CIN Change It Now!
English 102-CIN: Reading, Reasoning and Writing- Accelerated
Course
Instructor: Carmen Johnston
Email:cjohnston@chabotcollege.edu
Voicemail: (510) 723-6809
Office Hours: M: 12:30-1:30, T: 1:00-2:30,
W: 12:30-2:00, TH: 2:30-3:30
Office: 452-N, IOB (Instructional Office Building)
Learning Assistant: Junice Reyes
Email: jponcianarvr@yahoo.com
Office Hour: Tuesday 12-1 (meet in the WRAC center)
*The WRAC Center is located in the library mezzanine
Welcome to the CIN, Change It Now! Learning Community! In this
class we will explore issues facing our communities. Often we experience
injustice and we don’t quite understand why it is happening, where it
originated from or do we have language to describe it. We will investigate all
of these questions as well as expand our perspectives. We will be engaging in
various texts and using them to help us better comprehend our experiences.
You will also be given the opportunity to apply your knowledge through
experiential learning.
In this class, you will develop your comprehension, critical thinking and
writing skills, so that you can be prepared for success in college English. This
is an “accelerated” course, which means we will be moving pretty fast
through the readings and assignments. It will be imperative that you check in
with me when you are struggling. You will build your vocabulary through close
readings and various writing assignments in response to the text. The skills
you develop in this class will not only lead to success in college English, but in
life! Critical thinking and good writing skills are important in every
profession.
.
The structure of this class is very experiential. Meaning, we will have
a lot of games, group work, excursions, presentations and discussions. Your
complete participation in all class activities will further your understanding
of the concepts we explore and will enable you to pass the class.
Furthermore, we will also be discussing sensitive issues such as race, class,
gender and sexuality. We will spend a lot of time creating a safe environment
where everyone’s voice can be heard and respected.
Course Work:
 Readings (two books)
 Class Discussion
 Group Work
 Journals
 Discussion Papers
 1 exam
 3 essays,
 Group project
Required Texts and Materials:
Twilight Los Angeles, 1992 Anna Deavere Smith
Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler
Grading Policy:
70% Written Assignments (Journals*, Discussion Papers*, Essays, Final,
Group Project)
30% Class Participation (attendance, homework, discussions, group work)
*Journals and Discussion Papers are weekly assignments. The total points for
these assignments are equal to an essay.
Passing the class:
o You must complete every essay, including the final to pass the class.
o Because the journals and discussion papers totaled are equal to an
essay, they must be completed as well.
o You must complete 75% of all other assignments to pass the class.
o You may complete all of the assignments, but if your essays do not
average at least 75% or do not show significant improvement you will
not pass the class.
Class Policies
o Your consistent attendance is crucial. If you miss 4 classes or 3
consecutively without checking in with me, you will be dropped from
the class.
o We will be using Blackboard in this class, so you can keep up with
missed assignments by utilizing the Blackboard site. It is your
responsibility to keep up with your assignments.
o There are no make-up quizzes, or exams.
o Late papers will be accepted up to one week after the paper’s due
date.
o All Late papers will be taken down one full grade.
o Papers turned in electronically will not be accepted. You must turn in
your papers in class or during my office hours.
o If you receive a “D” grade or lower on your essays you may write them
over if you meet with me immediately. You have one week to turn in
the rewrite.
Blackboard
“Blackboard is a password-protected, web-based course management
system.” We will be using Blackboard to assist our learning environment. Our
site will contain the syllabus, assignments used in class, a discussion board,
as well as external links. You must be enrolled in the class to access
Blackboard. Only enrolled students will have the password needed to enter
our Blackboard site within the semester.
Plagiarism:
Within the world of academia, plagiarism is a serious offense. It will not be
tolerated in this class. If you plagiarize any assignment, you may receive and
“F” on the assignment or fail the class. Depending on the depth of the
offense, you may also experience further disciplinary actions from the
college.
Plagiarism can include:
 Passing off something written by another person as your own writing
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Not giving credit to your sources for their ideas, information and
words you have borrowed from them
Not quoting when you use an author’s exact words
Not changing the wording when paraphrasing
Tentative Class Schedule (subject to change)
Week
Aug 15
Assignment
Intro to Class
Aug 22
Social Change
Introduce “Grammar Rock”
Class
Gender
Aug 29
Sept 5
Sept 12
Sept 19
Sept 26
Oct 3
Oct 10
Oct 17
Oct 24
Oct 31
Nov 7
Nov 14
Nov 21
Nov 28
Dec 5
Dec 12
Race
Grammar Rock Projects Due
Sign Up for Research Project
Exam #1
Essay #1 Due
Begin Twilight Los Angeles
Twilight Los Angeles
Twilight Los Angeles
Twilight Los Angeles
Begin Essay #2
Essay # 2 Prep (conferences)
Community Reflection Due
Essay #2 Due
Research
Research
Research
Parable of the Sower
Parable of the Sower
Annotated Works Cited Due
Parable of the Sower
Begin Essay #3
Parable of the Sower
Essay #3 Prep
Research Analysis Due
Essay #3 Due
Research Project Presentations
Notes
Sept 5th Labor Day
Sept 5th Last Day to Add
or Drop with “NGR”
Sept 27th No Classes,
Flex Day
Nov 4th Last Day to Drop
with a “W”
Nov 23-26 Thanksgiving
Break
Dec 13-20 Final Exam
Week