outside Nevada. For information about
how this course can transfer and apply to your program of study, please contact a counselor.
Academic Honesty Statement
The College is committed to academic integrity in all its practices. Cheating on papers, tests or
other academic works is a violation of College rules. No student shall engage in behavior that, in
the judgment of the instructor of the class, may be construed as cheating. This may include, but is
not limited to, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty such as the acquisition without
permission of tests or other academic materials and/or distribution of these materials and other
academic work. This includes students who aid and abet as well as those who attempt such
behavior. BUYING an essay or willfully submitting someone else's work as your own are
instances of academic dishonesty that will result in failure of the class, at the very least. In
addition, you may not turn in papers written for another class to fulfill the assignments for this
one. Acts of academic dishonesty will result in an F grade for an assignment or for the course,
based upon the discretion of the instructor. Please refer to the student handbook for more
information of the College’s academic dishonesty policies.
Withdrawing or Dropping this Course
In order to withdraw from a class, a student must fill out the requisite paperwork before the final
withdrawal date. I will not withdraw you from this course; you must do it yourself. You will not be given a
grade of “W” if you stop attending class. You will earn a grade for work completed during the semester
unless you properly drop the course through the registration office. If a student simply stops attending
class, or fails to turn in major assignments, a grade of “F” will be issued as the final grade. The last date to
drop this course with a “W” is 04/01/2016. The last day to change this course from credit to audit is
04/01/2016.
Tutoring and Getting Help for the Course
Students are strongly encouraged to seek additional help and feedback on their writing throughout the
semester. The WNC Academic Skills Center employs tutors who will assist you in your efforts. Visit the
Academic Skills Center website at http://www.wnc.edu/studentservices/asc/ to review tutoring hours and
more detailed contact information. Call 775-445-4260 to reach the Academic Skills Center on the Carson
Campus. Free online tutoring is also available through Brainfuse and Smarthinking for WNC
students. Access Smarthinking through the "Help" menu in Canvas. Access Brainfuse by using the link
provided on the library's web page: http://library.wnc.edu/
Students with Disabilities
Western Nevada College supports providing equal access for students with disabilities. This syllabus is
available in alternate format upon request. If you have a disability for which you will need to request
accommodations, please contact Susan Trist, Coordinator for Disability Support Services at 775445-3268 or susan.trist@wnc.edu as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
Right of Revision Statement
To better meet the needs of my students, I reserve the right to alter or revise the contents of this
syllabus and the course schedule of assignments and due dates at any time throughout the
semester.
*Your continued enrollment in this course means that you agree to the terms and conditions set
out in this document.
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ENG 101-1007 Composition I
Tentative Course Schedule
**All readings and assignments are due the date they are listed next to. All readings are
from The River Reader 11th edition textbook, unless otherwise noted (see syllabus for
more textbook details). *Reading and Assignment due dates could change throughout the
semester.
RR=Reading Response-see syllabus for more details.
Week Day and
Topics Covered Reading Due
Assignments Due
Date
1
Tues 01/26 *Icebreaker
None
None
*Introduction to
class
*Go Over
Syllabus
Thurs
*Reading
None
None
01/28
Basics—Active
Reading and
Annotating
*Writing
Diagnostic
2
Tues 02/02 *Rhetorical
All of the
Analysis
Introduction to The
*Essay 1
River Reader
Directions
*Writing Basics
*Essay
Structure
Overview
Thurs
*Narration and
1) Narration and
RR-1-What is Cofer’s
02/04
Description
Description—the
main point and what
*Brainstorming introduction
strategies does she
and Outlining
2) “The Myth of the
use to make her
Latin Woman” by
point?
Judith Ortiz Cofer
3
Tues 02/09 *Narration
1) “Digging” by
RR-2—What do you
*Thesis
Andre Dubus
think Dubus’s
Statements
purpose is and how
does he attempt to
achieve that purpose?
Thurs
*Narration
1) “Shooting an
RR-3-How does
02/11
*Using the
Elephant” by George Orwell present
Text: Quote,
Orwell
himself in his
Paraphrase, or
narrative? Is he
Summarize
likeable or
trustworthy? Why or
why not?
5
4
5
6
Tues 02/16 *Process
Analysis
*Paragraph
Structure
*Topic
Sentences
Thurs
*Process
02/18
Analysis
*Introductions
and Conclusions
1) Process Analysis
introduction
2) “When You Camp
Out Do It Right” by
Ernest Hemingway
Essay 1-Rhetorical
Analysis Outline Due
1) “Third World
Driving Hints and
Tips” by P.J.
O’Rourke
Tues 02/23 *Comparison
and Contrast
*MLA
Format—in text
citations and
works cited
page
Thurs
*Comparison
02/25
and Contrast
*Editing Basics
1) Comparison and
Contrast introduction
2) “Two Views of the
River” by Mark
Twain
RR 4—What is the
effect of the use of
small sections and
titles in this essay?
What is the author’s
purpose?
RR-5- What is
Twain’s purpose in
this essay? What
techniques does he
use to achieve that
purpose? Are they
effective?
None
Tues 03/01 *Division and
Classification
*Essay 2
Directions
*Revising
Basics
Thurs
03/03
7
8
Library Day?
*Division and
Classification
*Run-ons
Tues 03/08 Library Day?
*Division and
Classification
*Fragments
Thurs
*Definition
03/10
*Punctuation
Tues 03/15 *Persuasion and
Argument
*Logic Basics
Thurs
*Persuasion and
03/17
Argument
1) “Remembering My
Childhood on the
Continent of Africa”
by David Sedaris
1) Division and
Classification
introduction
2) “Cranks,
Eccentrics, and
Individuals” by Louis
Kronenberger
1) “The Order of
Things” by Malcolm
Gladwell
Essay 1 Due
RR 6--TBA
Revelation
RR 7
The Lesson
Essay 2- Outline Due
The Rights of
Animals
RR 8
What’s Wrong with
Animal Rights?
RR 9
6
9
Tues 03/22
10
Thurs
03/24
Tues 03/29
11
Thurs
03/31
Tues 04/05
Thurs
04/07
12
Tues 04/12
Thurs
04/14
13
*Inductive
Reasoning
SPRING
BREAK
SPRING
BREAK
*Narrowing
Topics
*Researching
*Essay 3
Directions
*Persuasion
*Fallacies
*Definition
*Logic
continued
*The Annotated
Bibliography
*Definition
*Cause and
Effect
*Cause and
Effect
Tues 04/19 *Persuasion
Thurs
04/21
*Family Topics
14
Tues 04/26 *Family
15
Thurs
Film
04/28
Tues 05/03 *Family
16
Thurs
Peer Review
05/05
Tues 05/10 *Family
Thurs
05/12
Film
The Penalty of Death
Essay 2 Due
Execution
RR 10
Pain
RR 11
On Morality
Research Proposal
Due
Of Riot, Murder, and
the Heat of Passion
RR 12
The Ones Who Walk
Away from Away
Omelas
Harrison Bergeron
RR 13
Mother Tongue
Arranging a Marriage
in India
A Tale of Two
Divorces
In Search of the Good
Family
Annotated
Bibliography Due
RR 14-
None
Essay 3 Outline Due
Under the Influence
Stone Soup
None
Women and the
Future of Fatherhood
Everyday Use
None
None
Essay 3 Rough Draft
Due
None
Essay 3 due (Research
Paper)
7
17
Tues 05/17 Prepare for
Final Exam
Study!
Thurs
05/19
Study!
Final Exam
RR 15-Reflect on
your strengths and
weaknesses as a
writer, what you have
learned, and what you
still need to improve
on.
None
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