ENGL 1301
COURSE SYLLABUS:
Instructor Contact & Course Information
Instructor: Benita Dillard-Brooks, Ph.D.
Email: benita.dillard@hccs.edu
Cell: 702-810-7705
Class Times: Monday/Wednesday 7-9PM
Class Location: CE-Business Career Center Room 200
Office hours: Before class or by appointment
Course Description and Goals: This course is devoted to improving students’ writing and critical reading. You will write essays for a variety of purposes from
personal to academic, including an introduction to argumentation, critical analysis, and the use of sources. Prerequisite: A satisfactory assessment score,
completion of ENGL 0310 or (for non-native speakers) ENGL 0349.
To excel as a writer, however, you must excel as a reader, and perhaps more importantly, as a thinker. You will develop the critical and analytical skills that will
help you in both academic and professional environments. In short, the skills you develop in this course will enable you to express yourself clearly and
effectively.
Objectives: By the end of this course, you should be able to write multi-paragraph expository, analytical and argumentative essays that have the following: 1)
clarity in purpose and expression, 2) appropriate and sensible organization, 3) completeness in development, 4) sound content, including applications of concepts
and references to assigned readings, 5) unity and coherence, 6) appropriate strategies of development, 7) sensitivity to audience, 8) effective choice of words and
sentence patterns, 9) grammatical and mechanical correctness, and 10) appropriate MLA citation format.
HCC Policy Statement – ADA
Special Conditions
If you have any special conditions, extenuating circumstances, or needs that may affect your progress in this course, please notify me. Discuss with me any
special accommodations that you have documented through the Ability Support Services counselors so that we may better meet your needs.
Academic Integrity:
Students are expected to be familiar with the HCC policy on academic honesty (as detailed in various HCC publications) and are responsible for conducting
themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. HCC officials may initiate penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings against any student
accused of scholastic dishonesty (which includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion). Should you have any questions about
proper handling of source material for your writing, consult the MLA guidelines, your professor and/or a tutor (FAC 321-B). Evidence of plagiarism results in a
grade of F.
Course withdrawal: If you elect to withdraw formally from any HCC class and thereby receive a “W” on your grade transcript, you must contact a HCC
counselor or your professor prior to the withdrawal deadline for the current semester to initiate the process. If you do not do so and simply cease to attend, you
will receive a final grade by default (quite likely “F”) based on your course average in relation to the full slate of required assignments.
The consequences for academic dishonesty are determined by the professor, or the professor and academic dean, or the professor and chief student services
officer and can include but are not limited to
1. Having additional class requirements imposed,
2. Receiving a grade of zero or "F" for an exam or assignment,
3. Receiving a grade of "F" for the course,
4. Being withdrawn from the course or program,
5. Being expelled from the college system.
Required Materials:
The Norton Reader, 13th Edition, eds. Linda Peterson and John C. Brereton
The Little Seagull Handbook (Bullock and Weinberg, Norton, 2011). The ISBN is 0393911519 /
9780393911510. (LSH) Optional
The following is a good online resource: Purdue Online Writing Lab
POLICIES
Classroom Respect:
As college students, you are expected to behave in a courteous and respectful manner toward your instructor and fellow students at all times. You should avoid
acting belligerently or in a belittling manner in e-mails or peer revisions, openly challenging the instructor’s authority, or otherwise displaying disruptive
behavior. Verbal harassment of instructors or fellow students through email will not be tolerated. Should any of these offenses occur, I will have a private email or Chat conference with the student(s) in question; if the behavior continues, however, I will refer that individual to the Dean of Students for further
disciplinary action.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory and will be recorded during every class meeting.
To be marked present for class, a student must be in class when class starts, must be in class when class ends, and must participate during class.
If you miss more than two class sessions, your final grade in the course will be deducted 5% for every absence over the limit. If you are more than 15 minutes
late, you will be counted absent.
Civility in the classroom:
Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. In order to assure that all students have the opportunity to
gain from time spent in class, unless otherwise approved by the instructor; students are prohibited from engaging in any form of distraction. Therefore, the use
of any personal electronic devices is prohibited in class. This means you may NOT text, answer cell phones, listen to personal media players, or use
laptops in class. If students do not maintain a respectful classroom environment by adhering to the aforementioned rules, they will be asked to leave
class, and may be counted absent for the day.
Classroom Respect:
As college students, you are expected to behave in a courteous and respectful manner toward your instructor and fellow students at all times. Verbal harassment
of instructors or fellow students orally or through email will not be tolerated. Should any of these occur, I will have a conference with the student(s) in question
and referral may be made to the Dean of Students for further disciplinary action.
Since this class is held in a computer classroom, it will be tempting from time to time to check/send email, surf the Web, or any other computer activity not
related to our class. Unless you are completing a computer assignment that is given by the instructor to be completed during the course of the class period, any
extraneous computer activity will NOT be tolerated and you may be asked to leave the class and/or receive a zero for that assignment.
Email Correspondence:
If you have questions or concerns about the course, I am of course available via email. I will try to respond to your emails quickly and promptly (within about 24
hours during the week and about 48 hours during the weekend). Do not, however, assume I will be able to reply instantly to email questions.
Email Etiquette:
All correspondence with me as your professor should be respectful and professional at all times. Email should follow those guidelines. Therefore, every email
you send will have a subject line, salutation, and electronic signature. Lastly, do not use poor grammar or text language in your emails to me.
Make-Up Work:
You are responsible for all work done in class and for keeping up with assignments announced in your absence. Attendance is expected on due dates regardless
of whether or not your work is ready to submit for evaluation. All assignments will be deducted one letter grade for every day it is turned in late. If you do not
hand in your paper by the time class begins, it will be considered late.
I do not believe in Make-up work. If you do not turn it in, you will not receive credit for it. I do not accept papers via email no matter the excuse.
NOTE: I offer no extra credit.
Changes to Assignment Schedule and Course Policies:
The instructor reserves the right to update the course policies, assignments, and schedule at any time. Changes may be made throughout the semester. It is the
student’s responsibility to keep up with changes as they are announced.
Tutoring:
Tutoring: For free assistance on any of the writing requirements for this course, visit the English Department Writing Lab in FAC 321-B. Check the sign posted
on the door there to determine specific hours of operation during the current term. (It’s generally open mornings through early evenings, Monday through
Thursday, plus half a day on Friday.
Open Computer Labs: Computers are available for word processing in FAC 302, SJAC 204A, JDB 203-204, the library, and elsewhere on campus. Check those
sites for open hours.
Grading Scale:
The evaluation of a student’s course progress and final grade is based upon the degree of mastery and of course outcomes. The grade breakdown for this class is
as follows:
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-59
A
B
C
D
F
Assignments with Point Distribution:
Assignment
% of Final Grade
Due Date
Writing Assignment 1:
Writing Assignment 2:
Writing Assignment 3:
10
10
20
10/16/2013
11/6/2013
12/4/2013
Final Exam
In-class writing essays
10
30
12/11/2013
Class work (Participation, Discussion, etc…)
Total
20
100
*NOTE* All chapters below are in your textbook unless otherwise noted.
Paper Format: All papers are to be double-spaced. The mandatory heading, which follows MLA, must be in the upper left-hand corner of first sheet,
the title centered, the paragraphs indented as follows:
Student’s name
English 1301
Assignment #
Instructor’s Name
Date
Title of Essay
Indent the first paragraph and every paragraph thereafter. Staple the paper only. There is no need for covers of any kind.
Calendar of Readings and Due Dates
Changes to Assignment Schedule and Course Policies:
The instructor reserves the right to update the assignments and schedule at any time. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with changes as they are
announced.
*NOTE* NR represents Norton Reader, LSH represents The Little Seagull Handbook
Week 1: Course Policies & (The Writing Autobiography)
Week One: September 23
Day
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Monday
Introduction to course policies and to each other, Diagnostic Essay
Wednesday
Joan Didion, On Going Home, Zora Neale Hurston, How It Feels to
Be Colored Me
Homework
Assignment
Week 2: Description
September 30th
Day
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Mon
The reading and Writing Process & Introduction to Rhetoric
Lecture
Discuss readings
Wed
Homework
Lecture
Discuss readings
Introduction to Description
-Introduction to Writing Assignment 1
Discussion questions
Week 3: Description
October 7th
Day
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Assignments & Readings Due
Assignments & Readings Due
W-1: “Writing Contexts,” (2-5) LSH
W-2 “Writing Processes,” (6-13) LSH
Didion “On Going Home” (1) NR
Readings Due
Mon
Lecture
Discuss readings
“Thesis Statements” 7.8,10, (LSH)
Gates “In the Kitchen” (260) NR
Wed
Lecture
Discuss readings
Discussion questions
Barthes “Toys” (274) NR
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Peer Review Essay 1: Rough Draft Due
Self-Reflection Review
Lecture
Introduce VR
Essay 1: Due
Confirm grammar project groups
Discussion questions
Readings Due
W-3: Developing Paragraphs, (14) LSH
“Topic Sentences” 11, 15-16, (LSH)
Homework
Week 4:
October 14th
Day
Mon
Wed
Homework
Week 5: Visual Rhetoric
October 21st
Day
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Mon
Introduction to Essay 2
Intro: VR
Readings Due
Ephron “The Boston Photograph” (657) NR
Morrision “Strangers” (135) NR
Wed
Homework
In class essay #1
In-class activity
Discussion questions
Week 6: Comparing and Contrasting & Visual Rhetoric
October 28th
Day
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Mon
Activity & Lecture
Assignments & Readings Due
Kincaid “Sowers & Reapers” (139) NR
Wed
Activity & Lecture
In-class activity
McMurtey “Kill’Em” (354) NR
Homework
Discussion questions
Week 7: Cause & Effect
November 4th
Day
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Mon
Peer Review Essay 2: Rough Draft Due
Wed
Introduction to Cause and Effect
Essay 2 Due
Homework
Discussion questions
Week 8: Cause & Effect
November 11-Last day to withdraw (by 4:30PM)
November 11th
Day
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Mon
Wed
In class essay #2
Homework
Assignments & Readings Due
Bettelheim “A Victim” (57) NR
Steinem “The Good News Is” (268) NR
Assignments & Readings Due
Bruffee (425) NR
Steingraber “Tune of the Tuna Fish” (663) NR
“Sentence Fragments” 233-25 (LSH)
Discussion questions
Week 9: Classification & Division
November 18th
Day
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Mon
Lecture: Classification & Division
Discuss readings
Introduction to Essay 3
Wed
Lecture: AB pp
In-class activity
In-class essay #3
Homework
S-3: “Comma Splices” 235-237 (LSH)
Assignments & Readings Due
Toth “Going to the Movies” (1105) NR
Zinsser “College Pressures” (481) NR
W-2: “Revising and Editing, 10-13, (LSH)
W-10: “Annotated Bibliographies 54, (LSH)
Discussion questions
Week 10: Argument
November 25th
Day
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Mon
Activity & Lecture
In-class activity
Wed
Activity & Lecture
In-class activity
Assignments & Readings Due
W-5: “Arguments” 32 (LSH)
Black Men and Public Space” Staples, Brent (314)\
Obama “A New Beginning” (873)
Readings: TBA
Homework
Discussion questions
Week 11: Argument & Persuasion
December 2
Day
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Mon
Lecture
Library Day
MLA Documentation & Avoiding Plagiarism
Wed
Homework
Essay #3 Due
HW: Chapters
Assignments & Readings Due
R-1: “Doing Research” 68, (LSH)
R-2: “Evaluating Sources 77(LSH)
MLA Style: 93-135 (LSH)
Final Exam- Wednesday, December 11th at 7:30PM
Day
In-Class Course Topics and Activities
Wed
Final Exam-In-class Essay
Assignments & Readings Due