ENG 102-1006: Composition II
Spring Semester 2016
Instructor: Sara Netto
Instructor Contact Info: sara.netto@wnc.edu
Class Meetings: Wednesdays from 9:00-11:45 AM
Location: Carson Campus, Bristlecone Building, Room 343
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: ENG 100, ENG 101
Course Description
Continues the study of expository writing. Students read and analyze writing and discursive
techniques of interpretation, argument, and research.
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation of knowledge that allows students to further their
study of Literature and/or apply knowledge to meet their personal and professional needs. 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.
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
1. Present substantially error-free prose suitable in style and content to the purpose of the
document and the audience. (GE 2)
2. Recognize, analyze, and apply the elements of various genres (types) of literature.
3. Understand and use critical thinking and creativity to select and apply terms used to analyze
literature suitable for arguments regarding literary texts. (GE 9) (GE 7)
4. Discuss, research, and write about literature with critical insight, precision and clarity. (GE 4)
Topics
1. Short Stories
2. Poetry
3. Literary Research and/or Criticism
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/Materials
* Schilb, John and John Clifford. Making Literature Matter: An Anthology for
Readers and Writers, 6th Edition. Macmillan: 2015. ISBN-13: 978-1-4576-7415-0
* 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
In Class Participation
Reading Responses
Essay 1 (Short Story Analysis)
Essay 2 (Poetry Analysis)
Essay 3 (Research Paper)
Final Creative Project
15%
15%
15%
15%
30%
10%
In Class Participation
To get full participation points for each class, you must be present and 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 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 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 250-300 words long (approximately 2/3-1 page).
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You are expected to engage with any questions 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. You
may turn in ONE late reading response over the course of the semester—after that, you must turn
in all reading responses on time, or you will not earn credit. Each reading response will be worth
1.5% of your grade, but I will drop your lowest score.
Essay 1 (Poetry Analysis) and Essay 2 (Fiction Analysis)
These are literary analysis essays that must be 3-5 pages long. You will get the instructions for
these essays at least two weeks before the due dates. These 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. I encourage you to come see me during office
hours or visit a tutor in the Academic Skills Center if you need help working on or revising your
essays. 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.
Essays that do not follow directions or are written significantly below the college level will not
receive a passing grade. Any essay written off topic or that receives a non-passing grade should
be revised.
Essay 3 (Argumentative Literary Research Paper)
This essay is a 6-8 page long research paper that will focus on one or more pieces of literature
and include literary criticism and other research to support your own original thesis. This essay
will be due close to the end of the semester, and may NOT be turned in late. You must turn in
this essay to pass the course.
Final Creative Project
These will be turned in and/or presented during the last class of the semester. You must take
direct inspiration from one or more literary works we’ve discussed during the semester (or you
can get alternatives approved by me) and form an original project, at least somewhat artistic in
nature. Examples of creative projects could be short stories, poems, creative food, collages,
paintings, sketches, short videos, and homemade costumes. We will discuss more specifics later
in the semester, but you will have to turn in 250-300 words (about one page) describing your
inspiration and your project.
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
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fellow classmates during class discussions by listening thoughtfully to others and only letting one
person speak at a time.
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, Dropping, or Auditing 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. Furthermore, 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 775-445-3268
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.
*Continued Enrollment in this course means that you agree to abide by the terms set out in this document.
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ENG 102-1006 Composition II
Course Schedule
*All Readings and Assignments are due on the date they are listed next to and from the
course textbook, Making Literature Matter 6th edition, unless otherwise noted.
*RR=Reading Response (see syllabus for more details).
Week Day and
Topics Discussed Reading Due
Assignments Due
Date
1
Wed 01/27 *Icebreaker
None
None
*Discuss
Syllabus
*Sample Poem
*Writing
Diagnostic
2
Wed 02/03 *Essay Structure 1)Read Ch 2 p. 16RR1- Analyze the
*Poetry
27 and p. 40-46
words and images
Introduction
(including the
Roethke uses. What is
*Essay 1
poems on those
the tone of this poem?
Instructions
pages)
What do you suppose
2) Read Ch 5 p. 136- the speaker’s
153
relationship with his
3) “My Papa’s
father is like? Use
Waltz” Theodore
specific examples
Roethke p. 264-265 from the poem to
make your point.
3
Wed 02/10 *Arguing about
1)Read Ch 3 p. 47RR2- Analyze the use
Literature
68
of imagery (language
*Continue Poetry 2) “Harlem”
that appeals to your
Analysis
Langston Hughes p. five senses) these
3) “Heritage” Linda Hogan and Hughes
Hogan p. 288-290
poem and explore
what the purpose of
such language might
be.
4
Wed 02/17 *The Writing
Poetry
RR3 The Owen and
Process
1) Read Ch 4 p. 81- Blake poems deal
*Continue Poetry 113
with social or political
Analysis
2) “Dulce Et
issues. Analyze the
Decorum Est”
message of one of the
Wilfred Owen p.
poems and how that
1514-1516
message is
3) “The Chimney
communicated
Sweeper” William
through the poem’s
Blake p. 1058-1059 language.
5
Wed 02/24 * MLA format
Poetry
RR4-This poem is a
Review and
1) Read Ch 6 p. 187- dramatic monologue.
Using Sources
201
What does the
5
*Poetry with
Characters
* Presentation in
Library from
10:30-11:45
6
Wed 03/02 *Fiction
Introduction
7
Wed 03/09 Fiction
*Unsympathetic
Protagonists
8
Wed 03/16 Fiction
*Fairytale
Variations
9
Wed 03/23 SPRING
BREAK
Wed 03/30 Fiction
(04/01
*Science-Fiction
Last day to *Directions for
drop with
Research Paper
“W”)
10
2) “My Last
Duchess” Robert
Browning p. 10641067
1)Read Ch 5 p. 115136
2) “The Story of an
Hour” Kate Chopin
p. 647-649
1)“A Good Man is
Hard to Find”
Flannery O’Connor
p. 1173-1186
2) “The Use of
Force” William
Carlos Williams p.
1333-1336
3) “A Rose for
Emily” William
Faulkner p. 11021109
speaker tell you about
himself directly, and
what can you infer
about him and his last
duchess (his dead
wife) from what he
does or doesn’t say?
Essay 1—Poetry
Analysis Due
RR5—All three
stories feature flawed
central characters.
Argue why one of the
three characters is
more likeable or
sympathetic than the
others. Use specific
examples to make
your point.
1) “Little Red
Riding Hood”
Charles Perrault p.
1393-1396
2) “Little Red Cap”
Jacob and Wilhelm
Grimm p. 13961399
3) “The Company of
Wolves” Angela
Carter p. 1400-1408
NO Class
RR6—How does
Carter’s modern
retelling of the
fairytale differ from
the two earlier
versions? How does
her purpose differ
from the purposes of
the other authors?
1) “Harrison
Bergeron” Kurt
Vonnegut p. 13871392
2) “The Ones Who
Walk Away from
Omelas” Ursula Le
Guin p. 864-869
RR7—Science
Fiction often
discusses some issue
with society or human
nature and then
highlights and
exaggerates that issue
in some bizarre future
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3) “Mars Is Heaven”
Ray Bradbury p.
1367-1381
or hypothetical
scenario. Discuss in
depth the issue at play
in one of the stories
and how the
unrealistic elements
help us to see the
issue through fresh
eyes.
Essay 2—Fiction
Analysis Due
11
Wed 04/06 *Finish Fiction
Analysis
*Watch Birdman
and compare
with Carver story
1)“What We Talk
About When We
Talk about Love”
Raymond Carver p.
655-665
12
Wed 04/13 * Literary
Research Paper
Examples
RR8-TBA
13
Wed 04/20 Drama
14
Wed 04/27 Drama
15
Wed 05/04 Drama
-Final Creative
Project
Directions
Wed 05/11 Watch Film
Wed 05/18 Final Creative
Projects
Presentations and
Discussion
1) “The Yellow
Wallpaper”
Charlotte Perkins
Gilman p. 231-245
2) Read Ch 6 p. 245256
3) Read p. 202-221
1) Read Ch 5 p. 154171
2) Antigone
Sophocles p. 12401259 (to line 655)
1)Antigone
Sophocles p. 12591280
2) The Importance
of Being Earnest
Oscar Wilde p.
1434-1451
1)The Importance of
Being Earnest Oscar
Wilde p. 1452-1481
None
None
Essay 3 Due
Final Creative
Projects Due
16
17
7
RR9-TBA
RR10-TBA
RR11-TBA