Blue Ridge Community College
Fall 2013
Dual Enrollment College Composition 111
Room 228, Robert E. Lee High School
Instructor: Mr. Shutt
Email: bshutt@staunton.k12.va.us
Website: see Lee High website (faculty)
I. Course Description:
Introduces students to critical thinking and the fundamental of academic writing. Through the
writing process, students refine topics, develop and support ideas; investigate, evaluate, and
incorporate appropriate resources; edit for effective style and usage; and determine appropriate
approaches for a variety of contexts, audiences, and purposes. Writing activities will include
exposition and argumentation with at least one research essay. Students will also read, discuss,
and research American literature and its respected writers, themes, and historical context. In
addition to fulfilling all requirements for Blue Ridge Community College, students will also
fulfill those requirements noted on the VA SOL for 11th grade.
II. Course Objectives:
Writing:
 Write a variety of compositional modes including narration, description, definition,
exemplification, cause and effect, compare and contrast, and argumentation.
 Use the writing process approach: prewrite, write, rewrite, and publish
 Write compositions that demonstrate an appropriate sense of audience and purpose for
designated writing assignments which include processed and spontaneous writing.
 Develop paragraphs through details and images arranged in a variety of conventional
forms: spatial, chronological, general to specific, least to most important, etc.
 Employ Standard English syntax, grammar, punctuation, usage, spelling, and
capitalization.
Reading:
 Read texts: essays, narratives, explanations, reviews, etc. to identify and model rhetorical
conventions and strategies for proposed writing situations.
 Study texts for comprehension and content as a prewriting activity in order to discuss and
share information.
 Read texts to think, experience, and appreciate
 Study of American literature, authors, and history from colonial to post Civil War
Researching and Computing:
 Access research materials, major reference works, library stacks, print and digital
indexes, informational sources via BRCC and VCCS network—to include Internet
sources and databases.
 Develop research-based papers. Projects and presentations from resources accessed
through library and PC sources.
 Produce, edit, and revise texts using networked word processing and other composition
software, such as a networked online handbook.
 Differentiate and use MLA and APA documentation for a variety of textual forms.
III. Value of Assigned Work:
15%
20%
20%
Midterm/Final (of total)
Journals
Tests
10%
50%
Participation, Classwork, Homework
Essays and Projects
IV. Late Work: This is a college class!
All work should be turned in on time. All major deadlines are in the syllabus. Plan
ahead! Unexcused late work = 10% deduction for the first day and 5% each school
day after. Missing work = 0% and will be labeled as so in the grade book until
submitted. I do not give 50% for missing work or very late work. (see policy)
Emailing Work: You can email work; however, I do not want to hear about computer
issues. If you have issues then bring your work to class the day it is due. Use Word.
V. Blue Ridge Community College Grading Scale:
A = 90-100
D = 60-69
B = 80-89
F = 59 and below
C = 70-79
Conduct Rubric: Robert E. Lee High School
A
B
C
Respectful, cooperative, responsible
Occasional lapses in good behavior
Inappropriate behavior
D
F
Defiant
Repeated Defiance
VI. Attendance:
Class attendance is mandatory. Please arrive on time and don’t disrupt the class by
packing up early. If you are absent then it is your responsibility to see me about missing
work. Excessive absences = no DE credit (see Lee High Handbook). More than 5
unexcused absences for the course is serious grounds for not receiving DE credit.
VII. Academic Honesty:
BRCC’s Academic Honesty Policy is available online at the following address:
http://www.brcc.edu/academics/honor_code. Cheating and Plagiarism are grounds for
dismissal from the course. Students who cheat on anything will receive an automatic 0%
on the assignment; furthermore, students will be sent to the Lee High Honor Council.
VIII. Expectations:
Homework: In addition to noted assignments, you should read and write/revise outside
of class. This is also a great time to peer edit. Work not finished in class should be
completed at home or during plus block.
Grading: Essays and Projects take a little longer to grade; be patient please.
Behavior: Your behavior should exemplify that of a college student.
 Pay attention and be quiet during instruction; participate!
 Be to class on time and stay seated until the bell
 Limit bathroom and water breaks.
 LET ME TEACH. LET OTHERS LEARN.
 Cell phone usage and music devices are NOT allowed!
Consequences: Warning, Parent contact, Administrative support (referral)
Please see Robert E. Lee Handbook for other policies concerning tardy, absences, dress,
language, behavior, food, etc. Dual Enrollment students must obey both Robert E.
Lee policies and Blue Ridge Community College policies.
IX. Texts
Kirszner, Laurie G. and Mandell, Stephen R. Patterns for College Writing A Thetorical
Reader and Guide. 11th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s, 2010. Print.
* Crucible by Miller; Ender’s Game by Card; Cuckoo’s Nest by Kesey
X. Assignment Schedule (subject to additions and minor subtractions)
Daily assignments: vocabulary, reading, writing, and grammar exercises
Unit 1: August 21 to September 28
Course Introduction and Policies, Writing Process, Writing Skills
Exemplification Essay (Due 9/13/2013)
Narrative-Descriptive Essay (Due 9/27/2013)
Journals 1, 2, and 3
Text: Huck Finn (summer); Beat Generation; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Unit 2: September 30 to October 24
Definition Essay
(Due 10/18/2013)
Journals 4 and 5
Text: Crucible by Arthur Miller
Unit 3: October 28 to November 26
Argue Essay / Research with Revision (Due 11/22/2013)
Journals 6, 7, and 8
Text: Ender’s Game by Card
Unit 4: November 26 January 17
Cause and Effect Essay (Due 12/13/2013)
Compare and Contrast Essay (Due 1/14/2014)
Journals 9 and 10
Texts and Topics: Colonial America (speeches)
Essay: Each essay must be at least 500 words of text in MLA format except for the
Argue essay, which must be at least 1500 words in APA format. FOLLOW THE
RUBRIC! Please type your essay and submit in class or by midnight of the due date.
Give yourself time to plan, outline, write, and revise!
Have someone look at your essay before you submit it!
All journals and essays must be submitted to receive Blue Ridge credit!
Journals: Journals are like mini essays. Each journal should be planned and revised before
submitting. All journals should be in MLA format. Pay attention to proper mechanics and
grammar. Each journal must be at least 200 words of text. Submit in class or by midnight!
J1: Respond to quote and relate to literature, current events, or history
J2: Respond to quote and relate to literature, current events, or history
J3: Respond to Cuckoo’s Nest
J4: Respond to writing quote
J5: Respond to Crucible
J6: Respond to writing quote
J7: Respond to quote and relate to literature, current events, or history
J8: Respond to Ender’s Game
J9: Respond to writing quote
J10: Respond to quote and relate to literature, current events, or history
(in class)
(due 8/30)
(due 9/21)
(due 10/1)
(due 10/15)
(due 10/29)
(due 11/12)
(due 11/26)
(due 12/10)
(due 1/7/2014)
Rubric for Journals: must be at least 200 words of text in MLA format
(don’t stop at 200 words if you have more to say that is of quality)
Format: MLA (heading, pagination, citations)
5: Perfect
3: MLA attempted by full of mistakes
4: Some mistakes with MLA
0: No attempt
Content
9-10: Strong focus; mature; specific examples
7-8: Good; examples and focus could be enhanced more
5-6: Weak focus; examples minimal; vague, journal does not meet required length
Mechanics:
5: Few to no errors
4: Some errors but do not distract
3: Needs revision; distracting
1: Complete mess!
Style:
5: Strong vocabulary; varied sentence structure; specific language
4: Attempts at stronger vocabulary and varied sentence structure; could use more
3: Weak vocabulary; monotonous in style; weak writing
Thesis:
5 Strong and specific
4 Adequate
3 Weak; vague
0 No clear thesis
Extra Credit: Use at least 4 words correctly from the website. Bold the words in the journal.
http://img.sparknotes.com/content/testprep/pdf/sat.vocab.pdf
(+3 pts)
You need a C in the course to continue to English 112.
I have read and understand Mr. Shutt’s DE syllabus.
I understand the cheating policy.
I understand the late work policy.
I understand the expectations both academically and behaviorally.
I understand that I must pay for the course.
I understand that if a C average is not obtained then I will not be allowed
to continue to English 112.
Print Name _________________________________________
Sign Name ____________________________________ Date __________
Workable Email ___________________________________________
Do you Internet at home Yes No
Can you type papers at home Yes No
Do you have an after school job Yes No
Do you play Lee High sports Yes No Which ones: _______________
Parent or Guardian Signature ___________________________________
Date _________________________________
Parent Email ____________________________________________
Parent Phone # __________________________________________