Beginnings: Dialogue and Power in a Complex World
Coordinated Studies
Fall 2011 – Evening
http://webshare.northseattle.edu/Beginnings2011
FACULTY
Margot Boyer, English
Bob Schuessler, Communication
Office Hours: By appointment.
Office
IB 2310C
IB2307A
Phone
528-4550
528-4544
E-Mail
mboyer@sccd.ctc.edu
rschuess@sccd.ctc.edu
Class Hours: Monday & Wednesday, 5:30-9:30 pm, CC2153.
PROGRAM THEME
This 10-credit Coordinated Studies course, combining credit in English Composition, Literature,
and Communication is designed for all students, and especially for students who are new or
returning to college. We will approach the theme of "Beginnings" by asking what and how you
need to develop at the "beginning" of your college experience, especially focusing on the academic
skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking that will help you succeed.
PROGRAM FORMAT
A coordinated studies program is different from stand-alone courses. In this program we
emphasize a sense of community, where students and faculty learn together. Students are
encouraged to cooperate with each other and be more responsible for their own and others'
learning.
In seminars we will discuss a variety of texts, ask questions, identify central themes, and relate
these works to the world we live in. We’ll work in small groups to talk through knotty issues, and
strengthen writing and critical thinking skills. We’ll look critically at media and talk about how
media shapes our perceptions of the world. We’ll read, think, and write as individuals, and share
the fruits of our work with each other as a community. The faculty team will share lectures and
learning strategies, facilitate the development of your academic skills, and participate as colearners in a democratic community of scholars.
REQUIRED READINGS
This class requires significant reading. Look ahead to see longer reading assignments and plan
accordingly. Bring books for the current week to class. Sometimes you’ll need to bring two or
three texts. Detailed reading assignments are on the class schedule and seminar prep. sheets.
REQUIRED BOOKS
Rose, Mike Lives on the Boundary
Penguin: 0143035460
Wise, Tim
White Like Me
Soft Skull: 9781933368993
Alexie, Sherman
Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian Little, Brown: 0316013692
Jarrar, Randa A Map of Home Penguin: 9780143116264
LeGuin, Ursula
Four Ways to Forgiveness Harper/Perennial: 9780060760298
RECOMMENDED REFERENCE
Lunsford, Andrea
Easy Writer: A Pocket Reference Bedford/St Martins: 9780312594596
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HANDOUTS
Additional handouts will be provided in class.
FILMS AND VIDEOS (some possibilities)
Conversation with Mike Rose, Frozen River, The Color of Fear, The Visitor, Network,
Bamboozled, Blade Runner, Minority Report, Catfish…
REGISTRATION AND CREDITS
Register for two (2) of the following 5-credit classes.
One of THESE:
English Composition
Literature of American Culture
1214
1222
ENGL&101
ENGL258
C3
C3
AND one of THESE:
Small Group Communication
Multicultural Communication
1112
1110
CMST&230
CMST 205
C3
C3
COURSE OUTCOMES
These are the skills we most want you to develop in this class:
 Engage critically and constructively in exchanging concepts and ideas, keeping discussions
and presentations relevant and focused.
 Recognize nonverbal, verbal, and media communication reflecting particular perspectives on
culture, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, and other social memberships.
 Notice the skills you bring to your interactions, and be able to access effective skills in a
given situation.
 Identify and practice interactive and facilitative roles with individual and group members
engaged in cooperative inquiry or work.
 Be able to write an effective and substantive academic paper.
 Respond to complex books and films thoughtfully and effectively, in speech and writing.
 Understand ideas and themes in a variety of sources, and be able to discuss the connections
among them.
 Understand theories, constructs, and models, and apply them to texts and to real-life
situations.
REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
A. Seminars
Active participation in seminars is an essential part of this program. You’ll need to complete
reading assignments on time and attend all seminars. Written preparation is essential: detailed
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assignments will be provided for each seminar.
B. Essays
You’ll write three more formal papers, with the help of peer and faculty feedback, in a process that
includes multiple drafts. Detailed assignments will be provided. Drafts must be ready at the
beginning of the class period when they are due.
C. Communication Case Study
You’ll undertake a two-part communication/media case study and present your work in writing
and in class. Detailed assignment will be provided.
D. Self-Evaluations
You’ll develop up to three reflective pieces on your work and learning in class, using both written
and visual communication, and share these within a small group.
E. Attendance and Class Participation
Participation is central. Your contributions are significant and irreplaceable. We expect you to
attend each class and to participate in all activities. If you are unable to attend, inform the faculty
and your student colleagues, check the schedule, and make up missed work. There is no substitute
for being here.
EXPECTATIONS
As a participant in this Learning Community, we expect you to:
 Be present and ready to start at the beginning of the class, and stay to the end.

Turn assignments in on time on the DUE date.

Turn off cell phones and pagers. Take off headsets. Refrain from texting or other private
communication. No electronic gizmos should be used during class time except with
permission, for a specific learning activity.

Keep your focus on our class. This is not the place to do homework for other classes or
general reading.

A fragrance-free environment is part of the college code. That means no perfume, cologne,
or any heavily scented products.

If you need a break, leave quietly. You don’t need to ask permission.

Eating and drinking in class are okay: we’ll share tea, snacks, and potlucks.

Take responsibility for your own progress: ask questions as they arise and seek help when
the work feels too challenging or confusing.

If you miss class, get in touch with your teachers and student colleagues. Get copies of
assignments, notes, and other materials you missed; ask how to catch up.

Speaking and listening respectfully helps create an environment where we can all be
comfortable and do our best work. We’ll talk more about how to achieve this goal.
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
Devote up to two hours of study outside of class per week for every credit hour earned –
that’s 20 hours per week for reading, writing, viewing, and study.
EVALUATION: You will receive the same grade for all 10 credits based on:
Seminar papers
Communication case study
Essays 1 and 2
Essay 3 (Integrative)
Class participation (seminars, class discussions, evaluations)
Total
20
15
30
20
15
100%
These percentages may be adjusted as the class evolves. Completion of all major assignments is
required for a passing grade. Development of your skills and contributions to the learning
community are an important part of evaluation.
Late work: Late work will lose 10% for each class day that something is late (20% per week),
except in cases of genuine, documented emergency. Seminar papers should be submitted on time:
if accepted, they will loose 25% for each class day they are late.
TO BE HERE, OR NOT TO BE HERE?
We want you in class. Nobody can replace you! Even if you’re having a rough day, feeling down,
or tired – please come. We’ll make our classroom a comfortable and enjoyable place to be.
If you’re ill, though, please stay home. Especially if you have flu symptoms, for your well being
and ours, take care of yourself. Send us an e-mail; ask your colleagues for notes. We look forward
to seeing you 24 hours after your fever has come down.
FACULTY COMMITMENT
We want to help you to succeed. We are available to meet to discuss issues or problems that come
up, before they overwhelm you – or us. We can usually help you work out a solution and help
identify resources in the college to support you. Your instructors are open to suggestions for
improvement in all aspects of the program. We will be asking for your feedback.
Coordinated studies classes are exciting and demanding, for both students and faculty. Your
teachers have put many hours into planning this course, but your ideas and energy will determine
what it becomes. We look forward to discovering new beginnings with you.
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