Instructor: Sydney Brown
English 124: Critical Reasoning & Writing
Updated Rest of Semester Calendar: Accelerated Pace
The following is a tentative schedule of readings and course activities subject to change at the discretion of the
instructor—or unforeseen changes in collective linguistic weather (the best way to stay “in the loop” is to attend class
regularly). If I am absent, be sure to check your e-mail or the message posted on the classroom door. If you miss class,
you are responsible for arranging to pick up handouts before the next class meets. Absence is not an excuse for being
unprepared for the following session. Those who show up for class unprepared drain our collective energy…so please be
present in body AND mind. Please turn off laptops and cell phones (in fact, do not place them on your desk!) while in the
classroom—we do it “old school.”
Readings and all written work should be completed for the day they are assigned. In other words, come to class having
prepared and/or completed what is listed that date. All readings are from your textbook, Critical Thinking, Reading, and
Writing. Handouts and Blood Dazzler are identified. (A gentle reminder: please do not e-mail or submit work to my
school mailbox; it will not be read.) Bring appropriate books/handouts on days you have assignments from them. Any
questions? Just ask.
EXTRA CREDIT OPTION (20 points) DUE Thursday 3/10
Read Chapter 4: “Visual Rhetoric: Images as Arguments” (137-159), then research and select one
editorial/political cartoon on Hurricane Katrina. Write a brief analysis of the cartoon using “A Checklist for
Analyzing Images” (156). Analysis should be in MLA format and style, 2-3 pages. Place cartoon in your analysis.
One site for Katrina editorial cartoons: www.cartoonistgroup.com/index.php
Tuesday 2/22
 Read/study: Chapter 5: “Writing an Analysis of an Argument” (177-192) AND “Loot or Find: Fact or Frame” by
Harris and Carbado (handout).
 Due: Critical Response to “Loot or Find: Fact or Frame” (36 points) For Harris and Carbado’s essay, respond to
each of the twelve questions presented in “A Checklist for Analyzing a Text” (182). Answers should be typed and
numbered, 1-12. You will want to rephrase the question, or at least make it clear, in each response. Leave a
space after each response to add notes during class discussion. You must have this completed by today in
order to receive full credit. Responses turned in after today, regardless of reason, can only receive half
credit.
 Return/challenge: Fallacy Exam
Thursday 2/24
 Return/discuss: Essay 1
 Class Discussion/prep for Essay 2: Harris and Carbado’s “Loot or Find: Fact or Frame”
 Revisit/discuss/evaluate: Student rhetorical analysis “Tracking Kristof” (188-190)
 Handout: Essay 2 (midterm)
Tuesday, March 1
 Due: Essay 2 (midterm). Follow directions on prompt; AND list of issues from database search
 Research: Go to the Grossmont College Library Home Page / select “Databases” / enter password information/
select “Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center” from the list / search “Hurricane Katrina” and then list as many
issues as you can with regards to the event. Print or save any articles of special interest to you.
 Film: Spike Lee’s When the Levees Broke. As you watch this film, compile a list of issues presented/explored.
 Discuss: Compare lists compiled from database and from Spike Lee’s film
Thursday, March 3
 Read: Patricia Smith’s Blood Dazzler
 Due: Critical Response to Blood Dazzler (25 points)—typed, MLA format and style. Choose five poems in the
collection and respond to each of the following (for each poem):
1. Identify the speaker
2. Explicate the poem
3. What issue does this poem indict/explore and is it effective? Explain your answer.
4. What type of evidence does the poem offer?
5. Compare and contrast your response to this poem to your response to Spike Lee’s film, both in content
(what it communicated) and form (how it communicated).
Tuesday, March 8
 Due: Optional Revision of Essay 1 (staple graded paper behind revision)
 Read: “Developing an Argument of Your Own” (226-253) and “A Psychologist’s View: Rogerian Argument” (455466)
 Lecture: The Rogerian Argument
 Handout/discuss: Assignment for Rogerian Argument & Presentation, Sample Rogerian Argument, Informal
Outline for Rogerian Argument
Thursday, March 10
 Read: “Using Sources” (262-290)
 Read (as needed): “MLA Format” (290-305)
 Return/discuss: Essay 2
 Due: Informal Presentations of Outline for Rogerian Argument (25 points) and Extra Credit
Tuesday, March 15
 Read: “Peer Review” (254-255)
 Due: 3 copies of Rogerian argument for Peer Workshop. Drafts must be a minimum of six pages with four
sources. A Works Cited page is also required today. Just for the peer workshop, you may print on both sides of
the page.
 Discuss/prepare: Final Exam (in-class essay 3)
 Extended Office Hours: 5-7
Thursday, March 17
 Due: Rogerian Argument. Follow instructions on assignment (handout).
 Final Exam: Analyze and Respond to a Short Argument
Thursday, March 24
 Pick up Rogerian Arguments in my office, 564-B, between 2 and 4 p.m.