Freshman Composition I (ENC 1101) :Day class
Instructor: Professor Alison D. Smith
Office/library/online hours by appointment
Fall 2010
Email:adsmith@atlas.valenciacc.edu
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REQUIRED TEXTS, MATERIALS AND SKILLS
Kirszner, Lauri G., and Stephen Mandell. The Wadsworth Handbook. 9th ed. Boston:
Thomas/Wadsworth, 2008. (WH)
Buscemi, Santi, and Charlotte Smith. 75 Readings Plus. 9th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill,
2007. (75)
Additional readings/information on Atlas. (Found under “Files”) (AR)
Computer/internet/ATLAS knowledge/access.
COURSE PREREQUISITES:
A score of 83 on the writing component of the CPT or equivalent score on other state approved entry test or
minimum grade of C in ENC 0012 and ENC 0012L, or ENC 0012C or EAP 1640 or ENS 1441; also a score of 83
on REA 002 and REA 0002L or REA 0002C or EAP 1620 or ENS 1421.
VALENCIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT COMPETENCIES:
THINK
VALUE
COMMUNICATE
ACT
All four of these key competencies will be utilized this semester in order for you as writers, researchers, and students
to realize the import of being part of a shared community where your own voices and ideas are valued and you are
called on to become proactive members in an academic setting.
INTRODUCTION AND COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
This ENC 1101 course is designed to introduce students to the essay form and to provide instruction and practice in
expository writing, including the documented essay. The emphasis is on clarity of central and supporting ideas,
adequate development, logical organization, coherence, appropriate citing of primary and/or secondary sources, and
grammatical and mechanical accuracy. This course includes several learning activities designed to ensure
competence in the writing process, as well as in the basic use of computers/technology. Also, this course is all about
what it means to be a critical thinker/reader/writer.
All ENC1101 assignments and activities will be directed toward fulfilling the following:
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First and foremost, students will engage in invention, discovery, drafting, and revision as a deliberate
writing process.
Students will learn a range of available choices to produce effective writing for specific audiences.
Students will examine and deconstruct how writing/language influences popular culture.
Students will utilize technology in various ways.
Students will use various mediums to produce texts.
Students will learn how to successfully research and correctly document selected topical essays according
to MLA.
Through multiple writing activities, film viewings and/or television viewings, and three college- level
essay assignments and an Annotated Bibliography, we will come to know writing as a process that is
never fixed, but rather a fluid act that invites a plethora of perspectives. Re-vision, as well as
rethinking and rewriting are emphasized. To make these connections, we will engage in active and
thoughtful classroom discussions, lots of group activities, peer responses, and formal and informal
writings, critical reading, and critical thinking. Please note: there are 100 points possible by the
end of the semester.
GORDON RULE
To satisfy state requirements, students are required to complete multiple academic/college-level
writing assignments and earn a grade of C or higher.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION
Formal Essays/Assignments: 70 Points Total
Essay I: “This I Believe” (with online component)
15 points
Assignment II: Proposal and Annotated Bibliography
10 points
Essay III: Research/Argue a Workable “Truth” (documented essay) 30 points
Essay IV: A Review /Final Exam
15 points
SUBMISSION OF ALL ESSAYS
Each essay/text will undergo at least two drafts before a final grade is assigned to it. This may be done
through peer editing/response and/or instructor conferencing. Failure to turn in one of these will result
in failure of this course. Also, you must pass every essay to pass this class.
Each essay draft must be typed, double-spaced, meet the word requirement length as per the assignment
sheet, with 1-inch margins and a standard 12-inch font (Arial, Courier, Times New Roman, etc.). There
is never a title page. Instead, in the upper left-hand corner of the first page the following should be
listed:
Your Name
My Name Spelled Correctly (Professor Alison Smith)
ENC 1101 day and time
Date
Essay # and Draft #
Also, your text should include the snappiest title ever, be numbered according to MLA standards, as well
as spell-checked, and free from typos and grammatical errors, with all drafts and peer responses
included at the time of final submission and stapled all together.
I will accept nothing less. If you do not submit your work as requested above, at least 2 letter
grades will be deducted.
This class relies heavily on collaboration and is designed to follow a seminar format.
What this means is that we will all be learning from one another and writing with one another and
constantly coming to know different ideas and ways of thinking and writing through small and large
group activities including: peer editing, (in)formal presentations, classroom discussions, and essay
assignments. This is not a traditional lecture class!
CLASS PARTICIPATION, READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS (10 points)
You are expected to come prepared to class and talk. Please read the assigned texts before class, bring
assigned texts with you according to the schedule, and anticipate lively informal discussions, peer
presentations, group presentations, and in-class writings. Also, every class meeting you are required to
annotate each assigned reading (take notes!) and bring two specific questions or concerns related to the
assigned texts for the day to share with the class and illustrate your critical thinking skills.
IN CLASS PRESENTATION (20 points)
Also, you are to select (or be assigned) one reading from the 75 Readings Plus and lead a compelling and
creative class discussion. Be prepared to talk and ask questions for 10 minutes. You must bring a wellorganized typed handout the day of the presentation for each classmate and me (28 copies are needed)
highlighting significant points of the reading according to you and your own reading interests, as well as a
list of questions that will encourage class discussion—or you can use the technology provided in the
classroom for your presentation (I still need a hard copy however). (You will sign up for this
presentation the second week of class.) The purpose of these presentations is to examine how successful
each writer has constructed her/his text(s) and determine the intended audience, genre, and “what’s at
stake?” (read, “meanings”) in the reading. Consult the “Leadership of Class Discussion” handout found
on Atlas.
Please note: If you miss a presentation, you cannot make it up. You merely lose 20 points.
POLICIES AND MORE
Attendance: Coming to all class meetings in a timely manner is desired. In other words, be here and be on time! If
you are late more than 2 times, such will equal one absence. More than 20 percent of missed class time will result
in failure of the course or withdrawal. Please contact me via the email address listed on the syllabus in extreme
cases. However, you are responsible for all assigned work the date is it due.
The Withdrawal date is November 5, 2010.
Email: Please check your email regularly (at least 3 times a week), as I will be providing additional instructions for
assignments. Also, when emailing me, make sure you include your full name, class, and use proper “netiquette.”
I will only answer email from your Atlas account. Note: I do not respond to email on Fridays or Saturdays.
Late Work: Assignments are due when and where specified. I do not accept late work, nor do I accept work via
email (unless we have arranged this in advance).
Classroom Space: Because this is an interactive class, we need to recognize that there will be multiple opinions
expressed. I welcome these differences. Thus, it is imperative that every class member be treated with respect and
not silenced. Hate speech will not be tolerated in this class. You will be asked to leave the classroom immediately,
and you will have to meet with Dean Long before allowed back in this class.
Plagiarism: Don’t do it! In “Why Writing Matters: A Guide To First-Year Composition”
this is defined as, “using someone else’s words or ideas, intentionally or unintentionally, without giving the source
proper credit.” Consult page 224 for a succinct definition in your Wadsworth Handbook if you need further
explanation. I am most interested in what you have to say; therefore, there is no need for plagiarism. However, if it
is indeed determined that plagiarism has occurred, you may be subject to an academic grievance and/or failure of the
course. Academic dishonesty (“cheating”) will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade.
Please see Academic Honesty Policy Number: 6Hx28:10-16 in the Student Handbook.
Avoid Biased Language: This is a must. Sexist, hetero-sexist, racist, classist, and ageist (to name only a few)
language is not allowed in the classroom. I find offensive and limiting labels extremely problematic, and I will
not tolerate them in my class. Examples that are not acceptable are such words as “chicks,” “dykes,” “fags,”
“crazies,” etc. Alike, do not use exclusive words like “firemen” when you mean “firefighters.” You will come to
realize that word choice/diction is integral to successful writing.
Cell Phones: Please make sure they are turned off before class begins. There is no texting allowed.
Other Electronic Devices: There is no need for your laptops, IPods, etc. to be turned on in class unless such is
being utilized for peer presentations or have approved use by me.
I highly suggest frequent visits to The Writing Center. This will highlight our commitment to collaboration,
rewriting, rethinking, and re-vision, and hopefully you will gain some new and useful insight regarding your own
writing processes and topics. The Writing Center is located in Building 5, room 155A. You should call 407-5821812 for an appointment.
Students with Special Needs: Any student with special needs that may affect his/her progress in this course
should notify me as early in the semester as possible. Students with disabilities who qualify for academic
accommodations must provide a letter from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific
needs with the professor, preferably during the first two weeks of class.
This syllabus is subject to change according to the instructor.
Please refer back to this document when you have questions before asking me.
Fall Schedule 2010
August
8/30
Class Introduction
September
9/1
Bio Poem
9/6
No class: Labor Day
9/8
Sign up for class presentation
Chapter 1, 2, 4 & 34 (WH)
“Coming to an Awareness of Language”
Essay I assigned
9/13
Discuss This I Believe(s) and Edward R. Murrough (discuss background
research)
Film viewing: Good Night and Good Luck
9/15
Good Night and Good Luck
9/20
Finish film
Rough draft of Essay I due
Peer review day
9/22
Essay I due
“Salvation” and “Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police”
Chapter 5 & 8 (WH)
Assign Proposal and Annotated Bibliography
9/27
“Fifth Avenue, Uptown” and “Marrying Absurd”
458-460 (WH)
MLA Day! Chapter 17 & Part 4 (WH)
Topic selected
9/29
“Women’s Beauty: Put Down or Power Source,”
“Talk in the Intimate Relationship: His and Hers,”
and “Why I Want a Wife”
Tv viewing
October
10/4
Library Day
10/6
On your own research day (read Chapters 13, 14, & 16) (WH)
10/11
“Predictable Crisis of Adulthood,” “Doublespeak,” “What Secrets Tell,”
and “The Green-Eyed Monster”
Quiz on WH readings
10/13
Proposal and Annotated Bibliography due
“What is Poverty”
Film viewing
10/18
Continue film…
10/20
“Neat People vs. Sloppy People,” “Two Ways to Belong in America,”
“Black Men in Public Spaces” and “White Guilt”
10/25
Group activity assigned
Assign Essay III
10/27
Group Activity performed
Chapters 10 & 12 (WH)
November
11/1
“If Hitler Asked You to Electrocute a Stranger, Would You?
Probably” and “DNA as Destiny”
View Obedience
11/3
“The Details of Life,” “Should This Student Be Expelled?” and “Shouting
Fire”
Rough draft of Essay III due (3 copies needed)
11/8
“Global Warming is Eroding Glacial Ice”
An Inconvenient Truth
11/10
An Inconvenient Truth
11/15
Essay III due
“I Have a Dream,” “To Any Would Be Terrorist,” and Obama’s Inaugural
Address (AR)
11/17
Tv viewing
In class writing
11/22
“Sex, Drugs, Disasters, and the Extinction of the Dinosaurs” and “On
Dumpster Diving”
In class writing
11/24
Holiday: College closed
11/29
Assign Essay IV
“Clutter”
Bring in favorite song
In class writing
December
12/1
Bring in two reviews and have read them: highlight what you notice
In class writing
12/6
Film viewing
12/8
Finish film
12/?
Essay IV/Final Exam due