ENGLISH COMPOSITION – 101 (Section006/CRN #11228)
Spring 2012
Instructor: Lakshmi Gudipati
Class room: BR-29
Class Days & Time: TTH 5:15 – 6:35
Office: BR-25H
Office Hours: T & TH 12:30- 1:30
MWF: 12:45: 1:45
Or by appointment
Office Phone: 215-751-8665
E-mail: lgudipati@ccp.edu
Course Description and targeted learning outcomes
English 101 – English Composition I
First of a two-part sequence in English composition. This course requires the writing of
academic essays of about 500 words which develop significant ideas in a sequence of wellorganized paragraphs with a minimum of errors. Students are expected to use a variety of
rhetorical patterns and respond in writing to assigned reading. Prerequisite: "Pass" grade in
098 or satisfactory score on the composition placement test.
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
 Use appropriate rhetorical development (such as analysis, comparison/contrast,
interpretation and argument) to respond to the central ideas of an assigned text
 Paraphrase sentences and short passages from reading texts
 Analyze a written assignment
 Develop essays of varying length and complexity that incorporate ideas from texts
 Use a variety of sentence patterns, indicating a generally mature style
 Evaluate effectiveness of their own writing via feedback from professor, peers and self to
produce a rigorous revision
 Use vocabulary that conveys meaning accurately and appropriately for a college student
Textbooks
1. Better by Atul Gawande, ISBN: 0312427654, Publisher: PICADOR
New: $14.00, Used: $10.50 (Better)
2. They Say I say, 2nd Edition by Graff & Berkenstein, ISBN: 9780393933611,
Publisher: Norton ,
New: $23.00, Used: $17.25 (GB)
3. Other Voices and Other Vistas by B.Solomon, ISBN: 9780451528407,
Publisher: PENGUIN USA (OV),
New: $8.95, Used: $ 6.70 (OV)
4. Mercury Reader: Custom English Handbook with Readings (MR)
Custom Price: $43.00
Other Materials:
A College Level Dictionary, A Pen Drive, Loose leaf papers, & at least 2 folders to submit
homework and essays
FYI
All of you must have a ccp.edu e-mail ID and a password that would allow you to access the
Course Page. We will be actively using the Course Page for posting messages, reading
materials, assignments, and group discussions. If you are new to the use of the Course Page,
please spend some time learning how to navigate the page.
Statement on plagiarism: “Students must do their own work; plagiarism will not be tolerated.”
Statement on disability: “Students who are registered with the Center on Disability must inform
the instructor by the end of the first week of classes if special accommodations are requested.”
(from College Policies and Procedures Memorandum)
Grade allocation:
Take- Home essays
60%
In-class essays
20%
Class work, homework, and attendance
10 %
Final Exam
10% (passing grade in the final is a must)
Reading, Writing and Assignment Schedule
Please note that this assignment schedule is not complete. There will be additional homework and
class work assigned. Also, this assignment schedule may be changed from time to time as needed
in order to keep pace with class development. Regular attendance is crucial in order to maintain
sustained learning.
The course is divided into thematic and rhetorical units of study. The primary objective in each
unit is to engage in a focused study of a topic, think critically on a select theme, and learn to
develop an essay in a select rhetorical format. Your study goal is to learn and put into practice
effective reading and writing and critical thinking skills.
The schedule below is a plan that is made to fit the 15 week semester. However, there may be
adjustments made on a need basis as we move forward each week. Therefore, in addition to
bringing this syllabus to class, it is necessary that you make note of the assigned homework at
the end of each class and to make the changes to the dates in the syllabus if any changes are
announced.
Unit 0 - Week 1
JAN 17
Course Introduction, Diagnostic Writing
Class work: course over-view, reading and writing diagnostics (in-class).
Homework:
1. Read the course description package in its entirety and mark important information, i.e.,
course goals, activities, grading procedures and policies.
2. Write a letter to me describing your previous reading and writing experiences and
your specific educational goals. Mention how you will take advantage of this course to
prepare you for college. Please include specific information on the following items in
your letter along with the above: 1. Number of English classes in high school, some of
the titles of texts read and the type and amount of writing done. 2. Writing and reading
classes in college and the kinds of reading and writing done (if applicable). 3. Your views
on the writing activity in general (things you like and do not like to do). 4. Your strengths
and weaknesses in reading and writing.
JAN 19
An over view of academic discourse; Review of composing process; basics of grammar, syntax,
and usage
Class work: exercises in paragraph development and editing
Homework
Read: Chapters 1.”Reading Critically”;
2. “Reasoning Critically”;
“Three Kinds of Discipline” by John Holt;
26. “Generating and Organizing Ideas”
28. “Drafting”
All from the Mercury Reader (MR)
Write: Essay # 1, topic: Three ways of learning (Due on JAN 24)
Unit 1 - Week 2, JAN 24 & 26
Reading Critically: Understanding the text and developing a critical perspective
Class Work
Activities based on the assigned homework readings
Writing Summary and analysis
Home work
Read: “Where I Come From Is Like This” by Paula Gunn Allen, Pp. 94-100 (MR)
Chapter 27, “Purpose, Thesis, and Audience”
Write: Essay # 2, topic: Culture and Identity (Due on JAN 31)
Unit 2 - Weeks 3 & 4
Week 3 - JAN 31 & FEB 2
Grammar and Revision Workshop
Chapters 10 -25 in MR
Activities include grammar exercises, and writing and editing
Week 4, FEB 7 & 9
Go over Chapter 29, “Revising, Editing, and Proofreading” in MR the night before class and
design a plan for revising one of your essays and bring it to class
Class work
Revise essay 1
Homework
Write: Revise essay 2
Read: Chapters
5. Communities of Readers and Writers
“None of the Above: What IQ Doesn’t Tell about Race”
“A Rounded Version: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences”
Unit 3 – Weeks 5 & 6
Week 5
FEB 14
Class work
Writing summary
Prepare for in-class essay (FEB 16)
FEB 16
Class work
In class essay based on the readings on intelligence
Homework
Read: Part I: Diligence, Pp. 1- 51 in Better
Write: Respond to questions based on the reading
Week 6
FEB 21 & 23
FEB 21
Class work
Analysis exercises based on “Diligence”
Receive and discuss Essay Assignment # 3, topic: Diligence: a Definition
Homework
Make an outline to be developed into an essay on FEB 23 in class
FEB 23
Class work
Write: First draft of Take-Home Essay # 3
Read: Ch.4, “Persuasive Arguments” in MR
“Don’t Let Stereotypes Warp Your Judgments” in MR
“Class in America – 2006” in MR
Write: a descriptive summary of one of the stereotypes essay. Follow the assigned guidelines in
doing your summary.
Unit 4 - Weeks 7 & 8
Week 7
FEB 28
Class Work
Analyze reading selection in preparation for in-class essay # 2
Homework
Prepare for in-class essay
March 1
In-class Essay # 2; Topics: class in America, or Stereotypes
Receive Take-Home Essay # 4
Homework
Read: Part II, “Doing Right” in Better
Write: Final Draft of Essay # 3 due on MAR 13
March 5-10 SPRING BREAK
Week 8
MAR 13 & 15
Writing argument summary and analysis
March 13
Class work: analyze selections from Part II of Better
Prepare Outlines for Take-Home Essay # 4
Homework
Write first drafts of Take-Home Essay # 4
March 15
Class Work
Peer-Revision of Take-Home Essay # 4
Homework
Read: select stories from OV
CH 3, “Reading and Writing about Literature” in MR
Unit 5 – Weeks 9 & 10
Writing analysis essay
MAR 20 & 22,
Class Work
Analyze select stories from OV
Homework: TBA
March 27
In-class essay # 3 (short stories from OV)
Homework
Read: Chapters 5 & 6 from MR
Write: TBA
March 29
Weeks 11 & 13
APR 3, 5, 10 & 12
Synthesis and Analysis
Readings: TBA
Assignments: Take-Home Essay # 5, Topic: TBA
Unit 6 –Weeks 14 & 15, APR 17, 19, 24 & 26
Portfolio Compilation and final exam Preparation
Last Class Day
Final Exam: TBA
APR 26
Course Policies and Procedures
English 101 is a beginning college writing course designed to help you strengthen your academic
reading, writing and critical thinking abilities. The writing you do is based on the texts you read
and analyze. You will be reading and analyzing the conceptual, methodological and rhetorical
aspects of each text within an academic framework
Learning Objectives
In order to help you achieve the learning outcomes the necessary skills in these three areas have
been identified: critical thinking, reading and writing.
Acquiring critical thinking and rhetorical skills will help you
 gain insight into how different humanities and social science (History, Psychology,
Literature, etc.) disciplines approach and study human interest themes;
 strengthen analysis and argumentation skills by engaging in critical reading and writing
process activities, text analysis, and productive class discussions;
 translate ideas and thoughts into academically appropriate written essays, paragraphs and
sentences; and
 refine your sentencing, vocabulary and grammar skills.
Learning goals
The course will be organized into learning units built around one or more of the chosen themes,
relevant reading and writing strategies, a rhetorical purpose for analysis and writing, as well as
practice in the use of appropriate language forms. In each unit you will engage in the activities
listed below.
 learn to use interactive reading strategies such as use of background knowledge,
highlighting, marginal comments, note taking, and outlining in processing the textual
information;
 improve your writing skills in summarizing, quoting, paraphrasing, generating succinct
thesis, and developing supporting paragraphs in an essay;
 become conscious of the different strategies involved in reading and writing processes in
general and discover the strategies that work best for a given assignment and for you as
an individual writer; and
 learn the conventions and usage of academic writing by linking the concepts such as
rhetorical purpose, context, and audience expectations to writing conventions such as
modes of expression, language register and usage.
Other Policies & Procedures
Books: You are expected to buy all the required books by the end of first week and bring them
with you to class as specified by me.
Assignments: You will have homework assignments in the form of journals, reading, writing
and grammar exercises, take-home and in-class essays including revision and peer-reviewing.
You will also have to participate in small group exercises. Work on all these activities will be
factored into your final grade. You will receive more specifics on each assignment separately
Homework: Homework must be turned in before the class begins unless otherwise specified.
Class work: Individual tasks must be finished in a timely fashion. Group work should be
conducted in a cooperative and productive manner. (See handout on the procedures for group
work.)
Quizzes: announced and pop, cannot be made-up if missed.
Journals: You will be asked to do at least one journal in each unit. I will give you specific tasks
for you to respond to in your journals. Checking journal entries depends on the type of task
assigned. Often, you will be asked to use your journals to carry on group work. I will collect
your journals at least three times during the semester to record a grade on the work. The grade is
given on the basis of the completion and the level of engagement in the assignment.
Essays: All essay assignments must be turned in on time to receive full credit. All assignments
must be turned in as instructed. Turn in homework assignments and journals in your Homeworkfolder and papers and drafts in your Essay-folder. You should submit your papers neatly typed
with double spacing, one-inch margins and proper headings. You are strongly advised to get into
the habit of using computers regularly to do your work. We have a computer lab for student use
in Room B2-32 where Computers and assistance are available for all CCP students with a
student ID.
Seeking tutorial assistance: College offers tutorial assistance to English 101 students through
the services of the Learning Lab located at B1-28. You may seek assistance in at any stage in the
process of writing your essays. You need to go to the appointment desk and make an
appointment with a tutor. Normally you may sign up for a half hour individual or group session
depending upon your need. Sometimes, I ask you to meet with a tutor to get help with writing
tasks that may need you to additional instruction. In that event, you will be asked to take your
assignment and all the writing you had done with your to the session. At the end of the session,
you will have the tutor write a note with his/her signature on it.
Plagiarism and Cheating: The College has a policy on cheating and plagiarism (passing
somebody else's writing as if it's your own), which is illegal. Some times by not using quotations
and paraphrases accurately, you may be committing unintended plagiarism. Therefore,
remember to paraphrase or quote from all your sources and always cite your references. If you
are caught cheating or plagiarizing you will receive an F for the assignment and will be dropped
from the course.
Classroom Behavior: Absolutely no eating, chewing gum, or doing homework, or any work
unrelated to the course. No talking amongst your selves while the teacher is addressing the class.
Walking out of the classroom while class is in session unless it is absolutely necessary is
inappropriate. Make time to take care of your physical needs such as hunger and toilet use
before class. Cell-phone use is not permitted and they must be turned off, or kept on vibration
mode only if it is absolutely necessary.
Attendance: Attend class regularly. If you are absent for more than 2 classes consecutively,
your grade will be affected negatively by your absences. A student who is absent for a two
weeks of classes, the teacher is entitled to drop you or ask you to drop the class as per college
policy. If you make-up the missed work within an agreed upon time, you may be allowed to stay
in class. Be in class on time. Do not leave early. If more than 10 minutes late, you will be
marked a tardy and 3 Tardies will be converted into one absence automatically. Leaving class
before the time is up will be handled in a similar way. It is your responsibility to make up work
that you missed due to your absence. For this reason, you should exchange phone numbers with
at least two of your classmates. If you miss any quizzes, you will not have makeup quizzes.
Know that if your work or family responsibilities cause conflicts with class time after the
semester begins, you need to drop the course and NO OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS CAN BE
MADE.
Student-teacher conferences: I hold office hours and students may find me to talk to me on any
course related matter or a given assignments. Sometimes I may ask an individual student for a
meeting in my office. If the designated office hours are not convenient for you, you may make
an appointment at a mutually convenient time. I also check my E-mail at least twice a day. You
may use to either communicate with me or to submit essay assignments if you cannot do so in
class.
Contacting the instructor outside of class time: If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to
get homework and catch up. You should contact a classmate to find out the assigned homework.
If, for any reason, you could not reach me or I do not get back to you in a timely manner, you
should contact a classmate and get the information. Get the names and numbers of three or four
classmates for your convenience.
Evaluation
Language Proficiency Expectations: Your placement in this course means that you have
already acquired paragraphing, sentencing, grammar and vocabulary skills basic to college
writing. However, if your performance in class indicates weaknesses in these areas, you will be
asked to do additional exercises and/or directed to seek tutorial assistance from a learning lab
instructor. Failure to do these things in a timely manner will be detrimental to your continued
progress in the course and will affect your grade.
Essay Assignments: You will write 4 take-home essays of varying length and 4 in-class essays
over the semester. You will write all these essays in response to the thematic readings you will
do in each learning unit. For each essay, you will receive a specific assignment at the beginning
of the unit. In it, you will be presented with timelines and submission deadlines. For the essays
you write at home, you will write a first draft and a final draft. Each draft (first and final) of the
take-home essays will be given a grade. The effort invested and the quality of thought and
writing in both drafts will be taken into consideration for grading.
Final Examination: At the end of the course, you will write a two hour long in-class essay. The
questions for the exam are set by a designated committee of professors and are administered
college wide. Your responses are read by a group of English professors who will evaluate and
grade the essays in terms of the exit criteria determined by the department. Getting a “P” grade
in the final exam is crucial for you because, it weighs in heavily in light of the fact it is graded by
external graders. Therefore, you should take it seriously and must do it well enough to receive a
“P” grade. There is no such policy that if you maintain an “A” or “B” average, you will be
exempt from the final exam.
Grading: Depending on your, readiness, effort and achievement, you may earn three kinds of
grade. You could earn a grade of A, B or C if you meet all the course goals satisfactorily. You
will earn an “MP” or “Making Progress” grade if your performance indicates that you are
making progress but you need more time to prepare for the next level. To this end, the system
allows you to repeat a course a second time without an F grade on your transcripts. However,
having to repeat a course a third time will result in an “F” grade. An F is assigned when a
student is absent more than 6 times but does not drop the class, or when assignments are not
done per instructions and when a deadline is repeatedly ignored without a provable excuse. To
pass this course, you must take the final, and get a grade of A, B, or C, in the final exam. In
addition, regular attendance, class participation, completion of assignments, quizzes and tests are
requirements to receive a grade of A, B, or C. The scores for each grade are: A: 100-90, B: 8980, C: 79-70, D: 69-60, F: below 60. MP is assigned when scores are not higher than 69 even
though regular attendance and effort has been made. An MP grade is therefore designated only
for those students who need more learning time to pass the course.
Special Requests
Special Needs Students: If you require a special accommodation due to any kind of disability,
please inform me in the first week of class so that I can better serve your needs. The school
policy is that by the end of the first week, students who register with the Center for Disabilities
must hand in a copy of the paperwork to the instructor.
Class Cancellations: If classes are cancelled due to weather conditions, you can check on the
college home page, call by dialing 751-8000, check on TV, or listen for school closings to radio
station KYW 1060. CCP ID number for day classes is 238.
Contacting students outside of class time: Sometimes, instructors need to contact students
outside of class to pass on information about class cancellation or other such needs. Please
indicate a phone number where you can be reached at on the data sheet provided to you. If you
prefer not to be called, please indicate so.
Have a nice semester. Feel free to see me during my office hours with any
question you may have over the course contents or policies. If my office hours are
not a convenient time, you may make an appointment with me to meet at a mutually
convenient time.
Good-Luck