Instructor: Jeramy Wallace
TTh 1:10 – 2:25
Room: 16-2101/ CAC (18-108)
College of San Mateo
Spring 2013
e-mail: wallacej@smccd.edu
Office: 15-103
Office Hours: Tues. 5:00 – 6:30
& Thurs. 12:00 – 1:00
English 100DC: Course Syllabus
“We need to say no to the neoliberal fatalism that we are witnessing at the end of
this century, informed by the ethics of the market, an ethics in which a minority
makes profits against the lives of the minority. in other words, those who cannot
compete, die. This is a perverse ethics that, in fact, lacks ethics. I insist on saying
that I continue to be human . . . I would then remain the last educator in the world
to say no: I do not accept . . . history as determinism. I embrace history as
possibility [where] we can demystify the evil in this perverse fatalism that
characterizes the neoliberal discourse in the end of this century”
- Paulo Freire
Welcome to English 100, Composition and Reading, at the College of San Mateo! This semester,
we will primarily focus on the art of rhetoric, or one’s ability to compose a clearly written,
cogent argument. We will build upon the techniques that you have learned in past English classes
with an emphasis on the rhetorical situation, including one’s purpose for writing and awareness
of audience. Additionally, we will be collaborating with a number of other ENGL100 classes on
a project that in the past has been both engaging and meaningful. Though this class will not be
easy, I can assure you that if you keep up with the work, stay engaged inside and outside the
classroom, and ask questions as they arise, each one of you will succeed in this class. I look
forward to working with all of you this semester!
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to:
SLO 1: Exhibit the ability to analyze and respond critically to college-level texts.
SLO 2: Write effectively organized text-based expository essays.
SLO 3: Demonstrate an understanding of purpose and audience in reading and writing.
SLO 4: Construct syntactically mature and grammatically sound prose.
SLO 5: Integrate textual material using standard MLA format.
Course Prerequisites: ENGL 838 or ENGL 848 with a grade of C or higher; OR ESL 400 with
a grade of C or higher; OR appropriate skill level as indicated by the English Placement Test
Books and Materials:
Required:
 Bales, Kevin and Ron Soodalter. The Slave Next Door (2009)
 Freedom: Stories Celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (2009)
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A binder for class materials
A two pocket folder for essay packets
A composition notebook
A jumpdrive
Recommended:
 A College Dictionary
 An MLA Handbook
Grading:
Participation & Homework:
Human Rights Day Project
e-portfolio:
10%
10%
80%
Participation and Homework: As you will soon find out, becoming an effective writer does not
require you to merely write. You must be able to actively and critically read a text, articulate
your ideas while speaking in class, and thoughtfully listen and respond to your peers’ comments.
As such, your participation in class is imperative to your success in this class because you must
“test” your ideas in an open forum before writing about them. Additionally, I believe that it goes
without saying that you must complete the assigned homework before coming to class. Since the
homework I assign is necessary for our class discussions and activities, I do NOT accept late
homework.
Essays: You will write five essays through the course of the semester. Essay topics will vary and
will be based on the assigned readings. All essays must be typed, double-spaced, with 1-inch
margins, and in 12-point Times New Roman. In the Language Arts division we use the
standard letter-grade system. Note that all essays must be completed in order to pass the class.
Additionally, you will be required to turn in your final draft through turnitin.com in addition to a
hard copy. Our class ID is 5333551 and the enrollment password is englishrocks. We will go
over how to enroll in turnitin.com early in the semester so that you have plenty of time to create
an account. Please keep in mind that I will not grade your essay unless it is turned in online. All
essays must be turned in at the beginning of the class on the due date – no exceptions. I accept
one late essay per semester, no questions asked. You will receive an additional week to complete
your essay and it must be submitted on turnitin.com under “Late Papers” as well as in paper form
(Obviously, the final paper is not eligible).
e-portfolio: As you probably noticed above, 80% of your grade is derived from an end of the
semester portfolio of work. In essence, your ENGL100 grade will be based on the quality of all
your essays at the end of the class, which means that you will not receive letter grades on each
individual essay. I will simply give you feedback and revision suggestions throughout the
semester that you will take into consideration as you prepare the final portfolio. This grading
method has several advantages for you (which we will discuss in more detail). Additionally, your
portfolio grade will depend on whether you meet essay deadlines, the extent of your revisions,
and your overall presentation. You will receive the rubric and guidelines for the portfolio prior to
the first essay so that you know what to expect. On one last note, I want to assure you that I will
closely track your progress throughout the semester. Should you have a question on where you
stand in the class, I will be happy to let you know. I think you will find the portfolio method of
evaluation to be intellectually and creatively stimulating.
Human Rights Day Project: Towards the end of the semester, our class will join five other
ENGL100 classes and the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society in organizing and executing the
3rd Semi-Annual Human Rights Day for the CSM community. In the past, students have enjoyed
these presentations and this spring’s event promises to be the best yet! Details to follow.
Peer Response: Prior to turning in your essays, we will utilize one class period for Peer
Response. It is important that you come to these sessions with three copies of your completed
essay. You must bring three copies of your rough draft and it must meet the R.D. page
requirement for credit. NO exceptions. Participation and preparedness do affect your
Participation & Homework grade!
Conferences: If you are having trouble with your essays, want additional help, or just want to
talk, stop by during my office hours. If my office hours conflict with your schedule, we can set
up an appointment that works for us both. Please ask for help if you need it. I am here to help!
Hour by Arrangement: English 100DC, Composition and Reading, has a TBA (To Be
Arranged Hours) requirement that you must fulfill. These TBA hours are not homework but are
instructional activities designed to augment the lecture portion of the course. You are required to
complete the activities shown below in 18-102 or 18-104, and you must document that you have
attended for at least 50 minutes prior to February 5, 2012. Be sure to log in and out of the SARS
system every time you work on one of the activities. The TBA requirement must be completed
for one hour per week.
Activities may include the following:
Orientations, one-on-one tutoring conferences with English instructors, tutorials on specific
writing and critical thinking skills, and group workshops.
Your TBA hours and appointments do affect your homework and participation grade.
Computer Assisted Classroom Etiquette: Digital literacy, or one’s ability to use and
understand digital media, is becoming more and more of a necessity for today’s professionals.
You will likely be expected to have advanced skills in using computer software such as
Microsoft Office, the Internet, and perhaps even social media. This is one of the reasons our
class is being held in the CAC. But using the CAC is a privilege and, as a result, certain ground
rules must be established. You can bring food and drink to class, but it cannot be at your
workstations. There is a table near the door where you can leave it. Feel free to get a bite or drink
during class. Additionally, and this is important, Facebook and other websites unrelated to class
are off-limits. I invite you to come to class early and catch up on your Facebook, but not during
class time. The first time I notice you on one of these websites, I will just ask you to close the
window. The second time, I will ask you to leave (which will count as an absence). I know the
CAC will enrich your learning if you stay focused and on-task.
Attendance and Tardiness: You are required to attend all class meetings. However, I recognize
that you get sick, your car doesn’t start, you need a break, etc. Life happens! Therefore, you are
allowed to miss three classes, excused and unexcused. After three absences, both excused and
unexcused, you will be dropped from the course. If you have to miss a class, please log into
WebAccess so that you can get you the homework and/or activities we will cover in class. Also,
please be on time. If you are more than five (5) minutes late for class, you will be considered
absent. To that point, if you are consistently late, you might want to consider whether this section
is right for you. If you cannot make it on time every class period, please enroll in a later section.
Cellphones: During class, cellphones should be put away and on silent (or turned off).
Cellphones are not only a distraction to you but to everyone else and the learning atmosphere. So
think of our class as an airplane stuck in a perpetual takeoff or landing pattern, which requires
your phone to be off and stowed. The first time I notice you with your phone out, I will simply
ask you to put it away. The second time you will be asked to leave the class, which will be
counted as an absence (see attendance policy). The bottom line is this – keep the cell phones
“stowed.” Additionally, iPods and MP3 players are not allowed in class during discussions and
lecture.
Disability Policy Statement: If you have a documented disability and need accommodations for
this class, please see me as soon as possible or contact Disabled Students Programs and Services
(DSPS) for assistance. DSPS is located in the College Center Building 10. Phone: 574-6438.
Plagiarism: “Plagiarism” means submitting work that is someone else’s as one’s own. For
example, copying material from a book or other source without acknowledging that the words or
ideas are someone else’s, and not one’s own, is plagiarism. If a student copies an author’s words
exactly, he or she should treat the passage as a direct quotation and supply the appropriate
citation. If someone else’s ideas are used, even if they are paraphrased, appropriate credit should
be given. Also, it is possible to plagiarize yourself by turning in essays from previous courses,
which also counts as cheating. Please bring only new and original work to class. Lastly, a student
commits plagiarism when a term paper is purchased and/or submitted which he or she did not
write.
Plagiarized papers will receive a zero with no opportunity for a rewrite.
On that note, if you are having so much trouble that you are willing to risk humiliation to your
family, a failing grade, and possibly even expulsion, please come to me for help! That’s what
I’m here for.
LATE ESSAY PASS
ENGL 100 DC
As noted above, you receive one late essay pass for the semester, which gives you a week’s
extension with no penalty. Please turn this page in to me in lieu of your essay on the day it is due
(so, yes, come to class even if you don’t have your essay).
NAME: __________________________________
ASSIGNMENT: ___________________________
ORIGINAL DUE DATE: ___________________
NEW DUE DATE: ________________________