NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MANASSAS CAMPUS
Fall 2011
August 23-December 13
English 111- 006M - College Composition I (3cr)
Room MH 210
Tuesday and Thursday - 9:30a.m. - 10:45a.m.
AND
English 9-006M – Individualized Instruction in Writing
Room MH 210
Tuesday and Thursday - 11:00-12:15p.m.
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English 111- 008M - College Composition I (3cr)
Room MH 210
Tuesday and Thursday - 12:30p.m.-1:45p.m.
AND
English 9-008M – Individualized Instruction in Writing
Room MH 210
Tuesday and Thursday - 2:00p.m. - 3:15p.m.
Dr. Kuhta, Professor of English
Phone- (703) 257-6694
Email akuhta@nvcc.edu
Office Location- Colgan Hall - Room 231
Office Hours: Tuesdays - 8:30 - 9:30a.m.; 10:45 -11:00a.m.; 12:15-12:30p.m.; 1:452:00p.m.; 6:00-7:00p.m.; 9:45-10:15p.m.
Thursdays - 8:30 - 9:30a.m.; 10:45 -11:00a.m.; 12:15-12:30p.m.; 1:45-2:00p.m.
Required Texts and Materials for 111/9
Hacker, Diana, and Nancy Sommers. A Writer’s Reference. (w/MLA Update) 7th ed. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin's, 2011. Print.
Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell. Patterns for College Writing. (w/MLA Update)
11th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010.
A flash drive for saving in-class writing.
The Washington Post newspaper. Bring to class each day ( 8/30-10/25).
Bring textbooks, saving device, Washington Post, and NOVACARD to class each day. You will
also need funds on your NOVACARD to print several pages in the Computer Lab some days.
Course Objectives: We will go over the English 111 course goals and objectives during the first
two class meetings. To review, go to
http://www.nvcc.edu/depts/academic/coursecont/summaries/eng111.pdf
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Information about English 9:
English 9 focuses on individual writing needs as determined by student and instructor. It provides
support for students, simultaneously enrolled in English 111 or other courses, who require (by
placement testing or desire) additional writing instruction in a tutorial setting. It does not give
three hrs credit; you receive three hours credit for 111 only.
English 9 is paired with English 111; you will have the same instructor for both courses. English
9 will help you draft, revise, and edit the essays assigned in English 111. You will NOT be
required to write additional essays in English 9.
In order to receive credit (and your earned letter grade) in English 111, you MUST receive a
“Satisfactory” in English 9. There are three possible grades in English 009:
U - Unsatisfactory [must re-enroll in and pass English 9]
(Student did not complete assignments or attend enough classes.)
R - Re-enroll [must re-enroll in and pass English 9]
(Student completed assignments, but did not master subject matter.)
S - Passes English 9 and may receive grade earned in credit English 111
course.
Class Policies:
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. You may not miss more than SIX class
meetings and pass English 111 or English 9. If you miss more than six classes, you will receive
either an “F” or an “I,” depending on the individual circumstances.
Late Work Policy: Unless you and I have spoken or emailed agreeing to an extension, no
late work will be accepted or graded. Medical or family emergencies may require appropriate
follow-up documentation. If you have to miss a class, contact a classmate for assignments, so
you will be prepared for the next class. Assignments not submitted in paper form when called
for in class will receive a zero. Quizzes may NOT be made-up (The two lowest grades will
be dropped at the end of the semester.)
CELL PHONES must be on vibrate or off during class.
DO NOT send TEXT MESSAGES or make calls during class. Doing so disrupts the teaching and
learning process and will result in a significant reduction in the Class Participation grade.
LAPTOPS may ONLY be used when class time is given for composing drafts or final drafts.
I expect you to be on time to class. If you are not here when I take attendance, you are late; your
attendance and on-time arrival to class will be part of the Class Participation grade. Two (2)
tardies equal one (1) absence.
During the first week of class, please advise me of any documented learning or physical
disability and provide me with a NOVA Accommodation Form, so I can provide you with
reasonable accommodations. It is your responsibility, not a counselor's, to present me with the
Accommodation Form. Accommodations will begin as soon as you give me the Accommodation
Form. Accommodations are not retroactive.
Plagiarism of others’ ideas or words will result in an “F” on the assignment and a referral to the
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Division Dean. You are encouraged to use the services of the NOVA Writing Lab; however,
work prepared for you by a paid tutor will not be accepted.
Evaluation:
Quizzes (Drop 2) - 20%;
Washington Post Summaries and Analyses (Drop 2) – 20%;
Essays and Resume Project - 40%;
Class participation - 10%;
Final Exam - 10%.
CLASS ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS
WEEK ONE
Tues. 8/23
Introductions. Overview of course. Writing Sample draft.
H/W - Bring to next class: NOVA Card, both textbooks, and flash drive.
Thurs. 8/25
Due: All required materials.
In-class 1. Writing sample - typed final draft.
2. Introduction to Blackboard (Bb) - Email and Practice posting. [Call 703-426-4141. Have
NOVA ID ready. Select Option # 1 to get Computer Lab Login information.]
H/W – Begin bringing the Washington Post to each class.
WEEK TWO
Tues. 8/30
In-class 1. Mechanics & Grammar Review
2. Introduction to Hacker online. www.dianahacker.com/writersref - exercises.
3. Washington Post analysis.
H/W ENGLISH 9 - CONFERENCES with Writing Samples
Thurs. 9/1
Due:
In-class 1. Review/return of Writing Samples.
2. Vocabulary - vulnerable, kung fu, Sam Colt, harass.
3. Washington Post analysis.
H/W - Read in Patterns Chapter 3, "Arrangement," pp. 37- mid. p. 48.
Read in Patterns, Hasselstrom's "A Peaceful Woman Explains Why She Carries a Gun,"
pp. 357-360.
ENGLISH 9 - CONFERENCES with Writing Samples
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WEEK THREE
Tues. 9/6
Quiz on Chapter 3 and "A Peaceful Woman…."
In-class 1. Discussion of Chapter 3 and "A Peaceful Woman."
2. Hacker On-line exercises.
3. Vocabulary - innate, etymologically, disparagingly, reclamation, derogatory, ethnologist,
undifferentiated, chasm.
4. Washington Post analysis.
H/W - Read in Patterns, Lakoff''s "The Power of Words in Wartime," pp. 363-365.
Read in Patterns Chapter 14, "Argumentation," pp. 547- mid 553.
Thurs. 9/8
Quiz on Chapter 14 and "The Power of Words…."
In-class 1. Discussion of "The Power of Words in Wartime" and Chapter 14.
2. "Saving for a House" sample essay - introduction, thesis, development, and conclusion.
3. Washington Post analysis.
ENGLISH 9 - CONFERENCES - with Writing Samples.
WEEK FOUR
Tues. 9/13
In-class 1. Syntax development - Sentence Combining Exercise in groups.
2. Vocabulary - perspective, mythic, superficial, scrutiny, discretion, curtailing, divergence,
expatriate, saris, and mongrelization.
3. Washington Post analysis.
H/W - Read in Patterns, Mukherjee's "Two Ways to Belong in America," pp. 411-15.
Thurs. 9/15
Quiz - "Two Ways to Belong…"
In class 1. Discussion of "Two Ways to Belong…"
2. Directions for Essay # 1.
3. Composing of Essay # 1.
4. Washington Post analysis.
H/W - Bring hard copy of Essay # 1 draft to class on Tuesday 9/20. [One letter grade off final
essay grade if hard copy of draft is not submitted when roll is called Tuesday.]
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WEEK FIVE
Tues. 9/20
Due: Hard copy of Essay # 1 draft.
In-class 1. Revision and editing of drafts.
2. Washington Post analysis.
H/W - Read in Patterns Chapter 4 "Drafting and Revising," pp. 51-65.
Revise and edit Essay # 1 draft. Bring 2nd draft to class on Thursday. [One letter grade
off final essay grade if hard copy of draft is not submitted when roll is called
Thursday.]
ENGLISH 9 - CONFERENCES - Bring hard copy of Essay # 1 draft.
Thurs. 9/22
Quiz on Chapter 4.
Due: Hard copy of Essay # 1 second draft.
In-class 1. Sharing/discussion of Essay # 1 drafts and Chapter 4. Peer Review.
2. Revision/editing/proofreading strategies. Chapter 5, p. 67.
3. Vocabulary - proximity, ethnographic, antecedent, dynamics.
4. Washington Post analysis.
ENGLISH 9 - CONFERENCES - Bring hard copy of Essay # 1 second draft.
FINAL draft of Essay # 1 due in Bb ASSIGNMENTS by 11:59p.m. Mon. 9/26.
Bring hard copy to next class, 9/27.
H/W - Read in Patterns, Wright's essay "Friending, Ancient or Otherwise," pp. 431-433.
WEEK SIX
Tues. 9/27
Quiz on "Friending."
Due: Hard copy of Essay # 1 Final Draft (that you posted on Bb 9/26). [One letter grade
off final essay grade if hard copy of final draft is not submitted when roll is called
today.]
In-class 1. Sharing of Essay # 1.
2. Discussion of "Friending."
3. Syntax development - Sentence Combining Exercise in groups.
4. Vocabulary - sting, ascetic, propensity, primeval, droves, incise, endemic.
5. Washington Post analysis.
H/W - Read in Patterns, Kirby's essay "Inked Well," pp. 738-742.
Thurs. 9/29
Quiz on "Inked Well."
1. Discussion of "Inked Well."
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3. Comments on Essay # 1 grades, strengths and weaknesses.
4. Washington Post analysis.
H/W WEEK SEVEN
Tues. 10/4
In-class 1. Discussion of Essay # 2 - Careers and Colleges.
2. Research for Essay # 2. [Paper copies of research due next class.] http://www.bls.gov
www.collegeboard.com
3. Washington Post analysis.
H/W - Bring paper copies of research for Essay # 2.
Read in Patterns, Chapter 11, "Comparison and Contrast," pp. 383-89.
Thurs. 10/6
Quiz - Chapter 11
Due: Paper copies of Essay # 2 research.
1. Discussion of research process, articles, and documentation. Practice.
2. Discussion of Chapter 11 - planning and structuring a comparison/contrast essay.
3. Directions for Essay # 2- Comparison/Contrast.
H/W - Bring hard copy of Essay # 2 first draft to class on Thurs. 10/13. [One letter grade
off final essay grade if hard copy of draft is not submitted when roll is called
Thursday.]
WEEK EIGHT
Tues. 10/11 – No Classes.
Thurs. 10/13
Due: Hard copy of Essay # 2 first draft. [One letter grade off final essay grade if hard copy of
draft is not submitted when roll is called today.]
In-class 1. Revision and editing of drafts.
2. Washington Post analysis.
H/W - Revise and edit first draft. Bring hard copy of 2nd draft to class on Tues. 10/18
ENGLISH 9 - CONFERENCES - Bring hard copy of Essay # 2 first draft. (1/2 class).
WEEK NINE
Tues. 10/18
Due: Hard copy of Essay # 2 second draft. [One letter grade off final essay grade if hard copy
of draft is not submitted when roll is called today.]
In-class –
1. Revision and editing of second drafts.
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2. Washington Post analysis.
H/W - FINAL draft of Essay # 2 due in ASSIGNMENTS on Bb by 11:59, Wed. 10/19
Bring hard copy to class on Thurs. 10/20.
ENGLISH 9 - CONFERENCES - Bring hard copy of Essay # 2 second draft. (1/2 class).
Thurs. 10/20
Due: Hard copy of Essay # 2 FINAL draft. ( the one you posted on Bb 10/19.) [One letter grade
off final essay grade if hard copy of FINAL draft is not submitted when roll is called today.]
In-class 1. Sharing of essays.
2. Vocabulary - stalk, baffle, staid, adjacent, punctuated, sheepishly, distraught, apprehensive.
3. Washington Post analysis.
H/W - In Patterns, read Gansberg's "Thirty-eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call Police," pp. 120123.
WEEK TEN
Tues. 10/25
Quiz on "Thirty-eight Who Saw…"
In-class 1. Discussion of "Thirty-eight Who Saw…"
2. Comments on Essay # 2 grades, strengths, and weaknesses.
3. Washington Post analysis. {LAST Washington Post analysis.}
H/W - Complete Resume Worksheet.
Thurs. 10/27
Due: Resume Worksheet
In-class 1. Review of Resume Worksheets
2. Resume/Cover Letter Workshop Directions.
H/W –
WEEK ELEVEN
Tues. 11/1
Due:
In-class Resume/Cover Letter Workshop.
H/W - Type draft of resume, following samples and directions given in class.
ENGLISH 9 - CONFERENCES - (1/2 class).
Thurs. 11/3
Due: Typed draft of resume. [One letter grade off final resume grade if hard copy of draft is not
submitted when roll is called today.]
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In-class 1. Resume revision and editing workshop.
2. 2.Introduction to Cover Letters.
H/W - Type draft of cover letter, following samples and directions given in class.
WEEK TWELVE
Tues. 11/8
Due: Typed draft of cover letter. [One letter grade off final cover letter grade if hard copy of
draft is not submitted when roll is called today.]
In-class Cover letter revision and editing workshop. directions for List of References and envelope.
H/W - Prepare FINAL drafts of resume, cover letter, List of references, and word processed
envelope. Bring paper copies to class 11/10.
ENGLISH 9 - CONFERENCES - (1/2 class).
Thurs. 11/10
Due: FINAL drafts of resume, cover letter, List of references, and word-processed envelope.
In-class 1. Sharing of resumes, cover letters, List of References, and Envelopes.
2. Vocabulary - minion, protocol, subordinates, eccentrics, "Millennials," "Generation - X,"
"Baby Boomers," indolent, insolent, inaudible, hierarchy, incomprehensible.
H/W - Read Peter and Hull's "The Peter Principle," pp. 216-20.
WEEK THIRTEEN
Tues. 11/15
Quiz on "The Peter Principle."
In-class 1. Discussion of "The Peter Principle."
2. Syntax development - Sentence Combining Exercise in groups.
H/W - Read Washington Post article "Millennials Accused of Lax Work Ethic Say It's Not All
About 9-to-5."
Thurs. 11/17
Quiz on "Millennials Accused of Lax Work Ethic Say It's Not All About 9-to-5."
In-class 1. Discussion of "Millennials Accused of Lax Work Ethic Say It's Not All About 9-to-5."
2. Review of resumes and cover letters. Resumes and cover letters returned.
H/W -
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WEEK FOURTEEN
Tues. 11/22
In-class 1. Vocabulary - intangible, blithe, tonic, codified, exhorted, tenacity, faculties, accrue, privy,
venerated, supplicants, proverbial, and balm.
2. Syntax development - Sentence Combining Exercise in groups.
H/W - In Patterns, read " Zinsser's "College Pressures," pp. 462-68.
Thurs. 11/24 - No classes. Thanksgiving Holiday.
WEEK FIFTEEN
Tues. 11/29
Quiz on "College Pressures."
In-class 1. Discussion of "College Pressures."
2. Review for Final Exam - grammar.
H/W - TBD
Thurs. 12/1
In-class Review for Final Exam – vocabulary, grammar, and readings.
H/W - Bring one ScanTron form with at least 25 items and a #2 pencil to class on Tues. 12/6.
WEEK SIXTEEN
Tues. 12/6 – [LAST CLASS]
Due - One ScanTron form with at least 25 items. Bring a #2 pencil.]
In-classFinal Exam - Part I - Grammar . (Open Book)
Part II – Vocabulary and Readings (Closed Book).
Thurs. 12/8 – [No class] Individual conferences, as needed.
H/W - Access Final Exam Part III on Bb; post in ASSIGNMENTS by 11:59p.m. Tues. 12/13.
WEEK SEVENTEEN
Tues. 12/13 – [No class]
Post Final Exam Part III in Bb ASSIGNMENTS by 11:59p.m.