Blue Ridge Community College – Robert E. Lee High School
Dual Enrollment College Composition / English 112
Sping 2014, Room 228
Shutt’s Email: bshutt@staunton.k12.va.us
I. Course Description:
Course develops students’ writing ability for study, work, and other areas of writing
based on experience, observation, research, and reading of selected literature. English
112 guides students in learning to write as a process: understanding audience and
purpose, exploring ideas and information, composing, revising, and editing. English 112
supports writing by integrating experiences in critical thinking, reading, listening,
analyzing, and speaking. The course will also fulfill the English 11 SOL requirements as
it pertains to writing, technical skills, and the exploration of American literature.
II. Course Objectives:
Writing:
 Write a variety of compositional modes including interpretation, evaluation, and
argumentation
 Use the writing process approach: prewrite, write, rewrite, and publish
 Write compositions that demonstrate an appropriate sense of audience and purpose for
designated writing assignments which include processed and spontaneous writing.
 Develop paragraphs through details and images arranged in a variety of conventional
forms
 Employ Standard English syntax, grammar, punctuation, usage, spelling, and
capitalization.
Reading:
 Interact with texts—essays, narratives, explanations, reviews, etc.—through close reading
to develop relationships between content and form, reading and writing, creative and
critical discourses, and ordinary and literary language.
 Discover the dynamics of texts through close reading or narrative, dramatic, poetic,
meditative, explanatory, and persuasive modes and respond to them interpretively.
 Read texts to think, experience, and appreciate.
Researching and Computing:
 Access research materials, major reference works, library stacks, print and digital
indexes, informational sources via BRCC and VCCS network—to include Internet
sources and databases.
 Develop research-based papers. Projects and presentations from resources accessed
through library and PC sources.
 Produce, edit, and revise texts using networked word processing and other composition
software, such as a networked online handbook.
 Differentiate and use MLA and APA documentation for a variety of textual forms.
III. Value of Assigned Work:
15%
20%
20%
Midterm/Final (of total)
Journals
Tests
10%
50%
Participation, Classwork, Homework
Essays and Projects
IV. Late Work:
All work should be turned in on time. All major deadlines are in the syllabus. Plan
ahead! Unexcused late work = 10% deduction for the first day and 5% each school
day after. Missing work = 0% and will be labeled as so in the grade book until
submitted. I do not give 50% for missing work or very late work. (see policy)
Emailing Work: You can email work; however, I do not want to hear about computer
issues. If you have issues then bring your work to class the day it is due. Use Word.
V. Blue Ridge Community College Grading Scale:
A = 90-100
D = 60-69
B = 80-89
F = 59 and below
C = 70-79
Writing Requirement: All major writing assignments must be completed satisfactorily in order
to pass the class. You do not have the option of not turning one in. Please follow rubrics!
Holistic Scoring Guide for Essays
A An essay that is excellent contains the following:
* substantial ideas and content and mature style
* clear focus and organization
*effective, creative language use and sentence structure
*strong voice and clear sense of audience
*polished grammar and mechanical conventions
B An essay that is good contains the following:
*competent content /ideas and style
*clear focus and organization
*recognizable voice and sense of audience
*effective language use and sentence structure
*minimal grammar and mechanical mistakes
C An essay that is fair contains the following:
*developing content/ideas and style
*developing clear focus and organization
*minimal language problems
*developing sense of audience and voice
*adequate use of grammar and mechanical conventions
D An essay that is below average contains the following:
*thin in substance and undistinguished in style
*little, if any, focus or organization
*recurring language problems that interfere with reading
*inappropriate or lacking voice or sense of audience
*major sentence errors
F An essay that is unacceptable and failing:
*contains severe weaknesses that render that content incomprehensible
*is the product of plagiarism, severe lateness, or other academic dishonesty
VI. Attendance:
Class attendance is mandatory. Missing work is YOUR responsibility. More than 5
unexcused absences are serious grounds for not receiving credit for the
course.
VII. Academic Honesty:
BRCC’s Academic Honesty Policy is available online at the following address:
http://www.brcc.edu/Student/Catalog/academic/code.htm and states that, “The
functioning of an academic community depends on the integrity of all of its members.
BRCC values truthfulness, respect for the property of others, and honesty in academic
work. Violations include but are not limited to cheating on tests and quizzes,
unauthorized collaboration on assignments, and plagiarism. Violations of these values
may result in permanent dismissal from the College or a “0” for the assignment. The
Statement on Student Rights and Responsibilities, located at the address below provide
specific guidelines. http://www.brcc.edu/Student/Handbook/policy/rights.
VIII. Expectations:
Homework: In addition to noted assignments, you should read and write/revise outside
of class. This is also a great time to peer edit. Work not finished in class should be
completed at home or during plus block.
Grading: Essays and Projects take a little longer to grade; be patient please.
Behavior: Your behavior should exemplify that of a college student.
 Pay attention and be quiet during instruction; participate!
 Be to class on time and stay seated until the bell
 Limit bathroom and water breaks.
 LET ME TEACH. LET OTHERS LEARN.
 Cell phone usage and music devices are NOT allowed!
Consequences: Warning, Parent contact, Administrative support (referral)
Please see Robert E. Lee Handbook for other policies concerning tardy, absences, dress,
language, behavior, food, etc. Dual Enrollment students must obey both Robert E.
Lee policies and Blue Ridge Community College policies.
IX. Texts and Supplies: in correlation with English 11 requirements
Required: paper, pen or pencil, access to a computer, binder or folder
Meyer, Michael. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. 8th ed.
Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s, 2010. Print.
*Ethan Frome, Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, Streetcar, Long Journey, Death of
Salesman, and 1 selected work
X. Assignment Schedule (subject to additions and possible subtractions)
Daily assignments: journals, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary
January / February:
Writing SOL
Unit 1: Poetry: responding to poetry, poetry analysis, word choice, tone, word order,
imagery, figures of speech, sounds, rhythm, and forms
DE Products: Journals 1-3, poem analysis Essay
11 Topics: vocabulary, review mechanics/ grammar, American Realism / Naturalism,
Argue-Persuasive Writing, Ethan Frome, Project (due 2/18)
February / March: Writing SOL
Unit 2: Fiction: responding to fiction, plot, character, setting, point of view, symbolism,
theme, style, tone, irony, and elements of fiction
DE Products: Journals 4, 5, 6, and 7; Gatsby Symbolism Essay, Of Mice and Men
historical-character essay
11H Topics: Roaring 20s, Harlem Renaissance; Great Gatsby; Of Mice and Men, ArguePersuasive Writing, vocabulary, review mechanics / grammar
April / May:
Reading SOL
Unit 3: Drama: responding to drama, drama conventions, characterization, symbolism
DE Products: Journals 8-10, Literary criticism Essay, Compare-Contrast Essay
11H Topics: Gloom, Desperation, Anger, Decay, and Disillusionment
Streetcar Named Desire, Long Day’s Journey Into the Night, Death of Salesman
Choose 1: Native Son, Catcher in the Rye, Separate Peace, Jungle, As I Lay Dying, or
Go Tell it on the Mountain
Journals: Journals must be polished to 300+ words. MLA format (unless noted)
Essays: Essays must be 600+ words in MLA format except the noted essay that must be
1500+ words in APA format
Journals
1 song (tone)
2 song (theme)
3 song (Frome)
4 Elements of Fiction (short story: setting)
5 Elements of Fiction (short story: character)
6 Research (20s-30s)
7 Gatsby-Men (in class)
8 Streetcar
9 Journey
10 Salesman
due 1/31
due 2/7
due 2/21
due 3/4
due 3/12
due 3/26
due 4/4
due 4/23
due 5/9
due 5/23
Essays
1 Poem Analysis Essay
due 2/10
2 Gatsby Symbolism Essay due 3/17
3 Of Mice and Men Historical-Character Essay due 4/2
4 Compare-Contrast Essay due 5/16
5 Literary Criticism Essay due 5/28
I have read and understand Mr. Shutt’s DE syllabus.
I understand the cheating policy.
I understand the late work policy.
I understand the expectations both academically and behaviorally.
I understand that I must pay for the course.
Print Name _________________________________________
Sign Name ____________________________________ Date __________
Parent or Guardian Signature ___________________________________
Date _________________________________