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English 124: Critical Reasoning and Writing, Section #7258 / MW 2-3:15
Instructor: Sydney Brown / sydney.brown@gcccd.edu
sydbrown.net / 619.644.7523
Advanced Composition:
COURSE CALENDAR
The following is a tentative schedule of readings and course activities subject to change at the
discretion of the instructor—or unforeseen changes in collective linguistic weather (the best way
to stay “in the loop” is to attend class regularly). If I am absent, be sure to check e-mail or
message left on official notice on classroom door. If you miss class, you are responsible for
arranging to pick up handouts before the next class meets. Absence is not an excuse for being
unprepared for the following session. Those who show up for class unprepared drain our
collective energy…so please be present in body AND mind. Please turn off laptops and cell
phones (in fact, do not place them on your desk!) while in the classroom—we do it “old school.”
Readings and all written work should be completed for the day they are assigned. In other
words, come to class having prepared and/or completed what is listed that date. (A gentle reminder: please do not e-mail work to
me or place work in my school mailbox; it will not be read.) Bring appropriate books/handouts on days you have assignments from
them. Any questions? Just ask.
Monday, January 25
 Introduction: Critical Reasoning & Writing
 Handouts: Syllabus, Survey
WEEK ONE
Wednesday, January 27
 In-class Writing (diagnostic): Stephen Dunn’s poem “To a Terrorist”
WEEK TWO
Monday, February 1
 Lecture/discussion: Content and Form
 Return/discuss: Poem as Argument and In-class Writing (diagnostic)
Wednesday, February 3
 Lecture/discussion: Content and Form
 In class writing/clustering: Worldview
 Handout/discuss: Assignment for Essay #1: Worldview (100 points)
Monday, February 8
 Class Cancelled. Work on worldview essay.
WEEK THREE
Wednesday, February 10
 Read: Ella deCastro Baron’s Itchy Brown Girl Seeks Employment, Introduction (14-21), “Archipelago” (45-57), and The Bell
Curve” (68-96).
 Class Activity: Working Critically with Worldview, Identity, and Ella deCastro Baron’s Assigned Readings—Ways to Approach
Essay #1
 Handout/discuss: Rest of Semester Calendar
Monday, February 15
 Holiday—enjoy the day off!
WEEK FOUR
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Wednesday, February 17
 Due: Four copies of Essay 1 “Worldview” for Peer Workshop (25 points, no make-up). Draft should be at least three pages
long and in MLA format and style, including a Works Cited page. You must have your copies and be on time in order to
participate in the workshop. You may print on both sides of the paper for this workshop.
 Handout: Richard M. Nixon’s “Checkers” Speech
WEEK FIVE
Monday, February 22
 Lecture: A Brief History of Rhetoric and the Persuasive Appeals
 Handout: List of Logical Fallacies and Max Shulman’s “Love is a Fallacy”
Wednesday, February 24
 Research context and Read: Richard M. Nixon’s “Checkers Speech”
 Annotate: Mark successful and unsuccessful examples of emotional (Pathos), Ethical (Ethos), and Logical (Logos) appeals
as you read Nixon’s speech.
 Due: Essay #1 in the following order: 1) Final, polished essay with Works Cited page; 2) Reflection (20 points—follow
directions on page 3 of syllabus; draft—if you miss the Peer Workshop, a draft is still required.
WEEK SIX
Monday, March 1
 Film: Here Be Dragons: An Introduction to Critical Thinking (40 minutes)
 Discuss: Fallacies or “Red Flags” in Nixon’s speech
Wednesday, March 3
 Read: Max Shulman’s “Love is a Fallacy”
 Class Activity: Identifying Logic Fallacies
 Handouts: Short Arguments: “Letter to the Editor” and “Boxing, Doctors—Round Two”
WEEK SEVEN
Monday, March 8
 Read: Short Arguments: “Letter to the Editor” and “Boxing, Doctors—Round Two”
 Class Activity: Rhetorical Analysis of Short Arguments
Wednesday, March 10
 Exam: Logic Fallacy Identification (100 points, matching and fill-in-the-blank)
 Return: Essay #1 Worldview
WEEK EIGHT
Monday, March 15
 Handout/discuss: Sample Student Essay, “Boxing, Doctors—Round Two”: Rhetorical Analysis of a Short Argument
 Preparation: Midterm/Essay #2: In-class Rhetorical Analysis of Short Argument
 Return/discuss: Logic Fallacy Exam
 Handout: Short Argument for Midterm
Wednesday, March 17
 Midterm/Essay#2: In-Class Rhetorical Analysis of a Short Argument (100 points). Bring 8 ½ x 11 college-ruled paper and pen
or pencil. You may use only your marked copy of the short argument and a dictionary—no outlines, notes, books, or electronic
devices.
 Handout: “Written Argument”
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WEEK NINE
Monday, March 22
 Read: “Written Argument” (87-111)
 Begin Lecture: Introduction to the Visual/Editorial Cartoon as Argument and the Rogerian Strategy (induction, deduction,
concession, refutation), evidence and the Grossmont College Databases
 Handout/discuss: Assignment for Essay #3: Editorial Cartoon / Rogerian Argument (200 points); Sample Student Essay:
Editorial Cartoon / Rogerian Argument
Wednesday, March 24
 Continued Lecture/discussion: Visual/Editorial Cartoon as Argument and the Rogerian Strategy
 Class Activity: Identifying Arguments of Editorial Cartoons
 Handout: Outline for Sample Student Essay #3
 Return/discuss: Midterm/Essay #2
WEEK TEN: SPRING RECESS, MARCH 29-APRIL 1
WEEK ELEVEN
Monday, April 5
 Read: Sample Student Essay: Editorial Cartoon / Rogerian Argument
 Due: Outline for your Essay #3
 Class Activity: Working with Essay #3 Outlines
Wednesday, April 7:
 Research Day for Essay #3. No class meeting.
WEEK TWELVE
Monday, April 12
 Due: Three copies of Essay 3: Editorial Cartoon/Rogerian Argument (25 points, no make-up). Draft should be at least five
pages long and in MLA format and style, including a Works Cited page. You must have ALL of your copies and be on time in
order to participate in the workshop. You may print on both sides of the page for this Peer Workshop.
 Special Office Hours Tuesday, April 13: 11-3
Wednesday, 14
 Due: Essay #3 Editorial Cartoon / Rogerian Argument (200 points) at the beginning of class in the following order:
1. Polished essay with Works Cited page (on top—no cover page, please);
2. Reflection (20 points—outlined on page 3 of syllabus);
3. Draft.
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In-class Writing: “First Time”
Read: Ella deCastro Baron’s Itchy Brown Girl Seeks Employment: “First Time” (63); “Café du Monde” (98-102)—bring book to
class!
Discuss: Extra Credit Opportunities for the 14th Annual Literary Arts Festival http://www.grossmont.edu/english/Festival/
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WEEK THIRTEEN
Monday, April 19
 Film: Do the Right Thing. Dir. Spike Lee. Perf. Danny Aiello, Spike Lee, John Turturro, Bill Nunn, Rubie Dee. 40 Acres & a
Mule, 1989. (120 minutes, Rated R for nudity, language, and violence.)
 Handout: Jonathan Rosenbaum’s “Say the Right Thing,” and “Working Critically with Jonathan Rosenbaum’s Argument” (50
points)
Wednesday, April 21
 Conclude Film: Do the Right Thing.
 Lecture/Discussion: Argument and Film—What does Spike Lee want us to do?
WEEK FOURTEEN
Monday, April 26
 Due: “Working Critically with Jonathan Rosenbaum’s Argument” (50 points)
 Small Group Discussion: “Working Critically with Jonathan Rosenbaum’s Argument”
 Handout/discuss: Assignment for Essay #4: Rhetorical Analysis, Evaluation, and Response to the Extended Argument (100
points)
Wednesday, April 28
 Sharing critical work/discussion: Lee’s Do the Right Thing and Rosenbaum’s “Say the Right Thing”
WEEK FIFTEEN
Monday, May 3
 Due for Peer Workshop #3: Three copies of Essay #4 (25 points, no make-up). Your draft must at least meet the minimal
page count to participate. In addition, if you are late or do not have your copies at the start of class, you will not be able to
participate. See essay prompt for details. For the workshop, you may print on both sides of the page.
 Return/discuss: Essay #3 Editorial Cartoon / Rogerian Argument and “Working Critically with Jonathan Rosenbaum’s
Argument”
Wednesday, May 5
 Optional Conferences: 2-5
WEEK SIXTEEN
Monday, May 10
 Due: Essay #4 at the beginning of class in the following order:
1. Polished essay with Works Cited page (on top—no cover page, please);
2. Reflection (20 points—outlined on page 3 of syllabus);
3. Draft.
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Review for Final Exam / Essay #5: Rhetorical Analysis, Evaluation, and Response to a Short Argument (100 points)
Read: “Written Argument”: “A Case for Affirmative Action” (108-113). This was handed out on March 17th.
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Wednesday, May 12
 Continue Review: rhetorical analysis, evaluation, response, concession and refutation.
WEEK SEVENTEEN: FINAL EXAM WEEK
Wednesday, May 26 from 1:35 to 3:25
 Final Exam / Essay #5: Rhetorical Analysis, Evaluation, and Response to a Short Argument. Unlike the midterm, you will not
have the opportunity to read the essay with which you are working beforehand. In addition, you are asked to respond with your
position, making at least one concession and one refutation. Bring 8 ½ x 11 college-ruled paper and pen or pencil. No notes,
electronic devices, or dictionary…just you, your brilliant brain, some paper and a writing utensil. Final exams are not returned.
E-mail me if you would like to know your score.
 Return: Essay #4
Have an amazing summer!