Critical Thinking and Composition
English 125: 3 Units
Fall 2015
Michelle Bagwell
MWF 11:00-12:15
Tuesdays – 6:00 PM – 8:50 PM (741)
Office: MWF 8:30-9:30 am
Email: mbagwell@napavalley.edu
IMPORTANT SEMESTER DATES – THESE ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
LATE ADD PERIOD – August 17th – August 28th
LAST DAY TO DROP TO RECEIVE A REFUND – September 4th
LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT A “W” GRADE – September 4th
LAST DAY TO DROP WITH “W” – November 13th
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and Success Criteria
SLO A. –Demonstrate an ability to read, comprehend, and critically analyze works of non-fiction.
SLO B. – Demonstrate an understanding and proficiency in applying the principles of exposition and argument.
SLO C. – Demonstrate research and documentation skills.
Catalog Description: Prerequisite: ENGL 120. This course develops logical reasoning skills through the analysis
and generation of written arguments. It focuses on the relationship of language to logic; the abilities to analyze,
criticize, advocate ideas; and to reason inductively and deductively. It includes both analysis and writing of
argumentative essays to develop critical and creative thinking, reading, and writing skills. Progress in specific
writing skills and will be developed through instruction in the writing process—particularly revision – and
instruction in building arguments, avoiding faulty reasoning, and using evidence effectively, Approximately 6,000 to
8,000 words of writing are required.
Reading Assignments: Students will be required to read 30-50 pages per week of expository and argumentationfiction which emulate a variety of cultures and perspectives. Students will be required to critically analyze and
respond to the ideas in argumentation essays, others texts (classical literature/plays), and related media.
English 125 – Course Overview – Page 2
Students need to familiarize themselves with the “Academic Integrity” policy located in the Fall 2015 Napa
Valley College Schedule of Classes, online.
Students in need of accommodations in the college learning environment: – Any student who feels s/he may need
an accommodation based on the impact of a learning disability should contact Learning Services in the Library and
Learning Resource Center (LLRC), room 1766, phone (707) 256-7442. A Learning Disability Specialist will review
your needs and determine appropriate accommodations. If you need accommodations for physical or other types of
disabilities, schedule an appointment with DSPS Counselor, Sheryl Fernandez, in the Counseling Department
located in the 1300 building, phone (707) 256-7220 for appointment. By law, all information and documentation is
confidential. Also, please feel encouraged to make an appointment with me privately to discuss your specific
learning needs. Students with accommodations must provide written documentation from the appropriate authority
at least two weeks in advance of use them.
Attendance: Your attendance is not only crucial for your success in English 125 but also mandatory for the class to
function properly. Also, in this class, you will be assigned to a team and your attendance is paramount to your
group’s success in various class activities. Remember: You are accountable for your success in this class.
Attendance will be taken during each class.
Absences mount up quickly. Emergencies do arise. So, if you know that you will need to miss more than the
allowable number during this semester, you need to speak to the instructor immediately. If any student should miss
more than the allowable absences, without the instructor being notified – within 24 hours of these absences – that
student may be AUTOMATICALLY DROPPED FROM THE CLASS. In addition, late arrivals and/or early
departures are disruptions; therefore, make every effort to be in class on time and plan to stay for the duration of the
class.
Make-Up Exams for In-class Essays: Taking a make-up exam is a privilege not a right. I will allow make-ups
under the following conditions:
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Illness, providing you supply me with a doctor’s note
Planned absence, providing you have notified me one week in advance and that I have approved the
absence. (Vacations are not a legitimate excuse).
Evaluation of Student’s Work:
Point Scoring System: All assigned work is graded on a point system. Point totals will vary on quizzes (some
unannounced) and home work. Journal entries, tests, and essay rough drafts and final essays drafts will be scored on
the point system.
1) 75% of grade: You will write between 6,000-8,000 graded words over the course of the semester. The
Instructor reserves the right to change and amend any assignments. These assignments will consist of essays;
rough drafts; group/individual presentations; in-class mid-term, and an argument/research project (of at least 10
pages in length of or at least 2,500 words). These assignments are due and accepted only on their assigned due
dates. For some of these we will have writer’s workshops. Essays, short responses, (except those done in-class)
and the mini-research project must be typed, double-spaced, and follow MLA guidelines.
Essay final drafts are worth up to 50pts. Writer’s Workshop up to 10 pts./Rough Drafts up to 10 pts.
Argument/Research Project (and preliminary assignments) is worth up to 100 points.
Journal entries are worth up to 20 points unless otherwise noted by the Instructor.
2) 25% of grade: Class work, paragraph writing, tests, quizzes, homework, attendance and class participation.
English 125 – Course Overview – Page 3
READ OVER CAREFULLY
Submissions Requirements:
Essays: Must be at least four (4+) full pages (approx. 1,000+ words) in length. All outside-of-class essays are to be
typed in 12 point standard font, double-spaced, and in MLA format for in-text documentation, works cited entries,
and paper set-up. Also, all typed work must be in Times (New) Roman. Final drafts of all outside of class essays
which are handwritten will not be accepted. The MLA format will be reviewed. Word count must appear under
MLA header.
Short Response Papers/Journal Entries: These will vary in length, (generally 250+ words). All outside-of-class
short response papers are to be typed in 12 point standard font, double-spaced, and in MLA format for in-text
documentation, works cited entries, and paper set-up. Also, all typed work must be in Times (New) Roman. Word
count must appear under MLA header.
In-class mid-term(s): Handwritten work will only be accepted if it is written in black or dark blue ink, written on
only one side of each sheet of paper, and double-spaced. In class mid-term must be at least 750+ words (calculation
formula will be provided). Any submissions which do not following these criteria will not be accepted.
Mini-Research Projects: Must be at least ten (10) full pages (approx. 2,500 words). The criteria will be given
within the first few weeks of the semester. You will have several preliminary assignments in regards to your project.
In addition, you will need to have at least five (5) outside credible sources: website/essays/magazine/academic
sources/etc. We will schedule library visits for working on your projects.
Homework: Handwritten work will only be accepted if it is written in black or dark blue ink, written on only one
side of each sheet of paper, and double-spaced. Any submissions which do not following these criteria will not be
accepted. Typed homework (set up in the proper MLA format) is always appreciated.
Writing Center: Students may sign up for English 84 in the WCenter or use drop-in hours. Not only will the
instructional assistants help you with your work in this course but they will also design a program of exercises to
address specific problems that you have with your writing. English 125 moves quickly, the workload is heavy, and
there is little time to remediate problems with grammar, punctuation, and spelling. I highly recommend the WCenter
to all of my students. Students who do enroll in the Writing Center and complete the assignments, etc, will receive
10 extra credit points at the end of the semester.
Classroom Etiquette: Students should come to class prepared; homework will be collected at the beginning of class
unless otherwise stated. Also, if a student’s behavior impedes the learning environment of the class, he or she will be
told to leave. The student will not be allowed to rejoin the class until permission is granted by the Dean of LADS
and the Instructor.
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Cell phones and iPhones must be turned off for the duration of the class.
Text messaging is not allowed. Laptops and iPods are not allowed. Laptops will be allowed the (assigned)
week we work on research papers.
Food is not allowed. Drinks (water, coffee, tea, sodas) are allowed.
Harassment of any kind (implied, written, oral or physical) toward any member of the class or the
instructor, or disruptive behavior, will not be tolerated (see NVC Catalog).
Plagiarism: Plagiarism, whether intentional or accidental, is an offense punishable by failure of this course.
You may be asked to submit an email attachment of your research paper and other papers. Having someone
extensively write and revise your writing is also dishonest and a form of plagiarism. All essays must
contain the student’s original work, or else they must be thoroughly documented/cited.
English 125 – Course Overview – Page 4
Further Information: Remember that for every hour a student spends in class, he or she should plan to spend at
least two+ hours in outside preparation for each class meeting. This class meets three (3) hours per week, so plan to
succeed in this class a total of at least 6+ hours a week outside of class must become a reality.
Do not hesitate to contact me, by email if you have any questions, concerns, or problems which are class related. I
typically respond within 24 hours. Also, speak slowing and clearly when leaving a return phone number. Please
remember that it is best to reach me, by phone, before 6PM in the evenings. I am more flexible by email.
STAY in the moment: One skill with which you may struggle and that will have a significant effect on your grade
in this class in your ability to capture, in writing, the essential elements of an argument. While the cliché “practice
makes perfect” is not always true, we also know that to learn a musical instrument, we need to put in a lot of work.
But, you may be thinking, this isn’t a music class. I didn’t sign up for this class to learn to play the flute, the piano,
or for that matter, the guitar. It’s an English class! True, but learning to understand an argument is no more innate or
natural than learning to play a musical instrument; just because you talk and read does not mean that you know how
to critically analyze what someone else is saying and writing. Skills need to be mastered through understanding and
practice. Stay in the moment and use the arts of listening, gestating, and evaluating to aid you in the ability to
critically analyze another’s argument. Research has found that multi-tasking inhibits one’s ability to master the
ability to develop his/her critical thinking among other things. So devote time in this class to this class and your
success.
REMEMBER that it is your responsibility to drop the class and inform the instructor immediately. Failure to
do so will result in your receiving an “F” for your final grade in the class. ALSO, stay up-to-date with
important dates on the semester calendar and as they apply to you.
Consider the following:
From poet Robert Frost: “To learn to write is to learn to have ideas.”
From novelist/essayist E.M. Forster: “How can I know what I think until I see what I say?”