English 100—English Composition
Spring 2010
Instructor: Jennifer Chagala
Location: P-3, MB-4
Time: Thursday 6:00 – 9:50pm
Email: jchagala@palomar.edu
Scope of Course:
In this class, you will practice expository and argumentative writing based on analytical reading and
critical thinking. Topics will include methods of organization and development, principles of basic
research, and elements of style. Texts will focus on exploration of one’s self—through family ties,
gender roles, social and cultural categories, and ethnic identifications—and the ways in which these
explorations are transmitted into the written word.
Required Texts:
Sedaris, David, ed. Children Playing before a Statue of Hercules.
Grades:
Your grades will be based on the following:
 Short Essays (including all related assignments)
 Research Paper (including all related assignments)
 Quizzes, In-class assignments, and Participation
60%
30%
10%
Assignments:
All assignments are due within the first ten minutes of class, unless otherwise specified. Late
papers/homework will be penalized by one grade for every day they are late. All assignments turned in
after the first ten minutes of class are considered a day late. I will not accept assignments turned in three
days after the due date. Weekend days count.
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Short Essays and Workshops: Four essays (3-4 pages). Every student will have one short
essay workshopped by the class. Workshop dates will be assigned by the end of week 1.
Participation in workshops will comprise 20% of each short essay’s grade.
Research Paper: One research essay (6-8 pages). This project will be broken down into smaller
parts, including an abstract, annotated bibliography, rough draft, and final draft.
Quizzes and In-class Assignments: Pop quizzes on readings, homework discussion questions,
and writing reflections.
Participation and Attendance:
Class discussion is a crucial component of this class. Please come to every class prepared to discuss the
week’s assignments. If you miss more than 3 classes, your grade will be lowered five percentage points
per absence. Absolutely no exceptions—so use your absences wisely. Although I appreciate when
students let me know why they are absent, discussing an absence with me does not excuse it.
Email:
Feel free to email me at any time with questions. I will always respond to emails. If you do not receive a
response from me within 24 hours, I did not receive your email and it is your responsibility to email me
again. I prefer that essays are emailed to me, although you can turn in a hard copy if you like. If you
choose to email your essays, please give them names that indicate the assignment and the writer (you).
Example title: JenChagalaEssayOne.docx. If you do not have Microsoft Word, please save your essay in
Rich Text Format.
Plagiarism:
Directly quoting or paraphrasing another’s ideas or words without proper acknowledgment is plagiarism.
It will result in an “F” for the course and may lead to suspension from the college.
Class Distractions:
Please do not listen to Ipods in class. Please do not answer cell phones in class or leave class to take a
phone call. Please do not text in class. Please do not make a habit of being late. Instead, please use
common sense and be respectful.
Tentative Schedule:
Date
1/21
Reading Due and Discussion Topics
Discuss Syllabus, Writing Workshops, and
Academic Writing
Coded Language
Assign Paper #1
Writing Due
1/28
Writing Lab
2/4
Mock Workshop
Coded Language in the Media
Sedaris, “Introduction”
Lahiri, “Interpreter of Maladies”
Sharma, “Cosmopolitan”
2/11
O’Connor, “Revelation”
Alexie, “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix,
Arizona” (Handout)
Writing Lab
Workshop Papers for Group 1
Reading Questions
2/18
Writing Workshops
Writing Lab
Workshop Responses
2/25
Assign Paper #2
Johnston, “Irish Girl”
Tan, “Two Kinds” (Handout)
Writing Lab
Paper #1
Reading Questions
3/4
Highsmith, “Where the Door is Always Open…”
Thompson, “Applause, Applause”
Writing Lab
Workshop Papers for Group 2
Reading Questions
3/11
Writing Workshops
Writing Lab
Workshop Responses
Reflection on Coded Language
Plan for Paper 1
Mock Workshop Response
Reading Questions
3/18
Assign Paper #3
Gannon, “I Know What…”
Parker, “Song of the Shirt, 1941”
Writing Lab
3/25
NO CLASS
4/1
Willett, “The Best of Betty”
Baxter, “Gryphon”
Discuss Research Paper, Abstract, Annotated
Bibliography, and Research
Workshop Papers for Group 3
4/8
Writing Workshops
Writing Lab
Workshop Responses
4/15
Assign Paper #4
Oates, “The Girl with the Blackened Eye”
Wolff, “Bullet in the Brain”
Writing Lab
Paper #3
Thesis for Research Paper
4/22
In-Class Essay #4
Annotated Bibliography
4/29
Writing Workshop
Abstract
5/6
Paper Meetings
Rough Draft of Research Paper
5/13
Paper Meetings
Rough Draft of Research Paper
5/17
(Monday)
*Schedule is subject to change
Paper #2
Reading Questions
Research Paper Due by Noon