HCC- Central campus 288 Spr 2011 Second Start
English composition 1301
1301.66382 Gay 117 Tue 8-10; Gay 113 Thu 8-10am
Instructor: S.Worley , Ph.D.
Contact: English Dept and (home tel: 281-360-7196 use email first, please:
Sharon.worley@hccs.edu)
Office hours: 11-12pm
Catalogue description: A course devoted to improving the student’s writing and critical
reading. Writing essays for a variety of purposes from personal to academic, including
an introduction to argumentations, critical analysis, and the use of sources. Prerequisite:
A satisfactory assessment score, completion of Engl 0310, or for non-native speakers)
ENGL 0349. Credit: 3 semester hours (3 lecture hours.)
ADA Statement: HCC adheres to federal, state and local rules and guidelines concerning
accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have a disability, contact student
services and notify the instructor.
Required textbooks: Maimon et al. The New McGraw-Hill Handbook, 2009; Peterson and
Brereton. The Norton Reader. 12th ed., 2008.
Reference: Thesaurus; Standard American English Dictionary; MLA Handbook
www.PurdueOWL.edu online MLA reference and formatting guide
Course requirements:
Attendance: 05% Students are required to attend class regularly and participate in group
activities and class discussion. Your grade is based upon the completion of weekly inclass writing assignments which must be collected in a folder and turned in on the last
day of class. Assignments are dated, distributed in class, and cannot be made up if you
are absent.
Midterm and Final exam. Two exams will be given which include multiple choices
questions and one essay. 30% Bring scantrons 882E and Bluebooks.
Four expository essays 10% each (40%)
One research paper (25%)
Paper Assignments:
All papers must be typed doubled-spaced with one inch margins. See MH . Use
MLA source citation (author, page) and attach a Works Cited page. Include a
formal outline with the first essay and research paper. See MH. Bring two copies of
rough drafts of assignments to class one week prior to due date for peer review and
editing. Save all graded assignments in a folder for teacher-student conference
during the last day of class.
ESSAY ASSIGNMENTS:
Late papers will be penalized 5 points per week.
1) Summary and analysis: Write a 3-5 page summary of Barbara Tuchman’s “This is
the end of the world: The Black Death.” Norton p.779. See Part 2 ch 7 McGraw-Hill for
instructions. Include a formal outline. Due Mar 8 (rough draft due Mar 1)
2) Informative report: .Choose a current events topic on science, medicine, or the
environment. Use internet news and information sources. See Part 2 ch 8 McGraw-Hill
for instructions. Due Mar 29 (rough draft due Mar 24)
3) Interpretive analysis: Write a 3-5 page interpretive analysis of Virginia Woolf’s “In
Search of Room of One’s Own.” Norton p.1074 or E.B.White “Once More to the Lake.”
Norton p.93. See Part 2 ch 9 MH p. 183 for instructions. Due Apr 12 (rough draft due
Apr 5)
4) Argument: Write an argument essay using the Toulmin model about animal rights.
See ch 10 McGraw-Hill. Read Tom Regan’s “The Case for Animal Rights” Norton
p.691 and Carl Cohen’s “The Case for the Use of Animals in Biomedical Research.” NR
718. See Part 2 ch 10 MH p. 210 for instructions. Due Apr 26 (rough draft due Apr
19)
5) Research: Write a 7-10 pp. research paper based on a contemporary newsworthy
topic, i.e. environment, politics, criminal justice, medicine. Develop a strong thesis and
point of view. See Part 3 MH for instructions. Include a bibliography of at least 5
additional sources. Use MLA source citation and attach a Works Cited page. Include a
formal outline. Thesis topic and annotated bibliography due Apr 5. Final draft due
May 3.
Proposed calendar
Feb 15 Class Begins McGraw-Hill Part 1
In-class assignment 1: interview
MH Part 1
In-class assignment 2: choosing and narrowing a thesis topic
Feb 22 MH ch 24 Research paper assignment and Library Orientation Tour
Mar 1 MH Part 2 Essay 1 rough draft Summary due
In-class assignment 3 descriptive essay NR (Norton Reader): John Muir “ A Windstorm
in the Forest”
(NR) Angelou p.34 and Hurston p. 43
In-class assignment 4 first person narration
Mar 8 MH Part 3 Essay 1 Summary due
In-class assignment 5 comparison and contrast (NR, Angelou and Hurston)
MAR 15 – 17 NO CLASS SPRING BREAK
Mar 22 Tues Midterm Exam
Thurs Mar 24 MH Part 4 NR Mitford “Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain”
In-class assignment 6 process analysis rough draft Essay 2 Informative Report due
Mar 29 NR Nussbaum “The Idea of World Citizenship”NR 1174; Becker “Democracy
In-class assignment 7 definition essay
Thesis topic, Essay 2 Informative Report paper due
Apr 5 rough draft Essay 3 Interpretive Analysis due NR Machiavelli “Morals of the
Prince”865; Jefferson “Declaration of Independence” 876
In class assignment 8 comparison-contrast
Apr 12 Essay 3 Interpretive Analysis due
MH Part 8-9 Steingraber “Pesticides, Animals and Humans” handout
In-class assignment 9 cause and effect
Apr 19 MH Part 7 rough draft Essay 4 Argument essay due
Apr 26 Essay 4 Argument essay due
May 3 folders due Research paper due/
Thursday May 12 Final exam