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English 1B – Advanced Composition & Critical Thinking
Section 53989
M, W 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in LA-19
Instructor: Dr. Bonnie Khaw-Posthuma
Spring 2009
Phone: (909) 652-6940
Email: bonnie.khawposthuma@chaffey.edu
Office and Hours: LA-9E
M, W 1:30-2:30 p.m.
T, Th 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Texts: 1.) Elements of Argument (9th ed.) – by Annette T. Rottenberg and Donna H.
Winchell, Bedford/St. Martin’s, Boston, 2008 (ISBN# 9780312480479)
2.) Into the Wild – by John Krakauer, Anchor Books, New York, 1997
(ISBN# 9780385486804)
3.) a good college dictionary
4.) a folder – to keep handouts, journals, essays
5.) a notebook – to take lecture notes
Course Description:
Hello and Welcome to English 1B! This class builds on the writing skills achieved in
English 1A (note: the prerequisite for this course is a grade of “C” or better in English
1A). You will learn the structure of arguments and argumentation strategies.
Furthermore, you will refine your writing skills in the use of various rhetorical
techniques--including summary, synthesis, analysis, persuasion, and refutation. Note,
this class involves a good deal of writing and class discussion, so please be prepared to
work hard.
Course Policy:
1. Attendance is very important. Since English 1B is a discussion-based class, student
participation is vital, and excessive absences may affect your overall class performance.
2. Absences - If you are absent, YOU are responsible for the work you missed. It is
YOUR responsibility to find out the material covered during your absence. I would
recommend that you have a classmate’s phone number for this purpose. Please note that
even if you are not in class, you must still turn in whatever work is assigned on time.
Classmate #1’s phone number _____________________________
Classmate #2’s phone number _____________________________
3. Tardies - I will take attendance every class session. Three tardies will result in the
lowering of your participation grade (10% of course grade) to a “F.” If you must leave
class early for any reason, notify me before class begins, and then leave as quietly as
possible.
4. Drop Policy - I reserve the right to drop you from this class if you miss five classes
(without a valid medical or family emergency). However, it is YOUR responsibility to
drop this class. Do not assume that because you have stopped attending class that you
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will automatically be dropped. The last day to drop a class with a “W” grade is April 17,
2009.
5. Late Policy - Since college life can oftentimes be very demanding and difficult,
you will be allowed One late essay (of the three essays) and One late journal (of the five
journals). Beyond this one exception, I will accept NO further late papers. The grace
period for late work is two weeks. At the top of your essay write “free late” and turn it in
to me or my mailbox (LA-10). Be careful to have my name on it, as well and the class
and section number—also have it date-stamped.
6. Essays in Mailbox – I will accept an essay and/or journal by 5 p.m. on the due date in
my mailbox (LA-10). Please make sure it is time-stamped and also includes my name,
your name and class.
7. No emailed work – I do NOT accept papers or work via email; only under
extenuating circumstances (e.g. hospitalization, death in family) will emailed work be
accepted.
8. Revision Policy – You have the option of rewriting either Essay #1 (Fact Claim) or
Essay #2 (Value Claim) in order to achieve a higher grade. The new grade will be an
average of your grade on the original and the rewrite. Attach the original essay to the
bottom.
9. Extra Credit – Attend one of the College Book activities (Into the Wild) or evaluate a
web site related to the novel. Write a short summary and analysis (1-2 pages). You may
do a maximum of three extra credits.
One Book, One College Program – The One Book, One College Committee
strives to create a community of readers across the curriculum at
Chaffey College and within the communities it serves. Each year, the committee
selects a college book and creates a diverse series of related events. Students are
encouraged to participate in these activities to enrich their educational experience
at Chaffey (as stated by the One Book/ One College Committee).
Essay Format:
Final essays need to be MLA-formatted, typed, double-spaced, 12-font, and with one-inch
margins. Include your name, the date, assignment name and number of essay (ex: Essay
#1 – Fact Claim), class name (English 1B), and instructor’s name (Dr. Bonnie KhawPosthuma) in the upper left corner—utilizing the MLA format. You must also include a
“Works Cited” page (bibliography) and draft to receive full credit.
Grading Policy:
-Three essays w/drafts (fact claim, value claim, policy claim)
-Journals #1-5 (from assigned readings and class discussion)
-Oral report on assigned reading
-Participation (may include all of the following: notebook, in-class
writing, homework, pop quizzes, group work, & class demeanor)
-Final Exam (Into the Wild)
= 40%
= 20%
= 10%
= 10%
= 20%
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Course Requirements:
THREE CLAIM ESSAYS (40% total/approximately 13% each)*: You will be assigned
three claim essays (approximately 4-6 pages long). These will be fact claim, value claim,
and policy claim.
*Each essay must include both a draft and a “Works Cited” page (bibliography). Failure
to include the draft and “Works Cited” will result in a one-letter grade deduction for that
paper.
Additional comments regarding your essays—
Always retain an extra copy of each essay--to guard against a computer crash.
Please note: I may use all or part of your essays as writing samples for future classes. I
will NOT identify you by name.
ORAL REPORT ON ASSIGNED READING (10%): Once during the semester, you will
give a brief oral report (approximately eight minutes) on an assigned reading from either
the textbook (Elements of Argument), class novel Into the Wild, or class handouts.
JOURNALS #1-5 (20% total/ 4% each): Throughout the semester (see dates on syllabus)
you will respond to class readings and discussion through journals.
FINAL EXAM (20%): This exam will consist of an essay question or questions on Into
the Wild.
PARTICIPATION GRADE (10%):
The Participation Grade consists of homework, notebook (note-taking), possible pop
quizzes, in-class writing (including freewriting, in-class essays, and group responses),
class demeanor, and participation.
Group Work - You will be evaluated on how well you work in groups and interact with
your fellow classmates. I will determine this portion of your grade by observing your
contribution to group discussion, general attitude, and treatment of your peers.
Remember that it is okay to disagree with what others have to say, but the point is to help
each other out and give constructive criticism.
Notebook/note-taking – Throughout the semester, there will be detailed lectures, for
example on the various types of essays (e.g. fact claim). Please listen attentively and take
careful notes. You may be asked questions and/or be tested on the work later (e.g.
through class discussion and/or pop quizzes). At least once during the semester, I will
collect your notebooks to check and grade your note-taking.
Class Demeanor - The classroom should be a place of learning, as well as a caring and
nurturing environment. I will NOT tolerate rude and/or disruptive behavior such as
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destructive criticism of your fellow students or high school-like antics (including talking
out of turn). If the conduct continues for that class session, you may be asked to leave
and receive an absence for the day. Repeated verbal warnings will be followed by a
deduction in your participation grade. If this should occur, I will give you a verbal
warning followed by a deduction in your participation grade (NOTE: This could result in
an eventual “D” for this overall 10% of your course grade). Also, as a courtesy to your
classmates, please turn off all cell phones and pagers before the class begins. See the
Chaffey College Student Handbook for more information on student conduct.
Participation - I expect you to be prepared for the readings and materials assigned for that
day and participate fully in class discussion and group work. If you are confused about
the assignment, it is okay to ask questions and let me know your concerns.
Other important items—
Email Etiquette: If you contact me via email, please use proper etiquette. Begin your
message with a formal greeting (e.g. “Dear Professor Khaw…”). Also, be sure to end
your email with your name and a closing (e.g. “Sincerely, Joe Smoh”) – so I know for
sure who sent the email. If the sender’s name is not identified, the email might be
deleted.
Reading Assignment Schedule – The readings on the syllabus will be from either
Elements of Argument (9th ed.) or Into the Wild – unless otherwise noted. Please read the
assignment before the date assigned, so we can discuss it on the assigned date. For
example, before January 14, 2009 skim pgs. 337-347 in Elements of Argument.
Plagiarism – The English Department’s policy is: Plagiarism, an unlawful act which is
defined as the misrepresentation of the published ideas or words of another as one’s own,
will not be tolerated in Chaffey College English courses. At the discretion of the
professor, plagiarism may result in zero points for the assignment and/or failing the
course.
________________________________________________________________
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Chaffey College provides the resources listed below to its students—
Disability Programs and Services
If you have a disability documented by a physician or other appropriate professionals and wish to
discuss academic accommodations, please contact the DPS office (909) 652-6379. Please be
sure to allow adequate time to arrange for an appropriate accommodation.
EOPS and CARE
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) is designed to insure student retention and
success through academic support and financial assistance for eligible students. Cooperative
Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) is a program that serves a limited number of EOPS
students who are single heads of household parents. It provides additional support beyond those
available through EOPS. The ultimate goal is completion of a certificate program, an associate
degree, and/or transfer to a four-year college. Call (909) 652-6345 for more information.
Chaffey College Success and Multidisciplinary Centers
In the last few years, Chaffey College has created Student Success Centers, which offer tutorials,
workshops, study groups, and computer access to assist students in their academic development
and success. Three of the centers, located on the Rancho Cucamonga campus, are designed to
address specific subject needs:
The Math Center (PS-12)
Language Success Center (EEC-101)
Reading Success Center (EEC-101)
The Writing Center (library)
(909) 652-6452
652-6907
652-6932
652-6820
For all other subject needs and study support, students can access one of the Multidisciplinary
Success Centers:
Rancho Success Center (EEC-101)
Chino Success Center (CHMB-145)
Chino Reading & Writing Center (CHMB-240)
Fontana Success Center (CCFC-107)
(909) 652-6932
652-8150
652-8160
652-7408
Consult the website at www.chaffey.edu for more details.
_____________________________________________________________________________
English 1B Disclaimer – Most college students are aware college courses often include
“adult” topics. Therefore, please be advised that some of the material discussed in
English 1B may be considered “mature” or “objectionable” (for example, stem cell
research, legalization of prostitution…).
Your reading of the syllabus represents your acknowledgement of the conditions
and requirements of the course.
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WRITING 1B SCHEDULE (tentative)*
Week One
Jan. 12
Course Overview and Review of Syllabus
Jan. 14
Introduce Journal #1 (ad analysis)/ in Rottenberg’s Elements of Argument,
th
9 ed. (please note hereafter all readings will be from this text, unless noted otherwise) –
we will discuss “Common Fallacies” – pgs. 337-347
Week Two
Jan. 19
Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday – no class
Jan. 21
Discuss summary analysis – lecture and in-class writing
Week Three
Jan. 26
Bring in ad (for Journal #1) to discuss – in class peer-editing exercise
Jan. 28
Introduce Essay #1 (Fact Claim) – 157-162
Week Four
Feb. 2
420-425
Discuss “Right to Bear Arms” 417-420 and “A God-given Natural Right”
Feb. 4
Journal #1 due (advertisement) due / Discuss from Chapter 14 (Body
Image) - “From Body Image and Adolescents” 536-540, “When Is Thin too Thin?” 542544, and “All to be Tall” 545-551
Week Five
Feb. 9
Discuss from Chapter 17 (Media Violence) - “Does Watching Sex on
Television…?” 637-641, “Hollow Claims about Fantasy Violence” 662-664, and “Gore
for Sale” 667-670
Feb. 11
Library Orientation
Week Six
Feb. 16
Washington’s Birthday Holiday – no class
Feb. 18
Discuss MLA format – skim 454-463
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Week Seven
Feb. 23
Discuss “Appeals to Needs and Values” 227-233, “College Life
Versus My Moral Code” 181-183, and “MySpace Not Responsible for Predators” 119120
Feb. 25
Essay #1 (Fact Claim) due/ Discuss “Warrants” 272-279 and “An
Unjust Sacrifice” 279-280
Week Eight
Mar. 2
171-176
Introduce Essay #2 (Value Claim) – 167-170 and “Kids in the Mall…”
Mar. 4
Journal #2 (Body Image or Media Violence) due / Discuss from Chapter
21 (Terrorism and U.S. Patriot Act) – “The USA Patriot Act…” 768-772 and “Name
Withheld…” 782-787
Week Nine
Mar. 9
(“Letter…”)
Discuss “Letter From Birmingham Jail” 192-206 and Journal #3
Mar. 11
Discuss from Chapter 20 (World of Medicine) – “Need an Organ? It
Helps to Be Rich” 736-739, “Ethics of Organ Donation” 739-742, and “Doctors’ Beliefs
Hinder Patient Care” 755-763
Spring Break Week - Mar. 16 & Mar. 18 – Spring Break – no classes held
Week Ten
Mar. 23
Film – Fahrenheit 911
Mar. 25
discussion
Journal #3 (“Letter from Birmingham Jail”) due/ Fahrenheit 911 and
Week Eleven
Mar. 30
Introduce Essay #3 (Policy Claim) – 179-181 and discuss “The Case for
Torture” 283-287
Apr. 1
Discuss from Chapter 18 (Freedom of Speech) – “Student Sues School
District…” 674-675, “The Imus Fallout: Who Can Say What?” 694-699, and “A Case
the Scouts Had to Win” 699-701
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Week Twelve
Apr. 6
Essay #2 (Value Claim) due/ Discuss from Chapter 16 (Standardized
Testing) – “Why Can’t We Let Boys Be Boys?” 596-598 and “Standardized Testing and
Its Victims” 598-603
Apr. 8
Discuss from Chapter 19 (Immigration) – “The Hard Truth of
Immigration” 704-706 and “Don’t Bad-Mouth Unskilled Immigrants” 710-712
Week Thirteen
Apr. 13
Begin Into the Wild
Apr. 15
Into the Wild
Week Fourteen
Apr. 20
Journal #4 ( Medicine or Freedom of Speech) due/ Into the Wild
Apr. 22
Into the Wild
Week Fifteen
Apr. 27
Into the Wild
Apr. 29
Any extra credit(s) and/or essay (#1 or #2) rewrite due/ Into the Wild
Week Sixteen
May 4
Essay #3 (Policy Claim) due/ Into the Wild film
May 6
Into the Wild film & discussion
Week Seventeen
May 11
Journal #5 (Into the Wild) due/ Conclude Into the Wild
May 13
Final Exam Review
Week Eighteen – Finals Week
May 18 (Mon.) –
Your final exam will be from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Please note –
final exam schedule is set by college and cannot be changed).
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*Note – This syllabus is subject to modification depending on the needs of the class and
the instructor’s discretion.