English 100
Spring 2002
Jane DeRoche, Instructor
MiraCosta College
Required Texts:
1) Bartholomae and Petrovsky. Ways of Reading, Fourth Edition
2) A good grammar book
3) An MLA source
Course Objectives
The readings for this class have been carefully selected to enhance and excite our natural
curiosities about the nature of human experience. Our goal will be to improve reading and writing
skills through the examination of multiple text perspectives, the analysis of a variety of rhetorical
issues, the development of a critical agenda about the works we read, and the cogent processing and
organization of information in the form of essays. We will set about accomplishing these goals
through the act of student-generated inquiry; that is, the class will, through reading, discussion, and
writing, create its own learning environment, guided by the instructor.
Success in any college class is dependent on a joint contract between the instructor and the
student. My objective is to present subject matter and a forum for thinking that stimulates learning.
Your responsibility is to commit yourself to engage with these materials in a manner that
supercedes the mere earning of a grade by endeavoring to become an independent learner and
thinker. Come to class prepared to discover!
Course Policies
1. Good class attendance is essential to your success in this course. No more than two
absences will be allowed without grade penalization. You have two “free tickets” for absences.
Use them wisely. Apart from these, there will be no excused absences. One point will be
subtracted from your overall grade for each absence more than two. For example, if you have
earned a total of 81 points, but you have 4 absences, you will receive 79 as a final grade (a drop
from a B to a C).
2. It is important that you arrive to class on time and well prepared. If you are tardy, please see me
after class so I can mark you present. If you fail to let me know that you are present, you will be
marked absent for the day. This will be your responsibility. Do not rely on me to “spot” your
presence. Three tardies (you are tardy when you enter the classroom after roll has been taken)
will be the equivalent of one absence.
3. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. Assignments are due within the first 15 minutes
of class on the due date. Always make more than one copy of your work in anticipation of a
myriad of unfortunate events that may take place between the printer and my desk. Do not take
for granted that your computer or printer will behave in its usual well-mannered production
mode. Plan ahead. If you are unable to attend class on the day your assignment is due, it will
still be your responsibility to get the assignment to me on time. I do not accept papers placed in
my box.
4. In accordance with the atmosphere of free inquiry and exploration of various controversial
issues, disrespect for others’ opinions, feelings, or standards will not be tolerated. As your
instructor, I reserve the right to enforce this “safe arena” policy by requesting offenders leave the
classroom. If that unfortunate event occurs, you will be marked absent for the day.
1
5. Essay Workshops: Prior to each essay due date, we will have a writing workshop. These
workshops will be an opportunity to read each other’s papers, exchange solutions to writing
problems, and to freely explore ideas with peers. Workshop groups will consist of two students.
You may not workshop your paper with the same person more than one time. If you fail to bring
a draft to the workshop session, you will be penalized five points on your final essay.
6 Essay Revisions: You will have one opportunity to revise a graded and returned essay. A
revision is not merely an editing of the essay—you must revise; that is, the essay must be represented, re-written. You may certainly draw from parts of the original, but what I do not want
to see is a word-for-word copy with grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors corrected. The
original must be stapled beneath the revision. I cannot accept revisions without the original
essay attached. Revisions are due one week after the return of the graded essay.
7. Please make sure that all pagers or cell phones are turned off during the class period.
Unexpected beeps or rings can be disturbing to the class and distracting to the instructor.
8. If you have any disability that may hamper your ability to perform well in this class, please
register with Disabled Student Program and Services, 795-6698.
9. The last day to drop this class is April 26.
10. I have zero tolerance for plagiarism. If I determine that any of your writing has been plagiarized,
you will receive an F on the assignment and be referred to the Dean of Student Services.
11. The best way to contact me outside of the classroom is to e-mail me at
JLDATMCC@yahoo.com. Additionally, I anticipate holding office hours on Tuesday and
Thursday from 3-4:00 p.m., in Room 4113A. My office phone number is 757-2121, ext. 6253.
12. MiraCosta College provides excellent resources for its students. For help with computing, the
Computer Labs are available during the semester, and there will be tutors to assist with
technical questions or problems. Tutorial Services offers assistance with essay writing and is
available on a walk-in basis or you may call for an appointment, 944-4449, ext. 7748.
Additionally, the Library provides orientation programs for students wishing to familiarize
themselves with the resources held there. Resource librarians are also present to assist with
locating sources.
The Buddha says:
“All I am doing is pointing. You must find it true for yourself”
Course Assignments
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Reading Summaries: A one to two pages (typed, double-spaced) summary will be required for
every reading assignment. These summaries must:
(1) identify the issue or problem the author is discussing;
(2) identify the audience you think the author is addressing (avoid too generalized groups such as
“students” or “the general public”;
(3) identify a conclusion or solution the author may offer.
5 points each maximum
Essays: Six analytical essays will be required during this session. These essays must be at least
four pages in length, typed, and double-spaced. Additionally, I expect them to be drafted in MLA
style (I will review this format in class), to contain a solid thesis statement, and to offer clear,
relevant supporting information. A revision process will be offered for five out of six essays.
10 points each maximum
Group Presentations: during the course of this session, students will be working in specific groups
in which specific issues regarding the text will be discussed. Group members will take turns
presenting their group’s findings to the rest of the class. This will be done in an informal manner.
Group members will rotate leadership. You will be graded on the amount of information contained
in your presentation as well as the thoughtfulness in which you present it.
10 points maximum
Grading Summary
Summaries
Essays
Group Presentation
5 points each
10 points each
10 points each
X
X
X
6=
6=
1=
30 points maximum
60 points maximum
10 points maximum
Keep Track of Your Own Grade
Assign.
Summary
Essay
Summary
Essay
Summary
Essay
Summary
Essay
Summary
Essay
Summary
Essay
Group
#
Poss.
Points
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
1
Your
Score
Percent
Total
Poss.
5
15
20
30
35
45
50
60
65
75
80
90
100
3
Schedule of Events
Date
Day
Class
23-Jan
W
Course Introduction - Syllabus
28-Jan
30-Jan
4-Feb
6-Feb
M
W
M
W
Walker discussion
Group work
Workshop essay #1
Writing roundtable discussion
11-Feb
13-Feb
18-Feb
20-Feb
M
W
M
W
Oates discussion
Group work
Workshop essay #2
Writing roundtable discussion
25-Feb
27-Feb
4-Mar
6-Mar
M
W
M
W
Rodriguez discussion
Group work
Workshop essay #3
Writing roundtable discussion
11-Mar
13-Mar
18-Mar
20-Mar
M
W
M
W
Anzaldua discussion
Group work
Workshop essay #4
Writing roundtable discussion
1-Apr
3-Apr
8-Apr
10-Apr
M
W
M
W
SPRING BREAK
Wideman discussion
Group work
Workshop essay #5
Foucault Pre-discussion
15-Apr
17-Apr
22-Apr
24-Apr
29-Apr
1-May
6-May
8-May
13-May
15-May
20-May
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
Foucault discussion #1
Foucault discussion #2
Group work
Group work
Outline
Workshop Essay #6
Class presentations (TBA)
Workshop Essay #6
Class presentations (TBA)
Final workshop on Essay #6
Final
Assignments
Read Alice Walker’s “In Search of Our Mothers’
Gardens”
Summary due 1/28
Essay #1
Revise essay #1
Read Joyce Carol Oates’ “Theft
Due 2/6
Summary due 2/11
Essay #2
Due 2/20
Revise essay #2
Read Richard Rodriguez’ “The Achievement of
Desire”
Summary due 2/25
Essay #3
Due 3/6
Revise essay #3
Read Gloria Anzaldua’s “How to Tame A Wild
Tongue”
Summary due 3/11
Essay #4
Due 3/20
Revise essay #4
Read John Wideman’s “Our Time”
Summary due 4/1
Essay #5
Due 4/10
Revise essay #5
Read Michel Foucault’s “Panopticism
Summary due 4/15
Essay #6
Due 5/20
Revise essay #6
4
5
6
7