WR121, Exposition: Film, Music, & Television
CRN: 71249
Classroom: Building 3, Room 263
Class meeting times: MWF, 10:30-11:20
Credits: 3
Instructor: Justus Ballard
Voice mail: 503-399-5170
Email: justus.ballard@chemeketa.edu
Office: 1/220
Office hours: MW 9:20-10:20; M 1:45-2:15; T 12:15-1:15
Course Description
WR121 is a first term English composition course. You will work towards developing clear and detailed expository prose,
clear and organized thinking, and perceptive and intelligent reading. You will also be introduced to argumentative writing.
This is a themed WR121, which means that much of what you will be writing this term will focus on film, music, television,
and other aspects of contemporary American popular culture.
Required Texts
• Humble, Roy. The Humble Essay. Problem Child Press (abbreviated here as THE)
• Graff and Birkenstein. They Say, I Say. 2nd Edition. Norton (abbreviated here as TSIS)
• Hacker, Diana. A Pocket Style Manual. 5th Edition. Bedford/St. Martin’s (abbreviated here as APSM)
Recommended Texts
Any good dictionary, paperback or hardcover, used or new. You can also find reliable dictionaries on the Internet.
Required Resources
• Internet and email access.
• Two folders with pockets that you can keep your essays in. Keep each graded essay (along with the accompanying
materials) in a safe place, because you will need them at the end of the term.
• Extra printer ink or toner. You will be required to print several copies of each of your essays. Believe me, you need extra
ink or toner cartridges.
Course Outcomes
In completing WR121 you will have demonstrated your ability to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Use critical thinking to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate ideas in your papers and other texts.
Recognize and use a writing process to advance an assignment from exploration through revision, editing, and
proofreading.
Control unity, coherence, and development in units of writing 500-700 words long so that:
a. Topic sentences/thesis statements establish content boundaries,
b. Support is ordered logically and linked clearly,
c. Ideas receive adequate support to make them clear,
d. Introduction/conclusions announce and close discourse
Use a thesis (focus, controlling idea, etc.) to establish control of an essay’s content.
Independently manage prerequisite skills as well as sentence grammar, subject-verb agreement, sentence variety,
and word choice.
Adjust rhetorical strategies (e.g. modes, tone, point of view, etc.) to reflect your purpose.
Read critically.
Course Requirements
Attendance: You are expected to attend classes and complete all assignments. There will be a great many in-class
assignments that cannot be made up. Should you have to be absent, please remember that it is your responsibility to get
notes, assignments, or announcements from your peers or by contacting me either during office hours or via email.
Essays: During the course of the term, you will write four formal essays. You will submit preliminary work, including topic
ideas and initial drafts, prior to each essay’s due date. Late drafts will NOT be accepted. Each writer will receive written
and oral feedback in class. All of these preliminary components of each essay, along with peer editing work, will be included
with the final draft of the essay in the folder you submit on the essay’s due date.
Essay Format: All papers should have a heading, which includes your name, the class name (WR121) and hour, my name,
the essay number and the date. (An example is included below.) Essays should be typed and double spaced. Side margins
should be no more than 1 inch. Paragraphs should be indented. Do not skip extra lines between paragraphs. Font size should
be 12, and the font should be Times (or an equivalent). You will need to include a Works Cited list for each essay, and your
sources should be documented according to MLA format (you can find this format in APSM). As a matter of fact, get to
know all facets of the MLA format. It’ll come in handy, trust me.
Chemeketa Community College • 4000 Lancaster Drive NE • PO Box 14007 • Salem, OR 97309-7070
WR121 – Ballard – p. 2
Here’s how your essay headers should look:
Your Name
WR121 10:30
Assignment Name
Justus Ballard
Date
Word Count: XXX
TITLE OF ESSAY
Late Essays: All essays are due at the beginning of class on their due dates. Late essays are not eligible for revision and
inclusion in your final portfolio; therefore, it’s a good idea to get each essay in on time, even if you feel it could still use
some work. Late informal writing assignments count as missed assignments (see Grading below).
No Essays: Failure to turn in an essay constitutes failure to complete the requirements of this course and will result in a
failing grade.
Informal Writing: There will be informal writing assignments throughout the term. Some writing will be done in-class,
some as homework. These informal assignments are graded solely on completion. If you complete the assignment and turn
it in on time, you get credit. If you don’t complete the assignment or don’t turn it in on time, you will receive no credit or
partial credit.
Online Quizzes: There will be at least two online quizzes on material you will read and/or view online. The quizzes and the
materials can be found at our course website. You can access our course website at https://chemeketa.blackboard.com. These
are graded in a similar fashion to the informal writing assignments.
Grading: Your grade is based primarily on the four formal essays you’ll be writing, as well as the Final Portfolio
assignment. However, missing more than one informal writing assignment or quiz can lower your final grade a full letter
grade. If you miss three or more informal writing assignments or quizzes, the highest grade you can receive in the class is a
C. Missing more than one peer review can also lower your final grade a full letter grade. If you miss all three peer reviews,
you cannot pass the class: the highest grade you can receive is an F. Incompletes will not be given except in cases where
circumstances beyond the student's control make completing the course impossible and the student has done enough work
that he or she is able to complete the course within a week or two after the term ends.
Grading Scale:
A: 100%-90% B: 89%-80%
C: 79%-70%
D: 69%-60%
F: 59%-0%
If you have a question about your grade at any point during the term, please contact me, and I’ll be happy to discuss it with
you.
Portfolio: You will revise one or two essays and submit them in a portfolio that will be due during finals week (week 11). In
addition to the revised essays, you will also need to write a brief (<1 page) self-assessment of what changes you made and
why you feel they improved your essays.
Conferences: I will meet with you individually at some point during the term to discuss your progress in the course. We’ll
work on scheduling these conferences throughout the term.
My Office: My office is in Building 1, Room 220. Feel free to drop by during office hours or make an appointment!
Writing Center: You are strongly encouraged to make use of the Chemeketa Writing Center. Please consider making
appointments here early and often. The one-on-one help you receive in the Writing Center is invaluable to your progress as a
writer. Writing center appointments are particularly important if you know you have residual problems with your writing that
were not addressed in previous writing courses. You may sign up for free appointments with faculty tutors who can assist you
in all facets of your writing.
Plagiarism and Other Sure-Fire Ways to Fail This Class
Plagiarize One Or More Assignments: Academic honesty is an indispensable value as students acquire knowledge and
develop skills in college. Students are expected to practice academic honesty by not cheating, plagiarizing, or
misrepresenting their coursework in any way. Students are ultimately responsible for understanding and avoiding academic
dishonesty whether such incidences are intentional or unintentional. Plagiarism will result in an F in this class. If you have
any questions about this policy, about your own work with regard to this policy, or about what constitutes plagiarism, talk to
me.
Miss Six Classes: This may be overkill, but I can’t stress it enough: if you miss six classes (that’s two weeks’ worth of
instruction) without speaking to me in advance, you will most likely fail the course. There are some things in life that are
beyond our control, and there are even some things in life that are more important than school; therefore, if something
happens in the next eleven weeks that may seriously impair your ability to attend class, it may be to your benefit to drop the
class and try again next term, or when things settle down.
Don’t Do The Work: I’m glad you decided to show up to every class, but please keep in mind that you also need to turn in
your essays and informal writing assignments in order to even be eligible to pass the class. I’m going to do my best to make
Chemeketa Community College • 4000 Lancaster Drive NE • PO Box 14007 • Salem, OR 97309-7070
WR121 – Ballard – p. 3
sure everyone is keeping up, but ultimately the responsibility lies with you. If you’re having trouble with anything in this
class (or with certain things outside of class, although my help and advice in most other areas may be of questionable worth),
please contact me. (At this point in the syllabus, that phrase should sound very familiar.)
Miss All Three Peer Review Sessions: As with attendance, I completely understand if you can’t make it to one of the peer
review sessions. Things do happen. However, since the peer review sessions in this class serve to ensure that you are able to
meet Course Outcome #7 (check it out; it’s on the first page of this syllabus), if you miss two sessions your grade will drop
by a full letter. If you miss all three peer review sessions, that means you have not met a course outcome and you will not
pass the class.
English Program Statement on Academic Honesty
Academic honesty is an indispensable value as students acquire knowledge and develop skills in college.
Students at Chemeketa Community College are expected to practice academic honesty by not cheating,
plagiarizing or misrepresenting their coursework in any way. Students are ultimately responsible for
understanding and avoiding academic dishonesty whether such incidences are intentional or unintentional.
Violations may result in failure of an assignment or failure of the course.
Plagiarism, collusion, and other forms of misrepresentation hurt the student and run counter to the goals of
education. The English faculty at Chemeketa are committed to educating students regarding academic
honesty. If at any time you are not sure about the legitimacy of your writing in this course, ask your instructor
for clarification.
Other Vital Information
ADA Statement
If you feel you may need an academic adjustment for any type of disability, please contact me right away, or see someone at
Services for Students with Disabilities. They can be reached at 503-399-5192.
Diversity Value Statement
We are enriched by the diversity of our students, staff, and community. We welcome diverse perspectives and encourage the
free exchange of ideas.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Chemeketa Community College provides an environment that celebrates the freedom to learn and the freedom to teach. In
that celebration of teaching and learning it is appropriate that individuals and groups be viewed with regard to their potential
to contribute within the learning environment. Each has dignity and value. As a community of people seeking education,
Chemeketa students are dedicated to improving personally and academically. Choosing to join the college community
obligates each member to a code of behavior. Chemeketa students will:
 Practice personal and educational integrity.
 Maintain standards of academic performance and contribute to the safe, cooperative and respectful learning
environment throughout the college.
 Discourage bigotry and respect the diversity and dignity of all persons.
 Respect the rights and properties of all persons.
 Bear the ultimate responsibility for the effects of their decisions and behavior.
And finally…
If you need to reach me for any reason, the best way is VIA EMAIL. Again, my email address is
justus.ballard@chemeketa.edu. I generally check my email several times during the day and evening, and I will try to
respond to you in a timely fashion.
I look forward to working with and getting to know each of you. If you ever want to talk to me about anything pertaining to
the class (on which I’m somewhat of an expert) or pertaining to life in general (on which I’m a well-intentioned amateur),
feel free to talk to me either before or after class. If I don’t have time to talk, we can set up an appointment (or you could
come visit me during office hours!).
Chemeketa Community College • 4000 Lancaster Drive NE • PO Box 14007 • Salem, OR 97309-7070
WR121 – Ballard – p. 4
Tentative Course Schedule
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Introductions. Essay 1 assignment.
WK1
WHAT TO READ: THE Intro (by Wed), Chaps. 1-4, pp 1-58 (by Fri)
WHAT’S DUE: Pick a song (in class on Wed), You Are What You Listen To (on Fri), THE
Summary/Response I (on Fri)
WK2
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Writing Essay 1. Discussing music and main ideas. Conference sign-up.
WHAT TO READ: THE Chaps. 5-7 & Conclusion, pp 59-111 (by Fri)
WHAT’S DUE: Describe a Song (on Mon), Final draft of Essay 1 (on Fri), THE Summary/Response
II (on Fri)
WK3
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Small group TV discussions. In-class conferences on Essay 1.
WHAT TO READ: TSIS 1-51, handouts (in your Essay 2 packet)
WHAT’S DUE: Top Models (at conference), TSIS 1-51 Assignment (on Fri)
WK4
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Writing Essay 2. Discussing plagiarism. Reliability of Internet Sources.
Online quiz (source reliability). Draft workshop.
WHAT TO READ: TSIS 55-101 (by Mon)
WHAT’S DUE: Extensive Outline (on Mon), three (3) copies of Essay 2 working draft (on Fri)
WK5
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Discussing films.
WHAT TO READ: Handouts in your Essay 3 packet (by Fri)
WHAT’S DUE: Final draft of Essay 2 (on Wed), Brief Guide to Films (on Wed), Online quiz (by Fri)
WK6
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Citing sources using MLA. Discussing details and organization. Academic
and Popular Sources. Online quiz (academic vs. popular). Draft workshop.
WHAT TO READ: TSIS 105-138 (by Wed)
WHAT’S DUE: Reviews review (on Mon), TSIS 105-138 Assignment (on Wed), Online quiz (by Wed),
three (3) copies of Essay 3 working draft (on Fri)
WK7
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Conference sign-up. Library.
WHAT TO READ: “Harry Potter and the Functions of Popular Culture” (by Fri, via course website)
WHAT’S DUE: Final draft of Essay 3 (on Wed), “Harry Potter” Summary/Response (on Fri)
WK8
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Conferences and research.
WHAT TO READ: TSIS 145-155, Essays 1 and 2
WHAT’S DUE: Revision Plan Draft Worksheet (at conference), E4 main idea (at conference)
WK9
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Toulmin, Rogerian, & classical argument. In-class writing assignment. Draft
workshop.
WHAT TO READ: Handout
WHAT’S DUE: Annotated Bibliography (on Mon), three (3) copies of Essay 4 working draft (on Fri),
Revision Plan (via email by Fri)
WK10
NO CLASS ON MONDAY, MAY 31: MEMORIAL DAY
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Discussing portfolios. Discussing the revision process.
WHAT TO READ: Nothing at all.
WHAT’S DUE: Final draft of Essay 4 (on Fri)
WK11
WHAT’S HAPPENING: In-class final.
WHAT’S DUE: Your final portfolio.
WE MEET: In our normal classroom at 10am on Wednesday, June 9.
NOTE: Just like the title says, this schedule is tentative. I will notify you in advance of any changes in the schedule. If you
miss a class session, you might want to email me or a classmate to see if something has changed.
Chemeketa Community College • 4000 Lancaster Drive NE • PO Box 14007 • Salem, OR 97309-7070